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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  • CHN-B

    Dm- no, he shouldn't lose his liberty under normal circumstanes once school starts but rather will phase up w each week. During phase 3 they can stay off base overnight. However, they can phase back down (like you said, "lose their liberty") if they do not do well on their tests or get into trouble for misconduct or missing/being late to muster or field day etc.
  • Cincin25 Ship 12/Div 071

    My sailor arrived last sat pir was 1/25. I sent a box overnite, got there this am at 10:43.However when I spk to him tonite at 4:30 his time he still didn't know it arrived?  Do they hold there mail?

  • DramaSoul

    They don't hold their mail. Unlike boot camp, mail isn't handed out. They have to go get it. When I overnighted my son something I sent him a text that it would be arriving in the afternoon so he would know to go pick it up.
  • Dm (Ship 03 Division 075)

    CHN-B: thank you for the reply. Now I have more questions ,I don't understand why not all HM get to do C school? Is going to C school mean you will be sent with the Marines o AF and what is Quad Zero ? If there is a page where I can read about all the different options and rates can somebody pls let me know? I would really appreciate the info , thank you.
  • Trish from Texas

    Dm - at the top of this page is some information you may find useful.  The lady that started this discussion forum has links up there about the different classifications, the basic training, and about the FMF (marines) qualifications for Corpsman.  She really did a great job organizing it for all us newbies!

    In a nutshell, Corpsman can only fill billets (job openings) that are available to them the week that they complete EMT training.  (The different training phases are discussed in more detail in the "Information to those new..." discussion above.)  The students pick from billets available according to their "GPA" in their class.  Whomever has the highest scores at that point picks first, etc.  Not all classes have C school billets available, while some may have several, it just depends on the needs of the Navy.  Quad Zero means that the Corpsman doesn't have a specialty, and will go on to their first duty station after completing C school as a General Duty Corpsman.

    Hope that helps!

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    So glad you like all the info!!  I'm the one who's done all the work above :)  The gal Kricia disappeared after starting this group, and the NavyforMoms.com admins made me a co-admin so the group wouldn't be rudder-less.  (Once someone has started a group, their name forever stays at the top, that's how it is.)  I have been a corpsman mom for 5+ years and enjoy learning about the Navy and the rate, and sharing what I've learned.  I'm always tinkering with it, so you'll see new stuff from time to time.  If anyone has something that you'd like added to the info, or sees something that needs correcting or a broken link, anything at all, please let me know any time, here or in a PM and I'm happy to do it :) 

  • Trish from Texas

    Marcy - You Rock, Girl!  :) 

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    haha I try!!!  Thanks for your info to Dm, I just added it you the Where are you headed Discussion too :)    Just heard from my corpsman, always nice!  LOVES his job.  

  • Nana

    You do a great job! I have found alot of very useful information here thanks.
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    A wonderful aspect of Nr4M is the friendships that get started here.  I've been fortunate to have made lifelong friends - MikesMom and I talk on the phone all the time for example - and many of us have managed 'meet-ups' here and there.  Corpsman moms share a common bond that is very, very special. 

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Here's a Friday treat :)  Hopefully some of your corpsmen will be able to take part in a humanitarian mission as my son has (Operation Continuing Promise). This one always gives me goosebumps and a lump in my throat....it's called "Until."

  • kaitsmom

    Anyone get word on a change in the graduation schedule? My daughter (class 015) said she heard it was going to be on the 14th and not the 13th.

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Keep an eye on the Basic Medical Technician Program page on Facebook for changes to the schedule - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Basic-Medical-Technician-Corpsman-Pr...

  • ProudUSNCorpsmanMom

    Like the page on Facebook of Basic Medical Technician Program and you will the find graduation schedule dates. They already posted until 28 Feb 13.
  • Amy Dodds

    Does anyone know the bed size at Sam Houston...is it twin or twinXL?  My son asked for fitted sheets and I think I bought wrong size

  • ProudUSNCorpsmanMom

    Amy my son bought twin size....he bought toy story bed in a bag... LOL
  • mikes mom

    Amy I just asked my daughter and she said twin size. She was there 2 years ago
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Just curious, don't they like the ones provided?

  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    No. 32 yr old husband bought Cars themed sheets. Lol after 9 long weeks of bootcamp and everything looking the same I think they want to add a bit of personalization to their 'space'. He even bought a few new bright colored and soft towels. Unlike the rough, tiny ones they issue in boot camp.
  • ProudUSNCorpsmanMom

    Were one issued to them? My son took few picture of his space when he get there and I noticed he does not have a a bed cover until Thanksgiving when he bought his. Don't know if he just doesn't like it if they gave him one.
  • PatsFan923 HM Mom

    Good morning, everyone!  My son arrived late on Saturday night at San Antonio for HM A School.  Is there a FB Page for the group, and if so, are they broken up by stages of their training?

  • ProudUSNCorpsmanMom

    PatsFan923,  I am following Basic Medical Technician Corpsman Program on FB.   I am sure there's more but too much for me to like and follow.  Our Vet Mom here tell once they log in.

  • mikes mom

    When my daughter was there she bought hers as well. She wanted pretty it wasn't that she needed she just wanted.
  • KaylaRae

  • KaylaRae

    That is an a school fb page with lots of loved ones.
  • chipsgirl(Ship03Div082)

    Hey everyone, my sailor just arrived at Ft Sam Houston Saturday after PIR on Friday. We are trying to plan a trip for me to come visit him in March, anyone know what the closest, affordable hotel is? Also, how far in advance do they know if they have duty on weekends? Thanks for any insight!

  • taylormom010313

    I booked the Holiday inn express Rivercenter. It is like 5 miles away for base. It depends on the weekend how much. I think there is a lot of things going on in SA on different weekends. Someone said there is a place on base to stay.
  • Trish from Texas

    chipsgirl - you may want to check out the 'lodging' discussion above for some suggestions on hotels.  There is some lodging on base, and I think the information is including in the same discussion.  Hope that helps!

    With hotels, the important thing to keep in mind is the different areas.  Anything near downtown or the Riverwalk is going to be more expensive, and those hotels charge about another $20 for parking per day.  During March, hotel rates will go up again during Spring Break. 

    Not sure about the advance notice on duty schedules.  Our son got there 2 weeks ago and starts classes today, but hasn't had duty as of yet.  They made him the class Master-At-Arms, so not sure if that affects duty schedules. 

     

     

     

  • chipsgirl(Ship03Div082)

    Ok, thanks y'all! Another question, I've never been on base before, how does that work?
  • Trish from Texas

    Lots of mom's have some great tips for gate entrances and step-by-step directions to the barracks in the same 'lodging' discussion above.  All you need is a valid driver's license to be admitted through the gate. 

  • Dm (Ship 03 Division 075)

    Hi, hope everyone is doing great today! I just got back last night from visiting my SR. We have stayed in two different hotels: The SpringHill Suites by Marriott Downtown/ Alamo Plaza (free breakfast, wifi internet, but no free parking) it's a nice hotel and is walking distance to the Riverwalk. This weekend we stayed at The ALoft hotel, (11 miles from the base) it's next a lot of shopping and entertainment (The North Star Mall) and no breakfast but you do have free parking and free wifi internet. I actually liked being close to lots of shops and entertainment because almost everyone from the base is going there and doing all there shopping and entertaining. Taxi's are 30 dlls. from the base to the mall and it's a fair ride when it's shared by 6 or 4. Anywhere inside the base is 5.dlls from their barracks. You also have to remember that our SRs are not allowed in certain areas of the base. Still I think our SR's are very well taken care of and everyone seems to be very respectful of the regulations. We were fortunate to have spent time with them inside the base and outside too. About the sheets, my son said he just wanted to have something closer to home. Also, everyone agreed that their dorms are nice...I'd say they are a bit spoiled (total opposite from BC). Also, the base has 4 entrances but only 2 allow you to get in only with a DL , the other 2 are not for civilians.
    I do hope this helps and if you need a bit more info. don't hesitate to ask me in private. Everyone have a great week!!
  • Cincin25 Ship 12/Div 071

    Good Morning All, has anybody else had a problem with your sailor getting there mail. I send a 20 pound box, overnite, cost me alot. It did arrive the next day, however as of today my sailor says he still hasn't gotten it. I'm so annoyed really do they hold they mail . He says he went to the mail area twice and still nothing. I'm concerned it has his laptop and his phone, contacts. I don't want to call and get him in trouble, but this is really disrespectful.

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    Cincin25 no they do not hold their mail. As I understand it the US mail gets the package the next day and the military po gets it and processes it as they come in. The military po receives so many packages and letters and has a much smaller staff to process it. That's why if you look back at other posts you will see they suggest you do not pay extra to over night it Sometimes ( very few times ) they get it next day and sometimes a week later. I would not worry yet. My sailor son is stationed in VA and is done with his training. We leave in NJ normally a letter would take 3 days to get there. My son was told not to even look for mail for at least a week after its been mailed. He was told he might want to look into getting a po box at US post office for this reason!
  • Cincin25 Ship 12/Div 071

    Thank you Katze, can you tell how frustrated I am. Not a good morning, but much better now, knowing that it could take a week. That was a waste of money then. Geez I am learning. I just wanted him to get his stuff, as a mom you know how that is. All those things aren't cheap. I just can't imagine how my mom and dad did it way back when with no communication. We are spoiled with all this high tech. So it will be a week since it got there on thursday, I wanted him to have it for when his classes start on Wed. Guess not..:(   

  • PatsFan923 HM Mom

    Good morning, everyone!  I understand that albeit is not a required item for HM A School, it is a good idea to have to be able to access the flash cards, etc., for school.  However, my dilemma is that there is no wireless connections at Ft. Sam Houston and I am not sure if the dorm rooms are equipped with wiring for me to send him his laptop and ethernet cable, etc.  Can anyone tell me whether the rooms are equipped with jacks to be able to accommodate these cables?

  • Maltobella (HM - San Antonio)

    When he first arrived, my son got a Verizon mobile hot spot. Since then he's cancelled that and got Clear Internet which gives him unlimited connection for less. Long story short, it's all wireless. There aren't network jacks in the dorms for them. At least that's what it sounds like. They have the computer centers for them to use but for their own laptops, they'd need to buy some time of wireless. 

  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    Clear view is what my son went with. He liked it better then Verizon
  • PatsFan923 HM Mom

    What does Clear View cost per month, if you do not mind me asking?  Is this something that he can purchase at a Kiosk on base?

  • PatsFan923 HM Mom

    I saw a post that we could purchase the flashcards at Amazon.  What are they called?  I have been searching, but to no avail. Thank you for any assistance.

  • CHN-B

    Flashcards can be accessed for free here: http://movablemedia.net/NMPDC/HMFlashcards/mobileTOC.html
    (They can log onto the computers in the computer lab, use their laptops or smartphones).
  • Dm (Ship 03 Division 075)

    Patsfan923: yes you can order the flash cards through Amazon or Barnes & Noble. There are different kinds but I found Netter's anatomy flash cards with better reviews and the person in B&N said they were popular with nursing students, my son also bought the coloring book (Netter's)) ... both were about 53. Dlls. Hope this helps!
  • Katze90210 (3/113)

    Cincin been there done that lol. I was the same way that's why know. I overnighted mine too the first time. It got there 4 days later. It's ok that's what we are here for
  • Dm (Ship 03 Division 075)

    Patsfan923: Clear Internet 4G unlimited access plan is 49.99 dlls + tax monthly fee. The 4g hub is about 100.dlls and you can connect about 8 devices wirelessly, also a 35.dll activation fee. Also, its a month to month basis (no contract) and they can take it when they leave and use it as long as there is 4g signal where they go. I do know that if you order online or by phone directly with them you can get a huge discount on the hub plus get the activation fee waived. So far this is the Internet co. that provides the best service and was recommended to my son and friends at the base by others already using it. I will be ordering this for my son, hopefully is as good as they say. So far Verizon hasn't been giving him good signal. Again hopes this helps!!
  • Rose HM A School

    Looking for some help - I read something on here about a review book and for the life of me can't find the post anymore!  Someone recommended an "EMT Basic Review" book that you can get on Amazon that is really helpful for the sailors new to HM A school and I am not sure which one to get for my sailor.  There are several listed but I don't know which one is the best one to get???  Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

  • PatsFan923 HM Mom

    Thank you DM! Very helpful, indeed!!!

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

  • Trish from Texas

    I bought the Kaplan EMT Basic Exam, too.  Our son has said it is really helpful.  It's runs about $11 online. 

  • Nana

    Looks like the EMT book is on sale today $8.41
  • Nana

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    The book is interesting reading and gives you common ground with your corpsman's studies - some of you might want to get copies for yourselves too!  I find it all fascinating.  Just wait till you drop sternocleomastoid, or spontaneous pneumothorax, into your next conversation LOL  Seriously, it's good information to know.