This site is for mothers of kids in the U.S. Navy and for Moms who have questions about Navy life for their kids.

FIRST TIME HERE?

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO GET STARTED:

Choose your Username.  For the privacy and safety of you and/or your sailor, NO LAST NAMES ARE ALLOWED, even if your last name differs from that of your sailor (please make sure your URL address does not include your last name either).  Also, please do not include your email address in your user name. Go to "Settings" above to set your Username.  While there, complete your Profile so you can post and share photos and videos of your Sailor and share stories with other moms!

Make sure to read our Community Guidelines and this Navy Operations Security (OPSEC) checklist - loose lips sink ships!

Join groups!  Browse for groups for your PIR date, your sailor's occupational specialty, "A" school, assigned ship, homeport city, your own city or state, and a myriad of other interests. Jump in and introduce yourself!  Start making friends that can last a lifetime.

Link to Navy Speak - Navy Terms & Acronyms: Navy Speak

All Hands Magazine's full length documentary "Making a Sailor": This video follows four recruits through Boot Camp in the spring of 2018 who were assigned to DIV 229, an integrated division, which had PIR on 05/25/2018. 

Boot Camp: Making a Sailor (Full Length Documentary - 2018)

Boot Camp: Behind the Scenes at RTC

...and visit Navy.com - America's Navy and Navy.mil also Navy Live - The Official Blog of the Navy to learn more.

OPSEC - Navy Operations Security

Always keep Navy Operations Security in mind.  In the Navy, it's essential to remember that "loose lips sink ships."  OPSEC is everyone's responsibility. 

DON'T post critical information including future destinations or ports of call; future operations, exercises or missions; deployment or homecoming dates.  

DO be smart, use your head, always think OPSEC when using texts, email, phone, and social media, and watch this video: "Importance of Navy OPSEC."

Follow this link for OPSEC Guidelines:

OPSEC GUIDELINES

Events

**UPDATE 4/26/2022** Effective with the May 6, 2022 PIR 4 guests will be allowed.  Still must be fully vaccinated to attend.

**UPDATE as of 11/10/2022 PIR vaccination is no longer required.

**UPDATE 7/29/2021** You now must be fully vaccinated in order to attend PIR:

In light of observed changes and impact of the Coronavirus Delta Variant and out of an abundance of caution for our recruits, Sailors, staff, and guests, Recruit Training Command is restricting Pass-in-Review (recruit graduation) to ONLY fully immunized guests (14-days post final COVID vaccination dose).  

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UP TO DATE INFO:

RTC Graduation

**UPDATE 8/25/2022 - MASK MANDATE IS LIFTED.  Vaccinations still required.

**UPDATE 11/10/22 PIR - Vaccinations no longer required.

RESUMING LIVE PIR - 8/13/2021

Please note! Changes to this guide happened in October 2017. Tickets are now issued for all guests, and all guests must have a ticket to enter base. A separate parking pass is no longer needed to drive on to base for parking.

Please see changes to attending PIR in the PAGES column. The PAGES are located under the member icons on the right side.

Format Downloads:

Latest Activity

Navy Speak

Click here to learn common Navy terms and acronyms!  (Hint:  When you can speak an entire sentence using only acronyms and one verb, you're truly a Navy mom.)

N4M Merchandise


Shirts, caps, mugs and more can be found at CafePress.

Please note: Profits generated in the production of this merchandise are not being awarded to the Navy or any of its suppliers. Any profit made is retained by CafePress.

Navy.com Para Familias

Visite esta página para explorar en su idioma las oportunidades de educación y carreras para sus hijos en el Navy. Navy.com

Badge

Loading…

HM (Hospital Corps) "A" School in San Antonio

Information

HM (Hospital Corps) "A" School in San Antonio

Sailors becoming Hospital Corpsmen at A School in San Antonio, TX - best rating in the Navy!  The Hospital Corps is the Navy's only enlisted Corps and the most decorated in the Navy.  Families, friends and loved ones, join in!  

WELCOME!! 

Location: San Antonio, TX
Members: 797
Latest Activity: Sep 19, 2023


WELCOME!

Please say Hi and introduce yourself in the Comments section.

ALL the info at these links is relevant to your corpsman.

About the HM Rate,  HM Rating Card/navy.mil, Overview from navylive.dodlive.com, and Navy Medicine Almanac 2015 p. 28-29.

PROGRAM DURATION:  The actual time that a Sailor physically spends at the HM school in Fort Sam Houston, TX is 96 days.  The Sailor is in the seat, learning, Mondays through Fridays for 70 actual instructional days.  The course covers emergency medical technician training, nursing skills, knowledge specific to the Navy Hospital Corps, and clinicals.

Program Overview:  METC/Basic Medical Technician Corpsman Program

Liberty Phases at A School:  Liberty Phases 

Before posting a Discussion with a question, please ask it in the Comments section, and look through the Discussions - you may find what you need, plus a lot more.  This is a good one: Info for those new (or not so new) to Hospital Corps A School.  For some questions, your best bet may be to call the quarterdeck or campus support center at METC.

There is a graduation ceremony, and families and loved ones are invited to attend.  If you go, here are Hotel recommendations for San Antonio/Ft Sam Houston from corpsman moms, and this pdf with Directions to Ft Sam Houston/Walters Gate/Anderson Hall.  Anderson Hall (MIF 4) is on Cpl Johnson Road between Garden and Womack, and there is a parking lot on Cpl Johnson Rd across the street.

Navy Medicine Training Support Center, San Antonio, TX -  see tabs "Visitor Info" and "Student Life."  For your sailor heading to A School:  "NMTSC Welcome Aboard."

The METC Online website for Medical Education Training Campus at San Antonio has a live-chat function.  Campus Support Center phone number:  210-808-6382 (210-808-METC).  Click here for the METC brochure and a brief overview.  

This METC Program Catalog includes course descriptions for Basic Medical Technician/Corpsman A school (page 10) and C schools (see Index).  Video - "METC sailors marching to chow hall" 

METC on Facebook:  Medical Education Training Campus on Facebook

GRADUATION SCHEDULE:  your sailor is your best source for date, time and any changes.  Basic Medical Technician Corpsman Program on Facebook is NOT an official page, but they do post some photos of graduations.

Read this to find out What is Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB)?  (They have a great graduation ceremony for families to attend, too!)  Most corpsmen attend FMTB sooner (straight from A School) or later.  It does NOT mean that they will necessarily be assigned to a Marine Corps unit.

VIDEO:  What to expect at Fleet Medical Battalion-East.   https://www.dvidshub.net/video/455508/fmtb-east-command-video#.VvdFmMdH0_V

Field Medical Training Battalion East at Camp Lejeune, NC official website  then -> Students -> Course Description

and Camp Lejeune Moms on N4M.

Females go to FMTB-East only.  Otherwise, it's up to the needs of the Navy as to which location a Corpsman is sent to.

FMTB West Camp Pendleton CA official site, and Camp Pendleton Moms on N4M.  Video:  "What's FMTB-W REALLY Like"

Corpsmen serve in a variety of settings.  "Blueside" corpsmen serve in hospitals and clinics and on ships.  "Greenside" corpsmen are with forward-deployed Marine units and where one can earn the hard-won and highly valued Fleet Marine Force (FMF) qualification.  There is nothing like the love that Marines have for their "Doc."  Seriously.  

Hospital Corpsman Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs) - There are 38 - thirty-eight! - specialties within the HM rating, from Search & Rescue (8401) to Dental Lab Tech/Maxillofacial (8765).  Here is a list of HM NECs and C school locations.

Rating/Rate in ascending order

HR:  Hospitalman Recruit (E-1); HA:  Hospitalman Apprentice (E-2); HN:  Hospitalman (E-3); HM3:  Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (E-4);  HM2:  Hosp. Corpsman 2nd Class (E-5); HM1:  Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (E-6); HMC:  Chief Hospital Corpsman (E-7); HMCS:  Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (E-8); HMCM: Master Chief Hospital Corpsman (E-9).   

How to read a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) (your sailor accesses his/her LES by logging in at https://mypay.dfas.mil)     

IMPORTANT:  Read and follow these Operational Security (OPSEC) guidelines.  N4M is an open website that can be read by non-members; and not all members are necessarily what they seem.  Be smart and keep yourself and all our sailors safe.  Keep YOUR safety in mind too.   It's human nature to trust and want to share, but don't provide personal information to others.  Great and lasting friendships are made on NavyforMoms.com, but use common sense and caution before proceeding. Online chat safety tips

Once your sailor graduates from A School, more NavyforMoms.com groups include Corpsman Moms & DadsCorpsman MomsCorpsman Wives, GFs, Moms; and FMF Corpsman Moms plus the FMTB groups listed above.

Bookmark this for the future!  Navy Credentialing Opportunites Online (Navy COOL) for HM

METC brochure, click to enlarge:

5/17 Video: Intro to Medical Education Training Campus San Antonio 

NAVY MEDICINE

Discussion Forum

Death in the family

Started by Worldtravel4ever. Last reply by Worldtravel4ever Jul 31, 2019. 5 Replies

My mother just passed away today, and of course I have to let our sailor know. I am worried though because I just don’t want to derail my sailor in A school. I notified the Red Cross and am waiting to hear back from my sailor. Has anyone had…Continue

A School Graduation in San Antonio

Started by wfhcs. Last reply by mern May 30, 2019. 3 Replies

My son graduates on June 5th from A School. I am trying to verify the time of the graduation so I can book a flight in and out that day.  He understood it to be at 10am or 12pm.  I was trying to see if it is a set time.  Thanks again,Continue

Photographs from Graduation

Started by m3mmarianne May 16, 2019. 0 Replies

Does anyone have access to the photos from graduation yesterday or know where we can search?  Thank you in advance.Continue

Intro

Started by AmyBeth1991. Last reply by NavyMoeder May 4, 2019. 4 Replies

I think I sent everyone a message,  when I thought I was posting. Please forgive me. I didn't see this until after. I have a son at HM school who will graduate next month. Any advice appreciated.  I will be flying to San Antonio.  My husband is a…Continue

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of HM (Hospital Corps) "A" School in San Antonio to add comments!

Comment by Catherine on January 20, 2019 at 10:15pm

My Sailor made it to A School last night!  A very long day at the airport with all the weather delays.  He had his briefing and tour today.  Classes start next week. He said they are provided 2 meals a day and have a microwave and fridge in the living quarters.  What do the other HM's do for supper?  He is used to cooking but not necessarily using a microwave...high sodium foods and preservatives!  He doesn't want to eat out all the time.  Suggestions I can pass along to him?  He is excited to get started!

Comment by Californiamom on January 15, 2019 at 8:22pm

There are stages of liberty. The final stage they can put request in to leave for the weekend but must be pre approved and 150 miles within the area . Liberty 1 they can go out with a battle buddy but must return by midnight. Liberty 2 overnight with a battle buddy (preapproval needed). 

Comment by Tammy⚓️Girl on January 15, 2019 at 6:56pm

Might be 50 miles, but don’t quote me.  

Comment by Emma on January 15, 2019 at 1:15pm
Is there a limit to how far sailors can travel on liberty for weekends?
Comment by mern on January 13, 2019 at 7:44pm

When my son graduated A school, we were in our rv- we drove from California and found a nice park not far from base. We arrived about 5 days before graduation and we were able to see our son each night after he was finished at school. We had dinner and just spent time together. When day of graduation came his 2 friends that came had time to be with him and we didn't feel like we were competing for time. After graduation and he could leave we went to the river walk for dinner. His C school wasn't for a while so he was still in San Antonio when we had to leave. 

Comment by Catherine on January 13, 2019 at 7:28pm

@ JulieAnne, thank you for the information about possibly flying out of Midway.  I thought it would be O'Hare and I planned my Friday hotel stay near there.  I will be prepared to go to Midway if needed!  My older son and I are both flying out of O'Hare that day and I am still hopeful we can all be together there before we head our separate ways. 

The information about the HM classes is helpful and I know this next stage will go fast because we can have more regular communication.  I am not sure what my SR is thinking of for C school or what area of HM he is aiming for.  He would like to eventually be attached to a Marine unit as a medic.  

Comment by Tammy⚓️Girl on January 13, 2019 at 6:03pm

Californiamom, thanks for the great info.  

Comment by CeeJaysMom on January 13, 2019 at 2:56pm

@Californiamom...hey neighbor from the Bay!...thanks for the detailed info!..its cool when i read posts from those that are local to me...i try flying southwest when i can...thanksgiving week was no joke when it came to finding reasonable flights..as of now, he's top of his class, so he's banking on his wish list..its the days after graduation...whether or not he's coming home..and hoping not to use up his leave allotment since he's saving it for his best friend's wedding in June and he's one of the groomsmen..if he does get to go home after graduation for a bit, it's not taken from his "leave" bank right?...because he had been already  working in a hospital before enlisting, he compares "leave" like using "PTO"..lol!...

Comment by Californiamom on January 13, 2019 at 2:16pm

Hi all, 

Here is our experience: My son graduated A school on a Monday, yup a Monday at 3PM. He called us a couple of weeks prior to get our info. so we could get on base. Now if you are active military or still have access to any base you didn't have to give info. only for civilians. He wasn't 100 % sure if he was going to graduate on Thurs. (as they normally do) or Mon.  as he heard a rumor. None of his buddies had stern info. either. So we flew Southwest (you can change, cancel) with out any penalties. Hung out in SA plenty to see and do and on Monday he graduated at 3. Small informal ceremony (not like boot camp) plenty of seating and no need to arrive hours early like boot camp.  A few weeks prior to graduation your sailor will know their next orders. Mine got a C school, lab tech, which meant he got to stay another 13 months of school in SA where he is now. My opinion, fly an airline that does not charge you for changing flights if you are not 100% sure when they graduate. Airport is near by, but a rental is still a good option. When you go do the sight seeing things there is plenty of parking about 12 for 3 hours plus you might want to pick up and transport your sailor. Air BnB are good options since the hotel on base is a little pricey and not too much to do on base (unless you want to explore a base) . After the graduation ceremony they get leave until like midnight so if you fly back try to fly the next day so you can squeeze in more family time.  Another idea: take your sailor luggage with home things since they will be going to their next duty station or being placed in another school and will need more items to save $ and to be more comfortable.

Comment by Marianne on January 13, 2019 at 1:57pm

Just finished telling a neighbor of the loving support I receive here. They don't understand and I can't explain it. College is very different than this.  Without all of you - it'd be so much more difficult.  Thank you ALL so very much.

 
 
 

© 2024   Created by Navy for Moms Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service