Corpsman

[Skysmom]

My son is going to be a Corpsman, is it as dangerous as it sounds or am I just being a parinoid mother.

[Cathy]

Did you get any answers to this? My son wants to join up to be a corpsman and he thinks he would choose to go serve the Marines...I don't know much about any of this. Anything you find out would be helpful to me! Has your son already gone through Boot Camp?

[Skysmom]

Yes, my son is in A school right now and doesn't want to do FMTB , field medic training. It is dangerous, I have been reassured that the Marines take very good care of there corpsmen though. Skylar is hoping to get into C school , higher training. So............... yes it is dangerous because there is a war going on but it is also one of the most respected jobs in the Navy. I think Skylar would have picked something else if he had really know what was in store for him. But it really depends on the person. It is very physical and challanging if they are a field medic and it is really great if there not. Im not doing to great though. I can't imagine what I will do if anything happens to my son. Im just hoping for the best.

[Rich Huelbig]

The Corpsman rate is a fantastic one. "A" school should have been secured prior to enlisting. I believe the only "A" school left is in Great Lakes, Il. The school is 12 wks of intense study along with practical knowledge. As long as your son hits the books he will find it easy to manage with plenty of free time to see the sights of Chicago. It is always the free time that causes problems....If he goofs off and fails out, plan on him "chipping paint" on an aircraft carrier for the remainder of his enlistment. (That should be motivation enough to do well) As for FMSS, with the war(s) going on I would doubt if he will have a choice about going to Camp Pendleton for training. Again, another 10 or so weeks of field medical training (a lot of fun, in my opinion) which upon completion, I would recommend your son challenge the EMT exam and I am sure he will pass it without much preparation.

As a new corpsman he will be amazed at the responsibility given to him almost immediately upon arriving at his first command. If it is a hospital, he can bank on ward duty (no fun, in my opinion) which can be tedious duty which is almost always shift work, am's, pm's, nights...

Clinic duty is mostly reserved for those who have served ward duty.... it is a nice reprieve from "bed pans".

If he does go on the "Green Side" (USMC) he will be given the ultimate responsibility immediately. Taking care of crazy Marines in the field.... when you are out in the field it is you and only you taking care of these guys. In turn, they will take good care of you. Good advancement with the Marines too. Yes, it is dangerous, but so is life in general.

A squared away corpsman can also be placed on the fast track to nursing school and then receive a commission. Nurses are in constant demand both in and out of the military. The stigma is no longer as great regarding a man becoming a nurse. Nursing on the outside of the military is recession proof. You are always in demand.

Don't forget Med School. I have a fellow corpsman friend who is now a Doc out in California. All through the Navy and zero student loans.

Good Luck to your son.....

As long as he respects the tradition of the Corpsman Rate, Listens to the Chiefs......he will be just fine.

Hoo-ya!

Rich Huelbig
An old HM2(SS)

[Skysmom]

Thank you for your reply, Skylar will never enjoy his free time like he should, is just so, so serious, unlike me. He works really hard , always has and for 19 I think he has a very old soul. All he thinks about is his future. But he never really thought about the danger of his position. He is in GL A school, 91 percent average on his 10th test. All he worries about is if he does goe FMTB if he really is going to be able to live up to that responsibilty. He doesn't like to let people down , especially ones he wants to impress, he has it in his head that if he is not up to standards he will be treated badly. He was never treated badly as a child, he has always been a perfectionist and I think that is what scares me more than him being shot at. What do they do if they really cant hack it under that pressure but yet they are very intellegent and smart in other parts.???

[Proud Navy Mom Sue]

My son is in boot camp and planning on being a corpsman. He will graduate the first part of January. He is thrilled about this adventure. He wants to be a part of the fleet marines. More action the better and I have an uncle who is retired from the Marines and as he told me the Navy Corpsman are taken care of. They are very important to the Marines. Be proud of your son and put him in God's hands. I keep telling myself this so I won't worry about him.

[Skysmom]

What BC ??? My son is in GL A school. I will try to take your advise , thank you.

[robin]

my son is also going to be a corpsman. I am worried also, he is so excited about it and WANTS to work with the marines! I myself was in the USN for 14 years, and I am so proud but terrified at the same time! I know what is in store for him and also that he will be well taken care of, but it doesn't seem to make me worry any less...He left for boot camp on 11-11..I'm watching the mail box,and holding my breath..all moms worry, so be brave, your son will be, and he will also be just fine!

[Angela]

Best of luck! I would be so scared if my son went to work with the Marines.

[Theresa]

My son is also going to be a Corpsman. He graduates BC 12/24. He wants to be a Fleet Marine. I'm scared to death.

[Julianna]

Hi, My youngest son is a corpsman. He's been in for two years now. He loves and hates it. Currently he is in Kwait and is able to call almost every day which is wonderful for him and us. He has served out in the field some, but most of it is in the hospital there. If we do not hear from him for several days we know he is out on the field, but never know and can't ask where or what happened. You worry of course about them being sent to the wars. A cliche that is true, "Bad things can happen anywhere." When my son gets back stateside he is hoping to get assigned to the Marines. By the way that is not automatic in case that is one of your concerns. Once your son serves with the Marines, He becomes a Marine! Speaking as a Mom, also of a Marine that has served in the original push to Bagdad and in front lines in Afghanistan. Marines take care of their own. He will be as safe as they can keep him. Not all Marines serve at the front lines and not all Corpsmen serve on the war front, they serve in the military hospitals all over the world and stateside. So no matter where he serves stateside or overseas, we always worry, I don't think it is pariniod - you are just being a Mom! Let me know if you have any other concerns.

[Skysmom]

Julianna, thank you, I really appreciate the info you and the former Corpsman (I assume, Hoo-ya!) have given me and other new corpsmen moms. Just the fact that you guys take the time out to help new worried moms like us, touches my heart. I hope I can pass it forward one day.

[Bette]

My son is in "A" school currently, PIR'd on 11/26/08, so he's a "newbie" His ultimate goal is to be a Doc. Anestheologist (sp?) He is currently an E-3. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!!! I have gone on the corpsman group and they have been very helpful with information. as well. I just found this Forum. : ) He's suppose to be able to come home for Christmas but I haven't heard from him yet. I was hoping to be able to give him a little guidance if he is able to come home, as to how he may want to handle himself to achieve his goals. Thank you!