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! 

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.     

Why can't I edit my post as I have in the past? 

Rhonda/ship 13 div 102, just sent my son a text asking him your questions but since he is on east coast time, I don't know if he is already in bed.  As soon as he replies, I will post message here.  (obviously he is asleep because he usually answers my navyformoms questions immediately).  He just transferred from Camp Pendleton and was in FMTB a few years back.  His clinic was attached to the FMTB's so he has kept up with what goes on.  For now, my assumption is that there is a duty van/bus somewhere that takes sailors with no cars to chow hall.  He is right, the old hospital is quite a distance from where he will be living during FMTB.  But, there is someone there who is in charge and can answer his questions.  He has to speak up. 

Often times, families ask to have sailors over for Christmas dinner.  We have done that in the past.  I don't know how they sign up, though.  Not everyone will have a place to go and the young people often entertain themselves with their "new family" of other sailors.  It is the way of the military.  

I know how you are feeling but he has to be the one who finds out these things.  My son has spent a couple of Christmases "alone" in the 12 years he has been in and I think it bothered me more than him.  He will always be my baby boy even if he insists he is an adult, married, with two children, and a third on the way.   

Son just responded.  He says there is a scheduled shuttle bus for work but not meals.  Says it is "messed up" since the old hospital shut down the galley for the move to new facility.  Says he needs to either find a friend with a car or order Dominos.  Seems like there must be a better solution to this.  I would say the Commanding Officer is not aware of the situation or some derrieres would be getting kicked.    

https://www.facebook.com/FieldMedWest

Hello,

Thought I'd share that FTMB-West has been posting pics on FB of training that's begun. My son is part of FMST Class 2015020, and I've seen him in a few pictures they've posted so far. He said it's tough, but he's enjoying :).

Thank you Navajosunshine39-love the pics!!!

You're welcome, Mo HA! I'm liking the pics too. It's nice to see what they're doing.

Good morning,

I'm very excited because next weekend I will be heading to San Diego CA to attend my son's graduation from FTMB-Camp Pendleton. This is their last week of training, last of tests, and a big hike coming up later this week, so my son is relieved it is coming to an end. I can tell from his phone calls that they've been tested, physically and mentally, but they've also encouraged each other thru it all. It's going to great to see him, along with the others, as they've definitely earned this.

Happy and proud mom in Arizona :)

Good Morning. So what kind of liberty to the sailors get during FMTB training? Do they get nights and weekends off? 

do**

Thank you @Ruth VH :)

My son is in Class 2016010. Can anyone give me details on graduation, particularly for class 2016010? I think it's on Thursday Dec 9. Can someone confirm, and tell me the time it begins, or where to find this information? Any helpful hints for the day would be much appreciated. Thanks so much!

Hi all, my sailor is currently in A school, and is looking to go FMF after A school grduation. I have a ton of questions, many of which have been already answered :) How long is FMTB? Pretty sure I've gathered it is 8 weeks, but I see that many of your sons have been at Camp P for a year or more so I'm a little confused. And married sailors are allowed to live off base? Will the Navy pay for a spouse's move down there? I think that's all for now :) thanks in advance!

Hi, my son is in the middle of fmtb, in the class2016040. Does anyone know when graduation is?

Thank you,  Connie B

Hey ConnieB...my son is in 2016040 too. I was told it is September 16 (according to his paperwork) Have you seen the Facebook page?? They have posted a lot of pretty awesome pictures of our Corpsmen!!

Hi Squeak4me!

Thank you! That sounds about right 8 weeks!!

Yes, thank you for mentioning the facebook page. We have seen it! Pretty amazing what these Corpsmen are doing!

Good morning Squeak 4me, do you know what time the FMTB graduation starts on Friday 9/16/16? Thanks!

anyone in this group have son's graduating in class 2017010 next month, if so do you know the exact date?  I'm trying to book my trip to see my son graduate, thanks!!!!!

Thanks Peg is your son also in that class???  my son thought it was the 5th, but i thought it was the 8th as well.  FMTB-east has their's posted on the FB page, I wish FMTB-west would as well!!!

Drums, there is also the Inns of the Corps on base (like Navy Lodge, your corpsman would have to check you in).  I like Carlsbad, just south of Oceanside and much nicer than Oceanside :)  Good hotels along the beach, restaurants and shopping.  Carlsbad Premium Outlets and Legoland are there, too :)

Drums, I don't know - you could call the Quarterdeck, but your own corpsman is your most reliable resource  :)

anyone know the graduation date for FMTB class 040 started 7/16/2017?

The Inns of the Corps is on base (like Navy Lodge, your corpsman would have to check you in).  Another member here stayed at the Best Western Palms last December and recommended it, they include breakfast.  If you are flying into San Diego you definitely need a car (in my opinion anyway).  It can take up to one and a half hours to drive from the San Diego  airport up to Oceanside/Camp Pendleton.

My son is headed to FMTB West after "A" school.  He is supposed to be there in mid-November but his class doesn't start until February and he is supposed to work at the hospital until class starts.  Has anyone else's sailor been in this situation and what will he be doing?  Do they live in barracks or what are their living arrangements?  Thanks