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'm not sure about the arm band thing. I know they wear a reflective belt during certain hours of the day. Usually while the sun is coming up and just before it goes down. He said it was some kind of safety issue and they think someone got hit by a car so they have to wear them now. I will have to ask him about the Friday thing though... that is kinda funny! As far as the scanning them in and out I guess its just easier to make sure they are in when they are supposed to be.
Craig just spoke to my son. He said they wear reflective belts, not arm bands. And they wear them sundown to sun up when they go out. He said he believes the Air Force has something like that too. As for leaving he said they salute the flag, but if there is not one then they salute the OOD. Hope this helps
Just wanted everyone to know that another mom and I decided it was time to create a group for Corpsman who are greenside or want to go greenside. So please join and let others know especially if you know some veteran moms but everyone is welcome!
Brigette - Haven't a clue for graduation. I will be going to the graduation on Sept 5th. The wife and I are flying into Dallas because my daughter wants to see the JFK memorial and the school book depository (ie the 6th floor from where Kennedy was shot). I took her there when she was 9yo, but I know she forgot about all that. We will drive with her back from Dallas to San Antonio afterwards.
I also will get the joy of interrogating her boyfriend. I just cannot wait for that..... Her past boyfriends are always really scared of me. I always tell them "Whatever you do to my daughter, I have the right to do to you !".... So, it will be really interesting to say the least....
She says they will have Friday 31 Aug off as well. So they will have a really long weekend both Friday and Monday off.
So, who all is going to the Sept 5 graduation?
All - Do they actually salute the flag in civilian clothes? On ship, in civilian clothes, when you leave you ask the OOD "Permission to go ashore", then you face the flag for a moment. They you walk off.
So are these guys saluting the flag in civilian clothes? I can see if you're in Phase 1 or 2 since you're in uniform. But I can't see it any other time.
While in civies he said they stand at attention and ask permission to come aboard or go ashore and show their ID to the OOD. So it sounds the same as a ship.
You can see two dozen corpsmen serving right now on USS Iwo Jima at 3 min 30 sec in the video, below.
I learned how to send care packages by joining Molly's Adopt a Sailor, so when my corpsman first deployed I was already an expert at packing and knowing a lot of tips and tricks :)
This month's adoption is of the 625 junior enlisted sailors aboard USS IWO JIMA currently in the middle of an eight month+ deployment in areas of the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The video, below, will introduce you to these sailors.
It’s a daunting number of sailors this month so your help is super-appreciated. Visit / join Molly’s Adopt a Sailor group and then see the August details and Wish List here. You’ll be invited to join a private MAS group for the mailing address. We’re mailing the last week of August. The goal is to send USPS large priority boxes packed with personal care items the ship store runs out of, homemade treats, and games. We are mailing the last week in August.
Molly’s group adopts a unit or ship each month, so you can nominate yours for future adoptions, too. If you organize a packing party your mailing costs will be covered (ask for details at MAS, there is a format to follow); and I can also get you a donation letter to help with soliciting items.
It’s a longer than normal deployment, so thank you for sending ‘a touch of home’ to our sailors - and that includes those awesome corpsmen! :)
Okay, Marcy, I watched the video. You didn't tell me I would need tissues!!! I am going to check out the site because I would like to Adopt a Sailor. And...I am NOT an expert at packing.
mikes mom...INTENSE...VERY INTENSE! My son joked that we moms knew more about what they were doing in boot camp than the recruits did! And we did...thanks to Craig's NavyDEP.com site.
Here we go again.. sorry about that Hm-in-the-Fam Mom..... again, just trying to bring in some humor. I thought everyone knew a 59 minute was also called a "quickie".
ram33 - For the absolute best video for Battle Stations watch this one. The Navy actually pulled this video because it showed too much information. The recruits have to sign a paper (called a Page-13) saying they wouldn't discuss it. This video makes that form useless....
I love this group!! My Sailors face in Skype is hysterical when I ask her about things I learn here. All the things!!! I told her about the Chicago coin Craig, she said buy it Mom!!!!!!! Happy Monday everyone!!!
Craig thank you for that video about battle stations...so interesting! I do find it interesting that they make the sr sign a paper saying they wouldn't discuss it but then at PIR during the video they show before it begins shows part of that video. It makes a parent or whoever goes to PIR want to ask their sailor what they were seeing in the video. Which I did and all I got was MOM I CAN'T talk about IT!! So again Craig thank you thank you thank you!
Craig - I'm just wading through the weekend email, so i'm not sure if sometime answered already. When they enter or leave the barracks/ship, they have to request permission to come aboard/go ashore from the officer of the deck. They salute each other then the flag. My husband got a chit so I can be his liberty buddy, so I've seen this many times. I have to go to the quarterdeck to sign him out. He's at Great Lakes for A School. I always feel strange because I am a civilian and do not salute, but sometimes the OOD salutes me, out of habit, i'm sure.
The reflective belts are called glow belts. Sailors must wear them from sundown to sunrise if they are outside and in uniform. I have to say that while they look a little goofy when i'm driving off base after signing my husband back in at 2200, they are extremely practical. There are lots of pedestrians on base!
Nicks - You have me a little confused. You are saying he's at Great Lakes or do you mean Fort Sam?
Per the belts, why would it matter if you're in uniform or civilian clothes? It just seems like civilian clothes could be totally black. It seems like the way the Navy overreacts, they would tell these guys to put the belt on in civilian clothes too.
Frankly, having lived the Navy life, I'm quite surprised they don't make them put little bells on their shoe laces. Heck, maybe they can wear the "Wicked Witch of the West" shoes too so they don't stub their toes....
Asked Sailor about the glow belt last night. They have to wear it in uniform and in civies. She said when she got to San Antonio end of May, they did not have to wear them. Someone was hit on base and that is why they do now. It is sundown to sun up. She also told me the galley the Army uses for chow has mold. She said that the smell in their galley now is nasty LoL!!!
mikes - I'm a retired Navy CTM and a dad. My whole family is Navy (there are 5 of us), except for one traitor Air Force daughter ~ha. I still work with the Navy as a consultant/contractor. I speak Navy 24x7.
I'm a group admin on several areas here at N4M's, and run my own deppers forum (NavyDEP.com) for newbies about to enter the Navy or are in their 1st years in the Navy. Lately it seems like I am also the guys that is:
lizinnj - You shouldn't be so negative. That isn't mold, that is penicillin!
NavyGirlz - I should be getting the demo coins tomorrow. I will sign off on them, then PIRGift will have them mint and released on Monday (I think). I've seen photo's of the lead (preliminary) version that they make prior to actually minting them with hardened metal. I must say, it really looks awesome.
Craig - My hubby is in Great Lakes. I joined this group because he was considering being a Corpsman and trying to go FMF (which terrifies me, quite frankly) and stayed because of the great info about all kinds of stuff. He had to stick with EN for two years (someone told him, who knows if its true?), so he stayed at GL.
He just made Phase 2 at Great Lakes and was able to wear civvies this weekend. I had to go with him when I dropped him off to sign him back in. Both days the "bag checker watch" person, different people each day, commented that he did not have to wear his glow belt in his civvies. He replied that it seemed safer that way anyhow, so he would. I'm not sure why it would matter whether in uniform or civies. Apparently they still have a uniform code for civies. For instance, he's not supposed to wear shoes without socks. But his favorite shoes are Vibrams, the ones with all the individual toes. I told him he can borrow some of my toe socks, but he wasn't so amused. : )
lizinnj...my son said the same thing about chow in the Army. He is now at Camp P and he said the food is so good, he really doesn't need to go anywhere else for food. So how is the Navy and the Marines have good food but the Army doesn't? Or is it area specific...ie Southern food vs Southern California food?
My did the same as yours txbabydoc mom. He in now in JAX fl and says the food is just ok. Step up from SAT but definitely not as good as GL. So now he lost his his meal allowance and still has to eat dinner out (kitchen closes at 6 pm) and he is always broke. I keep telling him he needs to learn to. Budget better . At least this month he will be an e3 so his pay increase and in sep he turns 21 and hopefully his insurance - car will go down some . Hate to see him going thru this but he must live
And learn.
All three of my children would complain about the food so they bought either fast food : ( or just go to the market.. Thank goodness they all live off base now ...
Drama & whomever else had a sailor on the USS John F. Kennedy Ship 9:
I finished writing the story about the JFK for those that had sailors on the JFK. It took forever since JFK had so much history. Here is a link to the story. Just look at the section labeled "Ship 9 USS Kennedy"
Craig...my son said the same thing when he was doing that. And...when they were starting IV's...lotsa blood on the floor! He said that in FMTB they will be learning to do tracheotomies. I said "And who is gonna volunteer for that?" His reply was something I can't write here.
Its amazing what our up and coming Corpsman learn in such a short time .. : ) I remember thinking really your ready ??? Yep he was, and off he went and he saved a lot of lives .. This mother is Very Proud of her Corpsman
I can see why they do this on each other, but my question is why don't they allow them a steady stream of clients by allow them to do this on the poor or homeless people in the San Anotonio area?
This would allow the sailors to find more victims, while relieving the local doctors and medical people of the task. Everyone has to start somewhere, all people in the medical profession do. As long as an experience teacher present, it seems like it would be a win-win situation. Just have them sign a paper saying they won't bring a lawsuit against them.
Craig, they're preparing for trauma care in combat conditions and learning to administer fluids, not take fluids. Unless the "poor and homeless" are dehydrated or suffering from loss of blood, the current system works pretty well :)
mikes mom...brings tears to my eyes thinkin' about it. I know the Marine vets I have talked to have said over and over how much they loved their 'doc' who saved their lives. I was thinking the same thing...are you really ready?
No your never ready but if your lucky enough to find a friend like I did in Marcy who helped me through his deployment .. lots of laughter at 2 AM. Lol you can get through it a little easier : )
marcy - She said they were giving IV (water), but also drawing blood, which is the next step. I would think that , let say, you're a college student with no health care, then I'd welcome anyone to poke me if it meant I could get free medical care that I could otherwise not afford.
Let face it, someone has to be your 1st poke. You only learn it by doing it. But how can you practice when you only have a limit supply of people? You can only poke a person so many times before they finally said it was enough.... I'd rather have a line of people that actually need it, rather than be someone that just has to do it for practice.
Not having a medical background, but don't they need to pull some blood in a combat zone to tell what kind of blood you have so they can put more back into you?
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Aug 5, 2012
Katze90210 (3/113)
Craig just spoke to my son. He said they wear reflective belts, not arm bands. And they wear them sundown to sun up when they go out. He said he believes the Air Force has something like that too. As for leaving he said they salute the flag, but if there is not one then they salute the OOD. Hope this helps
Aug 5, 2012
KaylaRae
Just wanted everyone to know that another mom and I decided it was time to create a group for Corpsman who are greenside or want to go greenside. So please join and let others know especially if you know some veteran moms but everyone is welcome!
Aug 5, 2012
KaylaRae
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/fmf-corpsman-moms
sorry there is the link!
Aug 5, 2012
Craig
Brigette - Haven't a clue for graduation. I will be going to the graduation on Sept 5th. The wife and I are flying into Dallas because my daughter wants to see the JFK memorial and the school book depository (ie the 6th floor from where Kennedy was shot). I took her there when she was 9yo, but I know she forgot about all that. We will drive with her back from Dallas to San Antonio afterwards.
I also will get the joy of interrogating her boyfriend. I just cannot wait for that..... Her past boyfriends are always really scared of me. I always tell them "Whatever you do to my daughter, I have the right to do to you !".... So, it will be really interesting to say the least....
She says they will have Friday 31 Aug off as well. So they will have a really long weekend both Friday and Monday off.
So, who all is going to the Sept 5 graduation?
All - Do they actually salute the flag in civilian clothes? On ship, in civilian clothes, when you leave you ask the OOD "Permission to go ashore", then you face the flag for a moment. They you walk off.
So are these guys saluting the flag in civilian clothes? I can see if you're in Phase 1 or 2 since you're in uniform. But I can't see it any other time.
Aug 5, 2012
BrigitteJ
Aug 5, 2012
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Aug 5, 2012
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
You can see two dozen corpsmen serving right now on USS Iwo Jima at 3 min 30 sec in the video, below.
I learned how to send care packages by joining Molly's Adopt a Sailor, so when my corpsman first deployed I was already an expert at packing and knowing a lot of tips and tricks :)
This month's adoption is of the 625 junior enlisted sailors aboard USS IWO JIMA currently in the middle of an eight month+ deployment in areas of the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The video, below, will introduce you to these sailors.
It’s a daunting number of sailors this month so your help is super-appreciated. Visit / join Molly’s Adopt a Sailor group and then see the August details and Wish List here. You’ll be invited to join a private MAS group for the mailing address. We’re mailing the last week of August. The goal is to send USPS large priority boxes packed with personal care items the ship store runs out of, homemade treats, and games. We are mailing the last week in August.
Molly’s group adopts a unit or ship each month, so you can nominate yours for future adoptions, too. If you organize a packing party your mailing costs will be covered (ask for details at MAS, there is a format to follow); and I can also get you a donation letter to help with soliciting items.
It’s a longer than normal deployment, so thank you for sending ‘a touch of home’ to our sailors - and that includes those awesome corpsmen! :)
USS Iwo Jima August 2012 from Marcy Scott on Vimeo.
Aug 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Okay, Marcy, I watched the video. You didn't tell me I would need tissues!!! I am going to check out the site because I would like to Adopt a Sailor. And...I am NOT an expert at packing.
Aug 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Thanks for explanation about '59'!
Aug 5, 2012
ram33
Hi Tanja and Tricia, I sent you a friend request..
My son too has a PIR of 8/24 and will be heading off to A school in SA for hospital corpsman.
Actually all his letter always end with " I can't wait for Texas"
So 18 days to go.. I'm so excited to see him!!!
Aug 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Craig...thanks for not letting me down!! I have been biting my tongue 'cause I knew I could get into sooo much trouble.
Aug 5, 2012
DramaSoul
Craig...you have made my day. I just watched a 20 minute video on what my son is doing at FMTB. I needed to laugh and you never let me down!!!
Aug 6, 2012
mikes mom
DS - I went on Youtube to watch ... Its always nice to know what they are learning
Aug 6, 2012
DramaSoul
mikes mom...INTENSE...VERY INTENSE! My son joked that we moms knew more about what they were doing in boot camp than the recruits did! And we did...thanks to Craig's NavyDEP.com site.
Aug 6, 2012
Hm-in-the-Fam-Mom
Aug 6, 2012
Katze90210 (3/113)
Aug 6, 2012
Craig
Here we go again.. sorry about that Hm-in-the-Fam Mom..... again, just trying to bring in some humor. I thought everyone knew a 59 minute was also called a "quickie".
ram33 - For the absolute best video for Battle Stations watch this one. The Navy actually pulled this video because it showed too much information. The recruits have to sign a paper (called a Page-13) saying they wouldn't discuss it. This video makes that form useless....
http://www.teamorlando.org/case-studies/battle-stations.shtml
Aug 6, 2012
lizinnj
Aug 6, 2012
OKCsuzieq
Craig thank you for that video about battle stations...so interesting! I do find it interesting that they make the sr sign a paper saying they wouldn't discuss it but then at PIR during the video they show before it begins shows part of that video. It makes a parent or whoever goes to PIR want to ask their sailor what they were seeing in the video. Which I did and all I got was MOM I CAN'T talk about IT!! So again Craig thank you thank you thank you!
Aug 6, 2012
Jenn_NicksWifey
The reflective belts are called glow belts. Sailors must wear them from sundown to sunrise if they are outside and in uniform. I have to say that while they look a little goofy when i'm driving off base after signing my husband back in at 2200, they are extremely practical. There are lots of pedestrians on base!
Aug 6, 2012
DramaSoul
I agree with lizinnj regarding this site AND Craig's humor!!!! And the coins are BEAUTIFUL!!! I have the JFK to give to my son.
Aug 6, 2012
Craig
Nicks - You have me a little confused. You are saying he's at Great Lakes or do you mean Fort Sam?
Per the belts, why would it matter if you're in uniform or civilian clothes? It just seems like civilian clothes could be totally black. It seems like the way the Navy overreacts, they would tell these guys to put the belt on in civilian clothes too.
Frankly, having lived the Navy life, I'm quite surprised they don't make them put little bells on their shoe laces. Heck, maybe they can wear the "Wicked Witch of the West" shoes too so they don't stub their toes....
Aug 6, 2012
lizinnj
Aug 6, 2012
ram33
Hi Craig,
Thank you for the link. Now I'm absolutely sure my son will love battle stations..
I also purchased the JFK coin for him which he will love.. I just hope I can part with it myself. Great Job..
Adis
Aug 6, 2012
mikes mom
I new to this group sooo Craig are you a dad or in the Navy ?
Aug 6, 2012
Craig
mikes - I'm a retired Navy CTM and a dad. My whole family is Navy (there are 5 of us), except for one traitor Air Force daughter ~ha. I still work with the Navy as a consultant/contractor. I speak Navy 24x7.
I'm a group admin on several areas here at N4M's, and run my own deppers forum (NavyDEP.com) for newbies about to enter the Navy or are in their 1st years in the Navy. Lately it seems like I am also the guys that is:
Aug 6, 2012
Craig
lizinnj - You shouldn't be so negative. That isn't mold, that is penicillin!
NavyGirlz - I should be getting the demo coins tomorrow. I will sign off on them, then PIRGift will have them mint and released on Monday (I think). I've seen photo's of the lead (preliminary) version that they make prior to actually minting them with hardened metal. I must say, it really looks awesome.
Aug 6, 2012
DramaSoul
Craig...you are the BEST! Keep pissin' off the planet. Some of us out here couldn't get through the day without your humor...or your information.
Aug 6, 2012
DramaSoul
So were you in my closed, Craig? How did you find a picture of my favorite shoes?
Aug 6, 2012
Craig
Yea I was in your closet...
Aug 6, 2012
Jenn_NicksWifey
Craig - My hubby is in Great Lakes. I joined this group because he was considering being a Corpsman and trying to go FMF (which terrifies me, quite frankly) and stayed because of the great info about all kinds of stuff. He had to stick with EN for two years (someone told him, who knows if its true?), so he stayed at GL.
He just made Phase 2 at Great Lakes and was able to wear civvies this weekend. I had to go with him when I dropped him off to sign him back in. Both days the "bag checker watch" person, different people each day, commented that he did not have to wear his glow belt in his civvies. He replied that it seemed safer that way anyhow, so he would. I'm not sure why it would matter whether in uniform or civies. Apparently they still have a uniform code for civies. For instance, he's not supposed to wear shoes without socks. But his favorite shoes are Vibrams, the ones with all the individual toes. I told him he can borrow some of my toe socks, but he wasn't so amused. : )
Aug 6, 2012
DramaSoul
Craig...I KNEW IT! I could tell. You didn't hang up the rest of the things you knocked down trying to get to the tutu!
Aug 6, 2012
DramaSoul
lizinnj...my son said the same thing about chow in the Army. He is now at Camp P and he said the food is so good, he really doesn't need to go anywhere else for food. So how is the Navy and the Marines have good food but the Army doesn't? Or is it area specific...ie Southern food vs Southern California food?
Aug 6, 2012
DramaSoul
Craig...you should know....too much penicillin creates more drug-resistant bacteria.
Aug 6, 2012
Maria ( 9/132 - HM- 04-2011)
And learn.
Aug 7, 2012
DramaSoul
txbabydocmom...my son did the same thing at SA when it came to meals. He doesn't have to do that now!
Aug 7, 2012
mikes mom
All three of my children would complain about the food so they bought either fast food : ( or just go to the market.. Thank goodness they all live off base now ...
Aug 7, 2012
Craig
Drama & whomever else had a sailor on the USS John F. Kennedy Ship 9:
I finished writing the story about the JFK for those that had sailors on the JFK. It took forever since JFK had so much history. Here is a link to the story. Just look at the section labeled "Ship 9 USS Kennedy"
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ctratemoms/forum/topics/boot-camp-...
Aug 7, 2012
ram33
Thanks Craig
I am printing it out and putting it into a nice binder for my son.. I will give this to him with the coin. Again, Great job!!
Adis
Aug 7, 2012
DramaSoul
Thanks so much, Craig, I am doing the same thing ram33 is doing. Yep, lots of history.
Awesome work, Craig!
Aug 7, 2012
Craig
If you find any typo's, please pm me.....
Aug 7, 2012
Craig
Yesterday my daughter said that the class had to take blood from each other. They were human Guinea pigs.
Woo-hoo..... Lots of Black & Blue arms this week......
Aug 7, 2012
DramaSoul
Craig...my son said the same thing when he was doing that. And...when they were starting IV's...lotsa blood on the floor! He said that in FMTB they will be learning to do tracheotomies. I said "And who is gonna volunteer for that?" His reply was something I can't write here.
Aug 7, 2012
mikes mom
Its amazing what our up and coming Corpsman learn in such a short time .. : ) I remember thinking really your ready ??? Yep he was, and off he went and he saved a lot of lives .. This mother is Very Proud of her Corpsman
Aug 7, 2012
Craig
I can see why they do this on each other, but my question is why don't they allow them a steady stream of clients by allow them to do this on the poor or homeless people in the San Anotonio area?
This would allow the sailors to find more victims, while relieving the local doctors and medical people of the task. Everyone has to start somewhere, all people in the medical profession do. As long as an experience teacher present, it seems like it would be a win-win situation. Just have them sign a paper saying they won't bring a lawsuit against them.
Aug 7, 2012
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Craig, they're preparing for trauma care in combat conditions and learning to administer fluids, not take fluids. Unless the "poor and homeless" are dehydrated or suffering from loss of blood, the current system works pretty well :)
Aug 7, 2012
DramaSoul
mikes mom...brings tears to my eyes thinkin' about it. I know the Marine vets I have talked to have said over and over how much they loved their 'doc' who saved their lives. I was thinking the same thing...are you really ready?
Aug 7, 2012
mikes mom
Aug 7, 2012
Craig
marcy - She said they were giving IV (water), but also drawing blood, which is the next step. I would think that , let say, you're a college student with no health care, then I'd welcome anyone to poke me if it meant I could get free medical care that I could otherwise not afford.
Let face it, someone has to be your 1st poke. You only learn it by doing it. But how can you practice when you only have a limit supply of people? You can only poke a person so many times before they finally said it was enough.... I'd rather have a line of people that actually need it, rather than be someone that just has to do it for practice.
Not having a medical background, but don't they need to pull some blood in a combat zone to tell what kind of blood you have so they can put more back into you?
Aug 7, 2012