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!! 

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  • Bugsmom

    My daughter is currently in BC and going to A school for HM1. Was thinking of getting her a watch as she currently does nth have one. Going into medical she will need one with a sweep hand.  Anyone have suggestions/ recommendations?  Thanks!!

  • Wcpunk4

    My son should of arrived to a school today!! When will he be able to contact me
  • sherrifm

    Wcpunk4, he should be able to contact you anytime now, except during working hours.  I usually hear from my girl either 530am or after 500pm their time (central).  Hope that is helpful! 

  • PhillyMom

    Good morning,

    Does anyone know the start date of classes?  My son will be graduating basic Nov 30.  I curious to know if he will be on casual status for the month of Dec when he arrives at A school.  Any information would be appreciated. Thanks so much.

  • PhillyMom

    updated link for Navy Credentialing Opportunites Online (Navy COOL) for HM is below:

    https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/enlisted/hm.htm

  • VenturaMari

    Leonalee, 

    Hi, our boys will be graduating together. I am not going to be able to be there :(. He assures me it is ok. From greenside (in North Carolina) training he will be heading back to CA and will be stationed in Lemoore. He just wants to get to the fleet. But, he did find out he got advanced to E3 right out of bootcamp! So in March, I think, he can take the E4 exam. That, he is really excited about! He doesn't know when he flies out of San Antonio, he said it could be the 21st, 22nd or the 26th. He will find out when he gets his orders on the 21st. The suspense is killing me...lol

  • RNmom

    Hello everyone! My son has a new rating for HM, and is coming from a different job in San Diego. He hasn't yet received new orders so doesn't know when he'll head over to/start up in San Antonio. Does anyone know what the upcoming class start dates are? I know some of you have sailors in BC still and coming up to graduation, so I'm curious if they have "batched" the ones going to HM school.

  • RNmom

    If this is no longer an active group, please let me know of another Corpsman group I can join. Thanks! :)

  • VenturaMari

    Rnmom, this is an active group, just not super active. My son is suppose to graduate in 2 weeks. I do know they want them out of the barracks the day of graduation. I am not sure when your son will class up.
  • SusanKav

    Hello all. I still can’t get any information from my son about graduation date for HM school San Antonio. He started around 9/24/18 and is expected to graduate around mid-January but he and his buddy don’t seem to know the date yet. I think they are class #005 but not sure about that. Any way to find out graduation date? We really want to be there so need to clear calendars for travel. Thanks!
  • Californiamom

    Hi all my son is due to graduate A school the second week of December and I have already changed the flight twice because the information they get is not through. They get bits and pieces at a time. From what I get as far as information, my son can travel 24 hours after graduation, I have booked his flight home for leave, but again that has changed twice as well. My suggestion is to book via Southwest they allow you to change without a fee and you can get a credit or pay the difference. Wish I had more useful information to share with you all.

  • Hospital Corpsmama

    Californiamom... speaking from experience. My son graduated 5/31. They purchase their ticket to their next duty station- directly from San Antonio. We used that ticket to purchase his flight home (SF Bay Area) for leave, then from home to the next duty station. Used his military discount and Ann's only ended up paying about$150 total for his travel. I didn't but ticketed until I heard the date of grad several times because it changed a couple of times and as someone else said my Sailor didn't seem to have all the info at once. Hope this helps.
  • MOMOFCMAN

    Hello HM moms can you tell me if any of you went to visit your sailor in San Antonio?

  • warriormom

    Jeanettefy

    We did go visit in San Antonio.  You want to check with your sailor to see if they have duty on the weekend.  If not, depending on what stage of liberty they are, your sailor may be able to stay with you for the weekend...that's what we did.  We got us a hotel about 20 minutes from base and picked him up on a Friday and took him back on a Sunday night before curfew...it was fantastic!  If you let him/her know you're coming, they can get you a pass on base to pick them up.  Hope this helps.

  • Tammy⚓️Girl

    We spoke to our SR last night and he switched his rate (would that be the correct term) ... he is no longer pursuing AG (Aerographer) and is now going to be a Corpsman.  Very excited to be a part of this group.  Our SR has PIR on 12/14/18.

  • Tammy⚓️Girl

    My SR graduates this Friday and will head to San Antonio right away.   He said he would be home for the holidays.  

    I’m thinking he might be able to fly home on 12/22. 

  • LU3Tony

    • Hello! Does anyone know if a family member can see our Sailor upon arrival at San Antonio airport for A school?. Just a quick high n hug.

  • Breck

    My daughter will be flying to A school 2/10/19 Anyone else?
  • Pam

    Breck when did your sailor go to boot camp? I figured the dates and that’s about the week mine should graduate if so she will be going to San Antonio as well.
  • Tammy⚓️Girl

    My son left the next day for San Antonio.  

  • Quest2Dive

    Is anyone aware of the graduation date for HM 015 class? If not, does anyone know how I might find out? I’m looking to purchase my flight.
  • RNmom

    Happy new year all! Any other Class 060 folks out there? My sailor returns to base on Jan 2nd. Not sure when classes start up again, but I'm guessing on the 3rd. Anyone know?

  • sfcascooter

    My 035 sailor says all classes restart the 3rd.
  • RNmom

    Thanks sfcascooter! I'm glad they start right up again - he'll be missing his wife and home, and getting busy right away will be good distraction! Happy new year everyone!

  • SusanKav

    Does anyone know when HM class 005 graduates?  They have had Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays so not sure how the class dates/ length work out.  

  • Catherine

    My SR will have his PIR in 2 weeks and then is headed for A school.  I was thinking of getting him a set of anatomy and physiology flash cards as a gift.  Does anyone know if this would be helpful?  

  • Catherine

    @JulieAnn, Thank you.  I'll bet he likes the warm after a chilly Illinois winter!  I know my SR is looking forward to that as well...but glad that he might be somewhere else before the full heat of summer hits. 

  • Tammy⚓️Girl

    My son is in San Antonio also.  Do they start classes tomorrow?  And my son loves the weather and left behind the cold from Maryland. 

  • mern

    My son loved his time in San Antonio. Once they can phase up and get off base, he liked to go tot the Riverwalk, they would go dancing. There are lots of things to do there. Uber and lyft were good and not super $$$ The city transit is good too.  

  • Catherine

    @JulieAnn, that is a long wait to start classes.  My SR will be dismayed to hear that because he is anxious to get started as soon as possible.  I keep telling him that the military moves at it's own pace and to expect a lot of waiting!  

  • Tammy⚓️Girl

    JulieAnn, whatever information you find out, worth sharing, please post on this group.  And I'll do the same.  Did your son have his PIR on 12/14/18?  That is when my son has his PIR.

    Maybe they wait until more sailors come to start classes.

  • DaisyRose

    Catherine,

    I asked my son about the anatomy and physiology flash cards and he didn't think that they would be helpful.  

    Daisy Rose

  • diane

    For those wondering about the anatomy flash cards. We got a set for our daughter a couple of years ago and her and her classmates loved them. Some say they want them, but some might not want them. 

  • Catherine

    @ DaisyRose and Diane, thank you for your input.  I will let him decide if he wants them.  He will most likely say no but his GF who is a nursing student, says that she loves the coloring book that we got her!

  • RNmom

    I'm seeking other Class 060 moms...I have found that it is really helpful to pool our info together as we get it regarding phases, etc. Would love to connect with you! Happy New Year everyone.

  • Marianne

    Good morning from cold and raining NC!

    My SR PIR is 1/18. Any information is greatly appreciated. Do they leave from O'Hare? I have an elderly father traveling with so I plan on going solo to the airport, whichever one it is.  Do they call when they get to A School?  Anxiety is so real. Haven't slept in 7 1/2 weeks. Thank you in advance.

  • Marianne

    Thank you.  We (me and our bootcamp ladies) are hunkered down into these last few days. Breathe in, breathe out... 

  • CeeJaysMom

    Hey there Corspman Moms!...my son CLASS 050 said he'll be graduating on Thursday 3/28/19..looking at flights now..yet I'm still trying to figure out how long my visit in SA would be since he doesn't know yet when he'll be leaving to his next duty station and even where he'll be going..I spent a fortune on airfare flying out for his PIR (alumni DIV 065) since it was Thanksgiving Week..the fare was doubled compared to the week before and after..but certainly well worth every penny!..So he came home for the holidays, gained 5 lbs, and left me with his dirty laundry..just like his college days..Oh!..and I found an old post here stating the grad ceremony starts at 3pm..it's probably the same, right?...Jus' gotta say it is very heartwarming and also so very informative reading everyone's posts..and a very big HOOYAH! to all those who run this tight ship!

  • Marianne

    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.

  • Californiamom

    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.

  • CeeJaysMom

    @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!...

  • Tammy⚓️Girl

    Californiamom, thanks for the great info.  

  • Catherine

    @ 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.  

  • mern

    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. 

  • Emma

    Is there a limit to how far sailors can travel on liberty for weekends?
  • Tammy⚓️Girl

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

  • Californiamom

    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). 

  • Catherine

    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!

  • Catherine

    @JulieAnn...yuck, Hot Pockets!  I spent all summer and fall breaking him of that junk food habit and I'd hate to see it start up again!  Panini maker is a great idea.  I thought about an air fryer too for making chicken.  He said it would be about 2 weeks until he had a mailing address.  

  • mayawolf

    Hi, From what I heard you can't have anything electric to cook on only the microwave they provide. Let me know if you find out if that is for sure true.