Camp Pendleton Corpsmen Moms

Hi Maria, it's been over a year since my son graduated FMTB at CP but here's what I remember.  Access the base thru the main gate, they'll check your ID and let them know you're attending graduation for FMTB and they'll direct you (basically, it's a left at the 1st light and then follow around and you'll see signs directing to the location).  I arrived around 8:00-8:30am and think it started between 9:00-9:30  and lasted about an hour.  It was outside in front of the classrooms, they had bleachers set up.  Feel free to go into the classrooms 1st PLT to the left, 2nd in the middle and 3rd to the right.  They'll be playing the training video inside the classrooms and you'll get to chat with your son prior to the ceremony.  Everyone heads out right after graduation, their bags are all in a tent behind the bldg.  Here's a link to my pictures: 

http://www.navyformoms.com/photo/albums/cp-fmtb-graduation-june-18

Thanks guys for the help! I will watch the video tonight! :) I will let him know about the food. I know he had trouble with that in San Antonio. How long is training here?

Hi Maria Andy's Mo,

My son is graduating this September from CP...then he's off to 29 Palms...don't know all the details yet

Hello Everyone,

Looking forward to graduation next week...Woooo...Hoooo...Stevensmom, I am so sorry for your son...I do hope he does graduate with the rest of the young men, and hope that he's all better. 

New info to all the Moms for Grad. They changed process and we will see Pinning! For all of you unfamiliar w/area . . . Take 5 north from San Diego, exit is after the 76 off ramp. When you get on base, it's first left (Wire line road???), back over the 5 and then left again. You will see signs.

My son said ceremony is at 10, but will confirm.

Recommendation is to get there plenty early, due to parking constraints and limited bleachers. DOES ANYONE NEED A WHEELCHAIR for a family member? I have one and can bring it.

Steven's mom - heard all about your son from two sailors over the weekend.

congrats to all the new grads!! so happpy for all of you that can make it! if there are some that cant, maybe you can ask the ones going to get a pic for you. at the very least try to get a video of the FMTB training they sell!  its nice to have. got to see my bf at least 4 times in it. hope the weather is good for all of you! maybe bring a sweater and unbrella just incase. it has been a little gloomy and chilly here lately.

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow! I picked up an armload of flowers for our Moms. Have to go heads down and make progress on my homework so I can actually get some sleep. See you at the Bleachers!!

cant wait to hear all about the new grads and the visits you got with your loved ones!! congrats!

Does anyone know the graduation date for the Oct 2011 class. I would like to make air reservations ASAP. Thanks

Congrats to all that just graduated. It sounds like an impressive ceremony. I can't wait to go. My son starts next week but I guess he has already started with the (mis)information... He told me he thought they would graduate on Dec 14. That is a Wednesday, so I am REALLY hoping he is wrong. I hope Gloria's son is right. Friday would be much better for my family...lol

Today has been one yr since Dylan joined. He has been in school or waiting to class up for school for an entire yr. I can't wait for FMTB to be finished for him and then he can settle down to life as a working Navy Sailor....

To everyone that gave me all the helpful advice on finding auto mechanics in the area a Big Thank You! It took almost 3 weeks but he finally has a car again and he can get out and enjoy sunny Southern California...

Maybe next week we can find out the real graduation date. I see several dates and my Son has orders that gives Dec 11 as his graduation date. My Son thinks they will decide and let everyone know after they class up. He thinks uncertainty is the norm.     

Congrats to all the new grads (x3-BC,A, FMTB) and your families. Enjoy your next journey and let us know what to expect on next leg. My son starts next week. He has enjoyed working in the ER these last 2 1/2 months after A school. He's learned alot. I've been very fortunate to have him home every weekend since August and I hope he can continue to do that thru FMTB. I've also enjoyed having his buddies also stay with us and provide them with a home away from home and homemade meals.

ZstratMom, I think we are on that same ship.  My nephew (just like my son, he lives with us) is also preparing for BC in the next couple of months while my son will be starting FMTB next week.  I'm hoping it will not be too cold for the next PIR in GL. It was chilly in mid May but I can't imagine what it will be like in real winter weather...Burrrrr!

Good luck to everyone leaving and welcome to everyone joining me on this new phase.   

Graduation on Dec 11 would be awesome! That is Dylan's 20th bday. He spent last yr in bootcamp for his bday. He PIR'ed on Dec 15 and yes GL in winter is MISERABLE. However it did snow and I was super impressed with how their city takes care of the roads. Here in Ok a few inches of snow brings us to a halt sometimes in GL they had it off the road as fast as it came down..

Well our Sailors started their new adventure today. I hope they are doing well and getting readjusted to their new surroundings. They will not get liberty for the next 3 weeks (according to my son). But in Nov they get several long weekends. Well here we go again. At least now we have a little more experience with all of this. 

I spent this past weekend hosting Homecoming dinner and a driver for a few of my daughter's (HS Sophomores) friends.  When I volunteered for this I thought a few meant 5-6 girls/boys. What do you think my daughter's version of a few meant? Well it meant 18 of her closest few friends. And I'm still dealing with the fallout of the drama of Homecoming. What was I thinking....I should have known better.....Lessoned learned.

I swear I posted a message earlier asking which moms/dads had sailors attending Camp Pendleton FMTB this Oct-Dec 2011 but I must have typed it in invisible ink because I can't see it!

I think I am seeing Gloria, Rena, Cali-Mom.  Any others out there?

We seem to have a variety of graduation dates.  My son's orders have Dec 15.  Wish the FMTB-West site was up to date.

Cali-Mom, what kind of weather should we expect in Dec?  Winter coats, gloves, nose warmer, or lighter weight Fall type jacket?    

D

ocsmom - San Diego / Oceanside weather in winter is mild. Could have a chilly early morning (50-60 degrees) with a marine layer; bring a light coat. Days should warm to 70s, depending on what ever weather pattern we're experiencing. A hoodie / sweat jacket will often do the trick for transitioning throughout the day. Or, something on the level of a light London Fog raincoat. Use your Florida weather as a general guide. Nothing. I repeat: Nothing like going to northern realms. Also, check in with an online 5-10 day weather forecast before you pack.

Now - I will admit to keeping those stretch knit gloves in my coat pocket at all times and I use the seat warmer in the car (year round)--but I am an avowed weather wuss and absolutely, positively loathe being cold. ;-)

zStratMom, thanks so much for the advice.  I've been in the south so long that I just don't tolerate cold weather well.  Yep, I am also a weather wuss!

For those of us who have sailors in the current FMST (FMTB) course at Camp Pendleton, I just called the S3 at the school and spoke to a Chief who told me that graduation is Dec 15, 2011. 

When I told him that there seemed to be a lot of confusion, he said he would be sure the word got out to the students.   

Rena, the 15th is definitely the date.  S3 is the Plans/Operations/Academics section of the school.  The Chief I spoke to was very adamant about the date.

I grew up a military brat and also worked for the military so I know how you feel about the confusion.  That's why I figured, after reading all the different dates, that I should get some clarification.