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:
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:
**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:
- Graduation Info
- PDF – 2.7 MB
- PNG – 2.3 MB
- JPG – 3.4 MB
- Printable PDF – 2.0 MB
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
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HM (Hospital Corps) "A" School in San Antonio
Information
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!
Location: San Antonio, TX
Members: 795
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
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 & Dads; Corpsman Moms; Corpsman 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 0 Likes
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 0 Likes
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 0 Likes
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 0 Likes
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
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Comment by KellynKaty(corps-Mom) on May 25, 2011 at 3:53pm
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Hi Ladies, my son just graduated May 20th. He is in SA. I am just getting my feet wet on here in this group. Nice to know I can get answers here. Just wanted to HI to everyone..
Have a great day!
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Comment by CorpsmansGirl08 (station:GL,IL) on May 24, 2011 at 9:08pm
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hello everyone! I am jenny my boyfriend just graduated last friday and left early saturday for San antonio! He has a graduation date of sept. 13th. I was wondering if anyone knows how long of a leave they have after they graduate?
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Comment by Momoj on May 24, 2011 at 7:15pm
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Kathy, thank you so much for all your help. It helps allot.
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Comment by Kathy from Texas HMDA on May 24, 2011 at 1:16pm
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Your Sailor will have to give you the address, as it ties to their class, much like it tied to their ship and division in boot camp.
This is the format:
> SA Last Name, First Name
> HM Basic, Class XXX
> General Delivery
> 3630 Stanley Rd Ste XX (this is their dorm address I believe)
> Fort Sam Houston, Tx 78234
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Can some one please tell me if the address for our sailors should be Huston or San Antonio?
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Comment by toriimarie on May 24, 2011 at 10:26am
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Thanks so much for all of the details Kathy! Something I've learned since starting the whole enlistment process is that there's a lot of, you'll-know-when-you-know sort of mentality. Luckily patience is a virtue and having two small children has taught me to have plenty :)
I was actually scheduled to ship out December 20th and was going to be in the AECF program but I had wanted to leave early and just last week my recruiter told me that a spot had opened up for a Corpsman leaving June 6th and I jumped on it! It was actually one of my choices when I had first went to MEPS however I heard that it comes up very rarely for females so that I shouldn't even consider it an option! I'm so thankful that I've gotten this opportunity!
We're all from Michigan so I think my family will drive down for my PIR and get a hotel so I'm definitely looking forward to any time I can get with them. I'm not too concerned with having liberty at A school since it would be way too expensive for my family to fly out to see me, and I'm going to put almost all of my focus into studying so I can try to finish in the top of my class. I heard they get first pick of duty station :)
It's disappointed that I could get held up simply waiting for classes to start since originally I would have been finishing sometime in November. Hopefully I don't end up missing Christmas since I'll already be missing my husbands birthday as well as both my daughter's birthdays! I suppose that's what I signed up for though and I couldn't be more excited to get started. So glad I found this group!
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Tori,
Good luck, and thank you for doing this for your Country.
You will fly out to SA the Sat after PIR. Your family can visit with you Friday after PIR (we stayed at a Ressidence Inn so we had space to hang out). You will then be back at boot camp Friday night and leave for the airport around 4 am, regardless of your flight time. Our daughter's flight was at 1:30, so we hung at the airport at the gate with her until she boarded. The airlines will give your family passes to sit with you if they have proper identification (for kids, birth certificate and SS card, OR Passport) and you are there with them to prove they are going in with you.
Once in SA, you will not have privileges to leave the base until around your third week. That is up to your class officers/commanders. In later phases you may leave base and stay off for the weekend without having to return every night, but not travel past 50 miles without special permission.
Also note, that your classes do not immediately start upon your arrival in San Antonio. So this could extend your stay in SA for several weeks above and beyond the HM training.
It is an exciting and challenging process you are about to go through, but it is also a very rewarding one!! Good Luck.
Kathy
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Hey all! I'll be shipping to boot camp on June 6th so my PIR won't be until sometime in August, however I'll be attending Corpsman school in San Antonio after that. I'm married and have two young girls and although I'm not looking forward to being away from them, I'm very excited for all the communication we'll have once we're out of boot camp! The question I have is, how long was it between your sailor's PIR and their flight to Texas? My mother and husband are like, "Maybe you'll get to come home for a couple weeks before you go!" But I'm just going to consider myself a grad and go so I'm not disappointed...
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Thank you so much Kathy. That helps a lot. I was just curious because my daughter asked me to send her some stuff and I believe her class has to be included on her address. I guess I just need to be patient and wait.
You are right it is priceless being able to text and talk to her after bootcamp
Eva
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Hi Hep'sProudmom,
She should find out in a few days. My daughter has been there since 4/30 and her class just starts up this week. her roomate was in bootcamp with her and got to SA on the same day, but the roomie started class 2 weeks ago.
The good news is that your daughter can talk to you every day, it is so nice after dealing with bootcamp.
Kathy
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