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!
Craig...I go back and read the Navy dep stuff because a lot of it is so funny. Thank you sooo much for makin' my day start with a smile more than once!
Thanks Jana that helps. I work at an elementary school and start work Sept 1. The graduation date will play a factor in the decision on if we go or not. I don't want to feel bad if my son did not have anyone there. Would love to see it but have to wait on a date
Dramasoul thanks that's just what I needed. Oh and now you got me crying! Can you take pictures during the ceramony? I guess I will just have to wait and see when the date is. Don't want to miss the first day of school! Thanks
Dramasoul thanks for asking. My son was given a rinse to gargle with that numbs his throat and antibiotics. He does not know the name of the meds but it made him feel better right away! I made sure he knew to finish all the meds. Don't want a relaps !
Katze. I probably asked this before, but what do you do at the school? My husband and I are both teachers. I have heard our graduation may be Aug 27. But, Haven said the instructors just said Aug the something. We st art back Aug 13 and the kids start Aug 20, so Aug 27 sort of works but Sept 4 would be even better for us so we get farther into the year, plus have Labor Day weekend. We are hoping to go, but are planning to drive as tickets are outrageous to fly. Southwest doesn't fly in our area. It is 700 miles to drive, but at least we could bring home some of the piles of purchases he has made. That is, if he isnt staying in SA. I am a planner and would really like a date, but I am learning to be patient.
Kstze...You can move around the room as you need to take pictures. Also the METC Facebook page takes pics of each graduate as he/she is given the certificate as well as other parts of the ceremony. If you go to the page, check out Class 120. That's my son's class. They also post pics of the Air Force graduating classes since the two branches take some of the same classes together. Also I am thinking that your son had to gargle/rinse with viscous lidocaine. It's an anesthetic used topically in the oral cavity and it really tastes very bitter. I know because I have used it.
Oh one other thing. My son flew home Soirhwest and he was concerned he would have to pay because he had 5 pieces of luggage to check and they were about 100lbs. He didn't have to pay ANYTHING! Also re-routing the trp to come home and the go down to Camp P 14 days later cost him only $92. I think Southwest is very military friendly. In the future I think I will try to fly them.
Teach I'm a para/sub/library aide. I basically fill in when teachers have meetings or have to go home early. I have my associates on education. I heard the same about Aug 27. School for us starts sept 5th staff goes in sept 4th. So hopefully aug 27 th will be the date
Teach I am a planner too. It's taking everything I have to sit and wait. There is no way we can drive. It would take too long and my husband will have to take off from work
As I remember things about the graduation and getting around I will post them. So...if you are going to Anderson Hall, it is best to enter the base via the Harry Wurzbach gate. There is a lot of construction and the easiest and closest way to get to the Hall and the Navy barracks is through that gate. I didn't realize just HOW BIG this Joint Base is and I am severely directionally challenged. On my way to pick up my son for the first time, I had to have him talk me in on his cell phone as I missed turns and ended up at another gate completely. I got very good navigating the base by Monday as I have noted, I had to go back and forth to pick up things from him that were going into my luggage. If you need directions from that gate, I can give you turn by turn directions!!!
Teach and Katze...I am one of those planners too. I am a dental hygienist so I know my schedule 6-12 months out. When I change my schedule at the last minute, patients are not happy. The lesson for me with my son being in the Navy is...patience and go with the flow. Sooo hard!!!
Teach and katze what's classes are your sons in and when did they start. I hate yet to ask about class number but we are expecting a graduation late august too.
That's right, Katze. I remember now because I wasn't sure if he said 150 or 115. He said they pick c school on the 13th. Does that sound correct? I thought the others were picking on a Wed.
.Craig I couldn't believe the cheap gas in SA!! 10 days ago in Oregon it was 4.29 but last night I filled up here and it was only 3.51. Don't quite understand the why there is such disparity throughout the country. We do not pump our own gas, although I wouldn't mind doing it. I did it when I lived in CA.
I am just getting around to really reading the thread since I had only my phone over the weekend and it is a small screen so I just skimmed stuff. txbabydocmom...did the floors get finished? (I really had something more along the lines of what Craig was saying but I thought I would just bite my tongue.)
DramaSoul - My mom has a friend that is renting their condo in FL for the week and she sent a pic of gas prices, it was $2.79! We're in N IL and it's $3.60-ish here.
We live in Florida and gas was under 3.00 when we left. We are traveling out west and the farther we go the more expensive it gets. Plus, in some states it was a lower octane and more expensive.
Thanks, txbabydocmom. My son told me he has been attached to a ship. So I guess if it deploys, he will be on it. This is after he completes FMTB and then goes to 29 Palms. Does that mean he is on a Sea tour rotation?
Sorry about your floors. Sigh. How was your daughter's birthday?
tx baby when you are talking about the individual augmentees that can be deployed on volunteer status, do they get assigned to a ship (and say that ship does not leave for a year then would they return for that ship to leave)? or are they on an individual status (as in they go when they are needed)?
txbabydocmom...so if he is on a ship (and he is on an aircraft carrier) is he ever off of the ship...as in on the ground with his Marine unit? If he is part of the Marine Air Wing, what are his duties?
My son just started A School classes today although he's been in SA for a month waiting to class up. Oso what is he in for as far as difficulty of courses? I really am trying to see what I am in for! LOL jk How high is the dropout rate?
NormaH...my son just graduated and he said the first 5 weeks are EMT training and those are the hardest. LOTS of information to absorb. They do in 5 weeks what civilians do in 12-14 weeks. They formed study groups. This is in addition to their other duties like standing watch, PT, laundry, "field day" (cleaning), marching, etc. I don't know about drop outs but I do know they can be rolled back if they fail a test more than once.
NormaH...rolled back just means they are sent back to a class that is behind them so the Sailor has a chance to learn the material and get tested again. When they were in boot camp, they could get rolled back for not passing all of the physical or academic tests. There was a recruit in my son's division in boot camp who had had difficulty passing the prone float. He had been rolled back to my son's division and he did pass it so he graduated boot camp with my son's division instead of the one he had originally started with. The learning of the lingo and the acronyms are an ongoing process for all of us!
DramaSoul, thank you! I feel like a bootcamp mom again. Lol I am confident he will do just fine. You will probably see me on here often...asking questions! Again, thanks.
NormaH...that's the wonderful thing about this group. Everyone is sooo helpful! Welcome and congrats to your Sailor! Check out the METC on Facebook. They post pics of the Corpsman graduations among other things. :-)
Per those that what to know about Sea/Shore rotation:
Here is something that might help you understand it. I wrote this last year to help out the CT area. (God knows why I don't have a life, and write this stuff)
My son just arrived in SA for A school. This is all new to me. If it hadn't been for N4M's I don't think I would have made it thru boot camp! Now, here I am, trying to learn what I can about this next phase. Any help at all will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for the welcome, txbabydocmom. You certainly have a lot of Navy experience ! I am sure I will have lots of questions. This is so different from BC...he has called or texted almost every day since he got there. Of course, I realize this will be less often once his classes start.
Txbabydocmom-we are coming to San Antonio the end of July in our rv and are looking to make reservations in the campground closest to Ft. Sam to see our son. Any suggestions on one nearby?
Teach - KOA is sort of expensive. Use your sailors eligibility and use a military RV park. You'll save a bunch of money, plus the profits go back into the Morale, Welfare, and Recrecation (MWR) funds which helps the sailors.
Txbabydocmom and Craig...thank you so much for all the great info. It just makes a world of difference as I try to keep myself informed. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. We actually have sunshine and about 80 degrees in Portland with no rain for the weekend!!
As I said yesterday, mine just started classes, but I am trying to figure all this out. Just scanned quickly through Link Craig posted. What does it take for an HM grad to attach to FM? Is that the same as IA? Does it depend on scores? Mine wants to attach. Forgive me if I am misusing the lingo!
NormaH...if you are talking about Field Marine Training Battalion (FMTB), that was a billet that was open when my son went to pick his orders after the first 5 weeks of A school. My son ALWAYS wanted to do this..go 'green side'. I think it is the reason he joined the Navy Since picking orders is done based on the ranking in class, it is a good idea to keep grades up. Those who go FMF (Fleet Marine Force) are at the top of their game on all levels...physically, mentally and in their skills, according to my son. He is very excited to be going to Camp Pendleton for FMTB....basically his dream come true. And don't worry about the lingo!!!
Awhile back Craig mentioned that the AROC's in the Navy sounded like they could be on American Idol. I just found out from my son that one of his classmates who just graduated with him had made it to the 4th round of American Idol so Craig wasn't far off. She sang the solo in the National Anthem for their graduation and it was AMAZING! I thought at the time that her voice was pretty spectacular and had no idea.
tsbabydocmom...SWEET! My son sings and plays guitar and has toured Europe with his father's Americana/Bluegrass band. He didn't want to pursue that in the Navy...he wanted to be a Corpsman going green side. He was asked to sing in the choir for graduation but couldn't fit it all in with his two-a-days (in prep for Camp P) and everything else. Maybe Craig is right! We've got the best AROC's around and, of course, the Navy band!
Thanks Craig. I did bookmark it. I realize that I could've saved some money in SA so I am gonna check this out before going to visit my son at his next station.
DramaSoul
Katze...how is your son feeling?
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Craig...I go back and read the Navy dep stuff because a lot of it is so funny. Thank you sooo much for makin' my day start with a smile more than once!
Jul 5, 2012
Katze90210 (3/113)
Jul 5, 2012
Katze90210 (3/113)
Jul 5, 2012
Katze90210 (3/113)
Jul 5, 2012
Teach
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Jul 5, 2012
Katze90210 (3/113)
Jul 5, 2012
Katze90210 (3/113)
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
As I remember things about the graduation and getting around I will post them. So...if you are going to Anderson Hall, it is best to enter the base via the Harry Wurzbach gate. There is a lot of construction and the easiest and closest way to get to the Hall and the Navy barracks is through that gate. I didn't realize just HOW BIG this Joint Base is and I am severely directionally challenged. On my way to pick up my son for the first time, I had to have him talk me in on his cell phone as I missed turns and ended up at another gate completely. I got very good navigating the base by Monday as I have noted, I had to go back and forth to pick up things from him that were going into my luggage. If you need directions from that gate, I can give you turn by turn directions!!!
Teach and Katze...I am one of those planners too. I am a dental hygienist so I know my schedule 6-12 months out. When I change my schedule at the last minute, patients are not happy. The lesson for me with my son being in the Navy is...patience and go with the flow. Sooo hard!!!
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Correction on a previous post...'Southwest'. Sheesh....
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Jul 5, 2012
florida_girl ship 3/div 235
Jul 5, 2012
Teach
Jul 5, 2012
Katze90210 (3/113)
Jul 5, 2012
Teach
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
.Craig I couldn't believe the cheap gas in SA!! 10 days ago in Oregon it was 4.29 but last night I filled up here and it was only 3.51. Don't quite understand the why there is such disparity throughout the country. We do not pump our own gas, although I wouldn't mind doing it. I did it when I lived in CA.
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
I am just getting around to really reading the thread since I had only my phone over the weekend and it is a small screen so I just skimmed stuff. txbabydocmom...did the floors get finished? (I really had something more along the lines of what Craig was saying but I thought I would just bite my tongue.)
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Craig...when I read that it says 3 year Sea tour, 2 year Shore tour what does that mean exactly?
Jul 5, 2012
Jenn_NicksWifey
DramaSoul - My mom has a friend that is renting their condo in FL for the week and she sent a pic of gas prices, it was $2.79! We're in N IL and it's $3.60-ish here.
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
NicksWifey...I never thought I would be excited to say gas was 'ONLY' 3.51!! Sheesh. It makes no sense to me.
Jul 5, 2012
Katze90210 (3/113)
Jul 5, 2012
Teach
Jul 5, 2012
Jana
I paid $2.99 here in East Texas yesterday.
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Thanks, txbabydocmom. My son told me he has been attached to a ship. So I guess if it deploys, he will be on it. This is after he completes FMTB and then goes to 29 Palms. Does that mean he is on a Sea tour rotation?
Sorry about your floors. Sigh. How was your daughter's birthday?
Jul 5, 2012
florida_girl ship 3/div 235
tx baby when you are talking about the individual augmentees that can be deployed on volunteer status, do they get assigned to a ship (and say that ship does not leave for a year then would they return for that ship to leave)? or are they on an individual status (as in they go when they are needed)?
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
txbabydocmom...so if he is on a ship (and he is on an aircraft carrier) is he ever off of the ship...as in on the ground with his Marine unit? If he is part of the Marine Air Wing, what are his duties?
Jul 5, 2012
NormaH
Jul 5, 2012
DramaSoul
NormaH...my son just graduated and he said the first 5 weeks are EMT training and those are the hardest. LOTS of information to absorb. They do in 5 weeks what civilians do in 12-14 weeks. They formed study groups. This is in addition to their other duties like standing watch, PT, laundry, "field day" (cleaning), marching, etc. I don't know about drop outs but I do know they can be rolled back if they fail a test more than once.
Jul 6, 2012
NormaH
Jul 6, 2012
DramaSoul
NormaH...rolled back just means they are sent back to a class that is behind them so the Sailor has a chance to learn the material and get tested again. When they were in boot camp, they could get rolled back for not passing all of the physical or academic tests. There was a recruit in my son's division in boot camp who had had difficulty passing the prone float. He had been rolled back to my son's division and he did pass it so he graduated boot camp with my son's division instead of the one he had originally started with. The learning of the lingo and the acronyms are an ongoing process for all of us!
Jul 6, 2012
NormaH
Jul 6, 2012
DramaSoul
NormaH...that's the wonderful thing about this group. Everyone is sooo helpful! Welcome and congrats to your Sailor! Check out the METC on Facebook. They post pics of the Corpsman graduations among other things. :-)
Jul 6, 2012
Craig
Per those that what to know about Sea/Shore rotation:
Here is something that might help you understand it. I wrote this last year to help out the CT area. (God knows why I don't have a life, and write this stuff)
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ctratemoms/forum/topics/what-is-se...
Jul 6, 2012
NormaH
Jul 6, 2012
stormy1123 ship 12 div 203
My son just arrived in SA for A school. This is all new to me. If it hadn't been for N4M's I don't think I would have made it thru boot camp! Now, here I am, trying to learn what I can about this next phase. Any help at all will be greatly appreciated.
Jul 6, 2012
Craig
Here are the IA handbooks:
Navy IA Sailors Handbook
IA Family Handbook
Jul 6, 2012
florida_girl ship 3/div 235
that is a lot of good info craig, thanks!
Jul 6, 2012
stormy1123 ship 12 div 203
Thank you for the welcome, txbabydocmom. You certainly have a lot of Navy experience ! I am sure I will have lots of questions. This is so different from BC...he has called or texted almost every day since he got there. Of course, I realize this will be less often once his classes start.
Jul 6, 2012
Teach
Jul 6, 2012
Craig
Teach - KOA is sort of expensive. Use your sailors eligibility and use a military RV park. You'll save a bunch of money, plus the profits go back into the Morale, Welfare, and Recrecation (MWR) funds which helps the sailors.
http://www.militarycampgrounds.us/state-listing/facilitylisting
Jul 6, 2012
DramaSoul
Jul 7, 2012
NormaH
Jul 7, 2012
DramaSoul
Craig...thanks so much for the info about Sea/Shore duty!! Very helpful!
Jul 7, 2012
DramaSoul
Jul 7, 2012
DramaSoul
Awhile back Craig mentioned that the AROC's in the Navy sounded like they could be on American Idol. I just found out from my son that one of his classmates who just graduated with him had made it to the 4th round of American Idol so Craig wasn't far off. She sang the solo in the National Anthem for their graduation and it was AMAZING! I thought at the time that her voice was pretty spectacular and had no idea.
Jul 7, 2012
DramaSoul
tsbabydocmom...SWEET! My son sings and plays guitar and has toured Europe with his father's Americana/Bluegrass band. He didn't want to pursue that in the Navy...he wanted to be a Corpsman going green side. He was asked to sing in the choir for graduation but couldn't fit it all in with his two-a-days (in prep for Camp P) and everything else. Maybe Craig is right! We've got the best AROC's around and, of course, the Navy band!
Jul 7, 2012
Craig
I hear you txbaby, I much rather have a nice hotel room, than a RV.
Since it seems like some of you mom like to travel, I posted this to help you save some of your vacation cost when you travel anywhere in the world.
Sorry, I couldn't post it here since I'm not a group admin for this section and have no way of making "Pages" here.
You might want to book mark it.
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/deppersinbutnotyet/page/cheap-hote...
Jul 7, 2012
DramaSoul
Thanks Craig. I did bookmark it. I realize that I could've saved some money in SA so I am gonna check this out before going to visit my son at his next station.
Jul 7, 2012