Corpsman Moms

Pam...my sailor enjoys Sicily and has been able to do some sightseeing, too. So far I don't think he's been off the island, but he's only been there 7 months.  I'm so glad I don't have to worry about him while he's in Italy, although he talks about volunteering for a deployment.  He wants to do something "exciting."  :)

My son just arrived in San Diego for his first official duty station. He is a surgical tech. His experience so far has not been a great one. He was able to come home for a two weeks between C School in San Antonio and going to San Diego. As luck would have it we had a major snow storm and while driving he had to keep stopping to clean off his windshield wiper blades and in the process lost his wallet. All his id's were gone, military and others. Then he gets to SD and while waiting at the airport his garment bag was stolen with ALL of his uniforms. I'm at a loss as to what to tell him. He did report it and they took a report. But he has to start on Monday with nothing. What does he do? Any suggestions?

If he has filed a police report then he needs to take that. They will replace his ID card. He will most likely have to replace his uniforms. Can he get to the exchange this weekend and buy at least one set? They have a thrift store that may have uniforms on sale alot cheaper. Has he contacted his sponsor at San Diego for help. He could also see if Navy Relief will loan him the money for the uniforms if he doesn't have it. My son will be checking in on Tue at the hospital. Tell him good luck.

He was so upset last night I didn't think to ask him if he got a police report. He did file a police report though, so he can probably get a copy of it. I assume he can get to the exchange, he is on base. I didn't know how easy it would be to buy a replacement. Luckily he has the money to replace them, it just really stinks that he has to. I'll ask him about talking to his sponsor. Thank you for your advice, I appreciate it. My son will also be at the hospital, but I don't think he starts there until the 20th. Tell your son good luck also!

I learned the hard way to not pack all my uniforms in the same bag when the airlines lost my bag with the uniforms. I had to wear my civilian clothes until they finally found my bag. I have told my son to ALWAYS pack one set in with his other bag. Experience is a wonderful teacher sometimes. Remind him please he is not the only sailor who has had this happen to and he will be ok. I keep telling my son to look at the hard times as "an opportunity to rise above the challenge". Having a momma as an HM1 can be a mixed blessing sometimes because he hears it all the time.

Something similar happened to my sailor too..on his way to FMTB last spring.  The airline lost his luggage and he had to report for his first day in civilian clothes.  Let's just say it wasn't the best way to start out training with the marines, but he learned a hard lesson and went on to do well despite a severe tongue lashing and whatever else they put him through :)

flangl18 - my son will PIR from bootcamp this Friday 11/18 and then report to A school for HM in San Antonio.  I am wondering if he will be able to spend Thanksgiving with his Grandparents.  They travel the country in their RV and as luck would have it are in San Antonio at this time.  I tried to email the base, but did not get a response.  Any insight you could offer would be appreciated.  Thanks much!

flbradybunch, my son was in GL for Corpsman School at Thanksgiving in 05, he got Thanksgiving off. That said, it depends on where you son is in the school, whether they have more liberty at that point or not, and  if he has duty or not. In other words, it's different for each sailor, and he'll probably not know until that week. I know that's not much help, but it's kind of how the Navy is and part of A school is learning to hurry up and wait, and that the Navy will tell you when they are ready.

If his Grandparents are responsible for this gorgeous weather after a summer of hell, please tell them THANK YOU!! It's beautiful in Central Texas right now!

flbrady, 

Even if he hasn't phased up, he should be able to spend part of the day with your parents unless he has watch that day.  Even in phase one they are allowed to leave the base; they just have to stay in uniform and be back by 8:00 pm (I think).  If he has watch, he will probably not be able to leave the base.

Hi all,, been awhile since I posted.  Like seeing so much activity.  :)

My son just completed his 2nd week of FMTB and is doing well.  I am so proud of him because I know there is TONS to learn and he is kicking butt!  

@mamawalrus - those proud momma moment are the best.  I am so happy your sailor is doing great at FMTB!

Thanks karenmjm...I know its only the beginning but I got plenty of Proud room left. 

Mama..FMTB takes a lot out of them and takes a ton of their time, but you are so right, it's something to be proud of.  Not only are they Sailors, they are also practically Marines when they are done. 

A bit off-topic, but I'm looking for suggestions in regards to the following.

My daughter doesn't leave for bootcamp ( not sure if that's what the Navy calls it), until next July, and from there on to San Antonio probably sometime in Sept...Can anyone suggest any Xmas gifts that might come in handy or be useful to her as a future Corpsman??...She's not that easy to buy for and I realize I'm stretching here, but thought it worth a shot...Ha!!  TIA

Jules,  

Anatomy coloring book and flash cards will help her get ready for A school.  Swimming lessons if she doesn't know how and you have an indoor pool available.  Gym membership so she can get into shape if she isn't already.  Maybe a Red Cross First Aid class, too.  

Good luck.

Jules, a Gerber "all in one" should be on the list, sometime before A School.  If your airport has a store where it sells all the stuff they confiscate, sometimes you can find them there cheap...because they are not cheap in the stores! And if you find them cheap buy a couple...My cousin got my son an expensive little flash light, can't remember the name. He loved it right up until he lost it...used it all the time.

Good suggestions HM Mom Ruth! 

@Jules they are not allowed to have anything in BC, but what is issued to them by the Navy, the one exception is birth control.  Females sailors may keep their birth control when they arrive at BC, everything else will be mailed back to you in "The Box".  Once they get in A school, they still have extremely limited space, and share a room with another Corpsman.

My garage is officially being used as my sailor storage unit, and he has been in almost a year.  I expect to continue to have to store his belongs, at least for another six months, possibly longer if he gets sent over seas.

My son officially still had a room here until a couple of weeks ago. He's leaving the Navy in January, bought a home in San Antonio where he has been stationed for the last 18 months as an instructor, and will be attending UTSA full time. He's found a wonderful young lady, and he's moving forward with his life. Mom, on the other hand, did really well until I took the last load of his stuff to his home (more than he wanted to deal with, but I've been storing it, and he has a two car garage...it's his to deal with!)....started feeling very "empty nest" syndrome symptoms on the drive back to Austin. Did okay until the other day, found a pair of those "fox socks" he used during deployment and realized I had no dresser drawer to put them in as  I've rented his room to a friend!  Burst into tears! It's those little things that make one crazy, I guess.

I will be looking for someone to "co-admin" this page when my son leaves the Navy ....any one up to it? It's a pretty mellow job...keep up the links, make sure posts are being answered (not necessarily by the admin, but making sure support is ongoing ) and trying to gently enforce OPSEC when it's necessary, keeping up a professional, loving atmosphere so all moms/dads/spouses, etc feel welcome and open to posting, even when new to the group or feeling like they are asking "stupid" questions...as we all know, there are no stupid questions, just new folks to our world. Message me if you're interested, I'll share your interest with the admins to get the privileges going when they decide.

  This is kinda like it, the one I bought for my son  was about 60 bucks at Academy here in Texas. They are in the knife sections of sporting goods stores. I think gray would be the better color choice. Gerber link

Corpsmen pull these out like the old cowboys drew their guns...ha!

Maybe it was this one: http://www.gerberknives.co/product/Gerber/Multi-Tools/22-01545/Mult...

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions...And so quickly too!! :)

I know they can have very little personal from home, so I was thinking of something along the lines of something that would help her before she leaves with her Corpman training, as she has no medical background...She is a good swimmer and already has a gym membership, so we're covered there...I am interested in the "Gerber" kit, the  anatomy coloring book, and the flash cards, ( although exactly what type of flash cards are we talking about??)...I had not thought about the Red Cross training, but that's a very good idea and I'll look into it for her...Thanks again everyone.

My son graduates in February from A School.  What about a stethoscope?  Someone mentioned that that is a great graduation gift, but since his graduation is so close to Christmas I was thinking a Christmas gift.

docs mom, you're not rid of me so easy...I am always a Navy brat/daughter, a Marine's sister and a Navy mom. I'll "co" admin this group until it's all together for the next admin, and I'll probably stick with the group for moms with deployed kids a lot longer. I can't walk away from that, it's part of my life. Once the mom of a kid in a warzone, every kid there counts in your heart. I just think the info changes in this group more, and there needs to be a more up to date admin, one with a couple of years experience or possibly one with an instructor in the A school to give good advice.

Anatomy flash cards--help to learn the parts of the body, like the coloring book.

Congratulations, Texas Mom, on your son's new adventure.   I am hoping someday that my son decides to get out and go to the university and finish his studies that he left to go into the Navy.  I have a car saved for him, and we will help him in any way financially possible to finish college.   I know that he is getting great experience now in the Navy which will help him mature. 
Mary

velvetlace, it seems they appreciate the education more when they earn it themselves...those cars too! It's amazing the care my son takes of his car, and starting classes while he's still in the Navy to get going...and the plan he's made for his education. He'll be doing a work study affiliated with the GI BILL.

TexasDocMom-   I am so happy for you and your son.  I am looking forward to that day.    Best wishes for a great holiday season for you and your family!

Mary

Sorry for this long post but I just receievd the below e-mail through our Knights of Columbus about a 20-year old Corpsman just stationed here in Charleston, SC.  They have checked it out and it is true. 

From: Chambers, Alan D CTR SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 89200 a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://us.mc1802.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=alan.chambers.ctr@navy.mil">alan.chambers.ctr@navy.mil>
Date: Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 6:57 PM
Subject: A Sailor in NEED
To: kofccouncil6726@gmail.com


Hi,

I wanted to pass this story on knowing that many of you are always looking
for things to pass on to families in need.

We have a Sailor that is fresh out of Corpsman School who reported to Naval
health Clinic Charleston today - this is her first duty station and she is a
20 year old E-1. She is in need of the community's support.

Her mother died a few days ago - while giving birth. With no other
relatives, she has stepped up and has taken custody of the infant (her
sister.) As a 20 year old E-1 who was planning on living in the dorms, she
is now faced not only with raising her sister as her own, but moving into a
house or apartment (because children are not allowed in the dorms.)

She has no furniture, no infant supplies...she basically has the clothes
that she had at Corpsman School. We want to rally around this Sailor. We all
have connections within the community...friends...business owners...folks
who can help her with this unexpected burden.

If any of you can help tell this Sailor's story in the days to come...it
would be much appreciated. Everyone here at Naval Health Clinic Charleston
are pitching in to donate what we can, but we are a small Command. With the
Community's help - we can do a great thing in the life of this Sailor and
her infant sister.

For folks interested in donating baby items, furniture, gift-cards, etc...We
will have representatives from several different organizations at the corner
of Redbank Road and North Rhett Blvd this Friday (18 Nov) next to the
Walgreens. We will have a moving truck there ready to fill! Base housing has
been approved and it is our intention to have her new home furnished and
ready to move in when she returns from temporary leave in North Carolina.

She is on leave now tying up all of the legal loose ends that come with
becoming permanent guardian of her infant sister. If you could all work your
magic (as you did last week) and help us get the message out - it would be
greatly appreciated.

It is just amazing to me what can happen when you reach out to good people.
THANK YOU all for your compassion and effort on behalf of this young Sailor.
I told our Commanding Officer this morning that this Sailor is NEVER going
to forget her first duty station - and she is lucky that it was Charleston!

Tamme..where can we send gift cards?

To be safest, send them to me and I will take them to our KofC and they will personally hand deliver them to the contact at the base for this woman.

Address:  Tammela Suggs, 509 Planters Trace Drive, Charleston, SC 29412

God Bless this young girl.

I will put a couple of gift cards in the mail this weekend to you.  What an amazing young girl.  I hope a lot of people help.  Thanks for letting us know about this.

Thanks for your support.  I was so pleased to read the base housing was approved.  So unheard of for an E-1.  I will keep you posted.  I am going to deliver the message as well to our local VFW tonight.

That is great if it's not normal for them to approve that for housing.  She is going to need all of the help she can get.  I love the Navy and their willingness to help with things.  They are definately a family.

Tamme, you have shared an amazing story of courage and a potential for optimism. This young woman will need more than a good start; at some point the reality of this unexpected change sets in. I know you'll all come around her then, too. Over and over, we find evidence of the best of humanity, and that encourages all of us. I hope no matter where this young woman goes, and our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, spouses, nephews and nieces . . . and the many we don't even know, all have the experience of the extended family created here. Keep us posted.

God bless.

Chon's mom, fantastic information!  I will send on.  My Corpsman will be home for Christmas, as well as is twin brother who is in the Navy as wel, and he has asked that we invite her and the baby over for Christmas dinner.  What a blessed idea. 

Off topic from the post below, but:

My sailor just finished his last test in C school!  He has been in exactly 52 weeks, as of today, and has had not break between BC, A school and C school.  So the Navy has been pounding him hard with education for 52 weeks.  He'll graduate tomorrow and report to a civilian hospital on Wednesday to start his clinical training.  He sounded so happy when be called me a couple minutes ago, so needless to say, I am happy now too!

Congrats, karenmjm.  He sure has had a long training.  What is his specialty?

congratulations!

My sailor has been training to be a Medical Lab Tech, so it's not necessary his course of study, as much as the timing of the events between moving from BC, to A school to C school.  It's been grueling, other than orientating to a new program or base, which is a matter of 3-4 days my son has been in a classroom since he completed BC.  He is so excited to actually go to a job tomorrow.  I am excited he can actually take some leave now and is coming home for Christmas!

Hi all!  Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  I haven't been on in a while and have tried to read back a couple pages to catch up. 

TDM - how wonderful!!  Good luck to you and to your son.  May his next adventure be a little more safe and less worrisome for you!

karenmjm - congratulations to your son!  That had to be rough going a full year without a break.

Tamme - enjoy your son's being home together!

Our family was doing a photo shot when my Corpsman called, so needless to say, he is in the photo.  Albeit via skype on my phone, but he's in it!!

I'm a little bummed that his birthday package has yet to arrive.  I sent it on Nov. 12 and he has yet to receive it (his birthday was Nov.22).  On average, does anyone know how long it will take for a Christmas box to arrive to an FPO? 

Pam, have you checked with the moms in the Group for moms with kids in Afghan/Iraq link?  This has been a big discussion point with them for the last  while. They should have an answer for you about the length of time for packages to arrive over seas.

Thanks TDM - I'll ask them.  He's in Italy right now and usually gets his Priority packages in 7 days.  However, I know this is the season and can only imagine how many packages are going to FPO's right now!

Talked to my sailor Wednesday after he completed this first day of clinical hands on training with patients.  He sounded so happy and excited!  I was happy his first day was a positive experience.

I hope everyone had safe travels over the holiday weekend!

Good morning.  Found the information below on the military postal service website regarding packages.  I also read a little bit about size and weight of packages.  If at all possible, I would use the the flat rate FPO boxes supplied by the post office. 

http://hqdainet.army.mil/mpsa/

Q: What is the difference between Priority

and Parcel Post articles mailed to Military Post

Offices (MPO)?

A: In most cases Parcel Post articles weighing

over 15 pounds or measuring over 60 inches, length

and girth combined, will travel by ship from the

U.S. gateway to the military address. Priority Mail

receives air transportation from the U.S. gateway to

the location of the military address overseas.

My son posted this photo today on his facebook page. He's pretty proud of the Navy for doing this. " It's pretty cool that all future Corpsman are going to learn the trade in a building named after him. RIP"

Wow!  What a great honor.  Prayers to his family at this particular time of year.  Lost my brother 26 years ago who was also honored (AirForce) and I am proud to this day!

Thank you for sharing TDM. . .it is very cool!

My son had his first experience at helping someone as a new Corpsman.  He was on a flight back to San Antonio from holiday weekend home in PA. While in air a passenger became ill.  He used his newly learned Corpsman skills and helped the passenger until they made an emergency landing in DC.  Great confidence builder.  He will soon be heading to Okinawa Japan after C school is finished in another 2 weeks.  Proud Mom.