Corpsman Moms

Smile09, here is my son's response:

If he is attached to a Navy unit on shore duty (being attached to the hospital at a clinic is shore duty) he can most likely get BAH and live off base after about 6 months. 

My son left there last year and he had a car. He was assigned to the wards when he got there and got to move off base once he got done with his INDOC training. He moved in with friends (Bad Move) and when that lease ended he got his own apt. He was an E-3 and he got plenty of BAH so was able to live by himself. He got alot of his furniture from other people when the PCS and didn't want to take it with him. When he left he did the same thing and passed on the things he didn't want.

I'm in agreement with the other Mom's - sometimes they just have to tough it out and in the long run it makes them better men.  My son's college dorm was horrible (this is a top college) and guess what - he learned to appreciate what he had. 

Thank you all for your responses!! I am copying and sending most of these responses directly to my son.  My first thoughts when he shared his situation with me was that he just needed to suck it up:)  I didn't say that, but said I would find out what, if any, his options were.  I appreciate you all!

Hi Emily, I think that your son's initial reaction to being back at GL is somewhat normal.  Most Sailors don't have very fond memories of bootcamp. And since he's low man on the totem pole they probably have him assigned to medical records and getting coffee for the higher ups which few Corpsman enjoy.  Personally, I think the living accommodations, if he's in Admiral Boorda Hall, are some of the better ones that I've seen for our Sailors.  He'll figure out things to do around the area before too long!  And if he volunteers for a deployment that can be an adventure and learning opportunity as well.

Shannon, if you look above in the links section, the first group listed in the N4M's section is the group for those with kids in SA. Those moms can answer any and all of your questions. They used to have a section on hotel accommodations in their discussion area. Just realize it will be very hot and very humid in SA in June, be prepared!

Happy Easter to all of you!   I hope everyone is well!

I have a question that may have been answered a hundred times but I don't have time to read thru all comments.  Is FMTB East/West considered "C" school?  If not, what would be "C" school for someone who has completed FMTB East/West?  Thanks

 And is "C" school required for someone who has completed FMTB East/West?

Froggy, FMTB is not C-school.  FMTB is the field medic training for deployment.  A school is the Corpsman school.  C school is for a specialty. (I think I have the A and C correct.)   Anyway, FMTB is the field training.  Hope that helps.

IDCmom#1 and Tamme:  Thanks ladies.  One more questions:  My son's ultimate goal is FMF.  Do you know what the next step would be after FMTB to follow the course for FMF? 

You are most welcome.  FMF is earned when they are on deployment.  My son received his last fall during his year long deployment in Afghanistan. 

Tamme - how's your son doing? 

If you check the links above the discussion area on this page, there are links explaining about FMTB and FMF. FMTB is  training, FMF is a qualification, and like Tamme said, it is earned on deployment.

Some corpsmen do FMTB and then go on to a C school (specialty school). Some do FMTB and are immediately assigned to go "greenside" ...serve with a Marine unit (where they have opportunity to earn FMF if deployed with the Marines). Some never do FMTB at all. Just depends on the needs of the Navy.

Pam, he is doing well, thanks. I am glad he is only an hour away during the transition back into life back in the USA.   

Good to hear Tamme.  My son is still deployed and will be for a little while longer.  Can't wait to see him.  It's been 16 months since we seen him in person not that I'm counting or anything...  I think if my son were only an hour away I'd have to give him a list of chores to do. LOL  

Thanks TexasDocMom and Tamme - you both were MOST helpful!!  I definitely have a better insight as to what my son will be doing once he graduates San Antonio.  

docs mom - how exciting!  He deserves every bit of this new position.

Docs mom! that's great! After my son left 2/2 Marines he was assigned a similar job, at Camp Bullis in San Antonio. He taught all types of incoming personnel. and became totally unimpressed with the common sense level of doctors. He did it for about 18 months before leaving the Navy in 2012. During that time he bought a home in San Antonio and started at UTSA, and now will be graduating in May. Starting a new job with a big home builder in June, still in the SA area. 

We also live in Austin and it has been great having him so close! I would have preferred he had bought his house on our side of SA, but still, it's closer than Camp LaJuene or Iraq so I'm not complaining! And yes, when they only live an hour away, there is a "to do" list waiting....No longer will I be up on the ladder cleaning gutters! 

My son enlisted in 2005, was in 2/2 right after basic and FMTB...we'll have to talk privately to see if they know each other. 

Hello. My son is FMF corpsman at 29 Palms. Getting him mail is a frakkin' nightmare. I spoke with the on-base post office and discovered if anything comes from Fedex, UPS, or any other "privately owned" delivery company, it will be refused. They only accept mail from the USPS system. I have used the USPS with tracking numbers, he gave me his mate's PO box number, I've used his division/battalion number and it still takes 2 months for him to actually get his mail. Is anyone else having similar problems?

My corpsman wouldn't even give me his mailing address there.  He said that it's ridiculous to try and get mail and not worth the hassle.

One possiblility is for them to try getting a P.O. box?  I know Fed Ex won't deliver to a PO box number but it's worth a try. 

Hello all moms my son is heading to ft sam houston this wed from basic training. Where can I find out details like whst happens once he gets there, phone calls,  visits, how long wwill he be there, is there graduation etc. Thanks new mom paula

Hi, Paula! if you look up under the photos on this page, right above the discussion section, you will see links to about everything you might want to know, including a link under Related N4Mom groups that will take you to a group for A School in San Antonio. Those folks know EVERYTHING! There is also a link for METC itself which will have a world of information. Good luck!! 

Thank you very.....Paula

Paula, check with the folks in the group for A School  in San Antonio. A School Group. Those folks will have all the up todate information for you. 

Hello all....I am planning for a trip to drive cross country from Florida to San Diego taking Interstate 10 & 12 passing through Baton Rouge, San Antonio, El Paso, Phoenix etc.  My Corpsman bought one of our vehicles and I am bringing it out to him.  I know, I'm crazy.  This is way out of my box to even make this trip and even more out my box to put the following question out there.....if anyone lives along this route and would be willing to let me stay a night while I am en route, I would greatly appreciate it.  I am trying to keep my costs at a minimum with gas/food etc.  Most likely I'll be travelling alone, but I may convince a girlfriend to join me.  I promise I am not too weird and certainly not an ax murderer.  Feel free to PM me if this is something you are willing to do. Thanks in advance!! Amy

Our door is definitely open as well if we were on your route.  Good luck.  I almost did the same thing by myself to drive our son's truck to Seattle.  However, I founded it cheaper than my gas, hotel, etc. through the military shipping.  We had to pay for it but it was much cheaper.  Check with a base close to you. 

Tamme, what company did you use to ship it and how much did you pay? Thanks:)

Smile09, I am on your route.  If you would like a night in Pensacola, we would be happy to have you as long as you are not an ax killer.

We live 5 miles south of I-10, easy access on and off (with exception of where the road collapsed during the recent flooding) but there are detours and we could meet you at the exit.   

My son and ex-daughter-in-law drove from Pensacola (separately since they were separated) to San Diego over four years ago.  My son says he will never do the drive alone again because it is so long and monotonous but your plan, stopping and visiting other Navy parents, might make it a lot more interesting.

  .  

Good luck Smile 09.  We're not on your route, but I have driven that 10 to El Paso and it is very boring through Texas.  And I love to drive to different places to experience the different areas of our country!

Less than $900 - I found a closer one to you in Orlando: 

Orlando, FL VPC
1934 McCoy Road
Orlando, FL 32822
Telephone number: 407 854 8771/8772
Fax number: 407 854 8774
Toll-free number: 800 758 5998

Thanks IDC mom, I will keep that in mind!  I probably will drive right through P'cola on my first day:)  I called the shipping company, Tamme, and they no longer offer any sort of shipping for Military at all.  Also, I tried to book my reservations at the Navy Lodge in San Diego - COMPLETELY booked!  Now I don't know where I'm going to stay when I get out there!! This is craziness:)

I am looking for a bit of info  - my son just completed Nursing 3 mod do you know where I can find a list of the mods that are next so I can figure out when he will graduate?He is class 130

 I am having surgery and can not fly for 4 weeks after just trying to see if I can make it or not.

Well he's graduating C school and has got his orders.  Its Yokouska Japan.  Anyone out there have any experience.

Thanks in advance.

Paula, they usually get their orders very near graduation from Corps school, unless that has changed since five years ago.  The Navy is always a waiting game and last minute notice.  LOL