Camp Lejeune and FMTB-East Moms, Families and Friends

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Camp Lejeune / Camp Johnson / Field Medical Training Battalion moms, family and friends - Welcome! Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is home to more than 47,000 Marine and Sailors from around the world. FMTB, the eight-week training course for corpsmen, is on Camp Johnson, adjacent to Camp Lejeune.

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mikes mom

Marcy your doing a great job on your Droid ...

Oct 22, 2010
Dan's Dad (John)

I'm glad Dan must have been off base when they came through asking for volunteers, he volunteers for everything!

Oct 23, 2010
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

My Mac is back, yay! Thanks MM, love my Droid too, let me do almost everything without having to go to my office, which takes so much time, ick.

Charlotte, my son joined in August '07 and has been a corpsman since Feb 08. I know - don't you love those terms? But I believe that while the Navy sets high standards, they want their people to succeed, hence the many study guides available and encouragement of group study etc.

Oct 23, 2010
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Christine, good for your son's roommate for volunteering. It reminds me of a friend who volunteered for the Marines in Vietnam - he wanted to be with the best trained, to ensure HIS safety! I was reading about the EOD after your mention, and wow - the Marines they choose are the best of the best, and their training is so extensive. I wonder if his mom is on N4M? There's an EOD group. One mom said that out of her son's EOD group of 40 from bootcamp, just 3 are left as they near the end of all the schools. Anyone know the difference between Navy EOD and Marines EOD training?

Oct 23, 2010
mikes mom

Ruthella ROTFLMAO !!!!

YAY Marcy !!!! We love our Macs

Oct 24, 2010
mary ann reed price

new to navy moms son is corpsman in afghanistan. all i do is pray

Oct 30, 2010
Tamijzr07

HI There, My son headed to Camp Lejuene on Oct 12. He says all is going well but he gets a lot less sleep there than @ A school. He sounded pretty tired but still very enthusiastic about being there. Best to your daughter.

Nov 2, 2010
Tamijzr07

I just wanted to check in and say Hi to everyone. I havent been on much except to take a quick peek here and there. I think of the folks on Navy for Moms often and I hope all is well. Take care !

Nov 2, 2010
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Hi Tami! Assuming your son in the midst of FMTB?

Nov 2, 2010
Tamijzr07

Hi Marcy, Yes he is :) I havent heard too much except that he has been in the field and that he get less sleep these days. Im sitting here trying to catch up on e-mail and Navy for Moms while I have my 20 month old grandson drawing next to me to keep him busy. Well see how long that lasts :) Its been a while since Ive had to multi task to this degree. Love the little guy though. Best to everyone!

Nov 5, 2010
Anna

Am also new to Navy Moms. My son is an HM2 at Camp LeJeune. Will be deploying in 2011 after becoming a new Dad. How do you learn to breathe while your child is in harm's way?

Nov 9, 2010
Anna

Thank you, Ruthella!!! Your kind words are deeply appreciated. Knowing that there are others that I can turn to for support is a wonderful feeling. There are some, here at work, that have experienced what I am about to know, but I don't want to turn to them. I know that there is nothing that I CAN NOT DO for my son and being strong is top on the list. I was just out to Jacksonville to see him, got to laugh with him and get some great hugs. Thank you, again

Nov 9, 2010
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Welcome AnnaK!
Let me suggest some additional groups to join that are great -
Corpsmen Moms and Dads
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/corpsmanmomsanddads

Mothers Getting Ready for Deployment (good info in the discussions)
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/mothersgettingreadydordeployment

and
Anyone with Sailors/Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/momswithkidsiniraq

Also, find a moms group for your geographical area! They have get-togethers and share info. There are groups for your interests - movie reviews, quilting, whatever. And a fun and very active group is Molly's Adopt a Sailor - every month they adopt a Navy ship or a military unit, and we shop for, pack and send themed care packages.
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/mollysadoptasailorproject

I have learned so much from the various groups I've joined, and - best! - formed wonderful friendships here on N4M.

Nov 9, 2010
Anna

Wow, Marcy!! So many places to turn to.....I never know that there could be so much kindness. It will take me a couple of days to navigate through the groups you have listed below, but I will. Thank you so very much

Nov 9, 2010
mikes mom

AnnaK, Looks like Ruthella and Marcy came to your recue YAY!!! Welcome to Camp Lejeune... My son just finished his first tour and I would not have been able to get through it without those two women : ) You take everyday one step at a time and like Ruthella said you learn to breath and even sleep...Hmmmm I'm still having problems sleeping though...

Nov 10, 2010
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

MM, I know...
At least your house looks great ;) don't forget to share some of your coping strategies ...

Nov 10, 2010
mikes mom

: ) Ohhhhh Marcy I should let her in on a few of my secrets ... Anna I repainted the interior of my home : ) Yep and now my son is home and confusing me even more... Soooooo next on my list is my daughters bathroom Melissa ( lol ) she just left for Army BC Yikes ! I will be retiling her bathroom floor and I'm going to texture her walls : ) That's what I did for seven months plus N4Ms : )

Nov 10, 2010
Anna

Thanks, Marcy & Mike's Mom!!! I really appreciate all your support...ALREADY! I think my biggest challenges will be dealing with my son in harm's way and then his wife is having twins a month before he deploys!! And, I am a zillion miles away from her. I need some coping skills for the anger towards stupid people. Help!!

Nov 10, 2010
Anna

I can slap!!! Thanks, Ruthella!!! :-) Just normal people commenting on the war and our involvement(in general). Then, the ones that say stuff like....."Oh, he'll be home before you know it" and, "Well, my brother, cousin and such have been over there and back....they made it okay." They don't know the bond of a Mother and her son.

Nov 10, 2010
Dan's Dad (John)

Carolyn's sister upset her when we told her about Dan deploying. She was like no big deal, Jon (her son in law) was in Iraq. Sorry but Jon is in supply and that's just not the same thing.

Nov 10, 2010
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

There's a lot of info in this article. My favorite statistics to quote come from this, towards the end:
"Be they assigned to hospital ships, reservist installations, recruiter offices, or Marine Corps combat units, the rating of Hospital Corpsman is the most decorated in the United States Navy with 22 Medals of Honor, 174 Navy Crosses, 31 Distinguished Service Medals, 946 Silver Stars, and 1,582 Bronze Stars. There have been 20 naval ships that have been named after hospital corpsmen."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_Hospital_Corpsman

Nov 10, 2010
mikes mom

Ditto ! I am so proud : )

Nov 11, 2010
Dan's Dad (John)

Christine, he will be going to 29palms sometime in Jan. for Viper training first, last he said he thinks it will be Aprilish.

Nov 18, 2010
Corie

I got a Question my bf has orders to CL after A School for FMTB. Do they get there phone and there computer or is like being in Boot camp where they can only send and receive letters. Any info would be greatly appreciated!!

Dec 7, 2010
Corie

Thank You everyone for your advice I will make sure to tell him, He graduates A school in Jan sometime and then he is going to CL in till May sometime.

Dec 9, 2010
waiting4chris

Hello everyone - I just wanted to drop a quick line of introduction. I'm a Camp Lejeune Wife, rather than Mom, but I'll joining my Corpsman to live on base in January.

Dec 13, 2010
Emilie

Hello, new to all this. My son is about to be a corpsman and will be headed to CL in February, I believe he will class up with the field training in the middle of March. Any info about life at Camp Lejeune and Field training would be appreciated. Thanks for your time! Em

Jan 3, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

Hello Em. My son graduated fmtb in October. He actually enjoyed it.

Jan 4, 2011
Emilie

Hi John - mine is looking forward to it. Is your son now an FMF or does he do another job? Mine is suppose to be stationed with the Marines after he is done is that what yours is doing. Kinda confused still as you can tell.

Has anyone shipped a vehicle we are in Washington State our sailor will be in Camp Lejeune for a few years. Any good advice on this one?

Jan 5, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

Em- my son is stationed at CL with the 2nd Marines. He thinks he'll get his FMF pin after his deployment.

Jan 6, 2011
docmom

Emilie

We actually drove it to my son who is a corpsman with 3/9 just deployed from Camp Lejeune. We live in PA.

Jan 8, 2011
Emilie

Docmom prayers to your son and those with him. Dan's Dad - Mine will be there in late January and is looking forward to it. I think his class for FMF will start in March so his graduation will be around end of April early May and I suppose he will get assigned if he does a good job. He has done a good job in his corpsman school but is looking forward to doing some physical stuff.

Thank you AKCorpsmanMom! No luck on the Military paying for this one. First time you have to get it there yourself unless you have a significant other. So.......surprisingly expensive to go from one coast to another. I am guessing we will go with the driving idea - here's to seeing the US and more adventures!

Happiness and best wishes to you all

Jan 9, 2011
mikes mom

Wow, Christine how lucky are you : ) Us moms always love and enjoy spending any extra time with our sailors....

Jan 11, 2011
Emilie

Hi Everyone - urgent request, my son is moving to CL and is driving in this weekend - does anyone have a place they like to stay?

Jacksonville or Camp Lejeune or something neat near by called something I don't know hahahahahh

Thanks for any help - possibly Raleigh but it seems to be a bit of a drive.

Jan 19, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

We stayed at the Baymont Inn on Western Blvd. It was close to base, clean, and reasonable. We booked thru hotwire.com

Jan 19, 2011
Emilie

Thank you both!!!! I think we will suggest the Baymont - looks nice and close to the base as you mentioned.

Here we go - three years - I don't think I can make a paper chain for this one!! Still getting used to the distance!

Prayers to all of your sons and daughters, for their safety and health - physical, mental and emotional. These guys are such patriots - they are amazing!

Thanks again!

Jan 20, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

We stayed at the Inn keeper when Dan graduated FMTB, it was OK but we liked the Baymont better.

Jan 20, 2011
mikes mom

Emilie - Enjoy your time.. Its a huge base... I have two children there never been myself they always come home... Enjoy and be safe : )

Jan 20, 2011
vettespace

Susan, here's the link to the Family Readiness Officer for the 1/8. They'll have all the info.

http://www.marines.mil/unit/2ndmardiv/8thmarreg/1stbat/Pages/Famili...

Jan 23, 2011
vettespace

Susan, you're very welcome! Also, if you haven't visited this site yet, you may see your son!

http://basetrack.org/

Jan 24, 2011
Anna

Sir Vette......what would my cub's Family Readiness Officer link be??

Jan 24, 2011
vettespace

Hi Anna, here's the link for the phone number for your son's FRO:

http://www.marineparents.com/units/Print.asp?ID=59

Jan 24, 2011
Emilie

Hi everyone - hope this finds you and your son/daughters well! Can anyone tell me about the day to day life at FMTB east? I have read all the links ect. but I wonder, do they live in the barracks or do they move to a certain barracks, are they free on the weekends or is it like the start of A school again with limited time off? What happens after FMTB? If you are stationed at CL are you always assigned to a unit after the training or do you sometimes just work at the hospital and suddenly get deployed with a unit? Sorry so many questions - whatever you can answer is appreciated.

Jan 30, 2011
vettespace

I hate that flights in and out of Jacksonville NC are so expensive...son wanted to come home for the holiday weekend next weekend since he's headed to the sandbox very soon after and will be gone for a while...so, dad just booked him a flight home for a couple days!!!!

Feb 12, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

worth every penny though. we were looking at flights too, us air express was the best deal. $140 Wilmington to Philly.

Feb 12, 2011
vettespace

I agree, God forbid if anything were to happen to him overseas and I didn't fly him home for the weekend before leaving!!!!!!!

Getting him out on Friday was way too much, but managed to get him out early Sat. and back very late on Mon. for a total of $453. So, all and all not too bad.

Feb 12, 2011
vettespace

Gosh Ruthella, when I first looked at tickets for him to head home on Friday evening the price was over $1200 for a ticket so I text'd him and said that was ridiculous...so he texts back and says "I know it doesn't make a lot of sense to you but it is the last time I'll see y'all for a long time so it's important to me"...How do you respond to that???? So, I made it work. :-)

Feb 12, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

Damn, no way out of that one vette! we plan to have hiom home for two weeks so this weekend wasn't worth the trip. also their arrival home has been postponed a day.

Feb 12, 2011
Dan's Dad (John)

I was pretty disappointed with the ceremony, I'm not surprised the video was the same caliber. The PIR & Corpsman grads were awesome, the Marines need to learn from the Navy!

Feb 14, 2011
Emilie

My son mentioned that Raleigh or Wilmington might also be options. Raleigh is 2 hours and Wilmington is 1 hour might be less expensive for some of us. I also noticed some towns around the base north and south - I am guessing there is more than one gate so probably not as far away as they look. Might have more hotel/bed&breakfast/lodging options. Looks like the base does have several Marine Lodges although I think the guys like to get off the base and take a breather sometimes.

Feb 17, 2011