Stephanie - yes you can.  Just keep in mind that at the end of A school they have to ship home or carry with them their stuff  to their next location :)

The BMTCP Graduation Schedule for dates 16JAN2013 through 28FEB2013 has been updated with some changes - BMTCP%20Graduation%20Schedule%2016JAN13%20-%2028FEB13.pdf

Which reminds me of a saying you and your corpsman will come to know and love  :)

Hello everybody!  I have a question:  If I meet my Recruit at O'Hare prior to his departure to San Antonio and give him a backpack with his cell phone, alarm clock and a few clothing items, is he allowed to bring that with him to Fort Sam Houston?  What items are specifically NOT recommended to send with them?

@Cprmom - thank you for the information.  I understand that they can fly out of either airport and that they do take them from RTC between 2 and 3 AM to the airport(s).  His A School doesn't start until 3/1 and he will be heading there on 2/2!  I will be very sad if I cannot see him at the airport prior to his departure to TX.  I will need to, just in case, give him his watch while he is on liberty with us on 2/1 and hope it does not get stolen during his remaining time at RTC and at A School.

PatsFan - he can take it with him, no problem.  I hope you get to see him!  We won't get a chance to see our son off at the airport, but we live in Houston, so we can drive down to San Antonio on the weekends for visits.  Supposedly, the food is pretty awful at Fort Sam Houston, so we stocked a canvas shoe organizer with non-perishable food items for late-night study sessions.  It can hang in there closet, so it doesn't take up much space.  Good luck to you!

Thank you so much for the information!  I knew that he couldn't have his phone with him after liberty I need to see if I can get it to him at the airport.  Say happy thoughts that he leaves out of O'Hare!

Would like to do a casual survey of current and past A schoolers, so if you have a chance to ask yours -

How important is it to have one's cellphone during the first few days?  (Important vs convenient).  

How far into school is the wristwatch needed?  I wouldn't send an expensive or special one btw :)

How do they access flashcards?  I've seen the HM Manual ones on NKO (Navy Knowledge Online) - is that what they're using, or making their own?

ps ... and anything else your sailor thinks is important to have - or not - that would be interesting to hear!

great questions!  I would like to hear those answers, too.  The only one I know the answer to is the watch.  You need that the first week. 

What I really meant was, do our sailors feel it's so critical to have it on the trip from boot to A school  or could they wait a few days for the mail :)   

Also - it would be interesting to hear what the most appreciated and enjoyed things in care packages are!

@ Marcy - 

1. Cellphone: it is as important as you make it... If you want to FINALLY be able to communicate with your sailor then you will want to get him his cell phone - trust me your son will know what he can and cannot take have etc. His DI's will give him/her the ins and outs 

2. Wristwatch - definitely a necessity the first week of class. However - they dont class up right away so its not a rush

3. They can access flashcards on the BMTCP facebook site

Hospital Corpsman Mobile Flashcards
http://movablemedia.net/NMPDC/HMFlashcards/mobileTOC.html

They will use study groups and class notes more than anything - 

I keep going back and forth on bringing the cell phone to our son.  As Katze said, they went from totally being connected before Boot, to be totally disconnected during Boot.  I want him to have it to call home, but hubby thinks it would be best to take it to him after the first 4 weeks of classes (which is said to be the most difficult part and determines the 'pick order' for billets).

One of the instructors at "A" school said that the biggest reason for low grades is the lack of studying because the students are focusing on social media and texting and stuff.  Is there another way for them to call home, like a phone bank or something? 

Thanks to all the moms sharing information!  You all are awesome!

Guess I wasn't clear.  My question was, how important, as in necessary, is it to the sailor (not others) for the first few days between boot and A school.  Of course everyone wants to be in touch.  There seems to be much stress over getting the phone to the sailor at the airport in Chicago.  Clearly a lot of sailors don't have family at PIR and somehow they manage to get to A school and end up with a phone etc so I think I know the answer anyway :)   

As far as use during A school, ultimately it's up to the sailor (not kids anymore!).  Just to be clear, my corpsman's been through boot camp, schools, Field Med and deployments, so I know a bit about separation and communication.  Certainly it wasn't my intention to imply that everyone ought not be in touch asap if they like.   

Also - mine bought his own watch at the NEX (this was Great Lakes) - I'm assuming the same would be available at Ft. Sam.

Mine bought his at NEX in GL.  Good points about not being connected the first 4 weeks.  I will ask my son about that!

hi, CHN-B...good question! my girl (class #040) finished EMT last friday & tells me that they will do that part next week, though hasn't been given an exact day yet.

Hi hansumsgirl/Britt - our son just got to Fort Sam...any tips on what he should be concentrating on studying before classes start?  What was the most difficult part of the EMT portion for them?  Thanks in advance!

For some people learning is a snap, for others it's harder, and A school compresses a LOT into a short time.  I've said this here before, I recommend the book EMT-Basic Review by Kaplan that is available at Amazon for about $11.  It gives a very good overview of anatomy and physiology (including anatomical planes, and the skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, gastrointestinal, nervous, endocrine systems), the ABC's (airway, breathing, circulation), and more.  Each section has quizzes which help one get into the mindset of reading, note taking and being tested on your knowledge before school starts.  Obviously some chapters won't apply, such as ambulance operations.  But for the reasons I gave, I think it gives a student a good head start, especially if they've never studied EMT information before.  

Here's the link to the book on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1419550225/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

Thank you so much Marcy!  I passed on the information and my son just ordered it online.  He's been studying the flashcards, but he wanted something with sample quizzes included. 

Just added a video up top that I think you all will like ;)

That is awesome Marcy!  Thanks!

HI there,  

Here we go- next chapter has started... our son is in A school San Antonio and focused on FMF or SAR Corpsman.  We are focused on cheering him on. :)

For Navy Wife and Proud, you were asking in a Discussion about PMT (Preventive Medicine Technician - here's a video of "Navy Preventive Medicine Technicians serving as health inspectors during replenishment-at-sea, which is just one of the many functions of a PMT."  More info: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/Pages/Home.aspx

Hm, embed code not working.  Here's the link - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10101111567217323&set=vb.3...

Photos were posted Monday for Navy Class 250 (and AF Class 05) Graduation!  Congrats to all :)    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.381787688584533.88708.172...

Is USPS the only form of packages we can send to A school for our sailors ?

Hi everyone. .  any hotel suggestions to stay near the base?   I want to stay close by, I googled the address from the hotel but address is unknown which I understand why.  Thank you for your suggestions.