Corpsman Moms

mome2jord, I don't know if there is a group for FMTB, they are in that training for just a few weeks and then move on. Some are assigned to Marine units, some go on to other C Schools and some are assigned to other jobs. There are links above the discussion are that give information on FMTB, and both the East and West sites for training.

mome3jord, if he is going to Camp Pendleton for FMTB, look for the group Camp Pendleton and you will find loads of info. 

Yes we did attend his PIR and it was wonderful mome2iord. At this point we are not planning to go to San Antonio as the trip to GL did us in-lol-we drove from Philadelphia!-his girlfriend plans a trip around 7/4.

Thank you TexasDocMom....I will look for those groups. @docsmom, great idea to find the group of where my son is going for FMTB, thank you!

@JanRN, yes traveling around to see our sailors does get expensive.  Our son's recruiter told us to make sure we check with the airlines for military discounts when we fly.  He said our son can book the flights at a discount and then the airline will transfer them to our names.  I guess we have to call the airline directly for this.  Although I have not tried it yet, maybe it is helpful for future flights.

ty for the airline info mome2iord. The trip really did us in physically as it was exhausting esp my husband as he has neck problems.I would love to go see him in SA if I can get more time off work!

It's official, my sailor's duty station for the next three years is Hawaii.  He's so excited to finally be leaving school (C school for Lab Tech) and have an actually job.  What I find amusing is during his clinical training he's been working at a SA civilian hospital drawing labs on patients.  When he had to spend a week at the military blood donation site at SA, we wasn't allowed to stick patients because he isn't licensed yet.  He'll still has to pass his licensing test, but I know he'll be well prepared, caught him studying more than once during Christmas break.

 The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

             Hospitalman Eric D. Warren, of Shawnee, Okla., died May 26 of wounds received in action due to an improvised explosive device blast in Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Blessings and condolences to the family and loved ones of Doc Warren and the Marines and corpsmen with whom he served.

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to HM Warren's family and friends as well.

Uh...these tragic stories just tug at my heart.  My condolences and prayers are with HM Warren's family....words are hard to say in a time such as this.  I think of what my son told my husband and I the other day.  He said "Mom if something happens to me, know it was because I was out helping others.  God put me here for a purpose and I will be serving that purpose.  I don't want anything bad to happen, but if I have to sacrifice myself to save four other people, then it has to be done.  Just know that I love you and dad and my sister!"  Of course I cried and worry, but somehow the proudness supersedes the sadness.  Then I read this story and reflect on what my son said....my thoughts are with everyone as we remember those who have fallen!  May God protect our Sailors!!!

My condolences and prayers to the family and friends of HM Warren for their loss - he will not be forgotten nor will your sacrifice.  Thank you for your service. 

God Bless Hospitalman Eric D. Warren and his family. May the LORD be with you in this time of sorrow, give strength and guidance. My heartfelt apologies for the loss you have suffered. 

Well said mome2jord. . .there is no greater purpose in life or nothing that brings us more joy than to serve our fellow woman/man.

One of our mom's  daughter posted on my fb about this young man: "Yeah, I was there and saw the medevac come through and then figured out that he was a HM. The Ramp Ceremony for him was one of the biggest ones." She used to be an instructor at Great Lakes before recently going green side and deploying , so she knows these young corpsmen better than most.

To loose a corpsman from my own state touches home in so many ways. I have googled without success, and cannot find when the funeral is.  If anyone has information, I would like to attend.  If any of you know anything, please message me.

Ruth, I have searched as well just now, nothing past the 28th. There is a phone number on the DoD release, but one newspaper said there was no answer when they called division. I'll call my son, he posted about Doc Warren on his page, maybe he might be able to find out. 

http://www.news-star.com/features/x1832955099/Shawnee-Sailor-killed...

This is from his hometown paper.

This is a page set up for Doc Warren to post condolences and  thanks:

http://eric-dean-warren.gonetoosoon.org/

It is possible that the family has opted to keep the service private. There have been funerals in this area disrupted by crazies, so they may be deliberately avoiding publicizing the event.

Thanks for sharing the gonetoosoon page.  How sad.  He actually shares my Hospital Corpsman's birthday, but a year older.  God bless and may his family find peace.

Ruth, maybe you could post on the gonetoosoon page, mentioning that you are a local Navy mom, and offering your condolences, My son said he'd ask around, but he also said the same things, perhaps they are keeping it private. Could be announced later this week as well, when we attended the  service for a young Round Rock Corpsman, it was a little while in being planned because they knew it would be a large gathering. Admirals come in to speak, sailors from around the country flew in to attend. 

Thanks.  I'll keep looking, but certainly the family has every right to keep the service private.

got this also in my google alerts....this was posted yesterday and at the end it says that funeral plans ares still being made:   

http://www.news9.com/story/18671808/shawnee-community-honors-fallen...

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Warren family and all fellow Corpsmen and their families.  This hits home.  I left a message on gonetooson.com.  We just learned last week that our son deploys in July.  God Bless all.

Wow, my son is very talkative tonight.  Said I should post this website to navy4moms so you can tell your corpsman to use it as a study aid:

http://battalionaidstation.com/

USN Respiratory Therapist program  Check out this program offered to corpsmen, this is great...and will lead to civilian certification with fewer hurdles, it seems to me...that's important when you're counseling your kids. If they are not  gungho to serve greenside with Marines and want to set themselves up for after they leave the Navy, this is one great path. 

19061....Ma Navy is in charge and there is probably no explanation....welcome to our world! Seriously, the military is full of "hurry up and wait"...and it only gets worse as time rolls along.

ga.mom75 - welcome - also join "boot camp moms" and then once you find out his group, you can join or form that group as well.  The information there is wonderful. 

HAPPY 114th Birthday to all my fellow Corpsman!!!!!! Everyone wish your Corpman a Happy Birthday.

If you have a corpsman in Naples, Italy - or headed there, or has been there! - pls join & share http://www.navyformoms.com/group/corpsmen-in-naples-italy

There's so much to figure out, from cell phones to car ownership (or not to own), barracks, internet, housing etc, etc.  Thanks!

hello my son will be corpsman he will go to tx. but can anyone tell what city and i have read that  he will be on an army base? im looking for a place to put my moterhome while he is there.

ga.mom75...He will be at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.

ga.mom, if you check above this posting area, there is a link to METC, where you son will be in training in San Antonio. Lots of information there, for the sailor and for family members as well. Please be aware your sailor will be VERY busy in training and will not have a lot of free time, what little he has will be needed to study. They cover a lot of ground in a very short period of time. I don't want you to be disappointed about lack of free time with your son. He's moving forward in his Navy career, and he will be almost overwhelmed with things that he needs to do. Good luck!

ga.mom - great advice from TexasDocMom.   My son was super busy while there and barely had time to speak on the weekends.  They have alot of information to digest in a short time and when not in school need to study.  Good luck to your son.

Good evening everyone!!  My son is a corpsman stationed in Okinawa.  He hasn't started working yet, but is hoping to soon.  He is looking into becoming an EMT also.  Any other Oki families here?  Would love to connect with some.  This 13 hour time difference is a little crazy!!!!

My sailor is home on his leave before he heads to Hawaii. . .I got a chuckle from his graduation shirt.  I didn't notice if it was from A school graduation or C school graduation, but he verbage on the shirt said, "The only thing that stands between a Marine and God. . .Corpsmen".  He's so proud to be a corpsman!

I hope my son can get one of those t-shirts.  His brother is in the ROTC with the Marines.   

I checked with my sailor, the shirt was designed by my sailor's A school graduating class as their class shirts.  Only the students graduating in his A school class will have these shirts.  Sorry ladies. . . .

michellec...My son is heading to Okinawa today.  There is a really good group, Okinawa Moms, that has a lot of great information.  He unfortunately wasn't allowed to come home before he left San Diego, but he did come home between Aschool and FMTB school, so we did get to see him then.  Not sure I'm ready for the Okinawa experience, but it's not like I have a choice! 

Michellec...here is the link:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/okinawa-moms

Hello all. I am new to this group. I have one sailor who is an AD and now my next son will be heading to bootcamp (not sure when) and want to be a corpsman.  I have a few questions.  I have a friend who thought her son was going to do FMTB after A school but they sent him directly to a duty station for 2 years instead.  How can I make sure my son gets the FMTB training?  And how long between FMTB training and qualifying for FMF?  Thanks!

smile, first lesson I learned as a Navy brat, never count on the Navy to do anything is done the way we want! When my son went in 8 years ago, he volunteered for FMTB ,and immediately went greenside with the Marines and earned his FMF pin. I don't know how they are doing it now. Since they are downsizing in Afghanistan, there probably is less call for new corpsmen at this time (thank goodness!). So I don't know what to share with you, perhaps a mom who is more up to date on this can help you. Ma Navy is in charge, she'll put your son where she needs him!

TexasDocMom said it right.  There is no rhyme or reason.  They will assign as needed.  He won't know anything until he is near graduating from Corps School.  The most important thing he can do if he would like to have somewhat of a choice is to do extremeley well in Corps School.  I have twin sons in the Navy - one an EM on the Reagan and the one pictured above a Corpsman.  He did two years at a clinic in Groton, CT and is now with the Marines in Beaufort, SC (nice and near to home here in Charleston).  However, he will deploy shortly to Afghanistan.  Even though we are pulling out, there are many Corpsman being deployed right now from what I have been hearing from others.  Welcome to the rollercoaster. 

Thank you for all the helpful responses!!  What min. score does he need to get on his ASVAB to even be considered for Corpsman?

Check the link above for the METC link, smile, it has a ton of information on Corpsmean training.

We're about due for a switch of Marines in A. I can always tell from our group for moms with Deployed Kids to Afghanistan. They aren't pulling any more corpsmen than usual, I'm sure, Each battalion of Marines has a certain need. 

Hi everyone. Haven't been on in awhile. Daughter just got her orders for her first duty station. Any one have a Corpsman at Fort Meade? She's excited, finally out of school and on with the adventure. lol