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

I just noticed my son was on Skype, so I asked him and he said it was just the needs of the Navy

@Jana, thanks!

@Marcy, but doesn't the ATV C School do the same thing?

Robert - I will send you an email.  I will have my daughter point her out and introduce my wife and I to her.  I will try to get her picture, but my priority is getting a picture of my own daughter.  I think it will all work out.  

Robert - One thing I would recommend you ask her is if she wears a silver Navy belt buckle with her any of her uniforms.  The Navy has done so many uniform changes I'm not sure if females wear them or not now.  I know the males do.  The reason?

About the only thing a sailor can personalize on their uniform is their belt buckle.  You can tell fleet sailors from the others by their belt buckles and their covers.  When my son graduated I got him a really nice engraved belt buckle which really looks awesome, but cost a lot of $$.  Other sailors in his shop now try to out do each other on who has the better buckle.  That's what sailor do... 

Here is the one I think you need to get, if the women still use them:

http://www.vanguardmil.com/navy-belt-buckle-caduceus-silver-female-...

and since she a newbie, here is the rules you can show her that tells her she is authorized to wear it.  

Craig, WOW, thanks so much for the information on the belt buckle and the possibility of getting a pic.  Really appreciate all your help and information!!!!

Katze: both of these post the grad pics. The first one usually has them up first.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Basic-Medical-Technician-Corpsman-Program/172740489489255

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/METC.mil

oh and you probably have to copy and paste them. 

Katze - Here is the male version.  Like I said, these are really cool.  Most sailor don't understand that you can even do it.  As with any uniform item, the CO could say no, but I have never found a CO ever try to limit the rating pride with in the organization.  But again, you can't wear them for formal inspections.   

The sailors now have earned the right to wear that symbol.  They should exercise it.

http://www.vanguardmil.com/navy-belt-buckle-caduceus-mirror-finish-...

Teach Basic Medical Technician Corpsman Program Facebook page posted pictures of 150 Graduation! Check it out! Craig my son is home and he already got the belt buckle thanks anyway.

Katze - Did they sell it in the Navy Exchange?  Where did he get it?

Craig he said he got it in the uniform shop on base in SA

Anyones Sailor graduating this coming Tuesday?

My son just arrived in SA yesterday after graduating from bootcamp on Friday.  We are really excited for him - so far, so good - said his classes don't start for 1 week.  I'd really appreciate any tips/advice anyone has to offer.

Hi

my son just move to San Antonio for Hospital Corpsman school at Fort Sam.

He is very excited about his new beginning. I am planning to UPS soon some of his clothes and other personal items.  I will check your links for more info on Fort Sam.

Thank you

Hello All..

Im interested in knowing WHEN the HMs get out class and are released for travel to come home for thanksgiving? Does anyone know? Please advise...

Hey was wondering if anyone on here had a Sailor who did RAP and if so is it true that if they don't get anyone to enlist, they don't get the 5 days credit for working there?

Hi Katze, in re RAP, they aren't responsible for signing up a new recruit, just assisting the recruiters for five consecutive days and then "must obtain documentation of participation by endorsement from the Navy Recruiting District."  Recruiting Assistance Leave Program

thanks txBabydoc.  ? Would coming home effect how much leave for coming home in December? If they graduate in December..(Ive been quoted 12/5) is there a time that they have to stay after, or is the school closed for the holiday until Jan?

Is there a website that talks about the school hours and dates in session?

thanks again!

Thanks Marcy that helps. Recruiter putting pressure on him to get someone to sign.

After all is past, could be worth a mention to the district recruiting command.

My son graduated A school last December--December 13 I think.  He got to fly home the next day and he took leave from then until right before New Year's.

Katze...Wow.  My son had a great time with his RAP duty.  There was no pressure.  He was just there to talk to anyone who was interested from the perspective a someone who had just graduated A school and had been through boot camp recently.

My corpsman addressing a DEP group while on leave.  He didn't do the RAP program though; five days was too much :)   Reminds me how much I miss the "working whites" uniforms!  So many sailors you ask will say the same.

Katze - My nephew had RAP duty also.  He worked a few hours then was off.  The recruiters have more than enough people joining, so they let the sailor basically have R&R (Rest and Relaxation)....  So your son doesn't have to worry at all.  

I would have him call the recruiter and let them know he wants to do RAP duty.  There is a limit on how many can be in the office (ie they can't have 30 sailor doing RAP at once).

Here again is a copy of the form they will receive once they complete RAP duty, along with the official instruction.

rap_duty_form_blank.jpg

RAP_Duty_Official_Instruction

Marcy...I like those uniforms as well.  Any chance they will be brought back?

Craig...that's pretty much what my son experienced! Also, thought about you when I watched an "NCIS" episode and a dead Marine was found with a Chaplain's Challenge coin in his pocket.  I was sooo excited 'cause I knew what a Challenge Coin was!

Visiting my son this weekend.  Does anyone have good directions to the base?  An address maybe?

NavyGirlz...that's a question I don't know the answer to but I bet Craig does!

Britt - Thank you for the info.  Can't wait to get to SA.

Regarding the roads in SA.  I moved from LA to Austin and used to allow an extra 30 minutes to get everywhere because the roads are so confusing!   It is really helpful to remember that most exits are a good 1/4 mile before the actual street you want.  It is nearly impossible to see what is coming up on the exit.  Especially hard if you are looking for food!   If you have a GPS that will find restaurants and amuzements for you it will help you a lot!  Have fun!

Hello! I am new to this group! My son just graduated bootcamp in Great Lakes and now is stationed in San Antonio for A School.  He just arrived there Saturday.  I dont know alot about the base there any suggestions or advice?

NavyGirlz - Yes, she will earn credit for that future sailor.  She needs to act quickly because once she gets to her 1st duty station, then she won't get credit for it.  

Here is the official rules.  Go to para 030102 and read it.  Then, call the recruiter and sight that paragraph and ask how you can get credit for her.  Remember, she is way to busy to do it herself, and she will just blow it off.  So this time I think you need to do it.  

I would print off those couple pages and bring it down to them.  That way they can see it in their own rule book where to look.  This is one of those rules that rarely are used so they might have a hard time finding it, so make it easy for them. 

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/Directives/1130.8J_VOLUME%20V...

Paragraph 030102 is the most important, which says:

"Note: Future Sailors can continue to provide and earn awards for referrals until they report to their first permanent duty station, provided the individuals referred contract before the Future Sailor arrives at their first permanent duty station. In such cases, the NAVCRUITDIST Commanding Officer will forward a NAVPERS 1070/613, Administrative Remarks, with appropriate recommendations and signature, to the member’s current or next duty station."

I hope your daughter get an her advancement by using this rule....it's worth a shot....

For those that are even thinking about going to San Antonio...

Expedia.com is doing a special for the 4 star Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio which is on the River Walk for only $53 per night.  That is extremely cheap!

Here is more info:

http://www.expedia.com/San-Antonio-Hotels-Sheraton-Gunter-Hotel-San...

@Craig, I just went to the sight and the sale is for the week of 9/3-9/7 when I plugged in my sons graduation date the rate went up to $85 for Saturday and $75 for Monday and Tuesday do you think that is a good rate?

OKC - I just went there again and it shows $53.25 for 9-3 to 9-7.  For the weekend it will go up, but that is really cheap anyways for the River Walk.  

Here is what I did.  I book this cheap rate through Expedia 9-3 to 9-7 on one reservation for $53.25 per night. (knowing I can cancel it up to 8-29 i think).  Then the other nights I put on a separate reservation.  This locked me in for that extremely cheap rate.  

Then, I went to Sheraton.com and filed a Lowest price guarantee form (take about 2 minutes to fill out and you don't even need to book a room).  They will then price match the Expedia's rate of $53.25 (for the 9-3 to 9-7) plus give you another 10%.  So my room on the River Walk at a 4 star hotel is only $47.92 per night.  Heck Motel 6 can't even get that low....

Once Sheraton sends you an email with the approval of the price match, then you cancel your Expedia booked room.  

To me, make two reservations, that way they can compare apples-to-apples....

Here is the link to the price match guarantee:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/bestrate/index.html

and

Forgot to add the snap shot.  Just click on it to make it bigger...