Corpsman Moms

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Lots of Corpsman moms around! Share your experiences here, your wisdom and your support of one another! All are welcome! HM 'A' School moms/dads/loved ones, please also join us at

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/hmhospitalcorpsmanaschoolinsanantonio

Current admins Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom and TexasDocMom

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stevensmom

just heard my son was in the e.r. in camp pendleton. has heat exhaustion. passed out on the last hike. Does anyone know if this will affect whether he graduates f.m.t.b? He said he isnt sure. Im so upset.He did great for all the rest of this training. Would be so upsetting if he wont be able to. After working so hard.

Sep 23, 2011
stevensmom

Prayers and Sympathy for the fallen Corpsman and his family. God Bless him and all our sons/daughters serving.

Sep 23, 2011
TexasDocMom

Stevensmom, I don't know how that will affect his fmtb status. I do know that when my son was training, they had 14 Marines go down in full pack in Virginia in the heat and humidity. So, it would be my thought that the military has handled this many times, and there is probably something in place to handle it, possibly a repeat of the hike? But if it isn't a one time occurance, it would be good to know right now, instead of later, wouldn't it? Let us know what happens...please!

Sep 23, 2011
velvetlace

My son was running a couple of weeks ago in Jacksonville, and he ended up passing out from heat exhaustion. He was running 4 miles at the time. I do not think that will be a problem unless it happens all of the time.

Mary

Sep 23, 2011
stevensmom

We got all the test results back. Steven has pnuemonia. Thats why his fever went up so high, plus heat exhaustion. They said his kidneys and liver started to fail due to severe dehydration. But they got him rehydrated quickly and got the fever down quick. He will stay in the hospital for a couple days. Breathing treatments and antibiotics. plus I.V. fluids. He already sounds so much better..and the best part he WILL graduate..has to redo the hike..but sure he can do it when he is better. Thank you for your concern and help. Im so glad to have a place to look to for advice and support!

Sep 23, 2011
Pam

Stevensmom - so glad he's doing better. It's amazing how wore down a body can get.

Sep 24, 2011
coloradomom

Hi Rebecca! My daughter knows your son, and mentions him from time to time. She said he wants to buy Halloween candy and pass it out from his room for trick-or-treaters. How funny.

TexasDocMom, Do you know what we can expect our sailors to get for leave during the holidays? Will they have very many days of leave for Christmas or Thanksgiving or just a few since they are in A school. Will they feel the pressure to study during leave?

Sep 25, 2011
karenmjm

I don't know about A school, but for Med Lab Tech C school, my sailor has been told there will be a mass exodus.

Sep 26, 2011
stevensmom

Steven is out of the hospital.Doing so much better. he will graduate and come home for a couple days before his next post. Thanks for all you support. God bless all our Sailors!

Sep 26, 2011
navymomsrock

stevesmom - I am so glad he is doing OK. How scary! My prayers are with your family.

Sep 26, 2011
Rebecca

@stevensmom-I am so happy to hear your son is out of the hospital and feeling better. Best wishes for a super-speedy recovery!

@coloradmom-It does not surprise me at all that he wants to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters-we always dress up here to hand it out, so it looks like he's carrying on the tradition. SO silly! He said he knows your daughter, too, and that he thinks she's really nice. He said, and I quote,"she's really sharp".

Sep 26, 2011
TexasDocMom

Steven's mom, I'm so glad to hear he's doing better and will get some RnR at home....

About Christmas, I hate to admit this to a group of military moms, but my son's training and deployments have fallen so that he has come home for every Christmas. So I'm not aware of what happens during the actual A school folks actually training, but I'm sure Inga does, as her daughter was an instructor at Great Lakes until it moved to San Antonio. It seems to me that the military does kind of shuts down for the holidays, so I'm thinking yes, he'll be home. Find out as soon as possible and book those flights now. I'll ask my son when I talk with him next, but I've bugged him enough during this round of 24 hours on/ 8 hours off, so I'll let him be for a few days!

Sep 26, 2011
MomAnt

I'm extremely new to all this so please excuse what may be a dumb question. My son will be in A-School during Christmas. So happy to hear he'll probably get some time at home! I thought the Navy handled their flights home? That's not the case?

Sep 26, 2011
TexasDocMom

They talk them through it the first time, I THINK, momant...but they do not pay for the flights. They assist in the payment of flights to new stations, or whatever transportation costs there are in that case.

Sep 26, 2011
MomAnt

Oh ok... thank you. So much to learn. :)

Sep 26, 2011
flbradybunch (Corpsman Mom)

Hi all - brand new here but wanted to say hi and come out of "lurking" status..... My son just went to bootcamp last week - but he is Hospital Corpman with A school in San Antonio when he gets done so I am watching some of he questions and comments here for what I need to know.

Gosh I have it sooooo lucky - I grew up near Great Lakes and still have TONS of family up there so I feel comfortable with where he is now because it is "my stomping grounds". And after growing up in Illinois I had a brief stay in FL before I spent the next 19 years in TX, so I have been to San Antonio more than once and my son has family (dad, paternal grandma, etc) in Texas within a few hours drive. I can't imagine what it will be like the firs time he goes someplace that I have no familiarity with or family near by!

Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences..... helps me to "know what's coming"!

Sep 27, 2011
maboltship

My son doesn't leave for bootcamp until July, but I've been following all of the corpsman moms comments. It's been so helpful! I'm wondering when my son will find out what kind of Corpsman he will be. I noticed flbradybunch mom, that your son already knows he will be a Hospital Corpsman?

Sep 27, 2011
flbradybunch (Corpsman Mom)

My son did a 12 month extension to his enlistment to guarantee his rating. He was 20 when he decided to do all this so he was pretty well on his own and making his own decisions..... I offered advice when I was asked, but let him do this on his own. (I found out about the 12 month extension to guarantee rating when my "kid in a box" got here this morning and I saw the copies of all his paperwork from MEPS.) Once he made up his mind what he wanted to do - he wanted to be assured that it didn't get "changed for him" - smart kid! He is hoping to become a radiologist or anesthesiologist ultimately!

Sep 27, 2011
velvetlace

My cub is assigned to pediatrics. He is happy about it. He wants to become a PA or a doctor someday, so he is on his way.

Mary

Sep 27, 2011
MomAnt

I may be wrong but my understanding is that they are all Hospital Corpsman and can then further specialize their rate through C-School. Is that correct?

Sep 27, 2011
MomAnt

Bellachella... I'm anxious for an answer to that question also. Although I live MUCH more than 3 hours away. LOL!

Sep 27, 2011
elizabeth

MomAnt- yes, you are correct, they are all Hospital Corpsmen, sorry I can not help you with the answer to what happens around the Holidays, just hoping my son can come home at least for one day since he will be in San Diego by the Holidays and only three hours away from us.

Sep 27, 2011
Tamme

When my son was in Corps school, he had Wednesday through Sunday off for Thanksgiving and two weeks at Christmas.

Sep 27, 2011
NanZam

Woooo...Hooooo....I am so excited for Graduation on Friday you would think it was me graduating....Are any of the Navy Mom's wearing certain color's for graduation?

I cann't wait...Thank you everyone for all your help...see you there...God Bless...<3

Sep 27, 2011
zStratMom

Ladies - I am going to stop and pick up some flowers before FMTB graduation on Friday at Camp Pendleton. You'll know it's me, so stop and introduce yourself.

Sep 27, 2011
stevensmom

dont have a clue what to wear?? anyone any ideas??casual or dressy?

Sep 27, 2011
flbradybunch (Corpsman Mom)

Thanks DDM - so glad to hear that your Corpsman will be home for the Holidays! Will make it such a sweet Holiday for you I'm sure :-)

I was wondering how it works with FMF and FMTB - is that optional or required, if optional - to progress career-wise do they pretty much have to do it? My son is very interested in radiology or anesthesiology.... I am wondering what he is going to have to do to get there? Thanks in advance for the insight.

Sep 28, 2011
zStratMom

Created an event "Meet @ the Bleachers, FMTB Graduation"

Sep 28, 2011
NanZam

@ MariaAndy'sMom and zStatMom...see you Friday, and hope to meet other Navy Mom's...cann't wait...

Sep 28, 2011
NavyWife

Wanted to see if any of you more experienced Corpsman moms and family members might know anything about C School? My husband will choose a C School on Friday because all the billets his class is getting are C Schools. He is in the 87th percentile so he did very well, but not the typical top 10 who get C Schools. I'm wondering if this has happened before? Will he still have to apply and wait to be accepted even though that's all that is offered? When will we know if he has been accepted? I'd like to go ahead and move to SA as soon as possible if he's going to be there for another 6 months or so. Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

Sep 28, 2011
flbradybunch (Corpsman Mom)

Thanks DDM. What if they are interested in going beyond a tech level? (ie. Med school - all the way - do they have to wait until after the Navy and use their GI bill for that?)

Sep 28, 2011
TexasDocMom

I'm not sure either...I know my son's chief has been on him to choose a C School and stay in the Navy...but my son says "I have a job, I'm a corpsman"...he loved serving with the Marines, and now he's moving forward with his life (and says medicine will NOT be part of it...). So, flbrady, probably your son's chief will guide him, as well as the needs of the Navy...

Sep 28, 2011
five10fevr(HM school)

Navymom, my son picked C school and knew what he got within 2 weeks. His wife moved back with him after A school but the are still waiting for their off base housing allowence. Even though he hasnt lived on base since July.

Sep 28, 2011
NanZam

@ Devil Dock Mom 661...Thank you...I've already started with the tears...I am so proud of my son...I am busting at the seams with pride...I will be taking ton's of tissue...LOL...

Sep 28, 2011
flbradybunch (Corpsman Mom)

Thanks ladies - I guess I need to stop trying to be the Momma bear and figure it all out for him and just let him grow up and do his thing - lol. I appreciate the insight very much! Congrats to all the Mom's with upcoming grads.....

Sep 28, 2011
NanZam

@ Devil Doc Mom 661 Thank you...I think my son will have the memories of Great Lakes boot camp graduation...I felt so bad for them standing at attention for so long...and you're right it's nothing compared to what they have gone through. Thank you for the information about getting there early, and DVD...I will be buying it I will bring him his clothes too...What is your son doing now? Where is he stationed?

Sep 29, 2011
Pam

Congratulations to those graduating FMTB. It is an accomplishment for sure. My son graduated last December and I am one of those that had him home for the holidays last year for 10 days. However, he has since gone on to his first duty station in Italy and this Christmas will not be home. I guess I better get used to it :) He has chosen not to go greenside at this time, but is expecting at least one deployment to the sandbox after all the training he has gone through. He was also one that was given the choice of C School, but turned it down.

Crow away Devil Doc Mom! It makes all of us smile!

Sep 29, 2011
karenmjm

C school openings are at the needs of the Navy. C schools vary in lengh depending on what the specialized training is. What I like about the C schools in SA are they blended with the other branches of the military. My son's C schools classes are about 1/3 Navy and 2/3 Army, but he also has stories about PTing with the Airforce and his roommate was Coast Guard. I can only specifically speak about my son's C school, but he is doing six months of class room study and six months of clinical training, all is SA. Even in C school, the billets are available to the sailors based on class rank. Because my son was fifth in his class he got to chose to do his clinicals in SA, otherwise he could of went to SD. I don't know what comes after C school because my son told me in his choosen profession, all greenside field clinics have to have a corpsman with his speciality, so we'll wait and see if he gets sent for FMTB.

Sep 29, 2011
five10fevr(HM school)

Karen-

What C school is your son in? Mine just start Xray tech last week. We are hoping he gets SD (we live 3 hours away).

Sep 29, 2011
NavyWife

So... do all corpsmen go through FMTB? I thought it was just FMF corpsmen? When do they go? We're about to get orders so does he go before or after we move? Is it like boot camp? Sorry I'm stupid it just freaks me out to think my husband could have another boot camp experience. I don't know if I can handle that again.

Sep 29, 2011
TexasDocMom

Navywife, if you look above this thread, there are several links and discussions about FMTB, and the two training facilities, as well as explanations about how it all works. We are at war in two warzones, yes, pretty much all corpsmen will be trained in FMTB, and then either go greenside with Marines, or on to their C schools. As need arises, they can be called up to go train with a Marine battalion and go green side with Marines....where they become FMF corpsmen. Inga's daughter did her FMTB out of A School, then was posted elsewhere, including several years as an instructor in Great Lakes for corpsmen. She's now assigned to a Marine unit, where she will be deployed next year and earn her FMF....it's pretty much necessary to move up in the ranks.

Sep 29, 2011
five10fevr(HM school)

Navy wife-

Just going by what my son told me. He was able to choose C school or FMTB training straight from A school. He choose C school and was told more then likely he will not be doing FMTB school unless the need arises. He finished A school in July.

Sep 29, 2011
NavyWife

My husband said his orders would either be C School or a permanent duty station. Is that wrong then?

Sep 29, 2011
five10fevr(HM school)

From what my son has told me. No that is not wrong.Only a handful of his class were able to choose FMTB.

Sep 29, 2011
Pam

As stated before, as the need arises, at any given time most if not all graduating A School can be sent to FMTB before C School or their first duty station. That's what happened to my son's class last year. Four weeks before finishing up A School, the majority of his class had their Orders changed to go FMTB after A School. There were a few that went C School and then FMTB and I know of one that went to C School for Surgical Tech and then went on to his first duty station in Cuba and has not done FMTB yet. So it really is based on each individual's experience, although it does help to hear other's stories and know that Ma Navy is in charge! And going through FMTB is not exactly the same as boot camp, although it can be stressfull and physically exhausting. My son LOVED it! Although I don't think he'd ever want to do it again! LOL. If you read the links above, it will explain that they still get liberty to do things around town or in San Diego.

Sep 29, 2011
NavyWife

Thank you all for the info! It makes a lot more sense now.
Inga, I didn't like that I couldn't talk to him in Boot Camp. I was raised in the Air Force and I fully understand and am prepared for military life. Perhaps it was made more traumatizing by the fact that I found out I was pregnant and had a miscarriage all while he was in boot camp and couldn't contact him about any of it. Regardless, that kind of letter-only/strict regulated calls interaction is not fun for this Navy wife.

Sep 29, 2011
coloradomom

Tamme, When your son got Wednesday through Sunday off for Thanksgiving, did he have to use leave? My daughter thinks that if she travels more than 300 miles, she has to take leave. IF she stays within 300 miles of the base, she doesn't have to use her leave. Is that how it works?

Sep 29, 2011
Pam

colorado Mom - yes if they go outside of the allotted miles, they are suppose to use Leave Time.

Devil Doc Mom - my son went West. He really did enjoy it, but he's an adrenaline junkie.

NavyWife - that had to have been a very difficult time for both of you. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Navy Mom (((hugs))) to you.

Sep 29, 2011
Regina (SHIP 02, DIV 911)

My son graduated boot camp in February and went directly to FMTB. He graduates FMTB this friday woo hoo! So proud of him. He said it was very exhausting and stressful. However he survived lol.A couple of his friends didnt make it and said they will be what's called recucled and have to start all over yuk! My son is to be stationed in CA for another few months........wondering where his path will lead him now :-) Very pleased that he is only 10 hours away form me tho.

Sep 29, 2011
Regina (SHIP 02, DIV 911)

spelling error in prior post "recycled"

Sep 29, 2011