Corpsman Moms

mrehm, all good questions....my answers are out of date, my son was in A school in Great Lakes...but this group: HM School San Antonio  has some wonderful people who can and will answer all of those questions!! 

Hey all...new to the forum.  My son just signed his contract this week and is leaving for basic in May and then to A school in San Antonio.  I look forward to gleening much wisdom from all of you who have gone before us. 

Hey Scottsmom - what you describe about your son beginning his journey, if you will, in the Navy brings back recent memories of what my son has just accomplished - he left for basic at Great Lakes on August 3, 2011 and graduated from that on Sept 30 of 2011.  We were able to travel to Great Lakes from Rochester, NY to attend the graduation; the following morning our son left for Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio for A school.  I was worried sick the first month or 2 that he was there, since he had a long history of not doing well in school and I didn't know if he'd be able to get through what he seemed to think were college level classes in anatomy, biology, etc.  However, he did quite respectably, though he wasn't at the top of his class. I flew to San Antonio in February of this year for his A school graduation and stayed with  some relatives who live there - it was a wonderful visit, attending my son's graduation and visiting with some extended family members I hadn't seen in many years.

After A school my son stayed in San Antonio for 6 months additional training as a pharmacy tech, graduation from that in August.  From there he came home for about 3 weeks leave before leaving for Sigonella in Italy (Sicily) on Sept. 11. He seems to really like it over there (one of his Facebook comments was "Life is good"); so for him the Navy seems to have been a rewarding experience,so far.

I wish your son the best as he begins his Navy career - he won't have much freedom in boot camp but that will relax somewhat when he gets to A school.

Scottsmom, welcome to the world of military moms....for starters, I'd suggest finding the group for DEP (Delayed Entry Program) moms, then on to the group for basic training, then on to the San Antonio HM group...we have some listed above in our links section. Hang on, it's an exciting ride, and you have no idea how proud, and sometimes scared, you can be...welcome!

Thank you chrisb4james for sharing the experience your son has gone through so far.  I know it wasn't for me specifically, but it was very comforting to read about someone else's experience.  My son will be graduation BC Nov. 30th.  He will be flying out the next day to Fort Sam Houston (from what he's heard so far) for A school.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  Iv'e read a little on HM, didn't know too much about it because my sons original job was different when he went into BC.  Special circumstance (long story).  Anyways, I was anxious about it because all I seen was HM's working with the Marines.  After reading your story, I feel like I got some insight.  My son had gotten his AA before enlisting so he has some college credit, I'm hoping he'll do well.  Did your son choose Italy?  I have a daughter who lives close to Venice, Italy.  Thank you again for sharing this, it really helped.  God bless you and your son.  :)

is there a link to the advancement results?

My son said that he's been told HM's are 10%. 

I heard the quota was pretty low this time around.  Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone! 

So true txbabydocmom!  No news yet. 

Congrats to your son, Rhonda!!

My son just called from his ship.  He made E4 too!   What a great day - congrats to our sailors!

Unfortunately, my son did not get his E-4 this time.  He is bummed, but I told him to keep trying.  He has only been in the Navy a year and a half.  

COngratulations to Rhonda's son and Renee's son~~~~

Mary

Congratulations to your Sailors for making E-4.  Sorry to hear about your son Mary, but that's right, keep encouraging him to keep trying.  I have a question, if anyone could answer.  My son will start A school soon.  He is an E-3, how soon can they get promoted to E-4?  What is the process all about?  Thanks.

Rhonda and Renee..congrats to you and your Sailors! Mary, let your son know he's not alone and keep working hard.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! Enjoy!

My son made E4 also!  So proud of him! 

velvetlace - he'll get it!  My son has been in 2 1/2 years and just made it (finally). 

toniasmom - my son came out of bootcamp as an E3.  They take advancement exams and the amount of points you earn will accumulate each time they take the exam. Exams are usually held in March and September and from what I hear, they are no joke!  Depending on the percentage being advanced and the amount of points you have, will determine if you gain rank (advance to the next level and pay grade).  There may be more to it that I'm not aware of, but that's what I have gathered after my son taking the exam 4 times!

Pam-  

Thank you for the reassurance.   I will keep encouraging my son to work and study hard.    My mother always told me that if I wanted something hard enough, that I would work to get it.  I try to tell my son that, as well.   My son just took a four week class in the law enforcement area to do sentry duty.  I tell him to keep trying to take classes and just do the best job that he can do.  I know he will try again in March.  Congratulations to your son on earning his E-4.   It sounds like that he worked hard to earn it!   Mary

Thank you Pam.  I love this sight.  Iv'e learned so much.  Haven't had a chance to talk to my son, PIR is next week.  I'm so excited to see him and hear all about his experience so far.  As I read about HM, it seems to me that they are required to take FMF qualifications?  Is that right?  Is this an option?  With this qualification it would seem they work with the marines.  Are they on a ship?  I'm learning please bare with me. hahaha.  I'm trying to gather as much info as I can, this was not the original job when my SR went in so I know little about it.  Thanks.

I think my son is going to go greenside.  He has been talking about it. so we shall see.   I will keep you all posted.

Mary

When my son was going through A School (at this time it was still in Great Lakes), most had their orders changed to go through FMTB (training with the Marine's) before going to their duty station.  He went to San Diego for 8 weeks and then left for his duty station in Italy.  His tour is almost over in Italy and he will be headed to Hawaii and attached to a Marine Unit.  Depending on the needs of the Navy is what will determine if they go through FMTB.  Some can choose to go greenside and stay attached to a Marine Unit.  A Corpsman has to work towards getting an FMF ribbon.  I believe they have to work with the Marine's for a certain amount of time and take an exam.  That's what I'll be finding out next year!!  Every year we learn something new with this whole Navy thing!

toniasmom - PIR is awesome!  Enjoy every minute! 

Please cruise the links above for information on FMTB (training to go "greenside" with a Marine unit) and FMF (a qualification pin earned while serving with the Marines). Lots of information in those links! 

Thank you for the info Pam.  It's awesome to hear positive input.  I'm so excited for PIR, it's all I can think about.  :)

Hi all- I dont know if anyone can help my husband is about to graduate from FMTB in San Diego. I cannot find graduation information anywhere. I've called and left messages at Pendleton, posted in the appropriate group, etc :(

Do they have graduation for FMTB? After A school, as far as green side corpsman go, there's not a lot of pomp for anything. They have ceremony (usually at 6am as far as I could tell ) for promotion , but that's about it. They have some sort of ceremony for getting their FMF pin but since they are deployed when that happens, we only see photos. If anyone would know about it, it would probably be your husband.

Amac23 - I didn't get to go, but they do have a ceremony.  However, my son flew out the same day as the ceremony.  He then came home for a week or so before leaving for Italy.  Your husband will definitely be able to tell you more.  I know there are periods of no contact when they are training so it may be difficult for him to get the information to you.

Thanks Tenn Navy Mom!  I'm afraid he may have been a little spoiled in Italy.  He has traveled all over Europe in the time he spent there. Amazing adventures!

Hi out there!

Anyone have a hospital corpsman about the graduate from San Antonio? (class 225A, B)  How about the dental assisting course next?

I am new at this. My son was just sworn in on the 26th of November .The life he decided on is Hospital Corpsman. When he called to tell me , the first thing that came to my mind was that my son was going to be guarding corps. When he left home to go to MEPS I was told he was going to join Master of Arms ( a cop I thought) ...I ran to the computer so fast and looked up the life choice he made for himself. I was and am a proud Mother. Now I will enjoy my son for the next few months until he graduates high school and leaves for boot camp August 1st. 

does anyone know if they get Christmas leave from A school San Antonio? My son graduates 12/28 from BC and will be heading there

I think the base is closed until Jan 2nd? At least classes won't start until after that. Your son will even wait a week or so before his starts, I would guess.  They will have things for him to do though.

Marine Gets Navy Cross, Corpsman Receives Silver Star

Be sure to click on the "enlarge gallery" link to see the photos, especially the one with the Doc kissing his son while waiting for his award. 

Rhonda, my son is an IDC.  The school is in San Diego.  It is a rigorous, intense course and my son says it is the best thing he has ever done.  If your son wants to make the Navy a career and be in the position to do more difficult procedures and have more responsibility, this might be for him.  It does not have an equivalent job on the outside.  They get quite a few college level credits that can be used toward a nursing program but still would have to go to nursing school if they wanted to continue doing the same type job.  Their position in the Navy is more like a Physician's Assistant.  I would be happy to answer any questions you have and if I don't know the answers, will ask my son.

The Navy is heavily recruiting for IDCs.  They get a very nice bonus and a promotion to E-6 if they are eligible.

Just want to do a little bragging.  Of course, I am incredibly proud of my IDC son but, right now, we are celebrating that his baby sister has passed the NCLEX and is now a registered nurse.  Now, to find a job!

I never thought my children would end up in the medical field.  My daughter has a BA in elementary education and I thought she would make a wonderful teacher.  Surprise!  Chose to go to nursing school a year later.  My son never showed interest in medicine until he joined the Navy. I am so glad they both found something they truly love and can support each other in their careers.

Maybe they will look after Mom and Dad in their old age? 

docsmom - congratulations to your daughter!  I NEVER thought my son wanted to go medical but he did have a great teacher (also a Nurse) in high school that steered him that way.  I'm in the legal industry and have absolutely no desire to do anything medical so it came as quite a surprise.  But, go figure, he loves it!

We are officially on the countdown until we see our son!  He'll be home for an entire month before heading to Hawaii!  Going green for the next three years.

Rhonda, I had heard that they are recruiting at HM3.  I hope they will be very selective with the younger sailors because this course does have such a high drop rate.  Things my son and his ex-wife read about the school stressed how difficult the course is and recommended that family not accompany them.  Wife was in the class before his.  Their little girl lived with us for the year they were in school and they felt strongly that it was the right decision.  They studied their behinds off.

They have a lot of "hands on" on their peers.  They practice everything from nasal gastric tubes to dental shots.  They have some clinicals in medical facilities especially towards the end.  I was surprised that people actually contract to have multiple PAP smears done! 

They have intense hands on exams (can't remember the name of them right now) that kicks bottoms big time.  But once they pass them, they are rightly very proud of themselves. 

Where is your son stationed?  I know that IDCs love to talk about their school and their job.  If my son wasn't deployed, I would ask him to "talk" to your son.  I know working with a couple IDCs helped him make his decision. 

Pam, my son hopes to go green side in just less than two years when his shore duty ends.  I think he would like to remain at Camp Pendleton and I believe that is his only option there. Hate the thought of deployments.  Even though he is deployed right now, he isn't in the sandbox and for that I am grateful.

Looks like this mom is going to have not 1, but 2 corpsman children!  My son was supposed to be leaving May 7, but got a call the other day asking him to leave in January.  My daughter enlisted this week also!  There are currently no spots open for Corpsman for females, but as soon as one opens up she will be slid into that spot.  They are so excited about their futures in the Navy.  Never in a million years did I thing they would both enlist. 

Navymom2 - Congrats !!1 I have the same except when my daughter found out (two years ago) that there wasn't a spot for her to be a Corpsman she then joined the Army is a Combat Medic : )

Okay, Ruth....I consider myself a some what seasoned Corpsman mom (even tho he's out of the Navy now, that 7 years will be forever to me!) but that one brings a "TISSUE ALERT!"...thank you!!

Dear corpsman family, I am so very sorry to share that corpsman Bradley Miles Wakeley passed away December 11.  From Wyoming, he graduated A school in October 2010 and FMTB (Pendleton) in December 2010, and served proudly at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.  The family requests donations to Fisher House.  Rest in peace Bradley; our prayers to your family and loved ones...

Bradley Miles Wakeley obituary

The family has asked for donations to Fisher House, which provides a wonderful service to military families.  http://www.fisherhouse.org "Providing a "home away from home" for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury."  

Wow...thanks for sharing! (teary eyed)

We had to say our goodbyes a couple of days ago to our Corpsman headed for Afghanistan with a Marine team.  Hard holidays and ask for all your prayers for him and our other son who is deployed on the USS Stennis.  Merry Christmas.

Tamme - my thoughts & prayers also are with you & your family.  I have nothing but the highest respect for all those who have chosen to go greenside and have been deployed to Afghanistan and other combat & potential combat zones.

Tamme, keeping you and your sailors in my prayers for sure, now and throughout these deployments.  I echo chrisb and TennNavyMom's sentiments...and please know all of us are always here for you  - and I'm a night owl, so always means always!  MikesMom, Ruthella and others have had some marathon late-night chats during deployments...got to be lifelong friends, too ;)