Corpsman Moms

My son was stationed there from corps school and this is what I know. He will need to be in uniform and report to the Quarterdeck of the hospital. It is the main entrance of the hospital. I want to say it is by the flag pole. There is a barracks by the hospital but since there is never enough room they do not let the corpsman live there long. They have barracks/apts by 32nd street called The Beacon that many corpsman live in. Problem is you need a car! My son took his car out there and was able to find a nice apt off base for about $950/month. He got plenty of money for his needs but with my son seemed to always be broke because he was busy having so much fun. His sponsor was MIA until he got there so I hope you have better luck. I would try calling the command to see if he can send stuff and pick it up at the base post office at the hospital. If you have more questions just let me know and I will ask my son.

I agree with the sponsors being MIA.  Both of my Corpsman's moves, the sponsor never contacted him now was there upon arrival.  The second time, he just followed up on his own so it would be great if your Corpsman calls the command to find out what is to be done.  I'll never forget the first time right out of A-school - was picked up at airport and dropped hands full in the pouring rain with a set of sheets.

FMTB east update. My Corpsman was so bummed today when they canceled Field week which was suppose to start at 0300 this morning. He sent us a text at 0500 to express his disappointment. I guess there is a little snow and they decided to cancel. When your raised in the Midwest a little snow is a part of life. He was so looking forward to the activities they had planned. Hope they can get to it soon. 

Thank you for the advice!  He really needs to get a handle on his spending.  It seems like every time I talk to him he is shopping for clothes/shoes etc.  So, according to what I read, when he first arrives in San Diego, he will technically not have anywhere to sleep that night?  HELP:)

Talked to my son today and have more information. He will be assigned a room in the barracks and they now have them live on base for the first year. Once he gets to San Diego and gets assigned a job he will have less time to shop. (fingers crossed). My son did say there is a trolly stop near the hospital that you can walk to and use to get around.

The Beacon is very nice.  My son lived there for a year while in IDC school.  It is not the greatest place for the less party minded (my son was older and also in intensive course of study).  The younger kids can be pretty loud.  But, I was really impressed by the facilities.

As to the streetcar stop right outside of the 32nd St gate, your sailors need to be careful at night and not be alone.  A sailor was badly beaten there either last year or 2012/  The base borders right on a barrio.  I felt very safe during the day.  

Stefanie, welcome to Corpsman Mom's site and good luck to your son in boot camp.  Join the boot camp moms as well.  Also, if you ever have any questions, please feel free to send me a personal message. 

I am not a corpsman mom but soon to be a corpsman wife.  I hope I am in the right place.  I have a lot of questions about A school if I am in the wrong place can someone steer me in the right direction.  

Mikey'sWife, what kind of question do you have. Ask away! :) 

Mikey'sWife - you should also join HM (Hospital Corps) A School in San Antonio.  If you have any questions, please feel free to message me.  My son went thru both A school and C school in San Antonio.  

docs mom, my son just got to SA and he's waiting to class up for A school. Does your son recommend studying before classing up? Thank you!

Wynona, sorry for the late reply.  

To start off I was wondering if he would have more freedom on the weekends.  I am lucky enough to live within 3 hours driving distance from San Antonio and I would like to visit at least one weekend a month.  

I had read that they pay for their food at A-school and sometimes do not get charged until the end of the program.  If this is true about how much should I budget for?

How structured is A-school?  Knowing my husband I feel like he is more successful in an highly structured environment.

I am competing my first year as a teacher and I have been so focused on surviving the school year. I feel like I just woke up and realized I have no idea what to expect after boot camp and I really have no idea whats going on there.  

docs mom - so happy for you!  And your Corpsman!  I know you are floating on cloud nine right now!

Wynona - go ahead and join the HM (Hospital Corps) School in San Antonio (link above).  They'll be able to answer most of your questions.  It's been nearly four years since my son went through A School and then it was still in Great Lakes. 

docs mom thank you! I don't think he would have studied ahead of time if it was his mom's idea...How different it will be to have him nearby!

Lita, hopefully you will find other families in his boot camp division once you receive the letter.  Bootcampmoms were so helpful.  Keep the cell phone handy because about two weeks hopefully you will get a phone call.  I was glued to my cell phone, even when the second went through boot camp.  Let me know if you ever have any questions. 

Lita - good luck to your son!  I think the hardest part for us was not hearing anything until we got the letter and then the 21 days in call.  Our family likes to talk in a big way - so not being able to talk to our son was horrible!  LOL - my son even won as most talkative male for his H.S. Graduating Class! But the time does pass and hopefully you'll be able to make it to PIR to see him graduate.  I remember when those big doors went up it was instant silence from everyone!  Still gives me goosebumps and such an accomplishment for our young men and women.  Our son hits his four year mark in April and although the military is a true roller coaster ride, it's been a great four years for him.  Definitely join the bootcampmoms group.  Like Tamme said, you will get invaluable information and support out of that group.

My son is currently in basic due to graduate April 11th. The form letter sent stated he will leave for A school outside of the great lakes the Sat following gradation. He is a corpsman and will be going to San Antonio. I was hoping to spend more than a few hours on Friday with him, anyone have insight on finding out the actual start date for the school so that I can make travel plans that doesn't cut time short with him or cause more time spent in great lakes if he isn't there. Thank you

Hi Mitch'sMom,

My son graduated BC on November 22nd, and is currently in A school in San Antonio for Corpsman. After graduation I spent the day with him and had him back on base by 6:30pm (he feared being late).  He then flew on the very next day from Midway at 3:20pm.  I spent the day with him at Midway (well until he had to Board that is).  He won't know anything about his orders until a few days before graduation.  I would not count on anymore time than Friday after graduation and then what little time you get with him at the airport.  He may not class up right away when he gets to San Antonio, it will all depend on how many there are to make up a class.  Although my son arrived in San Antonio on November 23rd he didn't class up until December 2nd.

Basically that was my experience, nothing is set in stone, it depends on the Navy, and flight prices and schedules!  I know this probably doesn't make you feel any better and I am sorry!  I am currently planning to head to San Antonio for my son's graduation on March 27th and once again I have no idea what his orders are or if I will get anytime with him after graduation.  I fly in on the 26th and fly home on the 1st and the only thing I know for positive is I will watch him graduate on the 27th and get to see him that day!  Best of luck to you and your future Sailor!

Thank you for the information Kat72. Any information is good information.

We are planning to visit once in school, I will be grateful for any time we are able to spend with him. Thank you again have a good night

Oh and with that in mind you may get lucky and have him fly out Sunday and get to spend all day Saturday with him, one of my son's friends who went to Pensicola for A school actually flew out on Sunday at 6am.  He was able to have liberty on Friday after graduation and then again on Saturday.  They were actually able to go into Downtown Chicago:)  My fingers are crossed that he will depart on Sunday! :)

You are very welcome.  Have a great night!

Mitch's mom, my son had pir 2/7/14 and he flew out of Ohare on Saturday at 10:45am on American. He's in SA (HM) waiting to class up. He'll start classes this Wednesday. He said they class up and graduate on Wednesdays.

Welcome to the group ladies.  When my son graduated boot back in 2010, Corpsman A School was still held in Great Lakes. He was one of the last classes that went through G.L. before they moved the school to S.A.  We had all weekend with our son after graduation.  Once they go to A School though, you'll be able to communicate with them a lot more.  There are several stages they go through.  I remember when my son hit the stage where they could actually wear civilian clothes!  LOL - he sent me a picture of him in a store with civies on.  He was so excited!  But there is a link above to the A School Group that you should join for invaluable information.  Good luck to your SR's/Sailors.

Thanks for the information Pam. I think my son is glad to be out of GL. When he got to SanAntonio he said, I see grass! He said they still have to march as a group!

Thank you all for the info. Do they all do the 9 mth deployment mentioned below?

Not all will go right to a deployment.  My son's first duty station was in Italy.  After A School, he spent 8 weeks in San Diego going through FMTB (marine training) and then left to work in a clinic for two years in Italy.  He is now attached to a marine unit out of Hawaii (his second duty station) that is currently deployed. 

Hi Sheryl!  Wow - I can't believe Max is leaving already!  That went so fast.  Camp L is going to be so close to you!  Jamie went through FMTB before he left for Italy.  But, yes, he is deployed right now and has left Okinawa for South Korea.  It's mainly a training deployment and the unit he is with rotates with the other two units that are in Hawaii.  When they rotate, one unit deploys to Japan as another comes back to Hawaii.  He had to give up his room and put his car in storage and everything.  Being with the marines is so different than being on the blue side.

Hi everyone, its been a long time since I have posted. Great reading everyone's post and all the different situations. My son PIR'd 2/11/11, _just passed his 3 year mark. Time sure does fly!

My son went to SA, then to Cherry Point, NC (green side) and once he got there they sent him to FMTB where he graduated Dec 24, 2011. He then got picked up for a deployment and was sent to CL with his Marine Unit where he deployed Sept 2012. He earned his FMF pin on his deployment and got pinned there as well. Such a great accomplishment!  His return from deployment was towards end of those orders to NC, so he put in orders for SD and went back blue side and is currently working at Naval Hospital. He also finally able to take college classes now. He tried to stay green side which he loved but something with doing half his contract on sea time and other stateside. His new orders also have him assigned with the US Mercy ship. He is hoping to get on one of the humanitarian trips this year.

His contract is 5 years and they are already asking him about reenlistment decision. Anyone know why they ask already while he still has 2 years ?

Hi mamawalrus - My son hits his 4 year mark in April, but had to extend his 5 year contract for 8 months to get his Hawaii duty station.  His contract is up Dec. 2015.  He talks about reenlistment but hasn't said if they are asking him what his plans are.  Two years is a long time before the end of your son's contract!  It could be for planning purposes of new recruits?  I know my son had to wait a year before he left for bootcamp because the list coming in for the Corpsman Rate was pretty long at that time.  Let us know - personally I hope my son goes Reserves and finishes out his last two years of school.

The budget plans announced yesterday by Sec Hagel reduces the military numbers by a substantial amount. All I could find about the Navy was that instead of 52 combat ships in planning it is down to 32. They probably are looking to know who is staying and who is not for advance training and whatever is going to happen as the budget goes into effect. Could be more cuts if the sequestration cuts are not put back in place like the President is pushing. It's going to be a whole new ball game with these budget concerns.

For those wanting to see the future, just look north...to the Canadian Navy. See what happened as their social spending and debt levels rose. At the end of WWII they were the 3rd largest navy in the world behind the U.S. and Britain to now, I believe,15 ships and 4 submarines today. And they have 8,500 active Sailors.

Enjoy vanjr1.  My son loved the Camp P area when he did his FMTB there. 

Oh that makes a lot of sense!    Why invest in those who are ready to get out in a year or two.  It sucks all the cuts they want to do and to even think it could make it to ink on paper really makes me mad!

My son is currently doing great with the academics (92%) in C School but can't see his future in a lab and wants to quit trying. He asked how disappointed we (myself and his dad) would be if he stopped giving his best and tries to flunk out. Wow...we are trying to be encouraging, but 4 years in a job  that he hates is a long time. We can see the positives (associate degree, training..) Any suggestions?

My son went through that. He went in under Spec Ops for Navy Seal.  (He originally was Corpsman but recruitor talked him into Spec Ops last minute, was not happy). So he starts the Pre-buds program and about 4 weeks into it he called us and said he needed to talk. He shared how he did not want to be a Navy Seal and was tired of drowning himself for a career he did not want. His heart was not into it and regretted changing from Corpsman.  He was afraid of bring listed as "un designated" also if he dropped pre-buds.  We prayed about it and I told him to do what his heart led him to do. He dropped buds that next day and said he felt so relieved!!!!  He was blessed to find there was a Corpsman's job was opened and he got it!  

Good luck to your Sailors!  Very hard decisions.

Hello all!  My son just graduated A school and arrived in San Diego yesterday.  First I wanted to know if there is a group for that particular duty station.  And second, my son called this morning and said the barracks where he is is worse than a cheap motel!  He was not thrilled at all at the prospect of having to live there for 2 years.  He is not usually a spoiled or picky person, so it's got to be pretty bad.  Has anyone had any experience with this? And if so, is there anything he can do about moving to a different barracks maybe?  Thanks in advance:)

My son is at the San Diego Naval Base if that is helpful.

Smile09, I really needed a reason to smile today and you gave it to me.  I am the generation that my husband lived in open bay barracks in the Panama Canal Zone and they had no AC in sweltering heat.  

But, to be more serious, I did send your post to my son.  He was in San Diego for school for a year and so is familiar with the barracks around there and what alternatives there are. 

Your son's rank, time in service, marital status, and luck play a part in where he is housed.  My son was not new to the Navy and married to another sailor when he was there.  He and ex wife lived in Pacific Beacon which is very nice apartment style housing on base. I know there are younger, newer sailors living there and some parents on here have had children there, too. 

Younger sailors assigned to ships are also required to live on ship and after seeing my ex daughter-in-law's rack on the ship, a cheap motel would have been better.  The racks are very narrow, hardly any head room, and come equipped with seat belts so you don't fall out during rough seas. 

Will let you know what my son says about SD barracks when he replies.         

I have seen the outside of the barracks on Camp Pendleton where our corpsman live and they don't look so hot, either.  I know the one my son stayed in when he cleared quarters prior to deploying was no Hilton and bathroom was one big shared bathroom.  But, better than our troops in Afghanistan living in tents. 

Thanks for the info, I'm going to pass it along to him.  It was funny, he called me and said could I please go on the Navy 4 Mom's site and find out what I can do about this? LOL  He is not on a ship, he will be working in a clinic as far as I know.  He is a Corspman Apprentice now since he just graduated from A school.  He is an E-2.  Glad I could make you smile!

Smile09, I had to laugh.  My boys will roll their eyes sometimes when I tell them something I learned on N4M but they won't hesitate to ask me to ask all of you if they want help on something. 

So, Smile, I hope things work out for your son.  My daughter is in Bremmerton, Washington at the Hospital there and has a small room and a roommate.  Her roommate leaves a lot to be desired--she is a night-owl that plays loud music on nights before work while my daughter is trying to sleep.  When I asked whether there was any chance of changing roommates she basically said it isn't done.  I guess what I am trying to say, is he will probably have to tough it out for a while at least.  They don't get ahead by complaining.