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!! 

Load Previous Comments
  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    If there was a chemical spill they would not be making them stay in the dorms. They have had briefings on how to keep cool and stay hydrated.
  • Cincin25 Ship 12/Div 071

    Hi Txdylansmom, I just sent you a friend request. I notice your from Humble, we were fron The Woodlands, and my son graduates from Ft Sam on May 13th and is also going to LeJeune. Samll world isn't it. :)

  • aggiemae58

    We have an facebook page now with two groups that merge together today, we have about 170 members, there is alot of "newbies" and we all would like to pull together to make the group an success, get some questions answer and pull together while our children/boyfriends/girlfriends/wife and husbands are there. here is the link if anyone would like to join.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/327376780643813/507002292681260/?no...

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Wow, April showers brought 32 new members here, and already three in May - WELCOME everyone to the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps family!

  • Rachel/Corpsman mom

    I have a question my son just graduated from bc and left for san Antonio yesterday. He was told that he is down there for 18 wks of a school does this sound right?
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Once school starts it's fourteen weeks, but it may take a few weeks before a group "classes up" and begins.  

  • Rhody Navy Mom

    Rachel - my son is also at San Antonio for A school and its a 14 week school but he had to wait about 2 weeks for the class to fill up before it started!  

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    He could take a little time to review before class starts, this is good for the EMT portion of school - EMT-Basic Exam Review

  • johnr

    I have two sons in San Antonio a school they had to wait about two weeks to start the class
  • Mia the US Navy wife

    Can anyone help me to sign in and be a part of this site as well as U.S. Navy Corpsman "A" School & Beyond?  I have a problem.  I do not know what to type in the Share link down in the right corner, i did not mark anything,  Also, in the above left corner there is share i put in a private message, are those both answers correct.  I would like to see all of the discussions but also keep it as confidential as possible.  Thank you everyone.  I was told that Marie Angeleri-Guastella could help me as well, if i befriend her.  However, i just would like to get in, so please help me, take care all and God Bless You, marika.
    Can any I even can't send this because i am getting a message: 

    You must provide a recipient for your shared item.

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Hi Marika, I'm a little confused, so help me so I can help you :)  You're doing fine signing in and adding comments here.  Where are you seeing the "Share" link?  Are you trying to "share" something here to your Facebook page?   If so, be sure to be signed in to your FB page first.  Does this help at all?

  • louielou

    Marika, I replied to your post in the above discussion about the FB page, see refer. Marcy you may want to read as well and then may be able to advise Marika better.

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Ah.  When Marika said "be a part of this site" I assumed she meant this group.  I'm not part of the FB group, so perhaps those of you who are can help her out - thanks!

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    At long last, here's a clarification of the length of HM 'A' school:  

    The actual time that a Sailor physically spends at the HM school in Fort Sam Houston, TX is 96 days, not including any potential additional time waiting to "class up," medical holds, falling back and repeating tests, etc.  

    The Sailor is in the seat, learning, Mondays through Fridays for 70 actual instructional days.

  • Navywife2012

    Where do they go if they have to wait after BC?
  • Rachel/Corpsman mom

    Usually ship 4 or 5. My son was supposed to be on hold at BC after PIR but his orders changed two days prior.

  • DramaSoul

    Thanks, Marcy!  As usual, you are on top of things!!!  :-)

  • GR8RABsMom

    Hi, Everyone.  My son is in BC and will be heading to A School in San Antonio after PIR on 6/7.  I would like to give him his phone, laptop, iPod, shorts, jeans, and a few tshirts to take to A School.  I know he won't be allowed to wear them for awhile, but is he allowed to take them with him to A School.  I plan to give them to him at the airport when he leaves Chicago.  Will that work?

  • DramaSoul

    GR8RABsMom...He will be carrying his sea bag, back pack and clothing bag as well as his orders so whatever you give him will have to fit into those items. I gave my son his phone and sent him his laptop (FedEx has a box specifically for laptops) and his civvies as soon as I had his address. Hope this helps!
  • Rachel/Corpsman mom

    I was able to give my son his laptop, cell, ipod and all the cords, as well as his own undergarments and deodorant and he still had a little room in his backpack. Their sea bags and garment bags will already be checked through before you get to be with them.

  • louielou

    Mom in the OC, why do you need to order these? Your Sailor should have everything already, they take their uniforms from BC with them.

  • louielou

    GR8RABsMom, I would and did take a change of clothes for my son to the airport, plus his phone and a Tablet that I got him as a grad gift, but I would suggest not much else as they have alot already to tug around and their bags are stuffed full. I have heard of moms getting their Sailor another black backpack to put their things in, but it is just more for them to deal with. We decided not to do his laptop because it is expensive and with the high number of thefts it needs to be locked up always when he is away. Internet is also sporadic in some of the dorm rooms, his included, so he opted not to get wifi. I sent more clothes to him after I had his address so he would have when he phased up, as that is the only time they can start wearing them unless in their room.

  • Diane aka buzyw2

    Off to San Anton to watch 080C graduate on 5/13.  Anyone else going?  :)

  • louielou

    I guess that would make sense Mom in the OC if he is coming from something else. We did hear Clear was a good one, but there is no good reception in my sons room (he tried with a friend's wifi), so it wasn't worth the $50 a month.

    Congrats to your Sailor buzyw2, mine is 085B and they graduate on the 3rd.

  • Navymassmomship13div313

    My sailor is in SAN Antonio , he was there for A school as well. We never had to turn his wifi on. I have Verizon for our cell phones and have free use of there hotspot it is within my plan. Hotspot is considered wifi. Let me know if you have questions.
  • Cincin25 Ship 12/Div 071

    Graduation tomorrow for  BMTCP anyone have directions on where to go? Thank you.

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Cincin, look through this Discussion - Graduation January 2013.  Several members shared their experience of getting on base and to graduation and this map of Ft. Sam Houston; hope that helps!  Anyone have more recent knowledge to share?   

    And by the way - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you wonderful moms and grandmoms of wonderful sons and daughters!

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

  • Cincin25 Ship 12/Div 071

    Thank you Marcy your the Best!!! Happy Mother's Day..... :)

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Have a great time tomorrow Cincin!  Look forward to hearing all about it :)

  • lisah

    I have a question regarding what happens immediately after graduation.  My son graduates June 3rd and has until June 13th to get to his next duty station.  I know he is able to reroute his airline ticket to come home during that time.  But what i was wondering is when is he allowed to leave.  He told me the following day, but can he catch a 5:30 am flight?  He will have 9 days with us and I want him here ASAP!!  I'm sure he will eventually get these answers but I was hoping to get a head start and look for flights.  

  • DramaSoul

    My son left at 0600 the next day and was home for 14 days before he had to report. We left the same time on different flights and arrived in Portland OR within 20 minutes of each other.
  • Cincin25 Ship 12/Div 071

    What a Wonderful Day!!! My Sailor has graduated and moving on to Camp Lejune..... So different from BC, much more personal. I believe there were 126 all together.. A big class... So proud..... If you can attend do so you won't regret it. And the Cheesecake Factory is awesome!!! He's so full he's taking a nap.... The place to stay is the Country Inns & Suites.  Excellent breakfast the rooms are clean, very friendly staff. The riverwalk is only 15 min's away and  Ft Sam is only 2 exits away.  Very close to everything. We hit Fiesta Texas also and that's even close 1/2 hr at the most. Traffic is busy during rush hour. But your moving .

    Congratulations to all sailors that graduated today, and to the one's up and coming. What a ride it has been.

    ps The airport is close to the hotel also and they have a free shuttle.

  • lisah

    thanks DramaSoul1 that helps give me an idea of what flights he can take.  I can't be at graduation (the first one I've missed since he graduated preschool).  This letting the babies grow up is hard business, haha.  I get more anxious the closer it gets.  23 day!!!

  • DramaSoul

    lisah(Ship02Div913...I know!!  I was very fortunate because I could attend it.  I, too, have not missed a graduation of either of my children's since preschool.  I think your Sailor may have to make the reservation.  They go to an admin meeting after graduation and then he called the airlines to change his ticket.  Be sure your Sailor ships home extra stuff so that he isn't spending the last minute packing everything up. 

  • DramaSoul

    Iisah...Also, I was able to pick him up with the rental car I had and take him to the airport which saved him the cost of a taxi.

  • DramaSoul

    JoshuamomNV...YES!! There is a wonderful and moving graduation from A school and it is different from PIR.  There is NOTHING quite like PIR.  That said, I loved the A school graduation.  It is more personal because it's a smaller class. 

  • DramaSoul

    JoshuamomNV...that's what we are here for! Nothin' like N4M! 

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Cincin, thanks for the cool news and helpful tips!  Plus love that he conked out and took a nap :)  Have you joined this group yet?  Camp Lejeune Moms (FMTB is a good graduation ceremony too!)

    lisah - his career counselor can help with his travel plans.  Be sure when his leave is up he gets to his duty station at least a day ahead of his scheduled arrival date, to allow for any travel hangups; and that he hangs onto his hard copy of his orders and has them with him when he heads there.  Have a great visit! 

    For anyone else with an upcoming grad, I'm told by METC that they will have a multipurpose building completed in October where all graduations will be held - until then, the building where your graduation is held may vary, so enter at the main gate on Walters (with photo ID) and ask where your graduation is - they'll have a list.   

  • Mia the US Navy wife

    I have a question, does everyone go to either Camp Lejeune or Pendelton?   What is the difference and who is going where and for how long?  Is this like a C school?  Does everyone go to C school?  Who does, who doesn't?  I am hearing all of those, but do not know a squat of difference.  What is FMTB and who goes there and for how long????  Take care all and thanks for answers!!!  m.

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Marika, take a look through this - About the HM rate for answers to your questions.  This link is also above, along with links to Field Medical Training Battalion East and West.  Quick answer - nearly everyone goes to Field Medical Battalion eventually - it's an eight week program of specialized training in combat casualty care, small arms training, and Marine life.   

  • NavyWifeFal

    Can someone please tell me how long the Corpsman A School is?? I see 14weeks some places but the HM rating card says 19weeks.
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    From start to finish is 96 days (70 actual instruction days Monday through Friday). It may take a few weeks for a group to "class up" and begin.

  • NavyWifeFal

    Thank you!

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    It's the Uniform Store at the NEX online, requires his info to log in.  https://uniforms.nexweb.org, or https://www.mynavyexchange.com and select Uniforms.

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    A great big Navy mom THANK YOU to our men and women who have chosen to serve!

  • Rhody Navy Mom

    Need your help - ready to book my travel plans for July to A School in San Antonio and there are only a zillion hotels to choose from.  Don't want to be on base, do need a frig in room so perhaps a suite....and want to be close to the Riverwalk!  So, any suggestions where others have stayed?? Trying to keep it reasonable!  Thanks so much!  

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Nick's mom, I just added a list of hotel recommendations from past posts into a new Discussion above, and I'm sure more moms will answer your question here with their experiences!    HM "A" School hotel recommendations

  • Rhody Navy Mom

    Marcy - thanks so much, sooooo helpful!  Thanks so much and I'm sure it will be helpful to many others too!  

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    In case anyone's thinking Marcy needs to get a life! LOL  I did that last month while in a hospital waiting room while a friend was undergoing a five-hour back surgery.  I was reading some comments and got the idea to browse back, cut and paste.  It was interesting to see the range of options.  Look forward to hearing about your upcoming visit too!   :)