Corpsman Moms

by the way...she probably told me that back in the day when she was STRONGLY discouraging me from dating any of the sailors from the base in Corpus Christi where we lived.....so I went to the beach, met a bunch of hippies...I don't know if she liked that any better or not, but she did enjoy the free fish and the music.

Poor moms! Sailors vs hippies...hm... Remember everyone flashing the peace symbol at each other?

Bonita, here's a refresher on how to forward your phone calls from home so they'll ring on your cell phone: http://www.ehow.com/how_4473954_use-call-forwarding-home-phone.html Don't forget to cancel call forwarding when you're home again!

I'm still pretty fond of the "peace sign". Peace would be good.

Bonita - If she's graduating from bootcamp then she will more than likely not have leave, but move over to the Corpsman side. If she is grad-n-go to Great Lakes, you may get the whole Liberty weekend with her, but she'll go through a week of processing before A School begins.

Amen and yes.

We are getting ready to say goodbye to Jamie...again. Is this ever going to get easy? At least I get to see him at Christmas. We are so proud of our Corpsman!

Pam - I don't think it ever gets easy... Every time I say goodbye to my son I well up...

Mikes Mom- I kind of guessed that!! I came to work while my husband took him to the airport. And on the way home from the airport, my husband called me and told me "before he calls and tells you, yes, Dad cried again." LOL. And sure enough, Jamie called me while he was waiting on the plane and told me "Dad cried again. I'll be home in 8 weeks!!" He's ready to get back to his military routine and see his buddies who will all be going through FMTB at the same time. And although I know he'll be home from Christmas, it's hard because then he'll be in Italy for two years. Oh boy!

Marcy...thanks for the Navy Mom Warning:) My son is still in bootcamp and I missed his first call two weeks ago! Since then, my cell phone has not left my sight; I drastically fumble to pull my phone out of my pocket...shirt...sock, belt, etc. when it rings. I have created quite the scene in the grocery store; on the highway; in my classroom (8th grade teacher); and in various other places. I am DYING to hear my boys' happy voice.

Pam - Italy is a breeze !!! I did that for 4 1/2 years with my daughter... He will be fine and you have to be strong.. I would talk to my daughter at least 6 times a week ... Very expensive, but well worth it : )
We never want to miss "That Call" sooooo my phone has been by my side always since my oldest went to BC 2002... There is nothing like answering your phone and hearing that precious voice say " hey mom, how are you ? "

Most likely he will go to FMTB training, either at Camp Lajuene or Camp Pendleton.There is always the possiblity of C Schools as they move through the Navy system. He may not get offered the one of his choice. and he may not get his choice of assignments or base either. Be prepared. The Navy makes the call, according to the needs of the military.

AKCorpsmanMom, you asked about when they head to TX for A school. Melisse found the answer on the METC website under Course Launch Dates: Navy HM 0000 Final start at current location (Great Lakes) 13 Apr 2011; final end at current location 27 July 11. METC Start date in-processing 25 Apr 11, start date academic 27 Apr 11.

Time to start thinking about the holidays (I haven't even bought Halloween candy yet, but whatever) -
The Naval Supply Systems Command's (NAVSUP) Postal Policy Division mail-by dates for pre-Dec. 25 delivery of holiday cards, letters and packages are here ~NAVSUP pre-12:25:10 delivery mail-by dates.pdf

I have what may seem like an oddball question. Is it Corpsman with an "a" or Corpsmen with an "e"? Or can it be both ways? I just noticed last night that a lot of people have it with an e. I even googled it thinking I was giong crazy.

Corpsman is singular - one corpsman. Corpsmen is plural - two corpsmen.

Ahhhh...the light just went on!! Thanks Marcy!

my son is planning on being a hospital corpsman after boot camp. any ideas on what the schools are after bootcamp? ie.. how long is "a" school? do they go to "c" school? how long is it and where are they? any info would be greatly appreciated...

DylansMom - The Corpsman "A" school is about 16 weeks long. There is around 2 weeks in the SDCA program where your son will learn about the school as well as a few other things. Once he classes up, he will do 12 weeks of didactic learning and then have 2 weeks of clinical time.

If he is under contract for a "C" school, then he should know which one it is. If not, there may be a chance that he can get into one when he picks his orders (order picking goes on around test 7/8). If there is any schools available, they will let him know then. I would recommend that he start looking into the different "C" schools ahead of time, then he will know where his interest lies. "C" schools are in different locations and some have requirements for certain rank or other schools first.

I hope that helps. Please ask if you have any other questions.

Doc P

Dylansmom, please take a look above this thread, there are links for A School, and different aspects and groups concerning Corpsmen, particularly those just starting out. Be aware that most corpsmen will go to FMTB (link above also), altho most train, not all use that training to go to serve with Marine battalions.
Welcome to our board!

Check out Helene Cronin at the USO in Houston with a bunch of sailors (and soldiers and guardsmen)....She is the singer/songwriter who did the video "Lucky Me"...I did post it here didn't I?

Yes, Cathy, she told me there were a couple of versions. Her sister changes the photos as they come in to them. I THINK it's the same audio.

From Navy.mil: Graphic Novel Helps Corpsmen Cope with Combat-related Stress http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=56546
The Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) recently produced a 200-page graphic novel called "The Docs" as a communication tool to help Navy Corpsmen with the stresses of combat deployments.

You moms with deployed corpsmen are in my thoughts and prayers today...well, every day, but today especially....tough going over there. Pray them home.

TexasDocMom, thank you, my son left last month..I pray every day for a safe return for all of them..prayers will bring them home

I have a mom on facebook with a corpsman there. I hope she'll join us here. Jamma, are you on our group for those with kids in Iraq/Afghanistan? Please join us here for support and to support others. You are not alone.

TexasDocMom., thank you, I will check that out. I just learned of this site when he left,

Hi I'm new to this group. My son graduated 10/15 and is in A school in GL. School offically starts Monday. This is truly the unknown to me now. Boot camp was a challenge but we made it through. This is my middle son. My youngest son was in the Army. He's out now due to medical reasons. Now my middle son decided to go into the Navy. Very fine by me. So we got through boot camp now this is the unknown for me. I'm happy to be with all of you to kind of guide me!

Welcome, Linda! It's an up and down ride for moms of corpsman, but you are in great company! Please check out the links above, and especially the one about the group for moms with kids in Corpsman A School, some information might be more up to date or have changed since our kids were in A School.
We do our best to always be around, so ask questions if you need to ....again, Welcome!

Welcome Linda! My son graduated A School on Sept. 29 and is currently at Camp Pendleton to do his FMTB training. The A School group is a really great group to keep up with while the Sailors are going through their schooling. Since there are kids in various weeks of training, there is bound to be someone to answer any question you might have. Again, welcome!!

Thanks Pam for the welcome! You know, when they were younger a mother worried about if their child would do well in school, then they get older and you don't worry so much. Now that he is older, I'm starting to worry about his schooling again! Is that just a mother's thing or am I being silly? I don't think we Moms never stop worrying I guess!

I tell Jamie all the time that I'll never stop worrying. No matter how far he goes or how long we go in between talking, you always worry. A School can be grueling. They need to keep their grades up and study hard, keep their room clean to pass inspections and do watch at all hours of the night. I think the biggest stress Jamie had was his messy roommates. He failed two room inspections in a row. He took the bull by the horns so to speak and spent $30 on cleaning supplies and made sure the room was clean every day. Stress can get to them, but it can also make them stronger Corpsman. I went to the graduation and all of those kids were so proud of themselves in what they were able to accomplish!! Good luck!!

Good Evening Ladies!! I'm new too the group.
My son just finished A-school in GL, Now 1st duty station Fort Worth,TX.
Dental Corpsman..

Welcome rox99362!! My son finished up A School at the end of September and is now at Camp Pendleton going through FMTB.

I'm down in Austin Rox, if your son needs anything, but Angie is closer! Will your son be coming home for either holiday? maybe we can find him a turkey dinner...

Thanks for the welcome Jacqueline! and welcome to rox99362 too!
When my son finishes A school what happens after that? He's in A school for medical corpsman.Sometimes I drive myself crazy thinking too far ahead! LOL!

Hi ladies!!! Thanks for the welcome!! My son loves Ft.Worth..Well he's only been there since his leave at home was over Oct 15th. So no winters there..Do they have a winter in Fort. Worth? We are getting SNOW in the mountains here in WA.
When they we're picking their duty stations at GL in sept. There was a kid ahead of him that got to Oak Hoarbor,WA before he could ..a matter of minutes he said..YEP the kid was from Seattle,WA.. Darn it!!..
In GL they have a train station only a few steps away for going into Chicago..for their leave ..or taxi's are always there waiting for them ..TX I'm not sure its kid of different he said...He says everyone has a car...He doesn't so now he's looking for a new car.This I'm afraid of..Don't want him to get something too expensive and locked into pmts.. Just a mom thing I guess..Can They get a loan while in the navy? I kinda hope not...
He is feeling alittle down he left all the guys he started BC with.
And yes they all have went on to their duty stations too...
I'm so excited for this new adventure in his life ..Al the new friends the different places. I'm so clueless I said I think my son will go onto B school in Fort Worth...Just finished A school. in GL...How's that for a laugh! LOL..

He'll need a car in Texas, or he'll be stuck riding with others...who might not be as responsible as he is. My son got his first car when he was 16 when he was in someone else's car who was driving erratically, had an accident with several of his friends. He started Drivers Ed the next week. His first loan was in my name, but his 07 Mazda 3, his first brand new car, is in his own name and loan. Great interest rate too. The loan officer had been career Navy! It'll be paid off pretty soon. Probably can get the loan from the Army/Navy credit union.

Who is he with in Fort Worth?

AngieH!!! Request accepted!! Thanks so much.I feel better already.
Yes Aaron had a car here at home..We're selling it to help for a down pmt.
It was his 1st car so older 92 Honda but nice. So he is checking into Navy Credit Union he told me Monday.
My son uses his debit card for everything..I'm lecturing him about when he gets a car he has to budget himself..This is painful as he doesn't want to hear this..He said monday and I quote" Mom do we have to talk about this everytime you call..."
I Co-signed for a car for his older brother...BIG mistake..I've paid more pmts than he has!!! Plus my own $300 car pmt. So you can see why I'm alitle neverous!!

Look at USAA, too, also a great bank/source for military.

My son banks with our local credit union here still, it's easier to keep our accounts linked when he is deployed. Plus they saved his butt when his account was hacked right before deployment one tim. And overnighted his new debit card so he would have it before he left. He went with GEICO for his insurance when he was at Lajuene, I suggested USAA since the headquarters are in San Antonio, but he likes the people he has. Says it was cheaper in NC...all his insurance is cheaper now he's over 25 finally! Debby posted some financial banking info in the discussions on the Moms with Kids in Iraq/Afghanistan group. She's an accountant, really helped me when my son deployed to get organized.

Hello Ladies - Thanks for the welcome! My son is still a senior in high school, but is now speaking with a recruiter. He wants to become a corpsman eventually. I've joined this site to get wisdom from those of you who already have sons and daughters in the Navy! Trying to get prepared for the future! I look forward to communicating with you!

Hi Ladies, I was wondering if any of your children just started school for the Corpsman? My son graduated boot camp on 10/01. They just started a couple of weeks ago, and he said it is real hard. Has anyone's child told you the same thing? He loves it but, has to learn good study habits. That's what he is trying to do.

michael's mom Ck for an "A" Group there should be one for your son.. Congrats!

Michael's Mom, they cover a lot of information in a short time, but he can do it - he just has to stay focused on study time above all else. They have study groups to help him get his study habits together and he can join one, or if he falls behind, he'll be placed in one. Here's the link to the moms' group: http://www.navyformoms.com/group/sailorsinaschoolforcorpsmen
There will likely be moms in your son's class, so introduce yourself there!

Just an FYI, there are links to many web sites and groups for corpsmen and their families right above the Discussion Forum above this comment wall.

Pet finders link His name is Doc and he needs a home!! any takers???

Marcy~Corpsman Mom - I'm so very glad I read your response to Michael' Mom about all the information that is covered. My son is stressing about his first test tomorrow. I'm so worried for him but didn't let on to him. I told him that he can do it, just stay focused and sometimes things can be reasoned out. Just don't stress because then your mind goes blank. He did study with a study group. I shouldn't ask this but what happens if he fails his first test? I'm so going to be praying for him. Thanks for any info you can give me!

Hi Missy! My son is currently at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside. He does have a good friend that ended up in Camp L. He starts the next class in January.

Right below the photos are links for groups for Pendleton and Lajuene corpsman groups, check them out, you probably will meet some moms with kids there!