Corpsman Moms

Congrats to the nominees.  Our son was Sailor of the Year a couple of years ago.  It helped tremendously by adding points so that he was able to get his E-4 quicker. 

Sailor of the Year - tell you sailor to be sure to be up to date on current events and know the names of his chain of command right up to Secretary of Defense. 

IDC, my son would/will probably answer a couple of them incorrectly on purpose just to not win the award.

KathyProudCorpsmanMom,

So glad for you. Hope the homecoming is beyond perfect.

Haha, Bobbo.  My daughter's PO wanted to nominate her for Blue Jacket of the quarter.  She didn't want to fill out the application.  I guess she never did.

PatsFan thank you for the info!  She was able to call personnel and they changed her ticket to WA, for $35.  Had a great visit with her and she is now driving her car to her duty station.

Looks like my daughter will have the opportunity to work with our Wounded Warriors at WRNMMC.  I know she is very excited as she was hoping she would get this opportunity.

My son was Blue Jacket of the Quarter at his base...says he is up for Blue Jacket of the Year.  Do all of these count as points toward their next testing?  A lot has changed since my husband was in the Air Force years ago.  

Jaime, what a great opportunity for your daughter to work with the Wounded Warriors.  That definitely takes a special person.

Jacketfan, yes the awards give them points towards their testing.  Our Corpsman just got his FMF in Afghanistan so hopefully they will let  him get his E-5 on the next testing.  He has passed the tests but can't advance because of points. 

Havent been on here for quite a while but my son is a Corpsman in Pensacola and his 21st b'day is coming up.  Anyone have any ideas as far as gifts? also would like to send a cake or something....any thoughts on that too.

Im totally stumped as far as what to do for him.  Thanks  

1Proudmom - what's your budget?

I have used Cheryl's cookies website to send cakes to my boys.  They have said they are good. 

Anybody know why there has been a lack of photos with the current Field Med class? Or do I just think that since my son is there??? Probably the later.

I feel guilty. Here I get to seem him regularly (tomorrow we are having lunch at his favorite place to curb his craving) and yet I am complaining that there aren't any photos. Please forgive me.

Bobbo, I don't remember any photos being posted of my son's FMTB class until I purchased the video.  Now, I feel like I missed something.  BOO!

Ha IDCmom#1, I do feel quilty. Did your son go through West or East? It seems that West has many more photos. Usually around events, i.e. hikes. For instance, saw a photo of my son during the cake serving ceremony.

Anyway, I just count my blessings to be very close to his training. It could be completely different and for that I am very thankful...and for many reasons.

Hi!     My son started at Camp Pendleton for his FMTB training in early October.  I understand graduation is around Thursday, December 12, 2013.    Does anyone know how much the video and other items are from the graduation?   I want to purchase one for my corpsman son and one for his Dad and Mom (us) but we cannot be in Oceanside for graduation.   Can my corpsman son purchase the video in advance if we give him the money?   Thank you for any information

Bobbo, he went through FMTB at Camp Pendleton and I was there caring for my granddaughter while he was in school.  I was on the FMTB West site all the time, getting answers for other parents.  Maybe I saw photos but forgot.  Good thing I can find him on the video several times. 

Saw my son over the weekend. Had a blast together just hangin' for a few hours. Eating our favorite burgers, me getting a ride in his new 'used' car, and watching a series of very short (most under 5 mins) videos I knew he'd get a kick out of.

He did tell me that FMTB physically was pretty easy. He was having to workout both days because they weren't doing enough to keep him in shape.

Bobbo - never feel guilty about being able to spend time with your son because you never know where he'll be a year from now, two years from now, etc.!  I seen mine at PIR, two weeks later for a wedding in Chicago, Corpsman Grad, before and after FMTB and then nothing for nearly two years.  He was in Italy for 15 months before we seen him when he took leave and came home.  Now he's been in Hawaii since January and getting ready to deploy.  We might see him again next June if the stars align.  So, enjoy the time! 

Good Morning everyone,

My Corpsman graduates Dec and then will stay in SA for C school (Surg Tech).

He wants me to ask if anyone here knows how long the Surg Tech program is and if it is all in SA or if some part of it is in San Diego or Legune.  He is thinking of flying home for Christmas and then driving back but if it a short time in San Antionio he will wait.

Thanks in advance.

Thank you all!!

He was finally able to ask his instructor and was told the first three months will be in SA like you said then either San Diego (I hope), San Antonio or Virginia.  He will have to decide now if he wants his car since there is a possibilty or just wait. I perfer he waits since its scares me to think of him driving all that way.  LOL, I know, I know...

Thank you crpmom,

I am going to keep that in mind when and if he makes the drive.  

Is she going to be working at Balboa or the new Hospital on Pendleton?

Taken from DANTES Facebook page:  He joined the Navy in 1956 as a Hospital Corpsman and completed his high school diploma on active duty through correspondence courses (yes, the military has been doing distance learning that long). As a veteran, he graduated from Temple University and later received a PhD from the University of Massachusetts. Who is this famous veteran?

My granddaughter, now 5, has been calling the new hospital at Pendleton "my" hospital for two years.  I'm glad she will still be at Camp Pendleton when "her" hospital opens next month.  It is so much nearer to their home and her pediatrician will be there.   

I was a little concerned the first time my son drove from Austin to Camp Lajuene, NC....but by the 3rd or 4th trip, I was better....

My green side corpsman just got transferred to another base and told me he is a "line corpsman."  I'm not sure what he meant by that. Does anyone know?

MomByHeart - I never thought much of it, but my son calls himself a line corpsman also.  I just assumed it was because of the type of Marine Unit he was attached to. 

I think...and I'm emphasizing THINK, before you reach your FMF qualification while you're serving greenside, you're a line corpsman. There are Senior Line Corpsmen and junior corpsmen. FMF Corpsmen are also field corpsmen. I'll check with my son later this evening. 

Thanks TDM - three and half years into this and I'm still learning!  By the time I get all the words and phrases down he'll be getting out!

Thanks Tenn Navy Mom - my son has been with his unit since January now and will be going on his first deployment soon.  He served blue side for two years before going green.  And what you said below is pretty much what I thought it meant.  They are basically Marines.

Yes, thanks TennNavyMom. That was a very helpful explanation!   

Pam, my corpsman is pretty much just like yours.  He just went greenside in April after being in almost 3 years and will be deploying in a few months.  I know he is working toward his FMF, but he rarely tells me anything about what's going on with his Navy life although we text pretty much daily.  He just moved to a new base with the marines he will be deploying with and said he likes it so far.  We just found out he is NOT deploying to a war zone (that's the word for now anyway), which makes this mama happy.  I think he was a tad disappointed :)  Boys!!!

This article is about a Ranger/Green Beret and a bit long but definitely worth the time investment.

All I can say is what a young man. What a story. This is definitely Hollywood movie material. What a life this man has lived already !

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9927669/nate-boyer-journey-acto...

humbly,

That is good news MombyHeart.  My son will be doing a "rotation" with his Marines. I know where he's going but that may change at any time.  It's such a different life from being blue side.  Where is your Corpsman stationed?  Mine's in Hawaii.

oooh!  My oldest went to Robert Morris.  I can't believe he didn't tell me.  I guess you know the rink is at the sports facility on Neville Island.  I live maybe 5 -7 minutes from there.  Middle son gets home from Virginia Tech Friday night.  Maybe I'll wake him up early and we'll go. 

I should be there.  Saturday is supposed to be my big baking day.  Usually make about 25 pumpkin logs.  I give baked goodies for Thanksgiving instead of Christmas.  But...this is such a wonderful support system for our sailors and soldiers that I want and need to be there.  I'm sure I'll wear a Navy shirt.  Probably the shirt with my son's division flag on the back. 

Sorry for the late response.  I've been "loving" my middle son that just got in from VT.  I'll have a long sleeve black shirt with my son's division flag on the back.  The SeaDragons. 

Ha Steven'smom, I guess they are all black tee-shirts. The one I have for my son is got Marvin the Martian on the back ! My sister in Texas (just before my son's PIR) happened to be in a local place which does the shirts for Great Lakes. She got me one before they were even on sale at NavEx. I love that shirt.

The Washington Nationals sled hockey team (wounded warriors) won their game Saturday morning and their next round game so will be playing in the finals at Consol Center this afternoon  (Pittsburgh Penguins ice arena).  gcnavymom--it was so great meeting you. I think we talked more than we watched the game!  These athletes are amazing.  The corpsman that travels with the team for medical support was the nicest young man. 

Corpsman boots on ground!  He and his team arrived at CL yesterday afternoon.  Hope they release him to come home soon.  Thanks to the Good Lord and also to all of you for your prayers and support.  Prayers continue for all.

Fabulous news Tamme. Just as mine graduates from FMTB tomorrow !