HM (Hospital Corps) "A" School in San Antonio

Kyles started tuesday the 10th so I think if TN starts on the 18th it will be around the 18th of July when he graduates

I just friend req'd you, if thats ok. Thank You, any info. that makes the transition easier would be great.

Thanks so much everyone! This is such a great help!

Still would LOVE to have the names and ISBN #s of the text books, so I can find some used and he can study them while waiting to class up. Anyone able to get me that info?

Thanks Candy!!! His birthday is Aug 4th maybe he'll be here for his 20th birthday.

Hi moms, I hope you don't mind a little input from a seasoned corpsman mom.  

First - the Navy does provide what they need.  The Navy wants your sailor to succeed.  So don't stress out. 

Second - your sailor is now an adult.  I know that sounds like throwing cold water, but truly, they are in an adult environment now.  This is not college.  They need your love and emotional support.  They are studying and working harder than you can imagine.  Keep the distractions to a bare minimum.

The dorm rooms are supplied with sheets, a blanket, a pillow.  This is information directly from the quarterdeck at the dorm today.

Don't overshop for your sailor.  They are only there for a short time and will be burdened with trying to figure out how to ship everything home at graduation before they head to their first duty station.  They don't need the headache.  Wait till they reach their first duty station; they'll be getting set up for a longer stay and can really use your help then.

Best gift you can give your sailor right now is cash.  Seriously.  They can go to the PX and pick out towels and whatever extras they need, go to the movies, eat out, with their friends, like the adults they are.  Again, sounds like cold water but they and you will adjust to this new world better and faster.  It is the military, after all.    

Let your sailor tell you at their first duty station if they need a stethoscope.  No need to be spending before it's needed, plus they'll then know what type would be best.  You can get it personalized too (allheart.com has good prices on stethoscopes).  They do not need one at A school.  Personal stethoscopes get lost all the time.  Wait.

They use three textbooks - one on emergency care, two compiled by the Navy.  A great way to prepare for Corps School is the Kaplan EMT Basic Test handbook, with chapters and quizzes.  You can get it bookstores or at Amazon for $12.40:  amazon.com Kaplan EMT Basic .  I recommend this having read the through the text used at Corps School and personally having taken the EMT course and passing the national registry.

Hope this helps ~ Marcy

Hi Marcy, my daughter's PIR date is 4/27/12 and will go to A school in San Antonio, TX.  I got a little scared when someone said they didn't even have sheets, or a blanket when they arrive at the barracks.  Thanks for the clarification.  I will now wait for her to tell me exactly what she needs once she gets there:)

Hi Robert and congratulations!  I hope folks here realize I am sharing what I've learned over the past several years.  You can visit the METC website here METC and even contact them.  By the way, picking up two Kaplan books  - one for your sailor, one for you - can be good: it's interesting, it's not hard, you learn a lot of what they'll be studying and you'll be able to discuss the material.  Not bad for a $25 investment!  :)

Marcy and everyone, Thanks so much for all this help! So many people saying so many things and not always clarifying WHEN these things are needed is a bit overwhelming for us newbies!  He's been very much on his own for years, and is very independent. But boot camp has him isolated and unable to do some things. I just want to make sure he has the necessities and anything that he can study from while waiting to class-up, so I can get them for a grad gift. The Flashcards and books seem useful. Glad we don't need the stethoscope. :)

I just want to thank the METC for all the photos of graduations that they post on Facebook!   They are wonderful! Especially when you can not be there!!   Thank you!!!!

I think I came off a little harsh and didn't mean to!! The Navy has been great for my corpsman and and I have learned so much in the past couple of years. Just trying to help yours get off to a good start without undue stress.  

By the way, please make sure that the new corpsmen plan to attend the annual Hospital Corpsman Ball in their area!  This year marks the 114th birthday of the Hospital Corps (17 June 1898).  I have seen one and it is an amazing experience to witness the traditions and ceremony - and of course it's fun too, with dinner and dancing :)  

Our corpsmen have so much to be proud of, including the fact that of all those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor by the Navy to date, half - 22 - have been members of the Hospital Corps.  A good description of the rate, its history and its honors is here .

Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom, Is the Hospital Corpsman ball on the same date nationwide? and would that date be June 17th? :) Trying to plan ahead! My sailor told me it was in July, but that could easily be wrong! Thank you :)

crazy Blonde dont worry about the money it comes out of thier account that makes it so they know they will get paid and if they need anything you will know so dont stress over that part k

Where would we be without NavyforMoms? I LOVE this site! You are all so wonderful! Have a great weekend! :)

The Corpsman Ball this year will be the weekend of June 15, so either Friday or Saturday (Norfolk's will be Friday, for example).  The birthday is also celebrated on Navy ships.  At the ball or on the ship, the highlight is the cake cutting ceremony.  The oldest and youngest service members are determined (fun to watch!) and they join to cut the cake with a sword.  

Greetings to all my new friends with loved ones in San Antonio. My Sailor is in flight to San Antonio HM school as I type.  PIR was amazing, but the time with him was too short.  I'm so glad he now has his cell phone so we can check in/up on him.  I'm about to read through everything on this site to get started on this new phase of my son's life.

I am sorry if this is a silly question: but i don't quite understand the education my Sailor is getting in terms of what he is qualified to do. I have heard so many various pieces of info from 'He will be a certified EMT' to 'He will be an LVN', etc.

This is relevant to us because my sailor is reserves, so we are trying to determine what kind of jobs he should be thinking of when he is done. He also has C school in San Diego- but I am not quite sure what that is, either!

One more question: I've noticed people discuss different 'Specialties' (ie, surgery, dental, etc). Is there a list of these specialties anywhere? My husbands dream has always been to be a physical therapist. Is there something close to this out there?

Welcome Teachermom,  my son has been at Fort Sam Houston since Jan 7th and loves it.  He has made so many wonderful friends who he is going to miss when he leaves for Japan in May for his first duty.  Just today they went to Six Flaggs and he was standing in line for the Superman Ride while we talked on the phone.  You will be able to talk to them more often and you will find great information on this site.  Txbabydocmom is a great resource to us all.

Tell your Sailor to buckle down and study during the EMT part of A school because they get to pick their orders by how well they do in that first section and it is an eighteen week course crammed into six to eight weeks I believe.  Than they have Nursing 1, which is easier and Nursing 2.  It is amazing how much they mature.  But you will miss him terribly at times. I light a blue candle and look at pictures, a friend recommended chocolate so whatever helps you cope indulge yourself.

txbaby- Thank you so much for the info. I am really having trouble finding answers. My Sailor is reserves, so much of his journey is different. His contract already includes A school at Pendleton for FMTB. Since he will be staying reserves, his plan is to see what his education qualifies him for as far as civilian positions. But I can't find answers...

Hoping someone can help with a question.  My SR will be graduating from boot camp on 5/11 and then leaving for A school as HM.  Can he bring his cell phone and computer with him or should I mail it to him once he gets to San Antonio?

Dani-you can give him his cell phone and computer at the airport to take with him to SA

Wait there's a ball in San Antonio?! Whhhhhat?! 

Fabulous!! Thank you so much :)

Hey Amac looks like I found you again! LOL My son is in Texas now too and is waiting to start school. When is your Sailor starting? I have so many questions. Lets start with what they can and can't have in their room. Thanks

My son arrived Saturday from GL for HM school.  He was told last week it would start April 23rd, or 10 days after his PIR.  When he got to SA, they told him 1 - 2 month hold before starting.  Is this what you are experiencing?  How long is it taking?  This 19 yo boy with his first taste of "freedom" so to speak is going to have a lot of chances to get in trouble if he doesn't have studying to do.  I bought him some study material to use ahead of time, but if he knows he has 1 - 2 months, he won't start on it. 

Any wise words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

My son 's PIR was 4/6 he was told A School SHOULD start May 9th but that Reservist get first dibs. Not sure if he was right but I think that's why they didn't start right away. I know they will keep them busy and my son said the first week and a half they will have briefings from morning till about 4 or 4:30 in the afternoon.

I believe when my son arrived to SA at the end of August, it took his classes about 7 weeks before they actually started.  I believe in this time they do do some things like maybe take some classes.  I have also heard that reservists and those coming from the fleet have priority in getting the first available seats.  I will say when he went to his C school in Pensacola, he started fairly quickly within 1-2 weeks max from when he arrived. 

Thanks for the info.  Maybe in one of these briefings they will tell him when classes start.  Or do they just keep waiting and only find out a few days before classes start?

TeacherMom from what I understand as of right now he will start 5/9 but I think that is subject to change depending on available seats. If that is the case I think it stinks. My son just wants to get started, but the Navy is hurry up and wait. So we will see what happens 5/9. What is your son's name? PM me so I can ask my son if your son is one of the guys he goes out with. 

My son said the Reservists start school first. He just started School about 3 weeks ago. He graduated from Bootcamp on feb 10 2012. He has been in San Antonio since the day after graduation. Throughout the wait they would get briefed and do watches. We have not seen him since graduation, however we do often text, skype, facetime etc etc.... it's like he is in college. :)

Hahaha, Hiya, Katz!

I can verify this info. My husband is a reservist. He got to SA on 4/7 and starts classes tomorrow. They push the reservists through for financial reasons, of course. He has been kept busy during the way with briefs, marches, and physical training, so it's not all idle time, although he did already say that boredom is a huge issue among the sailors. Not a good thing when so many are so young!

Amac Rob asked me to send some movies. He says they want to do a movie night once a week. Right now his roommate is on liberty for a little over a week then he will be back. That is when his roommate will start C School. Do you know what building/floor your Sailor is on?

Yes, David asked the same thing. I don't know the room. He did say Fralish hall. Not sure if that's remotely helpful.

I need some words of wisdom/advice to pass on to my new Sailor who just arrived.  He says the food is horrible, it's too hot to carry frozen food back from grocery since he has to walk, so he's trying to find places that deliver.  What do the rest of the guys do about food if the chow is that bad? 

My son went through PIR on 4/6 and he also said that classes won't start for him until 5/9. That would be the earliest he would begin. He sounds good though and is not minding the wait too much! He must be getting used to the Navy hurry and wait.He is hanging out with the sailors from his division from GL.

My Sailor said food not too bad. Said one side has healthy food the other not so healthy. Said the do a movie night once a week till school starts. Gets delivery and they hang out in a room and watch movies. He has been there a week now and seems to have started to settle in. Hopes school gets to start soon but until then....He is trying to keep busy

Has anyone been able to find a NAVY Challenge Coin for METC? I'm trying to collect from each place my sailor goes, and it seems METC should have one, they are such a major training center. I've also googled A schools, Fort Sam Houstan. METC, etc. I've found coins, (a few) but they are not the right ones (they are Army, or a certain hall, etc.) Can you please post a link if you find one.

I got him this one from Boot Camp:

I have GL and he is not an HM until he earns it, so I'm looking for one for this "A" School. METC. Like the one they have (shown below) for boot camp. Thank You.

Concerning the food.  My son would take a taxi and go to Walmart and buy Frozen dinners. He said it only cost a couple dollars to take a cab.

Thanks for all the ideas.  I heard from him last night via text.  He got some frozen food, so evidently figured out a way to do it.  At least he isn't starving!

Thanks txbabydocmom. I wish they also had some for sale so they could collect from all their travels. I guess he better get busy and earn one! By golly! LOL!

Anyone know if they have to have a passport?  My son leaves for Japan May 25th and I know he does't have one.  I mentioned a month ago for him to check into it and haven't heard.  Thanks

My son just arrived in Naples about 10 days ago.  I was wondering the same thing and asked him about that when we went to visit him in Pensacola the middle of March.  He said as far as he knew he didn't have to have one.    I just assumed this was something that was done when they were in boot camp or something so that they would have one when needed. My sister's boyfriend who used to be in the Navy jokingly told me that his uniform was his passport...lol.  My son did tell me that to travel in Europe he would need one.  He just asked me to send him his birth certificate, so I assumed that was what it was for, to get a passport, but I don't know for sure.  

Crazy Blonde, My daughter graduates the 23 and has gotten several coins while at Fort Sam. Army Officer gave her and her friend one just for the way they greeted him. But she is proudest of her HM coin, because she worked and studied hard to get that one. (Those are the ones that mean the most.)

what do the coins mean? how do they get them?