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.
Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB) - also called Field Med for short. FMTB is located at Camp Johnson, about four miles south of Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC. The format is several weeks of classroom study, followed by arms training and education in combat emergency medical care. The program is physically and mentally demanding. Here are some links, maps, and information:
Field Medical Training Battalion East official website - Camp Lejeune/Camp Johnson, NC - in the drop down menu, Click on Students -> Welcome -> FMST then use the links. USE THE WEBSITE to learn what FMTB is, where it is, what to bring, car info, & more. The FMTB-E Facebook page has photos of each class and graduation information.
This is from the FMTB-E Facebook page, check it (and with your corpsman) for changes and updates!
The graduation starts at 9:00 A.M.; we recommend that you are seated by 8:30 so that you will be able to watch the class march in. A photo slide show of the training will be shown at 8:45. Graduation will start promptly at 9:00 and will last about 45 minutes. Graduation will be held in building M104 on Camp Johnson. You can use your GPS to find Montford Landing Road, Jacksonville, NC; this is the road that leads onto the base. The photo will show you where to go once you enter the base. Camp Johnson is not very large; from the main gate to the graduation is less than one mile. If you do not have base decals on your vehicle, you will need to obtain a base pass prior to getting to the Camp Johnson gate, this can be done at Camp Lejeune or New River Air Station visitor centers the morning of graduation. You will need to show your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. Please allow yourself time for lines and traffic.
Car pass:
You need a temporary pass to be able to drive into Camp Johnson the morning of graduation, and have access to Camp Lejeune. The Visitor Center is on the right side as you approach the Camp Lejeune main gate. Best to get it the day before, as graduation starts at 8:45 am. Your sailor will need to call the Visitors Center to notify them the same day you are picking up your pass. They are open 24/7 and the phone number is 910-451-2197. They will give you a pass for several days, so just tell them how long you need it for. You will need to provide your driver’s license, proof of insurance and car registration or rental car form.
(Note: I received my pass without my sailor calling, but there's no guarantee that will always happen.)
Here are maps of Camp Lejeune and Camp Johnson; they are also attached as pdf's at the bottom of this Discussion.
Graduation is held in the gymnasium. Cleck with your corpsman for start time. Get there early so you can photograph your sailor as they march, line up and enter the building. A slideshow starts fifteen minutes before the ceremony. It goes quickly so have your camera ready, they call off the names fast while handing out folders with certificates.
Afterwards, they head for Four Corners near the front gate where their seabags are packed and ready. Many/most say goodbyes and get right into waiting taxi vans and head to the airport.
if you can, take a minute to appreciate all the Welcome Home banners posted along the fences leading to the Camp Lejeune entrance. They are taken down each Thursday to make room for the next group. A lot of love and creativity, quite something to see.
If you're going to CL in summertime: ONSLOW BEACH website: Onslow Beach
"The Onslow Beach Recreation Area, located between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean aboard Camp Lejeune, is maintained by the Semper Fit Division of Marine Corps Community Services, for all active duty, retired military personnel, civilian employees, and their family members. The island features rental lodging units, an RV campground, an MCCS convenience store, pavilions with changing rooms, volleyball courts, a playground, and guarded swimming areas from Memorial Day to Labor Day."
For the future - create a free photo book for your sailor via the USO
Here's a great project to put together for your sailor to have in the days and months to come. Get started on creating a free 20-page photo book with up to 60 photos - they're shipped free, too, to military (FPO/APO) addresses: http://uso.rocketlifeproduction.com
Bronco14
Hi all, I notice that not a lot of discussion has happened recently. I am wondering if my sailor can live off base during FMTB if we're married? Thanks!
Jan 13, 2016
Bronco14
Great, thanks for the info. I am from Southern California and my family lives in Oceanside. So it wouldn't be a problem for me to move at all. His training after FMTB will likely remain in San Diego also. Thanks!
Jan 13, 2016
Bronco14
Lol right? We have seen quite a lot different places so far, between visiting him in Great Lakes and a job reclassification we have been a couple places now! But San Diego is my biased favorite :P I think his plan is to go FMF, but I am kind of confused as to what comes after FMTB. Do they get assigned for more training somewhere else? Will they know their pipeline before leaving for FMTB? What did your son do?
Jan 13, 2016