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!
Thanks Marcy- you have been a blessing to me this sight kept me sane when he was in BC,thanks, he has finish A school and now moving on to his first job. Thanks again to all the moms for all they help and advice. I'm so proud of my HM.
You're so welcome :) We have SO MUCH to be proud of! Please stick around here to share what you've learned, and join the other corpsmen moms groups too - Corpsman Moms and Corpsman Moms and Dads.
Happy Sunday All, can anyone tell me what day of the week graduation is on? My son got to SAT Jan 26th any idea when in May they might graduate? Thanks for the help. Have a great week.
Cincin - also, graduations tend to be on Tuesdays, but that's not a set rule. When I see the new schedule I'll post it above, too; but always check the BMTCP page on FB as the main source and for any updates/changes up to your grad date.
My son will be starting Pharmacy Tech school after Corpsman graduation the end of April. About how long before he knows where he will be sent? His orders now say Pharm school for 6 months at METC
I think that Pharmacy Tech training is held at Fort Sam Houston (METC), so he'll probably just be moved to a different barracks the day after graduation. If he has leave granted after graduation, then they will assign him a barracks room after his leave is over.
I dont know too much about it, and I dont like to spend my conversations with him trying to find out, but I would like to know, he mentioned that the school is about 6 months and he will still be stationed in San Antonio at METC, but I thought when you received your orders that it would also say where you were going to be sent after. Or do they tell you later? I am about 1000 miles from him now, an hours drive would be great!
also he wants FMF, is there a chance that he will still be sent out for that?? That is what he really wants to do, but I am thinking if they invest in the pharmacy training, then that is where they will send him
My son had 2 friends that wanted FMF, like your son, but had requested specialty medical training first. I think you're right. Once they invest in training you for a specialty, you are unlikely to be sent FMF.
One of son's friends went to Preventative Med Tech school and he didn't receive his orders until 1 week before graduation. The Navy's needs change from month to month, so they usually wait to assign orders as late as possible. Good luck to you and your son!
Pharm Tech is schooled at Fort Sam. My daughter has been at Fort Sam since she graduated boot last May. She has 1 more week of C school then 6 months more of clinicals. She has been in the same room/same barracks since day 1. Looks like I'll be going to Texas this summer to see her. I am beside myself that I can't go to her graduation on Monday...
Hi BrentsMom! FMF stands for Fleet Marine Force. This type of corpsman would be attached to a Marine Unit. Corpsmen can go "Green Side" (work primarily with marines) or "Blue Side" (work within the Navy fleet or in hospitals/clinics).
I was chatting with someone at METC last week and specifically brought up the Pharmacy Tech/FMF thing and she said the and other C-school specialties definitely can go FMF - field hospitals need them, for one. And here's an interesting ABC/Nightline story from 2010 about the hospital at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan - Inside Kandahar Trauma Hospital: Saving Lives and Limbs
Brown bag status has nothing to do with moving out of the dorms. My husband is a brown bagger, but he still has a dorm room. He has lived with me in our apartment off base since his first day after A School. He does utilize his room several days a week because of PT and duty section. All he had to do was update his page 2 and prove I was living in San Antonio. They have a lot more freedom in C school:-)
Just be prepared for the BAS to take several months to start showing on her LES. She will get back pay for it. But remember that once she starts getting the BAS money, she should no longer eat in the DFAC. Technically she can still eat there but my husband said some of the guys conplained that theu ate there once after getting the BAS pay and theu ended up taking it all back for just eating there once.
Thats how it worked for my husband and several of his classmates. As well as a few people we know who are in other programs. They just have to do field day (cleaning) once a week. We live about 20 miles from the base, so he uses the room to take showers after PT in the mornings. But just like anything else... it is a privlege and can be taken away. If she misses muster or does something she isnt supposed to do she can have her liberty taken away. Not saying she will, I'm just throwing it out there. Always make sure the alarm is set. We have had one close call since my husband has lived with me... it was the worst way to be woken up. Lol
Oh, and if she will be driving a car and parking it on base while she is in school make sure she asks what parking lot she can use. They are really starting to crack down on the parking situation. And they aren't giving warnings, they are giving the students counseling chits... so it goes in their service record. Yikes! I'm sure she will find all this out once she check in to class though. But they do like to make new rules up every week. Last week it was "we need the license plate #'s off of your vehicles you drive to base"... they still have not been collected.
Hi, I am a new mom to this site. My Sailor arrived to San Antonio this past Saturday, just graduating from boot camp. It was a whirlwind of a weekend! Looking forward to learning lots of new information. He is Reservist and is there to be a HM. The plan when he joined was after A School then C School. Does anyone know if there have been changes due to the military cuts? I heard it depends on the sailors duty station and if they have the funds. I know nothing about HM - A School, so any information would be so helpful. Thanks so much!
Welcome Nick's mom! I hope you like to read, because there's a LOT of info to learn about this rating! Start with the information at the links above: a lot of your questions will be answered :)
Marcy -Corpsman Mom - thanks so much! Just thought I figured out boot camp and PIR and now it starts all over again.....hahah....will read up on the above information. Thanks for the tip.
As many of you know by now, your corpsman will likely attend the eight-week training course known as Field Medical Training Battalion either following A school, C school, or first duty station, whether or not they're "going greenside" (assigned to a Marine unit). This video is from last week's FMTB-West graduation at Camp Pendleton, CA. Guest speaker Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr., commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, spoke of the heroism associated with corpsmen, and later saw demonstrations of current training methods students receive to prepare them for the fleet.
This is a powerful video, and gives more insight into why we are so proud to be moms, dads, loved ones of U.S. Navy Corpsmen.
Hi everyone! My daughter graduates 4/12, then to A school 4/13. She notes in her last letter she won't start A school until 4/22. Her next comment - can you come stay with me in texas until i start? My understanding is they don't really have free time or leave, they just chill on base until picked up for A school - kind of like processing days in boot camp? Is this the right info. I would love to spend more time with her!
the green greek - my son also just graduated 3/22 and is at San Antonio for HM School. Wonder if they know each other. Probably! M. y sailor flew out Saturday morning at 6am from O'hare. Seems like my sailor likes A school so much better than boot camp - a lot more relaxed and no one yelling at you!
mom3rnpa, my son also will graduate 4/12 and then will head to San Antonio. Your daughter has given you more information than my son has. We live only an hour and a half from San Antonio, so glad to have him so close for a while.
Hello moms. My son graduated from bootcamp 3/22 and he left for San Antonio Saturday on a 9:35 am flight. He really enjoys the choice he made in choosing the Navy. I love seeing the person he has become in these 2 months and I look forward to seeing what his future holds. He has a sincere sense of pride in himself and he is so excited about being part of this brotherhood.
He is now in San Antonio which is about 3 hrs from me. Yes I'm a happy mom.
I look forward to talking with you during these next few months and hope to meet you while visiting in San Antonio.
Welcome Ashton's Mom! The Navy and the HM rating are great - you're proud now, just wait! :) Look forward to getting to know you and your future corpsman.
mom3rnpa, you are correct although they do have more freedom once in A School. The first week is all briefs on everything so they don't have much time. My son could barely call me because he was either in a briefing, running to chow, or kust plain tired. They are also in Phase 1 so their liberty is very limited.
Also new SA moms, there are a few facebook groups you can join to connect with other moms who have Sailors arriving at the same time. There is HM(Hospital Corps) A School in San Antonio and one a few of the ladies from my PIR started, A School in San Antonio. I find them more supportive at this point, we keep each other updated on tests and phasing up, trips to visit, etc.
I'd just like to reiterate that once they start class, it's intense - it's not just a condensed EMT school, it covers much more - Tactical Combat Casualty Care isn't civilian EMS!
When my son was in Corps School (age 19), I relied on my corpsman to call when he wanted to discuss his tests, his liberty activity was his to do with as he saw best, and didn't feed a need to visit as he had his new buddies to hang with, and again, study was foremost - and after all, it's just fourteen weeks! And I was fortunate to be able to attend graduation. That was how we viewed it, anyway - he was 19, an adult, and learning to save lives...perhaps it's my perspective as a corpsman mom of 5+ years who knows corpsmen and corpsmen moms who have lost their Marines and corpsmen, seen things you wish no one should ever have to see, that causes me to take what they're embarking on in A school so seriously. I like N4M as it's Navy-sponsored, has a mission statement, follows community guidelines and OPSEC, and provides groups to easily move on to for bases, cities, rates and so on. It's great to have FB groups and be able to connect with other moms and hopefully meet up, but hope you'll use N4M as another great tool as they go forward :)
I've been very fortunate, my son calls me almost daily. He is phase 3,so he has more liberty, but studying is very important to him, as are his grades. So far so good, he has passed all his tests and labs. I hope he stays on track as he continues on. He does have friends and enjoys liberty. It is not a matter of just passing, the better the grade the better the options, I just hope he keeps that in mind. I wish everyone going through this training all the best.
Hi ladies
I don't comment often but I really appreciate the info I get!
My daughter graduates on April 16. She will then be in c school for surgery tech!
I remember seeing a link a while back for stethoscopes. Now that I could use it I can't find it! Could anybody post the link please? Thank you so much!
Oh and I am so excited because she will be taking leave after grad and coming home! She hasn't been home since she left for BC!!!
Congratulations on your daughter's upcoming graduation, and having a Surgical Technician in the family soon :) What a great reunion and visit coming up, have a great time!
GR8RABsMom - Hi, my son PIR'd on 3/22 and left 6am the next morning for A School in San Antonio. I brought him his cell phone/charger - and 1 set of clothes - pack more!!! Its so hot in TX and he had to wait a week for me to get his address and mail him civilian clothes. Bring a few pairs of shorts, t-shirts, socks, his own underwear, etc. I wish I had known to bring more summer clothes for him. Great Lakes was freezing do didn't think of it. He had about 1/2 backpack left for space so he could have packed a few pairs of shorts/t-sjhirts. Its 90 in TX right now! And some fav. snacks for the plane! Good luck and congrats! PIR is just amazing!!!
My son is currently in A School in San Antonio. I know I read some mom's bought anatomy flashcards to help with their studying. There are so many different types on Amazon - any suggestions as to which ones you may have bought that were helpful with your Sailor learning? Anything else that may be helpful, please let me know. Thanks so much!
I'd like to add to Nick's mom from RI's comment... although it is hot here in San Antonio, the weather is known to change very fast. A few weeks ago it was 92º one day and in the 40's the next. So if you are able to pack shorts, tshirts, a pair of jeans and a light sweater. That would he enough to hold them over for a while. When I met my husband at the airport the morning he left for San Antonio I brought him about 10 to 15 clothing items, cell phone with charger and his laptop in a small laptop bag. He was able to carry the laptop bag separately. I also made the trip to San Antonio once he made phase 3 (about 3 weeks after being there). And brought a suitcase full of clothes just for him. It worked out pretty good for us. If you have the opportunity to visit San Antonio during A school please do. It really is a neat place i came to visit for 2 weeks in August, a week in September and have been living here since October... and we still havent done everything there is to do. And they truly have the best food ever in this city! Encourage your sailor to go off base and check things out. I highly suggest you meet him at the airport and plan on staying with him til his flight leaves. My husband didn't fly out til 3pm sonwe walked the entire chicago airport twice, at breakfast, lunch and just hung out. It was so nice to just get tonsit down and talk after being away from him for those 9 weeks.
Everyone is right on the mark in regarding the question about what to take to their sailor after PIR on the way to A school. The only thing I might add is a Visa gift card or some extra cash for meals out and picking up necessities at the Exchange.
And for her son as well as Nick's Mom's - this book is a good way to prepare for the EMT portion of A school (the anatomy and physiology, airway/breathing/circulation, and trauma chapters) - Kaplan EMT-Basic Review (you can get it at bookstores too, it's soft cover).
They have these A&P flash cards too, but I doubt they go into that much depth in A school to make them worth it; they are covering so much info in a short time vs. a full A&P course.
Thank you SO MUCH, Everyone!! He's in the bedroom repacking now thanks to your advice. It's so much easier for him to pack what he'll want than for me to try to guess what he might want. We hadn't even considered the weather situation - duh! I think I'll get the cards and/or book for him also. He was trying to fit it all into a small backpack, but it sounds like he'll have room in his bag for more than just a small backpack worth of clothes???? I guess whatever he can't fit into his bag, we can pack back home and mail to him later.
I only took my son his tablet, cell phone, skivies and 1 change of clothes and this all just fit into his issued backpack only because the USO Rep had them all repack their things. You could do a set or two more as they seemed to get phased-up pretty quickly, but they are carrying a duffel bag, garmet bag and their backpack full of clothes and shoes and such. I mailed the rest of his clothes two day priority after he received his mailing box. Also, with the study materials, I think choosing what is best for your Sailor's study habits is good. We didn't get any flash cards to begin with because the first part is EMT and he had already taken courses in college for this. Don't get me wrong he still had to study nightly to make sure he got top scores. He did have a study group and they used the online study guides to help with that portion cause as Marcy says it is alot crammed into a short time. I have bought some flash cards to help him in the clinical phase though. Good luck, it has been a roller coaster for sure and we aren't done yet.
My husband checked all of his bags at the airport ticket counter. The only one he took thru security was his laptop bag. All of his luggage was free to check as well. The bus drops them off very close to the ticket counters and a bus picks them upin San Antonio right at baggage claim. So it is a lot to carry, but they can manage. And they still work as a, team even after boot camp it sticks with them. You would be surprised how much they can carry!
sweetden20
Thanks Marcy- you have been a blessing to me this sight kept me sane when he was in BC,thanks, he has finish A school and now moving on to his first job. Thanks again to all the moms for all they help and advice. I'm so proud of my HM.
Mar 21, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
You're so welcome :) We have SO MUCH to be proud of! Please stick around here to share what you've learned, and join the other corpsmen moms groups too - Corpsman Moms and Corpsman Moms and Dads.
Mar 22, 2013
Cincin25 Ship 12/Div 071
Happy Sunday All, can anyone tell me what day of the week graduation is on? My son got to SAT Jan 26th any idea when in May they might graduate? Thanks for the help. Have a great week.
Mar 24, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Cincin, you have to keep an eye on this Facebook page for Basic Medical Technician Corpsman Program; hopefully they'll post the May/June schedule soon. Currently the schedule posted is for graduations through April 30/Class 070A/B.
Mar 24, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Cincin - also, graduations tend to be on Tuesdays, but that's not a set rule. When I see the new schedule I'll post it above, too; but always check the BMTCP page on FB as the main source and for any updates/changes up to your grad date.
Mar 24, 2013
Paula's/son/corpsman/
Hi all
My son will be starting Pharmacy Tech school after Corpsman graduation the end of April. About how long before he knows where he will be sent? His orders now say Pharm school for 6 months at METC
Mar 25, 2013
Trish from Texas
I think that Pharmacy Tech training is held at Fort Sam Houston (METC), so he'll probably just be moved to a different barracks the day after graduation. If he has leave granted after graduation, then they will assign him a barracks room after his leave is over.
Mar 25, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
I took it to mean that Paula's wondering when he'll get his orders for his first duty station? :)
Mar 25, 2013
Trish from Texas
Oops! Sorry, Paula! :)
Mar 25, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
LOL and I'm betting she'd like it to be about an hour's drive from home!
Mar 25, 2013
Trish from Texas
don't we all..... :(
Mar 25, 2013
Paula's/son/corpsman/
I dont know too much about it, and I dont like to spend my conversations with him trying to find out, but I would like to know, he mentioned that the school is about 6 months and he will still be stationed in San Antonio at METC, but I thought when you received your orders that it would also say where you were going to be sent after. Or do they tell you later? I am about 1000 miles from him now, an hours drive would be great!
Mar 25, 2013
Paula's/son/corpsman/
also he wants FMF, is there a chance that he will still be sent out for that?? That is what he really wants to do, but I am thinking if they invest in the pharmacy training, then that is where they will send him
Mar 25, 2013
Trish from Texas
My son had 2 friends that wanted FMF, like your son, but had requested specialty medical training first. I think you're right. Once they invest in training you for a specialty, you are unlikely to be sent FMF.
One of son's friends went to Preventative Med Tech school and he didn't receive his orders until 1 week before graduation. The Navy's needs change from month to month, so they usually wait to assign orders as late as possible. Good luck to you and your son!
Mar 25, 2013
lizinnj
Pharm Tech is schooled at Fort Sam. My daughter has been at Fort Sam since she graduated boot last May. She has 1 more week of C school then 6 months more of clinicals. She has been in the same room/same barracks since day 1. Looks like I'll be going to Texas this summer to see her. I am beside myself that I can't go to her graduation on Monday...
Mar 25, 2013
Trish from Texas
Hi BrentsMom! FMF stands for Fleet Marine Force. This type of corpsman would be attached to a Marine Unit. Corpsmen can go "Green Side" (work primarily with marines) or "Blue Side" (work within the Navy fleet or in hospitals/clinics).
Mar 25, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
I was chatting with someone at METC last week and specifically brought up the Pharmacy Tech/FMF thing and she said the and other C-school specialties definitely can go FMF - field hospitals need them, for one. And here's an interesting ABC/Nightline story from 2010 about the hospital at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan - Inside Kandahar Trauma Hospital: Saving Lives and Limbs
Mar 25, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
(not that it's great news for moms, I know)
Mar 25, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Just be prepared for the BAS to take several months to start showing on her LES. She will get back pay for it. But remember that once she starts getting the BAS money, she should no longer eat in the DFAC. Technically she can still eat there but my husband said some of the guys conplained that theu ate there once after getting the BAS pay and theu ended up taking it all back for just eating there once.
Mar 25, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Oh, and if she will be driving a car and parking it on base while she is in school make sure she asks what parking lot she can use. They are really starting to crack down on the parking situation. And they aren't giving warnings, they are giving the students counseling chits... so it goes in their service record. Yikes! I'm sure she will find all this out once she check in to class though. But they do like to make new rules up every week. Last week it was "we need the license plate #'s off of your vehicles you drive to base"... they still have not been collected.
Mar 25, 2013
Rhody Navy Mom
Hi, I am a new mom to this site. My Sailor arrived to San Antonio this past Saturday, just graduating from boot camp. It was a whirlwind of a weekend! Looking forward to learning lots of new information. He is Reservist and is there to be a HM. The plan when he joined was after A School then C School. Does anyone know if there have been changes due to the military cuts? I heard it depends on the sailors duty station and if they have the funds. I know nothing about HM - A School, so any information would be so helpful. Thanks so much!
Mar 26, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Welcome Nick's mom! I hope you like to read, because there's a LOT of info to learn about this rating! Start with the information at the links above: a lot of your questions will be answered :)
Mar 26, 2013
Rhody Navy Mom
Marcy -Corpsman Mom - thanks so much! Just thought I figured out boot camp and PIR and now it starts all over again.....hahah....will read up on the above information. Thanks for the tip.
Mar 26, 2013
the green greek
Hello Group,
My son just arrived in San Antonio from GL. He will be HM Reservers. We are from Northern California
Mar 27, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Welcome to our new moms!
As many of you know by now, your corpsman will likely attend the eight-week training course known as Field Medical Training Battalion either following A school, C school, or first duty station, whether or not they're "going greenside" (assigned to a Marine unit). This video is from last week's FMTB-West graduation at Camp Pendleton, CA. Guest speaker Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr., commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, spoke of the heroism associated with corpsmen, and later saw demonstrations of current training methods students receive to prepare them for the fleet.
This is a powerful video, and gives more insight into why we are so proud to be moms, dads, loved ones of U.S. Navy Corpsmen.
Link to video: FMTB-West graduation 22 March 2013
Mar 28, 2013
mom3rnpa
Hi everyone! My daughter graduates 4/12, then to A school 4/13. She notes in her last letter she won't start A school until 4/22. Her next comment - can you come stay with me in texas until i start? My understanding is they don't really have free time or leave, they just chill on base until picked up for A school - kind of like processing days in boot camp? Is this the right info. I would love to spend more time with her!
Mar 28, 2013
Rhody Navy Mom
the green greek - my son also just graduated 3/22 and is at San Antonio for HM School. Wonder if they know each other. Probably! M. y sailor flew out Saturday morning at 6am from O'hare. Seems like my sailor likes A school so much better than boot camp - a lot more relaxed and no one yelling at you!
Mar 28, 2013
Navymom101 (Ship 02 Div 922)
mom3rnpa, my son also will graduate 4/12 and then will head to San Antonio. Your daughter has given you more information than my son has. We live only an hour and a half from San Antonio, so glad to have him so close for a while.
Mar 28, 2013
Ashton's Mom, Tx
He is now in San Antonio which is about 3 hrs from me. Yes I'm a happy mom.
I look forward to talking with you during these next few months and hope to meet you while visiting in San Antonio.
Mar 28, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Welcome Ashton's Mom! The Navy and the HM rating are great - you're proud now, just wait! :) Look forward to getting to know you and your future corpsman.
Mar 30, 2013
louielou
mom3rnpa, you are correct although they do have more freedom once in A School. The first week is all briefs on everything so they don't have much time. My son could barely call me because he was either in a briefing, running to chow, or kust plain tired. They are also in Phase 1 so their liberty is very limited.
Mar 31, 2013
louielou
Also new SA moms, there are a few facebook groups you can join to connect with other moms who have Sailors arriving at the same time. There is HM(Hospital Corps) A School in San Antonio and one a few of the ladies from my PIR started, A School in San Antonio. I find them more supportive at this point, we keep each other updated on tests and phasing up, trips to visit, etc.
Mar 31, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
I'd just like to reiterate that once they start class, it's intense - it's not just a condensed EMT school, it covers much more - Tactical Combat Casualty Care isn't civilian EMS!
When my son was in Corps School (age 19), I relied on my corpsman to call when he wanted to discuss his tests, his liberty activity was his to do with as he saw best, and didn't feed a need to visit as he had his new buddies to hang with, and again, study was foremost - and after all, it's just fourteen weeks! And I was fortunate to be able to attend graduation. That was how we viewed it, anyway - he was 19, an adult, and learning to save lives...perhaps it's my perspective as a corpsman mom of 5+ years who knows corpsmen and corpsmen moms who have lost their Marines and corpsmen, seen things you wish no one should ever have to see, that causes me to take what they're embarking on in A school so seriously. I like N4M as it's Navy-sponsored, has a mission statement, follows community guidelines and OPSEC, and provides groups to easily move on to for bases, cities, rates and so on. It's great to have FB groups and be able to connect with other moms and hopefully meet up, but hope you'll use N4M as another great tool as they go forward :)
Mar 31, 2013
LisaS corpsman mom
Apr 1, 2013
Cincin25 Ship 12/Div 071
Hi has anybody heard of the graduation updates for Class 080/AB
075AF 30-APR-13 1400-1500 is the last class posted. Thanks
Apr 3, 2013
Momof2sailors
I don't comment often but I really appreciate the info I get!
My daughter graduates on April 16. She will then be in c school for surgery tech!
I remember seeing a link a while back for stethoscopes. Now that I could use it I can't find it! Could anybody post the link please? Thank you so much!
Oh and I am so excited because she will be taking leave after grad and coming home! She hasn't been home since she left for BC!!!
Apr 4, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Here you go! You can have it personalized too :) Allheart.com has a wide variety of stethoscopes; a corpsman mom who is a nurse says this one is good (and the price is good too!): http://www.allheart.com/allheart-diagnostics-stethoscope/p/ahdst050...
Apr 4, 2013
Momof2sailors
Thanks Marcy!!
It's all ordered and paid for!!
It was very helpful that you gave me a link to an exact one to look at or I may have been lost!! So many choices.
Thanks again
Apr 4, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Congratulations on your daughter's upcoming graduation, and having a Surgical Technician in the family soon :) What a great reunion and visit coming up, have a great time!
Apr 4, 2013
Momof2sailors
Apr 4, 2013
Chebon'smom
What do we expect in the A school graduation it's in San Antonio do we need a praking pass?? etc etc
Apr 5, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Chebon's mom, here's DramaSoul's description of her experience at graduation last July ~ HM Graduation reflections
Apr 6, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Apr 6, 2013
Rhody Navy Mom
GR8RABsMom - Hi, my son PIR'd on 3/22 and left 6am the next morning for A School in San Antonio. I brought him his cell phone/charger - and 1 set of clothes - pack more!!! Its so hot in TX and he had to wait a week for me to get his address and mail him civilian clothes. Bring a few pairs of shorts, t-shirts, socks, his own underwear, etc. I wish I had known to bring more summer clothes for him. Great Lakes was freezing do didn't think of it. He had about 1/2 backpack left for space so he could have packed a few pairs of shorts/t-sjhirts. Its 90 in TX right now! And some fav. snacks for the plane! Good luck and congrats! PIR is just amazing!!!
Apr 7, 2013
Rhody Navy Mom
My son is currently in A School in San Antonio. I know I read some mom's bought anatomy flashcards to help with their studying. There are so many different types on Amazon - any suggestions as to which ones you may have bought that were helpful with your Sailor learning? Anything else that may be helpful, please let me know. Thanks so much!
Apr 7, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Apr 7, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Everyone is right on the mark in regarding the question about what to take to their sailor after PIR on the way to A school. The only thing I might add is a Visa gift card or some extra cash for meals out and picking up necessities at the Exchange.
And for her son as well as Nick's Mom's - this book is a good way to prepare for the EMT portion of A school (the anatomy and physiology, airway/breathing/circulation, and trauma chapters) - Kaplan EMT-Basic Review (you can get it at bookstores too, it's soft cover).
They have these A&P flash cards too, but I doubt they go into that much depth in A school to make them worth it; they are covering so much info in a short time vs. a full A&P course.
Apr 7, 2013
GR8RABsMom
Thank you SO MUCH, Everyone!! He's in the bedroom repacking now thanks to your advice. It's so much easier for him to pack what he'll want than for me to try to guess what he might want. We hadn't even considered the weather situation - duh! I think I'll get the cards and/or book for him also. He was trying to fit it all into a small backpack, but it sounds like he'll have room in his bag for more than just a small backpack worth of clothes???? I guess whatever he can't fit into his bag, we can pack back home and mail to him later.
Apr 7, 2013
louielou
I only took my son his tablet, cell phone, skivies and 1 change of clothes and this all just fit into his issued backpack only because the USO Rep had them all repack their things. You could do a set or two more as they seemed to get phased-up pretty quickly, but they are carrying a duffel bag, garmet bag and their backpack full of clothes and shoes and such. I mailed the rest of his clothes two day priority after he received his mailing box. Also, with the study materials, I think choosing what is best for your Sailor's study habits is good. We didn't get any flash cards to begin with because the first part is EMT and he had already taken courses in college for this. Don't get me wrong he still had to study nightly to make sure he got top scores. He did have a study group and they used the online study guides to help with that portion cause as Marcy says it is alot crammed into a short time. I have bought some flash cards to help him in the clinical phase though. Good luck, it has been a roller coaster for sure and we aren't done yet.
Apr 8, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Apr 8, 2013