Corpsman Moms

Dear jacketfan24, I loved my time in Okinawa and told my HA to try and do a tour there. The opportunity to travel, the history of the Island (not just WWII) and the people make this an amazing. Try to go and visit while he is there. My Mom and twin sister both came to see me and they loved it. I plan on going back when my husband gets to retire from his job. They have a wonderful page on facebook and are building a big beautiful hospital. Today with skype and the internet you can keep in touch with your sailor. Tell him congrats and to enjoy.

Thanks UFQ202....I think he will love it.  I'd love to visit but we'll see how finances are at the time.  It would be amazing to be able to.   He doesn't have a passport; does he get one on base at SA?  Also, do phone companies allow him to shut off his plan while he's out of the country?  He's on our phone plan and even the Verizon rep told us that it's  better to get a phone there rather than take this one.  At that time, though, we didn't know he'd be leaving the country so soon.  So much to take care of...fortulately, there is time. 

Hey jacketfan... I was just wondering at what point your son found out about FMTB? I was under the impression that would be one of the choices (if available) at the time they choose orders. But if your son already knows he is doing both FMTB and going to Okinawa, I'm misunderstanding something aren't I? Congratulations to your son and good luck to you with the preparations! :)

Has anyone been to an Aschool graduation? My son wants me to come with his girlfriend...any insight?

Thanks

dawn in MI

momo15-Yes, we attended our sons in July.  Nothing like boot camp graduation but still a very proud time.  Small and short ceremony.

I was at my son's in December.  It was very nice.  Again, not at all like PIR--there were very few parents there, but they let you take pictures throughout the entire ceremony and move around and I was very proud to be there to watch my son graduate.    The ceremony probably lasted around an hour or less.  You need to get there at least an hour before the ceremony starts to get a parking place and from what I understand there is more construction going on there now than when I was there in December, so the parking situation might be a little worse right now.  

Momant...they chose orders this past week and when he chose his, they told him he would spend 8 weeks in San Diego before heading to Okinawa; the Naval Hospital there is on a Marine base, so that's probably why he goes to San Diego first.  I may have said it wrong when I said FTMB; he may possibly be training for something else there just at the same base.  So much to learn!  Either way, he knows he will be going through Camp Pendleton first before heading to Japan. 

UFQ20...thanks for the info about the phone. That helps! 

If anyone's son/daughter is assigned to a Marine unit as a corpsman, realize ALL Marines love their Docs, and those Docs work hard to serve by and with those Marines, earning that FMF pin. Those Docs serve in a military no man's land many times, doing both their jobs as corpsmen and as Marines in a battle zone.

If you check the links above, there is a lot of information about both Pendleton and Lajuene and their FMTB programs. It's tough and exciting for those young corpsmen, they all seem to love it.

The six Marines killed this week in Helmand Province in that helicopter accident were out of Hawaii. I'm sure they are reeling there this week, prayers and blessings for those serving with them, and for their families.

Momant...I talked to my son and got him to clarify.  He said that a select few of the orders had FMTB school attatched to the orders, and his was one of them.  Many of the sailors in his unit weren't interested in the green side, which is good since those orders seem to be fewer right now.  He is very excited and can't wait to go.

jacketfan... thanks so much for the clarification. I'm always desperately trying to absorb everything so I know what to expect and how things work. I realize I'm fighting a losing battle but I keep trying anyway. LOL. I really appreciate you taking the time to ask and get back to me. :) Thanks again and, again, congratulations to your son!

• Momant...thanks!  I know what you mean about so much to learn. 
• TennNavyMom...I've heard the same thing about the Marines, which is why I'm not as worried about deployment as I probably should be.  I wish your son the best while he's deployed. 

My son is looking forward to becoming a Corpsman and going green if its available at the time. My son works with some guys that have served in the Marines. When he told them our son was wanting to do this but we were worried about him. They told him try not to worry b/c Marines definitely do TAKE CARE of their Doc. The way they look at it is that we will take care of you, cover your back and keep you safe b/c you are the one that is going to be there for us when we need it the most. My uncle is a Colonel in the Marines (stationed in San Diego) and he tells me the same thing. My son still has a little while to go before he goes to Corps. school but I am so enjoying reading all about your sailors and their endeavors. At least I may be somewhat prepared when the time comes.....God you and your sailors!!!!

Hello everyone!  I haven't been on in a while, but just wanted to mention that I went to my son's A School graduation when it was still at Great Lakes.  It was definitely one of those moments I was so happy that I was able to see.  At that time, orders were changed and most had to go straight to FMTB before heading to their duty station.  He finished that and has been in Italy for the last 13 months with only 11 more to go!  Not that I'm counting or anything... lol  We're just wondering what his options will be for his next station.  He said he may end up with a marine unit at CL next, and he is more than ready to be attached. 

Does anyone think that because he's been through the FMTB training, his next step would most likely be attached to a unit?  Just wondering if that is the norm.

TennNavyMom - Congratulations to you and your son!!!!!

Sheryl - Congratulations to you and your son,too! We're looking forward to seeing our son graduate too - if he ever gets an "official" graduation date!!!

Tenn Navy Mom - What an achievement that is for your son!  Congratulations to him!

Sheryl - Congrats to Max!  It's such a good feeling to have one more part behind him!  Now on to Italy and all the amazing places there he can see and do!

Congratulations to all who had a corpsman graduate today!!  Best of luck to wherever they are going from here.

Hello all - first off congrats to the newest graduates of the corpsman program and best of luck on there next endeavors!!! My son has been in SA since Jan. 7 and just got a start date for school.(Feb 8th) He said its been alot of cleaning and working out. They finally phased up , so they were excited to get to wear civi clothes!!! He said today was a long day and tonight would be a short night ....not sure why or whats up!!! Anyhow thank you so much for the METC video - that was fantastic to actually get sort of and idea of what goes on down there!!!

TennNavyMom

Congrats to your son, you should be very proud. As should all the new Corpsman moms.

Daughter FINALLY started class today. Been a long wait, she's been there since Dec. I've got my blue candles burning for all of them.

Tenn Navy Mom-   Congratulations to your son for earning his FMF pin!   I know that he worked hard for that accomplishment,

Sheryl-  Congratulations to our your new corpsman son!   Woot!  Italy is a great place to be deployed!

Congratulations to any other new corpsman here! 

My son has been in Okinawa for a week now. Communication has been minimal but hopefully, he will get his internet set up soon.  For now we have been talking via text. He was able to purchase an iphone shortly after arriving in Japan.  He is a little disappointed about his new job.  He will be working in a outpatient pediatric mental health clinic which he likes but, he will be doing clerical work.  He did tell me that in a few months he will be able to post for a new job if one is available.  I guess he is the lowest rung on the ladder at the moment.  I'm sure during his next 2.5+ years he will work his way up. 

 Hard to believe that my son left about a year ago for bootcamp and now finally starting his job.  He is happy to be out of San Antonio. 

Congratulations to all of the A School Corpsman.

Congrats to your sailor Kathy!

My sailor is definitely looking forward to NOT spending another summer in SA.  He'll finish his C school in May, and then finally head to a permanent duty station.  He is really enjoying the clinical training he is receiving.  What's interesting about his clinical training is its at a civilian hospital. 

Not many of us in Central Texas are looking forward to another summer like the last one, Karenmjm! But it's sure nice having this mild winter this year...my son's yard at his new home might have a chance to grow roots before the real heat and drought hits again. Today my kitchen tile is being "re" laid due to the drought...so much fun!

Congrats to the new Corpsmen and to those moving on to C Schools. I will remind the moms with deploying greenside corpmen to join us in the group for moms with deployed kids...new Marine units leaving as we speak, so I know there's more out there. Join us, you are not alone, and it helps, really helps to know that.

SouthOCNavymom, if you look above the discussions area on this page, you'll see a list of links. There are two training spots for FMTB, one on the east coast (Camp Lajuene) and one on the west coast (Camp Pendleton).  My knowledge of 29 Palms is when my son went there with his Marine unit to train to deploy, but there are permanent duty assignments to 29 Palms as well.

Did you search in the Groups area for a 29 Palms group?

SouthOCNavyMom, there is a Camp Pendleton group that is an FMTB group.  I don't know if there is one for Camp LeJeune or not since my sailor went to Camp P.

For a really good idea of what FMTB involves, check out YouTube.com.  There is a 19 minute video from a last year's class.  It really is intense.  My son finished FMTB at Camp P just before this past Christmas. 

HI all.. I sure do miss posting on here and connecting with my other Corpsman moms.  Life had been crazy with my other 4 kids and 2 grandsons, I am getting my butt kicked in school. LOL

Tenn Navy Mom.. that is so awesome.. my son is starting to work on his now as well.. he said there is alot to learn and it will be hard.

1windhaven.....how have you been?  How is your son doing?  

My son is stationed at Cherry Point, He graduated FMTB Dec 23rd.  They have him in a clinic area not at the hospital and he said he is doing more paper pushing then anything and wants more hands on work.  He kind of feels like all that schooling and FMTB and he is pushing papers.  Think he is bored a little.  But he did say he was going to use this time to study and do work.  

He has a few years there so I told him to take advantage of the time and do his schooling now while he could.  

We are coming up on his one year PIR anniversary and hard to believe it has been a year but yet it seems like forever.. make sense?    

We finally got skype going so it has been nice chatting on Sundays.  Makes me miss him more seeing him but yet I feel content seeing him.  :)

My SR will have his PIR on March 16th, As it is now he will be going to A school in San Antonio TX. What will it be like in the city and at the school. BC came a surprise I didn't know anything. I'd like to know a little more about his a school. Thanks!

SOCNM, is he assigned to a Marine Unit at Camp Pendleton? that's how to determine if he is going to 29 Palms to train or to be stationed there. If he is assigned to a Marine unit, go to that unit's web site, they will have a TON of information for you, and a Family Readiness officer to help answer questions.

Littleturtle, take a look above the discussion area above this posting box and you will see a list of links. Look at the one for METC, that will tell you all about A school and San Antonio. As it is now, it's pretty cool in Texas, and will be in March, April and May...after that, it's no holds barred here for heat.

Mamawalrus! skype is great! good for you for those Sunday visits!

Yes, that's right...sorry, it's been a long time since my son did FMTB...he went right after A school as well. In fact, he and about a dozen others were pulled early to fill a class at Lajuene.  He knew the divison he was going to but not the exact unit. Of course I knew nothing, because I had not learned to bug the crap out of him for information and he hadn't learned to just tell us up front what was going on.  Ask him if he's been assigned to a Marine division or is going to stay "blueside" and serve with the Navy. Many now do FMTB and still stay blueside in the immediate future.

Probably Google "Division 1"...

METC facebook page   with new photos...

Mamawalrus, My son is sitting in Okinawa waiting for his job to start.  He too was hoping for a job that involves his training as a Psych Tech but, he will be pushing paper as well.  He will be working in a pediatric mental health clinic doing clerical work.  He did say that in a few months he will hopefuly be able to post for a new job. 

Just started USN Mercy 2012 for Families group.  I hope other family members will find me so I am not all alone! 

The Mercy's a great ship - massive and does a lot of humanitarian work. I've seen her docked several times : ).

Hello moms, i'm coming from another group trying to find the right group to be in.My sailor graduated from A school for HN in San Antonio and is now stationed in Balbio San Diego is thier a group for this location? I see some from other group like bellacella but my daughter isnt on the mercey. Congrats to all the graduates from A school... Bravo Zulu!

Our son's PIR is scheduled for 3/30, then he will be going to San Antonio for A School.  Can you please tell me if your son/daughter flew out or OHare or Midway?  I would like to get his cell phone to him at the airport.  It would be nice to try and fly in and out of the airport he will be using.  Any information from a recent graduate mom would be most helpful.  Thanks!

I thought long and hard before deciding to post this.  I think I have heard some "whispering" about it. I hope none of "our" young corpsmen are caught up in this and, if they are, that they were innocent parties.  This is forewarning for those young men and women starting any kind of A school or schools beyond.

NAVY TIMES, Page 20, February 13, 2012 edition

HM school cheating: 27 kicked out  

I am reading this in the paper edition of the Navy Times but I cannot find it online.  The gist of it is that someone accessed an exam and shared it with classmates and 27 students were dismissed from the course..  An investigation continues so some students may be reinstated.  Right now, they have not been discharged from the Navy. 

kdking60 our son flew out of OHare, But we did not find out specifics of flight until we met him at PIR. our Sailor arrived at the airport approx 4:00 am and the flight did not leave until approx. 6:00PM. we got to spend a lot of time with our Sailor at the airport. we met him at the USO . If he has a smart phone there is not much use for a Lap top other than movies I sent him some software to turn his laptop into a TV and he watched the superbowl on it. I would schedule my return filght late inorder to spend the most time with your Sailor. Be advised this is what happened to us things allways change. Good Luck!

docsmom...my son mentioned this several weeks ago; the other classes were having to take alternate tests as a result, which were harder than the original, according to him.  I had not heard the end result of the '27 kicked out' or how they managed to accomplish what they did. 

kdking60, our son flew out of Midway with a fairly large group.  They got there about 4am; we arrived about 6am and he left about 10am.  He knew when he made the "I'm a sailor" call when his flight would be.  We drove up, so it was easy to adjust plans to his flight.  We actually left a little early; we had planned to stay that night in case he had a late flight, and the hotel was great about cancelling the room for the last night. 

  My son got an Iphone after PIR and purchased a laptop later.  He like the laptop since some things, like Facebook, are limited on a smartphone.  But dadyellow is right; it's really not necessary to have both.  Good luck to your son!

Tell him to enjoy the down time because once school starts, it's very intense. 

kdking60...our son graduated on 1/20 and he flew out of O'Hare to San Antonio.  He was the only one going to San Antonio that flew out of O'Hare though, the rest flew out of Midway.  The only reason he flew out of O'Hare is because he got sick at the end they wanted to make sure he was good to leave, so he got his orders the day of graduation.  He flew independent, which meant he had to pay for his flight and the Navy reimburses for it.  There were other Sailors that did fly out of O'Hare but they were going to different places than our son.  It actually worked out fantastic for us because he flew out about 5 hours later than the rest of the group going to San Antonio. I would say prepare for not knowing until the day of graduation.  I scheduled our flight to leave Sunday that way we would have all day with our son in case of last minute changes.  He flew American Airlines and they let my husband, daughter and I go to his gate with our son and wait with him until he left.  They give you a pass to get through security with your Sailor.  They give you a pass to get through security.  This gave us time to hangout and give him his cell phone and other things.  They are tight with space for travel, so they don't have room for a lot, but laptops and cell phones are necessities.  I would like to mention one last thing, if you meet your Sailor at O'Hare airport, the bus coming from Great Lakes drops all Sailors off at terminal two because that is where the USO office is located.  Then the Sailors walk to the terminals of their flight.  So, regardless of what terminal the plane flies out of you will meet your Sailor in terminal 2 first.  That got us confused at first, but then we found our son...lol.

Sorry for all the typos, I am doing this on my phone...haha!:)

my daughter asked me to send her the travel card she's been waiting for. Does any one know what this is for?

When my daughter went back to SA after the holidays American Airlines let us go to the gate with her because she was military.

She gets her orders this week. Anyone else have a sailor getting orders?

My corpsman son PIRd on May 6th, and then he flew out of Midway via American Airlines about 5 A.M. in the morning.  We got to spend a couple of hours with him since we went to Midway airport thanks to another mom who told us.  We were able to hand off to my son his cell phone and another electonic game machine.  We subsequently sent a new laptop computer of his choice to him to SA several weeks later.   My corpsman cub came home the end of August for a little over a week.  He has not been home since.   He is hoping to get leave in May.

Mary