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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  • Casu

    So do they give them a airline ticket home after A school or do they have to buy their own ticket.
  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    They are given a ticket. If they are taking leave between A school and their first duty station there will be a number on their ticket info where they can call and have the ticket rerouted. Their is usually a ticket change fee associated with this.

    *this is my understanding of it*
  • louielou

    Thank you Marcy, I will pass the class grad info along. :)

    Lolachazzy, they are given a ticket to their next duty station, if they are granted leave in-between they must have their ticket rerouted to home which they will have to pay any additional costs for. As stated, they (Navy) need to ensure where their people are going and therefore they must follow the transportation that is designated to them. There is a travel office on base that they can go to for any info.

  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    As Louielou stated, there is a travel office on base. However, it is an Army travel office. So yes they can get answers from the travel office. But I personally thought it was a joke. I had to go back 6 Times to set up a do it yourself (dity) move from C school.

    I personally think they would be better off contacting the number on the ticket they are issued.
  • EmilyD

    Hi mamas!! Do any of you know what movie theaters and restaurants are nearby for the sailors? I want to send my son out some giftcards!!!
  • EmilyD

    Thanks proudmama!!
  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    If can get a group to go and share a cab, I highly recommend the Alamo Drafthouse. Their is one pretty close to base off of 410. They serve food and drinks in the theatre and it was relatively inexpensive. At least to us it seemed that way, we are from Los Angeles where its almost $15/ person to see a regular movie. The vest part is that cell phones are not allowed. They will kick you out if you use it. And they have really cool ads before the movies.

    There is also the Palladium movue theatre that I heard was really cool. But u ts out by Fiesta Texas. That would be a pretty expensive cab ride. We never made it to the Palladium while we were in SA. Maybe when we go back some day;-)
  • Michael3025

    Hello everyone! I do hope I'm posting in the right place. I apologize if I am not. I'm going to boot camp next month, followed by A school in San Antonio to become an HM. Could someone message me in regards to a few questions I have? I'd like to know what kind of medical related jobs I could get once I graduate A school. I'd also like to know if there's any way I could look up how long certain C school last. I've tried looking, but I've only been able to find their locations. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

  • Michael3025

    I forgot to mention that I am in the Navy Reserves. Hence why I am wondering how I could use my experience as an HM to acquire a civilian job. Thanks! 

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Michael, after A school you could pursue passing the EMT National Registry exam and find employment as an EMT - inquire at METC.  You may be able to qualify for a job as a patient care tech or ER tech in a hospital, but they may require more experience than just completing A school.  Try searching indeed.com and entering "corpsman" in the "what" box to get an idea in your area.  If you get EMT or other certifications, i.e. phlebotomist, I'm sure you're aware that your military/HM background will be an asset on your resumé for getting the job you want.  

  • Michael3025

    Thank you very much for that information! Yes, I recently learned that my military/HM background could help me get a civilian job, but I was not sure which jobs those were. I'm really interested in learning about the options offered by C school, but I can't find too much information on them. Anyways, thanks again!!

  • LisaS corpsman mom

    Well my son has officially moved on.  He transferred last night to Navy Medical Center Portsmouth.  He did so well in San Antonio and I hope he continues to do well with his new job. Best wishes to all of our Corpsman as they move on to their commands.

  • Trish from Texas

    LisaS...small world! Tyler was left behind, so she is at my house for the long weekend! :)
  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    LisaS- My husband is at NMCP as well. We live in Portsmouth:-) let me know if your son needs anything. Although there is an amazing "brotherhood" among the corpsmen that are stationed here. So I'm sure he will be well taken care of.
  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    Its in the in/outprocessing building I believe. And I'm pretty sure they require an appointment. It the building next to the post office on base.

    If you go thru the walters gate. Go straight thru the first light. Turn left just after the popeyes on that first street. That street ends then turn left. The building will be on your left hand side at the next stop sign. This is all off of memory.... so I think that's the correct directions.
  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    I believe the hotel is going to be a springhill suites. There are already a few other hotels on base too.
  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    We moved before they were done wIth those buildings. They may have moved it. I was under the impression that those buildings were going to be recreation center for the students. I would have your sailor ask where the I.d. office is. Or you can ask a guard at the gate. They should be able to tell you.
  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    Here is the website. It looks like they do require an appointment.

    http://www.samhouston.army.mil/hra/idcard.aspx
  • Kat72

    Does anyone know if San Antonio will be closed for Christmas and if the Sailors can come home?  My son will be arriving at A school in San Antonio on 11/23 and he says he won't have leave but all the postings I am reading on his PIR site says they will be able to come home.  Any information would be great!

  • Britt<3Corpsman Wife

    Last year they were allowing sailors to borrow leave (go in the hole) for Christmas leave. Your sailor will have to ask what the policy is when they check in.
  • EmilyD

    My sailor arrived there nov 2. He is going in the hole for leave. They close dec 20-jan 1st. He is taking the whole time. I was hoping he would save some time for the spring, but I think he is homesick and just wants to be home for a bit. They do have to put in a chit and wait for approval after they find airfare. His airfare to ny was close to $700. Yikes!!!
  • Smile09 AD/HM Mom

    We paid $359 to FL:( ON American Airlines

  • EmilyD

    My sailor also flying American. I cried when I found out he spent that much money to come home. He could fly to the carribean twice from ny for that. I shopped around after he told me, and sadly that is the best rate I could find myself.
  • Maria ( 9/132 - HM- 04-2011)

    Hi did you call the airline. My son is flying in from Jax. Inline best price I found was 350 plus taxes. I called American and they were able to me a military fare of 250. All taxes included . Good luck
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Keep in mind that Southwest also flies into San Antonio.  It doesn't' show up on airfare search sites, you have to go directly to their website http://www.southwest.com.

  • EmilyD

    I did check southwest. Where is your son flying to, 1windhaven? I wonder if I should have my son call airline and see if they offer military discount and could refund it. I asked him about that and he said he didn't see anything on website. Duh. Letting these kids do things on their own really is sooooo hard!!!!
  • Maria ( 9/132 - HM- 04-2011)

    Emily my is going from Jax to Dfw. I wish he was stationed in Sat still. He left sat May of last year. We were spoiled he.would drive home at.least once a month when he was there.
  • Maria ( 9/132 - HM- 04-2011)

    Ps. You won't see the military discount on website you have to call the airlines.
  • EmilyD

    Well, enjoy the holidays with him. I know I will, although now I know how hard it is to say goodbye. When my son was walking away to his ship when we dropped him off at bc after PIR, it hit me. I cried my eyes out and said to my husband...well, this is it. Five years of short visits and tearful goodbyes. :(:(:(:(
  • Maria ( 9/132 - HM- 04-2011)

    Yep, it does.not get.any easier. Saw him this past June and now a few days in December. He is my only child so the weeks of bc were not easy. Enjoy your visit too
  • Cheryl Ship 07 Div 160

    Hi Kat72.  My daughter is in San An for A school and has been there since 9/21.  She is coming home from 12/20-1/1. She's not sure if the base is closed for xmas, but a lot of sailors have the same leave as her.

  • Libra's mom

    My son arrived at A school on Oct 26. He said that he won't be able to go home Dec 22-Jan 1st because he was late to return the request for leave. is there a due date to submit the request?   Does anyone know if he still can submit it and get approved? Thanks..

  • EmilyD

    Well, since my son is coming home 4 Xmas (:)!!!!) I decided I might as well start cleaning the landfill...aka his room. Found the letters I wrote to him at boyscout camp a zillion years ago in a folder under his bed. Didnt sound so different than the ones I wrote just weeks ago at bootcamp:( Makes me wonder, how does the time go so fast!!!??? I haven't cried in a couple days, so I guess I was due. :(
  • EmilyD

    ...also, sorry raqismom, but I don't know the answer 2 ur question. Hopefully at least if ur son can't make it home 4 the holidays, u will have a nice long leave with him after a school. Sadly, my son is going in the hole 4 leave, so there is no way he will b coming home in the spring:(:(.
  • vanjr1

    My sailor graduates next Friday the 22nd. Do they need to let anyone know who is coming to the graduation? I got my plane ticket and hotel already.
  • angelalovesD(Ship 14 Div 274)

    vanjr1,

    We have "spoken" before.  My sailor also graduates on the 22nd, and I am unable to attend.  Please have a good time and take a lot of pictures!!! 

  • vanjr1

    angelalovesd, 

    I do remember speaking to you. I will get photo's and send some if you like. I guess there is suppose to be a surprise guest at the graduation also. Not sure who it will be but it is someone that has never been there before. I am obviously more interested in seeing  my son though. "-).... If you want to send me a private message with you sailors name I will make sure I get some pic's of him. 

  • Judy P

    Soon my son will be in San Antonio. Does anyone happen to know when their SR's left Great Lakes, which airport they departed from? I'm trying to book my flights for his PIR and wanting to line up my departing flight from Illinois out of O'Hare or Midway. Hoping to be departing same airport as my son. Not trying to match up flight times, just airports. Thank you :-)

  • squid

    Good luck.  I talked to my daughter last night, twice, done with BS, and leaves for San Antonio after grad next week too.  She said she will not know until middle of next week the day and time and airport she leaves out of.  I tried to do the same thing as you, ran out of time and realized we won't know details until grad day. 

  • Judy P

    Thank you squid. I spoke to a gal @ MWR (Morale Welfare & Rec) and she said there's a strong chance they fly United Airlines since the Navy has a contract w/them. The best flight for me is w/American...but at least if we can hang at the same airport that would be nice.

  • Smile09 AD/HM Mom

    My SR left from O'Hare airport on American Airlines.  He graduated 11/1.  His flight left around 7am.  Hope this helps!  Congratulations!!

  • Cheryl Ship 07 Div 160

    My Sailor graduated 9/20 and she flew out of O'Hare at 9am but had to be at the airport at midnight.  So we were at the airport at midnight.  Very sleep deprived weekend.......lol!  Good luck and please thank you SR for serving our great country.

  • Kat72

    JudyP,

    When is your SR's PIR date? 

    Everything I am hearing is they fly out of O'Hare.

    Do you know if they get to come home for Christmas?

  • Judy P

    Thank you Smile09Ship9Div418PIR11/1/13 &Cheryl Ship 07 Div 160. I really appreciate the information!!  Sounds like I'll write off sleep for that weekend.... lol.  It's all good!!

  • Judy P

    Kat72; PIR 12 /13. I hear the "A" school in San Antonio is closed Dec 20 - Jan 5. 

    I don't know for sure, but I'm hearing this;

    Sailor's leave the next day from PIR to their "A" school. While at "A" school they need to complete (Chit - Request for special permission - A sailor fills out a chit for such things as requesting leave, getting a tattoo, or moving off base) and wait to see if approved.

    This makes it a bit challenge not knowing if they will be granted permission to leave and to make flight arrangements to come home for the holidays.

    I'm not sure what to do..

  • Smile09 AD/HM Mom

    IF they get to come home for Christmas, which they probably will - they will be in the "hole" for leave time.  They must file a chit (permission request) with a proposed flight itinerary to get leave time.  Once that is approved, they may purchase their tickets.  Tickets are getting very expensive now that the time is getting closer.  If they wait, and don't come home, they will have much more leave time and won't be in debt for time.  It's a trade off they will have to decide.

  • EmilyD

    My sailor arrived at a school nov 2nd. One of the first days there while waiting to class up, they had the kids go to the library to get a flight home, then put in their chit for leave. They are eligible to come home dec 20-jan 1. My sons still waiting for his chit to be approved as of yest. Just a warning- this leave will put them in the hole, so they will be unable to come home after school...:(.... And airfare will most likely be expensive due to the holidays. My sons is $700 to ny. Have your sailor pick a flight on line, but them call airlines to book and ask about military discount!! Hope this is helpful.
  • JKRMommy

    My daughter will put her chit in today leave at Christmas. It's not a sure thing she will it get it, but most likely. She told me she wouldn't know for sure until around Thanksgiving. They have to request the exact days I believe, we are going to buy the tickets now while they are cheaper and although non-refundable she can use them for different flights, like when she comes come after A school if she doesn't get her chit approved. We are going with Delta, it was over $200 cheaper than our normal Southwest airlines we travel. My daughter thought it was 20th-2nd. They can go in the "hole" with leave days, but my daughter is only taking 5 days so she can still come home for a few days after A school.

  • JKRMommy

    Just noticed that your SR's PIR isn't until Dec?....not sure what you should do there! They may not be able to leave very far by then. Phase 2 before they can leave base I think, that might even count on holidays!?

     

  • Judy P

    Sounds like it takes awhile to hear if chit is approved.

    If my SR's PIR is 12 /13 and he arrives @ school 12/14, wonder what the likeliness of him getting approval in time....