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

Sailors becoming Hospital Corpsmen at A School in San Antonio, TX - best rating in the Navy!  The Hospital Corps is the Navy's only enlisted Corps and the most decorated in the Navy.  Families, friends and loved ones, join in!  

WELCOME!! 

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  • Teach

    Our son is 150 Alpha...waiting for A school to actually start.  He's been there since 4/14.  He said yesterday that classes will start next week.  Has anybody else heard this?  I'm excited he'll actually get started, but he sometimes gets the details mixed up, so I'm hoping for confirmation from another Mom.

  • JanRN

    Teachermom is 150 Alpha corpsman training school? My son's PIR (NAVY)is 5/18 and he will find out today when he leaves for San Antonio. By next week do you mean the classes would start on Monday 5/21?

  • DaniHMItalyMom

    JanRN - My son arrived on 5/12 for HM school.  (PIR was 5/11).  They told him and his fellow classmates that they would be on a 1 to 2 month delay before they start classes.  Not sure what they are doing in the mean time.  I know he has a very nice dorm room.  He thought the food wasn't that bad.

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    Just an FYI my son who PIR 4/6 and arrived at SA on 4/8 was told he would star A School a week later. Here it is 5/14 and he still hasn't started. From what I understand enlisted has to wait for open seats to start class. Reservist and returning Fleets get first dibs on A School and the remaining open seats get filled by the enlisted. I just found out today that my son should start this Wednesday, but he said he could get rolled back as late as Wednesday morning. And even once they start, they could get rolled back while in class! I don't get it, but there is a lot I don't get sometimes! LOL Guess you just have to deal with what comes. Hope they get to start soon and stay in to graduate! 

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    Dani Ship 11 the first week and a half they go to briefings where they learn about life on the base, finances, ect. Then they have jobs to do and marching and cleaning and watch.

  • Teach

    Katze - I wonder if they suddenly have some openings.  One of my son's classmates posted that they are starting on Wed this week.  Not sure how many are in a class, but maybe our sons will be together!

    Jan - You can't count on what they are told about school starting during BC.  My son was told his would start 4/23 but he is still waiting.  They were also told 1 - 2 month hold.

    Dani - My son said they muster, march, clean, march some more, clean some more, march some more, PT, muster, stand watch.  Basically just keeping busy.

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    TeacherMom that is what my son said too, this Wednesday they "Should" start. But it all depends on available seating and just how many open seats there are. Then there is still the possibility of them getting rolled back even after they started! Ugh! But what can you do but hurry up and wait right? And your son did a good job of describing what they do while they wait to get in. I ordered the coloring books and flash cards for him to look at while he waits

  • JanRN

    Thanks for all the info everyone--he is a  Reservist if that makes any difference. it must be so boring for them waiiting around!

  • Teach

    katze - I hope your son puts them to better use than mine did.  I keep asking if he's using the study materials and he just says "a little".  Translation...no but I don't want you to know so I'm going to start tonight for sure! LOL  What division is your son?  Just wondering if they are all 150 Alpha and if they get new numbers once class actually starts.  I'm also hoping they will tell them a graduation date once they really start.

  • SailorAiga

    My son started school in March, today he starts Nursing. He finished EMT a week ago and had a final on Friday in which he passed. He will get his orders on Wednesday. While he was waiting for school to start he got rolled back about 2-3 times, and was told to wait again and he asked if he could start because he was rolled back 2-3 times and they started him. (fingers crossed) for Wednesday.

  • fab229

    SailorAiga, what class is your son in? My husband is in class 115B and he said he might get his orders tomorrow. He started school the last week of March and ended nursing last week as well.

  • SailorAiga

    He is in class 115B as well and graduates June 25th. I talked to him today he said Wednesday he gets his orders.

  • fab229

    Yes I just got off the phone with my husband as well and he said tomorrow. Weird how they get different information? But I know June 25th was what he had told me as well!

  • SailorAiga

    Talked to my son at 3:30PM MTN Standard time, things can change i guess lol. tomorrow is even better the sooner the anxiety is relieved! lol :D

  • fab229

    Yes it would be even better but things are always changing so I don't want to get my hopes up. Today my husband was assigned class leader (i forget what its called) or something and he was feeling really nervous/anxious the whole day as well!! I mean we're feeling stressed.. think about how they are feeling!!! lol

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    TeacherMom my son is 150 Bravo. I just got off the phone with him and he said its a really good chance they will start this Wednesday. He has been looking through the material I sent him, not study just skimming through. I said for him just to get familiar with the info. He did say nothing is set in stone but chances are good they will start this week. 

    JanRN Reservist get first dibs on filling the class so yes the fact he is a reservist does make a difference. He may still have to wait a week or two but will get in before the enlisted.

    Oh and TeacherMom my son was ship 3 div113 so Alpha and Bravo are like that. 150 is the class number so chances are they will be in the same class.

  • JanRN

    Thanks for the info! How did you get the study material?

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    JanRN I ordered it Amazon

  • Teach

    Jan...I ordered from Amazon, but he may be able to borrow some from somebody already there.  A lot of us have ordered the materials.  There is a list on here of what we have been ordering.  Flashcards, coloring books, study guides.  If you can't find it, I'll see if I can find the specifics of what I ordered for him.

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

  • DramaSoul

    I have a son in 120 Bravo and they finished EMT last week.  He said they start Nursing this week and is VERY GLAD EMT is OVER.  He told me the A & P flashcards I got him will be more helpful with Nursing.  He didn't 'class up' or start classes until April 3rd, one month after he arrived at the base (PIR 2 March 2012).  As noted, Reservists and those returning from Fleet get first choice when classing up.  I am trying to figure out when he graduates so I can make plane reservations.  He has gotten different answers so far.  He said in Nursing, they may have Airmen in their class.

  • DramaSoul

    JanRN...according my son they weren't just "waiting".  There was marching, standing watch, PT, "Field Day" which is cleaning (even the rubber gasket on the fridge not to mention all the 'brightwork'), and INDOC (or classes to give them an idea of what to expect). His first full day there was March 4th, his 23rd b'day.  He noted that it was strange because all day no one yelled at him once.  He wondered where he was after boot camp!

  • buddy

    It is my understanding once class starts they can not get rolled backed.  My son was rolled back three times.  In fact one time he received his books and was ready to go but when he showed us for class he was rolled backed.

    These guys and gals have worked hard in boot camp and if they have to wait a few weeks before class start let them have a good time.  SA is a great town to have a good time.  Their classes will start soon enough.

  • JanRN

    Thanks for all the info and links everyone!

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    Buddy, I get that they worked hard in Boot Camp but not everyone is comfortable about down time. I'm only going off of what my son is telling me and that is he can't wait to get started! He said it usually does not happen that you get rolled back once you start but that in the military there is no "usually" . Lol. He liked his down time but is ready to get started do he can be trained and move on.
  • buddy

    The Navy is harry up and wait.  Don't fret those things you can not control.  If your son has down time there is nothing he can do about it but enjoy himself.  Once classes start he will be spending all of his time going to classes and studying.

    My son went through orientation for his classes and even receive his books to get rolled backed.  It is what it is.  He has been in SA since Feb 3.

    BUT he is graduating June 11th and going to Pensacola!  

  • DramaSoul

    buddy...I totally agree! Hurry up and wait....like being dropped off at O'Hare at 0630 for a flight that doesn't leave until 1845.  We made the best of that time and have great memories.  Same thing is true throughout the military in general as I understand it (I have a nephew who is an officer in the Army). Once you understand the concept, the easier it will be.  Bravo Zulu for your son!!

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    Buddy, that is great your son is moving right along. I guess because I don't see the behind the screens , I don't always understand why they do what they do. I'm not fretting it because my son has been in long enough tha I'm learning to let go. Things will work out the way they are supposed to
  • buddy

     Katze90210 (3/113)  if it is all possible you should try to visit your son in SA.  You and him will have a great time walking down the River Walk and eating some great Mexican Food. 

    My wife and I are fortunate that we live only 7.5 hours from SA.  Before he started classes we would leave on Friday after work and return on Sunday.  Moma Bear wanted to see her boy.  Once classes started he was pretty busy on the weekends studying.  Most of his big test were on Monday.   

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    Buddy funny you should suggest that because I have plans to see him 6/28! I have a younger son who is graduating high school do I can't go before then
  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    And if he has started school by then, I can help him study/review
  • SailorAiga

    Orders tomorrow for our son! They received a list of what is available today. Something to think about all night!

  • brandon'sgirl

    Getting orders today!! I'm so excited =)

  • Maria ( 9/132 - HM- 04-2011)

    :). Mine left for Florida today. At least was able to send a couple of weeks leave with us. Sure will miss having him so close to home. Won't be able to come home for the weekend whenever he wants.
  • SailorAiga

    My sonny boy got his orders today. Will be stationed in Bethesday, MD clear cross the country, we live in AZ. Should be interesting. :D

  • fab229

    My husband got his orders today! He got Xray tech C-school ...guess we are heading to Texas!

  • Teach

    For those of you that got orders today, how many weeks since they started classes?  My son got his books yesterday and started classes today.  I'm just trying to figure out when he'll be making his choice like you all have been doing.

  • fab229

    My Husband started March 28th I think and today got his orders.

  • mome2jord

    @SailorAiga, we live in AZ too...our son picked his orders yesterday and will be doing FMTB.  He will go to either Camp Pendleton or Fort Lejeune....of course I would be one happy mama if he got San Diego, we would go every weekend to visit!!!:)  Otherwise, North Carolina is just a plane ride away!

  • Craig

    Woo-hoo, my daughter got the medical job.  We are flying to San Antonio in 9 hours....  

  • fab229

    When the Navy says they will pay one time a year for a move, does that mean in January the year starts again? For example: If my hubby does C school that starts July 25th I think he said, then it should end January 25th right? Would the Navy consider January a new year or is it from the time you moved last time (a year from then)?

  • MommasHeart

    Hopefully soeone can give me some info on this. They get their orders the day before graduating PIR, right?  So if they are heading out the day after PIR to go to A School, how soon can they get a visit?

  • Teach

    They can have visitors almost immediately. They have to phase up for privileges. In phase 2 they can wear civies and go off base with someone but have to be back at night. In phase three they can stay out overnight. My son went to phase 2 after 1 week and phase 3 after about 5 weeks.
  • MommasHeart

    Thank you Teach! Now I just have to figure out which A School he will be at. Is there anyway of knowing ahead of time so we can make reservations?

  • Teach

    He should have known that going on. Is he going for corpsman? If so he'll be in san Antonio. If not the phases could be different at different locations.
  • MommasHeart

    Honestly, I don't know. I know Dental Technician and he left believing that he was heading to San Diego, CA. Is there anywhere else that DT can end up at?  Sorry for the million of questions but this is very important for us to find out asap.

     

  • MommasHeart

    Thank you txbabydocmom. So is the HM school in Tx or Ca? Do you know?

  • cindylou61

    MommasHeart, the HM school is in San Antonio, TX on Ft. Sam Houston and is a joint service school.