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Comment by IDCmom#1 on September 7, 2014 at 5:46pm

Before I forget, there are some programs (can't think of what they are called for sure but think one is My CA or something like that and just saw something else on TV the other night about another new program.  If my husband had not retired from military education two years ago, I would have an authority to ask.) that help the military spouse with educational costs.  Tell him to google it. 

A lot of the housing has no AC so a great wedding present would be a really good fan!  

I had forgotten about "substandard" or less desirable housing.  That's a great way to save.  Usually, you forfeit your entire housing allowance to live in base housing but in some like these, you end up with a big savings. 

Another new thing is that service members in base housing are being charged for electricity use if it is above the average use.  After a couple of very high bills, my son contacted housing and they sent someone out to inspect.  Turns out the street lights were on their bill. 

Just re-read your post.  Even the nice housing doesn't have AC.  Don't think that is a factor in housing cost; it is more the age of the quarters and where they are located.  There are some cute apartments up Wire Mountain on the left hand side of the road.  Don't know if they are one or two bedrooms but definitely convenient to the hospital. 

y brain isn't working.  Was thinking the hospital was still out by Lake O'Neil instead of the beautiful new one right by my son's housing.  He is assigned to a clinic not too far from his house but hospital would be more convenient.     

Comment by jennsbox on September 7, 2014 at 5:11pm

Thank you so much IDCmom!  I believe she will be working in the hospital on base but won't know until she starts what unit she will be in.  I have learned that the military likes to keep EVERYTHING last minute!  Also, I think she wants a dog but does not have one right now.  Her fiance plans on going back to school.  He will probably look for part-time work on base.  They can wait for the right housing, as I heard she can stay in the barracks and he can stay where he is now.  Also, she is an E2 now (probably next level at the end of the year.  She got her HA certificate at graduation in San Antonio.  I am still learning the tier and all the abbreviations!  Her fiance grew up on that base, also a military brat...haha.  He went to view some of the housing and mentioned some had air conditioning and some did not...about a $500 monthly price difference! 

Comment by IDCmom#1 on September 7, 2014 at 4:52pm

Jennsbox mom,

Best wishes to your daughter on her upcoming wedding.

My son has been stationed at Camp Pendleton for almost three years, PCSing in December.

There are a important considerations in your daughter's base housing quest. 1. Where she will work. You don't want housing on the other side of the base. 2. Does she have or will she have pets? Some housing areas don't allow any while others might just allow cats and/or dogs and certain breeds are not allowed at all. 3. Where will husband be working if he plans to work? 4. Is it important to be in housing right away or can they wait until the housing area they want is available?

That said, some of the housing available for lower enlisted newlyweds is small. Some, not any problem. Tell them not to settle and stand up to the housing people. They can be bullies.

My son has lived in both Wire Mountain 1 and 2 in identical floor plan although one was 4-plex and the present a duplex. I prefer where they are now because driving up Wire Mountain road can be really slow at times.

I am VERY impressed by the newer housing on base. I grew up an officer's kid and we never had base housing as nice as my son is living in now.

Good luck and I am so envious that you will be so near to her. I miss my son and daughter-in-law but nothing like I miss the grandchildren!!!

Comment by jennsbox on September 7, 2014 at 12:21pm

Hi!  My daughter just graduated from San Antonio's "A" school corpsman training and is on liberty for 2 weeks.  She will be stationed at Camp Pendleton.  We were so fortunate, as we only live a couple hours away!  Any information on this next step would be greatly appreciated.  She will be getting married next week and is looking into housing on the base.

Comment by Celina on July 9, 2014 at 7:10pm

Hello:

My son gratuated a week ago, after a 2 day visit  he is now at his new post on Kaneohe Bay. It was great reading all your post.  Good luck to the next graduationg class.

Now I will try to find a group from that base, anyone one familiar with it?

Comment by tiffytbe on June 22, 2014 at 8:46pm

@Lita... Make sure to "like" the official FMTB West Facebook page. Lots of info and pictures posted quite frequently. My son graduates next Friday and by following the facebook page I've been able to see all that is going on. https://www.facebook.com/FieldMedWest

Comment by IDCmom#1 on June 22, 2014 at 7:48pm

Somewhere (someone must know where), there is a great video of a past class going through FMTB West.  You might even be able to just Google it. 

Comment by IDCmom#1 on June 22, 2014 at 7:45pm

Lita, you are in the right place. 

Comment by Lita on June 22, 2014 at 7:33pm

My son is due to graduate from A school in San Antonio on July 31,2014.... Orders are FMTB in Camp Pendleton and then on to Naval Hospital in San Diego. I am in the right place?

Comment by IDCmom#1 on June 8, 2014 at 10:07pm

Earp13, my son was assigned to Area 31 Edson Range clinic and I have been there.  Nice clinic.  Corpsman get a lot of hands on experience there and if they let their IDCs (Independent Duty Corpsmen) know they really want to learn, they will get even more experience.  Just asked my son about the IDCs there and he says they are good. 

It is possible that if your son does not have orders for FMTB, he might be transferred to another clinic because the corpsmen at Edson Range need to be 8404 to do medical coverage on hikes with the Marine recruits. 

Just thinking back to some of the sick call patients I saw in the waiting room.  Bleeding fingers from not being careful while changing targets at the range, lots of pink eye, and eyes that are horribly red and painful because the old wife's tale that hand sanitizer in your eye will cure pink eye.  The Marine recruits are really young, impressionable kids.      

 



  

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