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!
Lisa Ship 02 DIV 901 - A School is general training, and C School is specialty training. For example, Hospital Corps school is general corpsmen training, where X-ray tech is a specialty on top of corpsmen training.
Lisa ship 02/ div901- if you look at the discussion section above and read the one titled "corpsmen NECs and C school locations" you will see a list of what specialties are offered to the Corpsmen after they graduate from A school. Upon graduation, they are HM 0000- also known as quad zero. Many go straight from A school to a command where they practice as a general duty corpman. This can be on a ship, in a hospital or a medical clinic. Others can go to FMTB training with the Marines where they will be placed with a unit. And some get offered a C school for a specialty, such as Xray tech, surgical tech, med lab tech, pharm tech and so on.
Most C school slots are hard to get into. For instance in my husbands case, the A school class that graduated ahead of his and his class only 8 Navy people out of the classes of about 60 got chosen for Xray tech. A handful got chosen for med lab, pharm tech, and surg tech. 3 went to dental. All of the remaining females went as quad zero's to hospitals and clinics and the remaining males went to FMTB training with the Marines. The class that graduated two classes before him... nobody got C schools. Women went as quad zeros and men went to FMTB.
So it really is the luck of the draw. During A school they get to fill out a dream sheet, but its really "the needs of the Navy". If the Navy needs 100 med lab techs... they will take the next 100 people who graduate A school and send them to med lab tech C school.
I recently heard they are making it harder for fleet returnees to attend C school for a corpsman specialty. But I'm not sure how true that is. And I have also heard that they now have an option for FMF corpsman as part of your contract when you signup. So you know when you are done with A school you will for sure be going to FMTB training. Again, I'm not sure how true either one is.
Momof2sailors, go to tripadvisor.com and search hotels. You will get reviews from actual guests who've stayed there as well as guest photos. They are also rated by number of stars given. Great resource I use all the time!
Well, my 19 year old sailor initiated himself last Saturday by getting a tattoo. It was a little disappointing seeing his nice body inked up, but it is his choice. Just a little hard to deal with as he always changes his mind about things. He has had 4 cars in 3 years because he is so spontaneous. This is more permanent though. I guess there are worse things that he could be doing. I just pray daily for his safety and wisdom to make good decisions.
Vanjr1, I am curious to see how long it takes my sailor to get her first. I'm right there with you! She may have already and just hasn't broke the news. My oldest daughter (non-military) got a very large tattoo about three years ago, and I still have a hard time with it, although I don't ever say anything to her. Of course we still love em like crazy!
Ahh, vanjr1, I feel your pain. My 19 year old sr has TWO tattoos. Since there was no stopping him, we talked him down from something ridiculous into something he shouldn't regret when he is 50 (;)), and actually took him for his 18th bday. I figured better that way so I could be sure he went somewhere clean and reputable!! It was shocking for me to see at first!! The second one also was tasteful, thank God, and luckily they are both inconspicuous! I will not be surprised if he will want to add a navy themed tattoo to his collection. Ugh!!!
Getting a tattoo is pretty common amongst sailors. I think they feel like its a right of passage or something. Some of the choices of tattoos I have seen are very odd to me. But to each their own, I guess;-)
My husband got a tattoo of a Storm Trooper with half of its helmet blown off while he was in A school. He was 32 years old at the time so I'm sure people were thinking "why?" Ha ha
Now that we have a little boy he is talking about getting a Darth Vader tattoo that says "luke, I am your father". Yes, we named our baby Luke. After Star Wars.
Anyone know about what is closed on base due to the govt shutdown? I sent a package to my daughter via UPS and the tracking info says it didn't get delivered today because the location was closed.
Shannon I had used her regular address with her unit #. When it was tracked and said could not deliver...she went to the UPS store on base to try and change delivery address to that location. They were unable to do that but helped her get UPS customer service in San Antonio and she took a cab there to pick up her package. She just said please don't send anything!
My son got his orders for FMTB Camp Lejeune. He was hoping for FMF but didn't work out that way. He seems ok with it. I forgot what hospital he was going to after that, it was a quick call while he was on break.
So happy - had an amazing first-time, in-person meet-up with co-admin Britt last week! I was visiting Norfolk/Portsmouth so we were able to get together and it was so much fun! Britt graciously agreed a few weeks ago to be co-admin here. Gave her a wineglass I decorated in Navy colors (for future use lol) and in return she let me hold her precious baby Luke. Her experience living in San Antonio during her husband's C school is invaluable - she loved it there, by the way :) So - Welcome Britt and thank you!!
Proudnavymom- I don't know much about Guantanamo, but I do know that slots that go there absolutely LOVE it! And I believe it's a short time they are there. Like a year or less. They bring in a lot of entertainment for the sailors and have a lot of activities for them to do. And I've also heard they save a ton of money:-)
It was great getting to meet Marcy and talk about our experiences with the Navy. We really want this page to be a positive experience for moms, dads, wives, husbands, fiances and loved ones of our Navy Corpsmen. This page is for support and we are appreciative of everyone who participates with questions and answers.
Yes, they can be stationed anywhere in the world. We actually know a few corpsmen who are not even stationed with the Navy or Marines.
They also try to not send anyone who is married and an E3 or below overseas because the spouse cannot follow if they are below an E4. And I say TRY... It doesn't always work out that way though.
Hello everyone,
My wife will be graduating from boot camp on nov. 15 and will be going to a school in san antonio and I had a ew question about trying to come see her over the thanksgiving weekend, is there a lodge on base I can stay or a near by hotel? Or will I be able too see her for a little bit I know she probably won't be able to leave base but to see her for the holiday would be great! Also about a rental car service with reasonable prices, any information would be great thanks.
@britt i didnt know that, my bf is going in as an e3 since he does have a college degree i think hes gonna try and do the sta-21 program for nursing and @jana thats awesome. he wants to go over seas to see the world and what not.
Enterprise Rent-a-Car often offers a special $9.99 per day weekend rate (and sometimes it's only offered to Enterprise Plus members, so it's good to join that). To get a good rate from anyone, make your reservations as soon as possible :)
If you bank with USAA, you can get a discount (and get the age surcharge waived if you're under 25) if you connect through their Travel page. Log in, go to Our Products -> Shopping & Discounts -> Travel Discounts -> Rental Car Discounts "Learn More" -> connect to the rental company.
My daughter is headed to San An in Nov after her PIR. Can anyone tell me if they have wi-fi for their sailors there? She has a cell and she'll have a laptop, but I was thinking of getting her a tablet or Nook but not sure she'll be able to use it much without wi-fi. Thanks :)
Just thinking...reminds me of this: when I was saying goodbye to my son and another future corpsman on their way to A school after boot camp graduation, I smiled and said to them, "OK now, look after each other!"
His new friend, a young man so handsome like my son in his dress blues, looked at me and said solemnly, "Ma'am, we're in the Navy, that's what we do now." I held it together till I got to the car...
And that's what I've seen over and over again during the past six years. The Hospital Corps is like no other; be very very proud of your sons and daughters!
Marcy, thank you for sharing those links!! Also, thanks for the heartwarming goodbye story!!! My son is not PIRing until nov 1st, but in the short time he has been at bootcamp, I have found that navy people really are a family!! It's comforting to know that these kids look out for each other when they are so far from home.
Most of the best rates I found out of SA were on Southwest airlines website. They were significantly lower then when I called and asked for a military fare. Also, if your sailor has a car or a friend with a car... most flights in and out of Austin are much cheaper. There is also an Amtrak line that runs thru SA. I took it to El Paso once and it was actually a very nice trip.
Keep in mind that the Air Force's boot camp is in San Antonio. Their graduations are on thursdays (I believe). So traveling in/out of SA on wednesdays and sundays are usually a little more pricey. At least that's the trend that I noticed.
When we lived there we opted for the 20 hour drive to and from Los Angeles. We would time it perfectly so we would drive thru the desert at night:-)
San Antonio is pretty far from the US/Mexico border (2-3 hour drive) and even further from El Paso (7 hours). Do these sailors really make a trip that long to such a dangerous place (US/Mexico)? San Antonio is a tourist town- filled with all sorts of entertainment right there, no need to drive to trouble!
Hmm.. I find that funny because there is Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX. My cousin lives in base housing and you can literally throw a rock and it will land in Mexico. We stayed there a few times while my husband was in A school. The command knew we were driving and staying there. I believe you have to get special permission from your command to cross into another country. I wonder what would happen if you were from El Paso amd wanted to go home to visit. Would they tell you no?
P.S. the U.S. side is actually pretty nice. Mexico side looks gross though!
Hi there, my son soon will graduate the boot camp and will be headed to San Antonio. I kind of like the way he focus on his study during BC (without the distraction of fb and text messages) :)) I wonder how are the rules in regard of study, curfew, liberty,etc?Thanks
Coedy's Mama
Sep 30, 2013
Lisa Ship 02 DIV 901
I see everyone talking about C school as opposed to A school, what is the difference? I've never heard of C school..
Sep 30, 2013
Trish from Texas
Lisa Ship 02 DIV 901 - A School is general training, and C School is specialty training. For example, Hospital Corps school is general corpsmen training, where X-ray tech is a specialty on top of corpsmen training.
Sep 30, 2013
Maria ( 9/132 - HM- 04-2011)
Sep 30, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Most C school slots are hard to get into. For instance in my husbands case, the A school class that graduated ahead of his and his class only 8 Navy people out of the classes of about 60 got chosen for Xray tech. A handful got chosen for med lab, pharm tech, and surg tech. 3 went to dental. All of the remaining females went as quad zero's to hospitals and clinics and the remaining males went to FMTB training with the Marines. The class that graduated two classes before him... nobody got C schools. Women went as quad zeros and men went to FMTB.
So it really is the luck of the draw. During A school they get to fill out a dream sheet, but its really "the needs of the Navy". If the Navy needs 100 med lab techs... they will take the next 100 people who graduate A school and send them to med lab tech C school.
I recently heard they are making it harder for fleet returnees to attend C school for a corpsman specialty. But I'm not sure how true that is. And I have also heard that they now have an option for FMF corpsman as part of your contract when you signup. So you know when you are done with A school you will for sure be going to FMTB training. Again, I'm not sure how true either one is.
Sep 30, 2013
MorningGlory
Sep 30, 2013
Coedy's Mama
Sep 30, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Sep 30, 2013
vanjr1
Well, my 19 year old sailor initiated himself last Saturday by getting a tattoo. It was a little disappointing seeing his nice body inked up, but it is his choice. Just a little hard to deal with as he always changes his mind about things. He has had 4 cars in 3 years because he is so spontaneous. This is more permanent though. I guess there are worse things that he could be doing. I just pray daily for his safety and wisdom to make good decisions.
Oct 1, 2013
MorningGlory
Oct 1, 2013
EmilyD
Oct 1, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
My husband got a tattoo of a Storm Trooper with half of its helmet blown off while he was in A school. He was 32 years old at the time so I'm sure people were thinking "why?" Ha ha
Now that we have a little boy he is talking about getting a Darth Vader tattoo that says "luke, I am your father". Yes, we named our baby Luke. After Star Wars.
Oct 1, 2013
Lisa Ship 02 DIV 901
thanks Britt & Trish for the C school info!
Oct 1, 2013
Coedy's Mama
Oct 1, 2013
MorningGlory
Oct 2, 2013
Momof2sailors
Oct 2, 2013
sue_2337
I sent my daughter a package via USPS...any way for her to get THAT? It was a new phone.. Showed up October 1.
Oct 2, 2013
shannon
@Momof2sailors what was the address that you used? Thanks in advance!
Oct 3, 2013
Momof2sailors
Oct 3, 2013
vanjr1
My son got his orders for FMTB Camp Lejeune. He was hoping for FMF but didn't work out that way. He seems ok with it. I forgot what hospital he was going to after that, it was a quick call while he was on break.
Oct 9, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
So happy - had an amazing first-time, in-person meet-up with co-admin Britt last week! I was visiting Norfolk/Portsmouth so we were able to get together and it was so much fun! Britt graciously agreed a few weeks ago to be co-admin here. Gave her a wineglass I decorated in Navy colors (for future use lol) and in return she let me hold her precious baby Luke. Her experience living in San Antonio during her husband's C school is invaluable - she loved it there, by the way :) So - Welcome Britt and thank you!!
Oct 10, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Oct 10, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Oct 10, 2013
InToTheOcean<3
so do hospital corpsmen ever get stationed in places like italy? or over seas?
Oct 12, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
They also try to not send anyone who is married and an E3 or below overseas because the spouse cannot follow if they are below an E4. And I say TRY... It doesn't always work out that way though.
Oct 12, 2013
Rick
My wife will be graduating from boot camp on nov. 15 and will be going to a school in san antonio and I had a ew question about trying to come see her over the thanksgiving weekend, is there a lodge on base I can stay or a near by hotel? Or will I be able too see her for a little bit I know she probably won't be able to leave base but to see her for the holiday would be great! Also about a rental car service with reasonable prices, any information would be great thanks.
Oct 12, 2013
Jana
Yes, my corpsman son is currently stationed in Naples, Italy.
Oct 12, 2013
InToTheOcean<3
@britt i didnt know that, my bf is going in as an e3 since he does have a college degree i think hes gonna try and do the sta-21 program for nursing and @jana thats awesome. he wants to go over seas to see the world and what not.
Oct 13, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Hi Rick! Check out the Discussion above "Hotel Recommendations."
Enterprise Rent-a-Car often offers a special $9.99 per day weekend rate (and sometimes it's only offered to Enterprise Plus members, so it's good to join that). To get a good rate from anyone, make your reservations as soon as possible :)
If you bank with USAA, you can get a discount (and get the age surcharge waived if you're under 25) if you connect through their Travel page. Log in, go to Our Products -> Shopping & Discounts -> Travel Discounts -> Rental Car Discounts "Learn More" -> connect to the rental company.
Oct 13, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Happy Birthday United States Navy!
http://www.history.navy.mil/birthday.htm
Oct 13, 2013
JKRMommy
My daughter is headed to San An in Nov after her PIR. Can anyone tell me if they have wi-fi for their sailors there? She has a cell and she'll have a laptop, but I was thinking of getting her a tablet or Nook but not sure she'll be able to use it much without wi-fi. Thanks :)
Oct 14, 2013
Coedy's Mama
Oct 14, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Ignore any spam/emails from "Cindy Starkenberg" - it's been reported and this 'person' is being removed by N4M's admins.
Unfortunately this happens every once in a while on N4M :( If you ever see a problem, use the "Report an issue" link at the bottom of the page.
Oct 15, 2013
OKCsuzieq
Oct 15, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
You're welcome :) Gotta look after each other!
Oct 15, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Just thinking...reminds me of this: when I was saying goodbye to my son and another future corpsman on their way to A school after boot camp graduation, I smiled and said to them, "OK now, look after each other!"
His new friend, a young man so handsome like my son in his dress blues, looked at me and said solemnly, "Ma'am, we're in the Navy, that's what we do now." I held it together till I got to the car...
And that's what I've seen over and over again during the past six years. The Hospital Corps is like no other; be very very proud of your sons and daughters!
Oct 15, 2013
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Real life drama AND onscreen with Tom Hanks - who knows what may lie in store for your future corpsman? ;)
HM2 Danielle Albert on shooting a scene with Tom Hanks in the movie "Captain Phillips" about the 2009 Somali pirate hijacking of the Maersk Alabama:
Link to video news story HM2 Albert / "Captain Phillips" WTKR ch 3
Navy Times: http://www.navytimes.com/article/20131011/NEWS/310110011/Sailors-sh...
Oct 15, 2013
OKCsuzieq
Oct 15, 2013
EmilyD
Oct 15, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Oct 15, 2013
Slynascar88 (ship 12 div 349)
Oct 15, 2013
Maria ( 9/132 - HM- 04-2011)
Oct 15, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Keep in mind that the Air Force's boot camp is in San Antonio. Their graduations are on thursdays (I believe). So traveling in/out of SA on wednesdays and sundays are usually a little more pricey. At least that's the trend that I noticed.
When we lived there we opted for the 20 hour drive to and from Los Angeles. We would time it perfectly so we would drive thru the desert at night:-)
Oct 15, 2013
Maria ( 9/132 - HM- 04-2011)
Oct 15, 2013
Maria ( 9/132 - HM- 04-2011)
Oct 15, 2013
Navy2Marine1Mom
San Antonio is pretty far from the US/Mexico border (2-3 hour drive) and even further from El Paso (7 hours). Do these sailors really make a trip that long to such a dangerous place (US/Mexico)? San Antonio is a tourist town- filled with all sorts of entertainment right there, no need to drive to trouble!
Oct 15, 2013
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
P.S. the U.S. side is actually pretty nice. Mexico side looks gross though!
Oct 15, 2013
Navy2Marine1Mom
Britt, good call out. My hubby works in El Paso all the time, as long as you stay on this side of the border, not a problem.
Oct 15, 2013
clover65
What do you mean a better day tomorrow. .? What happened today?
Oct 16, 2013
Libra's mom
Hi there, my son soon will graduate the boot camp and will be headed to San Antonio. I kind of like the way he focus on his study during BC (without the distraction of fb and text messages) :)) I wonder how are the rules in regard of study, curfew, liberty,etc?Thanks
Oct 16, 2013