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

Marcy, who said anything about making it gender specific? I am tired of both genders being nothing more than good looking dullards. In fact, I would say, lately, there are more males that fit my description on the news. You should see a couple here in So. Calif. Yikes!

Sorry, if anyone takes my comment as only female. Wasn't meant that way.

Welcome to the world of Navy acronyms!  Here is a primer on Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB), called Field Med by corpsmen.

Field Medical Training Battalion is an eight-week course at either Camp Lejeune NC or Camp Pendleton CA.  It is NOT a C School. 

During FMTB, corpsmen receive training in small arms and in advanced emergency combat medical care, and learn basic battlefield tactics while becoming familiar with the basics of Marine Corps life.  

Nowadays, nearly all corpsmen go through Field Med sooner or later.  Attending Field Medical Training Battalion does NOT mean that a corpsman will be automatically be attached to a Marine unit, so concerned moms, you can relax :)   

Upon completion of FMTB, a hospital corpsman HM-0000 (“quad-zero”) earns the Navy Enlisted Classification HM-8404, which moves 8404 to primary and the NEC of HM-0000 becomes secondary.  If the corpsman completes a C School, then the NEC earned at the C School (i.e. 8483, Surgical Technologist) becomes the primary NEC and 8404 becomes the secondary.

OK, got all that and ready to take the quiz?!  LOL

Thanks, Marcy, again for the the concise info.  Never hurts to hear it again. I know there is concern about FMTB training but my son LOVED IT!  He was sooo proud of that shield...and rightly so.  And...it's his life he's living, not mine.  My job is to love him unconditionally, support his choices and PRAY! I give him my input when it is requested. 

He's got a good mom in you, that's for sure  :)  The roller coaster is a fun ride, isn't it?

Another, related acronym:  For those whose corpsmen go on to be attached to a Marine unit, here is info about the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) qualification:  What it takes to earn the FMF qual

So, how soon after completing their Dream Sheet do they find out the outcome?

Marcy, thanks for the info on the FMTB, my sailor will go on to dental after completing the corpsmen course, what do you know about that? There isn't a lot of chat about it and I just wonder where they usually send sailors with that specialty...any info will be appreciated it.

Okay, nexy question...when is graduation?

I hate to ask, but how do we find out the date of graduation?.  She had her PIR 11/23/13, but didn't start a school until Dec. 3rd I beleive?

What airport did your sailors fly out of from boot camp?

O'Hare:)

Midway :)   I heard it varies....Midway or O'Hare.

Squid, look at the links above for BMTCP on Facebook, they post the schedule there periodically .Unfortunately they aren't very good about updating it

My son flew out of Midway to San Antonio. But no promises that is where they will fly out.  I guess it depends on the price and all that good stuff.

I am desperately trying to find out graduation dates too!  My son also started on the 3rd.  He told me the other night classes should be done March 25/27th so not sure if graduation is the next day or what.  I am patiently waiting, I want to start making travel arrangements and also request time off! 

I have a contact there, so if everyone will provide their sailor's class numbers I will do my best to get dates for you ASAP :)

Usually, how long after "dream sheet" is filled out will they get their official orders?

Thank you! where is your son and other sailors looking to be stationed? well hoping for at least!! lol

My son's class is 045C, if you find out grad dates that would be amazing:0) 

I don't have a clue what my daughters class number is so I just sent her a text and asked.  She has given me a graduation date of April 10th.  For some reason I am drawing a blank on when she started class.  I am pretty sure it was the first week or so of Dec.

My son who is in class 040 told me the 27th but I guess things could change.  I believe they post the graduation on the FB page but haven't checked it.

My daughter said her class # is 50 and was given a grad date of 4/10.

My son is Class 045C... anyone else out there?

My son started class this week and I am in the dark about what class he is in.  Anyone out there who's sailor started this week too?

Ashley, nothing is "wrong" with being attached to a Marine Corps unit!  The essence of being Fleet Marine Force (not FMTB, that is a training course) is that they are deployed in combat with their Marines in the most dangerous of circumstances.  That is the legacy and honor of the Hospital Corps.  Twenty-two Corpsmen have been awarded the Medal of Honor, the country's highest award for valor in action.  However, that also explains the concern of corpsmen's mothers and loved ones...see http://fallencorpsmen.net.  We pray that none of our military ever be in harm's way, and when they are, that they return safe and whole - but that is sadly not always the case.  

When my son was talking with the recruiter, before enlisting and being in DEP (delayed entry program), he met an FMF Corpsman.  He was so impressed he told me from the get-go, he wanted to go "green side" and earn the FMF device. He is currently working in a clinic on a Marine base.  With his next orders, he is choosing sea duty and wants to be attached to a Marine unit.  He said he picks orders 2 more times before he is assigned to his next duty station. As his mother, of course I am worried. And...I will cross that bridge when I get to it!  I stood looking at the Memorial Wall in Anderson Hall at Ft. Sam waiting for him after his A school graduation. It was really tough to read all those names and see the faces of those "Devil Docs" who have paid the ultimate sacrifice knowing that he is choosing that path.

My husband went FMF when he was in the Navy.  He really enjoyed the experience and now my daughter is thinking of doing the same thing.  Nothing wrong with being a Corpsman for the Marines :)  Although I HATED being stationed at Camp Lejeune in NC.

Kathy and Marcy....sending hugs to you both for all you do.  Great explanations, Marcy. Kathy....I always appreciate what you have to say. So proud of your "Devil Doc" and, if I didn't say it before, Bravo Zulu on his FMF!!!

Marcy, Don't forget to check on class 250 that was missing from the schedule also please. I think we had been told the 27th, but that puts them graduating with class 05.

So, now waht.  I have  a grad date?  Any suggestions where to stay close to base? or any other info when going to visit.  Greatly appreciated.

beachwalker,

Welcome to the club. Every parent is pretty much in the dark til they come here, get a few letters sent home, etc. Par for the course.

Squid, here is info for you - San Antonio hotel and restaurant recommendations from corpsman moms

GOT THE GRADUATION DATES - and we just found an error on the Facebook BMTCP schedule, so good thing you all were asking!!  Our METC contact is getting it corrected.  OK, here we go again:

Class #      Date

250            January 27, 2014

005            February 3

010            February 10

015            February 14

020            February 24

025            March 3

030            March 10

035            March 14

040            March 21

045            March 27

050            April 3

055            April 10

060            April 17

065            April 24

070            May 1

075            May 7

080            May 14

Classes are large and therefore you may see A, B, C after your sailor's class number, but they all graduate together.  So…start making your plans and remember that Southwest flies into San Antonio, so no fee for bags :)

Thank You Marcy! Your the best. :)

So graduation is actually on a Thursday? 

Thank you so much for the graduation dates I greatly appreciate it...I am planning now! 

Does anyone have any idea if there are hotel on base?

Kat72, there are recommendations and info from other corpsman moms who have been to graduation in this Discussion - Hotel recommendations and click on the pdf, it's a compilation of posts and is a few pages long.  And re your question about Thursday, the day of the week varies.

Thanks Bobbo for your feedback.  My son is one of those who just simple does not communicate.  If the  '96 days' is accurate, then by my count, I may be on my way to Europe the day of graduation.  I can adjust my flight plans  if I could nail down the date.  Frustrating............. 

so i havent been on in a while, so this is about a post from dec ha; Marcy my bf has a degree in computer technologies. but he didnt score into when he took the test now he wants to change his focus to just medicine

I understand my son will need a laptop for A School but am not sure what kind would be best. I have a 14' Toshiba laptop w/Windows 7 on it...it is kind of heavy but sturdy.  I also am considering getting a new Mac Air (11" screen)  for his Christmas/graduation present...any thoughts?

Now that we have graduation dates, do we know if there is a limit on how many people can attend gradation?  I know that the PIR only allowed 3 guest per sailor.