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

Can't wait to hear about their next step in HM-world!  :)

jph, I think I spent about $100 on a Littman stethoscope.  Wish I'd had the recommendation for the $30 "Stealth" one, I would have ordered it instead! 

ProudUSNCorpsmanMom, thank you, I try, and bring my five years+ of experience but you and everyone with recent grads are the lifeblood of this A school group! So please stick around, new moms need you grad moms for A school, C school and first-duty-station advice and support! I ♥ our Navy moms :)

* and ♥ our Navy dads, loved ones and friends too :)

Hi everyone! I'm new to this page, my son just arrived in San Antonio on Sunday and he is awaiting the start of his class next week. I'm sure I will be asking all sorts of questions...haha I look forward to talking to all of you. Have a great evening!!!

Hi myboysmom, this is the place to hang out, glad you're here!

Quick Question.   Do any of you know anything about this Special Ops PT Program they have at Fort Sam?.  My son is apparently 1 of 30 and now as of today 1 of 8 (22 got let go fro the program) in the program and talking about now doing Recon and Search and Rescue.  Don't know whether to be proud or very concerned about the risk factor.  Would love more info.  thanks,K

Hey there Mom in the O.C.,

My son also mentioned something about this on his FB page, something to the effect of "When the Navy wants MY money, they want it yesterday, but when it's them who owes ME money, there is no hurry, still waiting on my BAH"

I had no idea what this meant however, care to enlighten me? Lol, seems he is not alone in this after all!

Seems to be a big problem right now. My daughter's pay is being hit each pay period for money they should not be taking out, to the tune of over $400. She has been told to "stand by". My son in law is awaiting BAH as well...for a month now...I have seen a few moms on other navy forums complaining of the same thing. They don't make enough as it is and to play around with their pay is wrong..flat out wrong.

Any suggestions on acquiring internet so they can use their computers in their rooms without having to go to the computer lab?

My SR graduates RTC on 3/22 and is going to San Antonio for A school. How many weeks is schooling there? Because I'm getting all sorts of different answers from 10 weeks, to 14 weeks, to 19 weeks, to 24 weeks... And when do they find out their graduation date? Help! 

@louielou - I went out to Clear Internet and purchased a wireless device called the Clear Voyager.  There is no contract and it is on a month-to-month payment.  The total cost with tax is $52.02 per month and a one time purchase of the device in the amount of $52.02.  It works well and if they use it near a window it works faster.  What is cool about it is that it is portable, so they can take it outside with them, plus they can have up to 8 wireless devices running off of it at one time.  Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone! I didnt think it was 24 weeks but I wanted to be sure! I will check out the Facebook page!

@Jessica13128 - my SR started classes on 2/13/13 and is scheduled to graduate on 5/23/13.  From all accounts, from the day class starts, and assuming they don't get pushed back for any reason, the course runs for 14 weeks.  Hope this helps!  Welcome to the group! :)

Welcome Jessie!  They are provided what they need for school and for barracks life.  He can have his laptop/tablet/cellphone; civilian clothes, which you can give him at the airport following PIR, or ship to him.  This book gives a good review of Anatomy and Physiology and the ABC's (airway/breathing/circulation) for the EMT portion.  He'll need a watch with a second hand (my son picked his out at the Exchange).  There are ample places at Ft. Sam Houston to shop for incidentals, so a Visa gift card for extra $ can be helpful :)   Check out all the links above for other info, including the METC "New Personnel FAQ" and lots of information about the HM rating.

Thanks Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom!

Can someone answer my question regarding not passing a test and how far back they get set back?

I am also looking for information on the next group that classed up after 2/13/2013.  Does anyone know the date of the next group and what the divisions are?

PatsFan923 - My son said that 4 people failed the "Killer Test 4" last week and they got sent back one week.  I'm not sure if they do that for just that test or for every test, though.  When he first got there, his roommate said he had failed 2 tests back to back and they made him start over with a new class.  He had been in week 3. 

Trish from Texas, if you fail a test, you get a second chance to pass it, if you do not pass then you get set back.  I believe that it is just for one week.  Now, I am trying to find out if there was a group that classed up between 2/13 and 2/20.

PatsFan923, I'm not sure if there was a class that started that week. My son PIR on 2/8 and he said that over 200 guys arrived at SA when they did. They all were split into three classes, the first classed-up the 20th Feb, the 2nd (my sons class) classed-up the 27th and the third class should have classed-up this past Wed the 6th.

Mom in the OC    have him check the LES statement released today.........once again after promises both my son in law is without BAH for a whole month now and my daughter has money being taken from her pay that is not supposed to be. She is owed over $1200 now. I have never in my life seen anything like this. Is the Navy going to make her car payment or car insurance payment?? HA!

@Louielou - what are those division numbers, do you know?  Someone on FB stated that their daughter who PIRd on 2/1, classed up on 2/19 - perhaps they meant 2/20?

Class 090 classed up first on the 20th (a Wed.) and then 095 the following Wed. the 27th, 100 classed up the week after. But looking back on our FB page there were some comments about a class 913 that started the 20th and a 093 that started on the 27th, I don't know about these class numbers though as they don't make cronological sence.

Does anyone know if there is a group for hospitial corpman that is out of school. Son is in Newport, RI all the groups for that ar officers.

The Army, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard have suspended tuition assistance, but the Navy has not yet:  Navy Times March 12.  

From a Navy Times article dated March 8 - "“We are in the process of reviewing our tuition assistance policy, and at the heart of review is the need to balance budget shortfalls with our commitment to sailor benefits,” said Navy spokeswoman Lt. Courtney Hillson."

My son just put in a chit for his tuition assistance so he is hoping it will be approved. 

Not to offend but I read an article today about the TSA ordering new uniforms to the tune of 50 million dollars in late February! Crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dina Gay, look through the responses in the Discussion above "Where is your corpsman headed after A school, or is posted after graduation?"  There are several folks you could contact whose corpsmen became preventive medicine technicians.

Hi all,

I haven't been on much, my son signed up to be FMF Corpsman, completed BC and was doing his EMT and Corpsman fundamentals. He told me he received his orders and he is now going to be a Pharmacy Tech. He is incredibly disappointed, he really wanted to work with the Marine forward units. I, on the other hand am trying to conceal my happiness that he wont be with the front reconnaissance Marine Units..thoughts, anyone??

Paula, I understand your son's feelings, and I also know moms of FMF corpsmen who will share the range of their perspectives.  Sending you a PM :)   Marcy

Marcy, I didn't get your PM..or I can't find it..it is not in "inbox"

America-my son is going to dental after A school

Paula, I re-sent :)

To any Navy mom/family whose Sailor is stationed in Newport, RI...I live in RI, its a small state and I can help with any information you may need or want if/when you are coming to visit!  The Navy base is beautiful, right on the Bay overlooking the Newport Bridge.  I don't know much about the base because I am a new Navy mom but I do know RI!  

ProudUSNCorpsmanMom, glad you enjoyed yourself in Newport!  Visit before July since the summer is just crazy their with the boaters, cruise ships and tourists.  There is always something fun going on like the Tall Ships, Newport Jazz Festival, etc.  Gets a lot more expensive in the summer also and traffic can be exhausting.  The mansions are worth going thru, I love the Breakers!  Tennis Hall of Fame, First and Second Beach, and Ocean Drive is beautiful!  

I am also sitting here in hotel waiting to go to Anderson Hall.  That is, if I find it.  I am very diretionally challanged.  My Corpsman is heading to mayort FL tomorrow not long after my flight leaves.  No Liberty time though. We did have some time last evening.  He just about walked me to death last night.  USO, the Riverwalk.  I had to shop for bandaids for my heals this morning.  All very muchworth it

Congratulations to our most recent graduates and their loved ones!  Looking forward to hearing all about graduation :)

my son is staying to take the E4 test and flying out to VA on Friday. How long will it take before he get results of the test? He didn't get any liberty.

America, my son said while they are in dental they will tell them-is your son or daughter thinking about C school...

sweetden20, the results won't be out until May; there is no set date.  In May, start watching this Navy Advancement page on Facebook; you'll see the anticipation building :)