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!
MOMom44- there is a BIG difference between deployed over seas and stationed over seas. Deployed means that he would be going to serve with whatever unit he is attached to. Whether that be on a ship, with marines or attached to a special mission group of some sort. Dependents never go on deployment. The average deployments now a days last 6 to 9 months. Could be shorter, could be longer.
Now that is out of the way... being stationed over seas is possible for ALL sailors whether they are married or not. And whether they are E3 and below. Everything is the "needs of the Navy". If they have 5 Corpsman who are E2 and married, and the only open positions they have are in Japan, those 5 corpsman will be sent there.
Now that being said. I have come across this situation a few times since my husband has been enlisted. Two of the guys from his C school class picked Japan orders. Both of them are E3's and married, one with one child. Both of them had their orders changed by the Navy to stateside duty stations. The Navy does a really good job of keeping families together. I haven't heard of anyone being sent overseas to a duty station without their dependents. The orders either get changed or they make an exception to allow the dependents.
As for the advancement stuff. My husband went to boot camp in May as an E1, made E2 9 months later in February and just put on E3 9 months later in November. He will be eligible to take the advancement test in March. That does not guarantee him to advance though. The HM (corpsman) rate is very competitive. I know several Corpsman personally who were an E3 coming out of boot camp and are still an E3. Most of them graduated boot camp between February 2012 and July 2012. The competition is tough!
Gosh, I am overwhelmed by your detailed and extremely helpful responses!! Thanks to all of you who answered my questions. This will, I'm sure, put my daughter-in-law's mind at ease. Thank you so much too for the warm welcome. :-)) I am looking forward to being an active part of this group!
I have a question I hope someone can answer. My son will be going to San Antonio on March 1 for HM. What happens if, god forbid, he just can't cut it! What happens then? Does he pick a new job? Does the Navy place him someplace else? I have every faith that he will do well, but I need to know the outcome for worst case scenario.
Yes, loving all the groups I'm in - everyone so nice and most helpful. I am stressing a bit because he wanted to badly to go into Sp. Ops. but failed the eye exam. HM was the closest job he could get to Sp. Ops. so that's why they steered him this way. I couldn't bear it if HM didn't work out. I just have to continue to pray and hope that his sense of hyper focus and self motivation carries him through.
I am in need of a little more information regarding graduation...... am I correct that the ceremony begins at 2 p.m.? If so, who long does it last? I need to schedule a flight out of San Antonio that day and need a time frame to work with so that I don't miss a connector later that evening.
I posted this on Corpsman Moms and Dads....my son's next orders just popped...3rd Marine Okinawa...3 years. Didn't see this coming! Leaves in Sept. Any information is greatly appreciated.
If they are below E4 and married and get orders for overseas, those orders will most likely be changed as the Navy will not move dependents in the first year. They also won't move dependents until they are at their first permanent duty station.
My son went in as an E2 and left BC an E3 because he was Div. Yeoman the whole time. So advancing is different for each and depending where they are in their training. As Britt said getting advanced to E4 is tough, they have to take an advancement test and most do not pass the first time, but they also have to accumulate points that go towards this test (that part is confusing). They tested in Sept. and will test again in March, all E3's will take the test. Some commands are very good about helping them study. My son didn't pass his this last time and although he thinks he will pass this time he doesn't think he will get advanced because there are so many that have been in longer and have more points.
Proudmama, after graduation is over they will have to clean out their room and have it inspected before they can go. This usually takes a few hours. Is he staying at FS for C School or going somewhere else? Staying at FS will make a difference because he will have to check into his new room and then be released from his new command.
My SR is scheduled for PIR 3/14/14. Did all of your Sailors fly to San A the day after Saturday after PIR ? Trying to decide when we should fly home late sat. OR Am Sunday after boot camp graduation Thanks in advance
Karin417, typically they do fly out on Saturday after a Friday PIR. My son's flight left at 4:30 p.m., so I got to see him at the airport and give him his phone, laptop and a few other personal items. Take a look at what time flights are leaving O'Hare for San Antonio and see if that will helps you. My calculated guess about my son's flight was correct. Good luck and early congratulations!
I have learned that no dates and no times will remain the same. I have learned that everything will change even up to the day before. My daughter entered bootcamp and was to have PIR the first weekend in June. Her Division ended up graduating May 31st. Then she was sent to San Antonio for A-school. She was to graduate in Oct. she classed up went from a C class to the B class to the A class and was to graduate the 19th of Sept. her class graduation date changed to the 18th the week before. So we changed our drive schedule... Then the day before graduation, they changed it to 11:30am instead of 2:30pm. So I drove non stop 16 hour drive and rolled into San Antonio at exactly 11:30am, so we missed the graduation ceremony. We did get to spend the weekend with her though so that was good. We just got everything planned and booked for her C school graduation which was to be Feb. 24th. I just got a text that it has been changed to Feb. 21st. So, time to rework the schedule... Again. It has just become standard that we have to make plans but plan on changing the plans all plans are tentative until the moment they are happening. Lol!
Joey'smomma- I HIGHLY recommend getting a rental car. The base and riverwalk are about 10 to 15 minutes from each other. You will spend more money on a taxi getting to places then you will getting a rental car.
Just a thought - tell your future corpsmen that no matter what they're going though, at least A School moved to SA from Great Lakes, so no snow shoveling like they had to pre-2011! This week in the 20s, next week down to 10 degrees and zero at night -
Once they get to San Antonio. How long will it be before they get Liberty to go off base? Not overnight just for a day trip around town? My daughter will be there 2/8 and we were going to try and drive out there around 2/21 just want to make sure we will be able to see her.
My son told me he is in Class 080 and his graduation date is May 29th. However, this website lists grad date for that class as May 14th. Can anyone help me out with this?
After reading several more comments I see that, like everything else, the graduation dates may be subject to change. I will stick with the date on this site unless I get confirmation otherwise. I know my son got lots of misinformation during boot camp and generally the most accurate info. came from N4Ms! So, guess I will work my schedule around the May 14th date. :-)
I know that my son is happy he isn't in Great Lakes anymore, however he is a little disappointed in the weather in San Antonio right now...so much for the normal sunny and 75 this time of year. He has already had his PT cancelled because of weather! LOL:)
My son got to San Antonio on 11/23 and had full liberty over the holiday weekend, and then when back to normal liberty after the holiday, now he is back to full liberty. I think liberty depends on the class but they are usually allowed phase 1 liberty pretty fast, so I would think by the time you get there she would be able to have liberty at least for the days (maybe not overnight yet) but days yes, and maybe not civilian clothes yet.
Karin417 . . . My daughter's PIR was on 1/17/14. My husband and I attended and flew in and out of Midway Airport from Florida. We were concerned as to which airport our daughter would fly out of on Saturday as we really wanted to see her and spend a little time with her before she left for A School. It turned out that she and about 10 other new sailors flew out of Midway on a 6:50 A.M. AirTran flight to San Antonio; however, that was only the Sailors from her division and brother div. The other 50 plus sailors from the other divisions that graduated with her flew out of O'Hare later in the day. . . .all going to San Antonia. I really don't think there is any way to know for sure which of the 3 airports or airlines until a day or so before PIR. We scheduled our return flight late in the day on Saturday so we would have time to drive to whichever airport she was at and at least spend a little time. (we rented a car while there.) We were lucky she just happened to be flying from the same airport as us . . .except for the fact she boarded her flight at 6:30 A.M. and then we spent the day in the airport as our flight was not until 5:00 P.M.! (And they were experiencing bad weather so we couldn't really do any sight seeing!). Not very encouraging info, but being there for PIR and seeing her was great! We checked out of our hotel at 12:30AM so we could meet her at the airport Saturday morning . . .arrived around 2:00 AM. We were able to spend a couple hours with her and enjoy breakfast together. Would do it again!
The sailors wont know until usually the day before PIR (sometimes two days) what their flight orders will be. Some will fly out of Midway, some O'hare, some in the very early a.m. and some later. This is based on airline seat availability. Most will fly out on Saturday, very few will stay longer. I picked the latest flight possible (and within reason because we had young ones) to fly home Saturday as a just in case. My son ended up with a 6:30am flight, so we went to the airport at midnight and spent the next four hours with him there. It was great btw, well worth it, meeting his new friends and hearing their BC stories. Priceless!!
Proudmama, maybe I am reading your post's wrong? He is getting leave after A School graduation yes? They say he can leave the next day, but of course this will all depend on his flight schedule yes? If his flight is the next day and let's say it is at 11am, he will need to have been packed up (entire room) and inspected and checked out. As soon as all of that is done, he can go. Most get all of this done right after graduation ends, and then they can go back to the hotel or whatever with their loved ones. Of course those that don't have family there will stay at the base and check out the next day. My son and a few of his friends actually had their travel orders messed up and so they had to move over to the other building to stay until it was fixed.
Hi everyone, my SR will be graduating this week and heading to San Antonio for school. I've been going through the massive amounts of information posted here, and it's been very helpful. Thank you all!
I second that about the tissues and the seat cushions. LOTS of tissues. When the doors rolled open and they start marching in wearing their dress uniforms, I started crying immediately!!!!
I can't even look at pics of the garage doors opening. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. I was looking at those pics a few weeks ago and I got all sentimental. I guess for me the moment those doors rolled up it felt like everything was real. And I knew from that moment on our lives would never be the same. The Navy has been really good to us :)
Britt,
I completely agree. From the moment those roll - up doors began rolling up, and the drums started drumming, and the announcer began calling out the divisions; I felt as if I was in one of those old WWII Techincolor Hollywood feel - good movies. I get misty eyed myself. Our entire family felt it.
I think it even brought us a new closeness with my father knowing he had gone through PIN back at the start of WWII.
It changed our family forever too.
Well Plans have changed I now get to go watch the PIR on Friday. I am so excited!!! We will then come to Texas in April. Hopefully she will have phased up by then and we can spend some quality time together. Wow this is kind of a surreal feeling just knowing that I get to see her and Hug her Friday...
Yes, they can, but some caveats: most A school students have told their moms (pretty strongly) that the hassle involved in picking up a box just isn't worth it. And keep in mind that whatever they acquire must be either carried to the next duty station in seabags or have to be shipped back home. They are only there for eight weeks; you can send away once they get set up with permanent mail at their first duty station. Right now they have access to everything they need, and are focused on study and getting to know each other and the system. And if this sounds a little hard - well, this is the time to realize this ISN'T camp or college. They're adults in the military now, so it's time to start taking that attitude - while being super-supportive boosters of course!! Remember I'm also a proponent of giving reloadable Visa gift cards, makes everyone feel good :)
I think it must be personal preference bc my son loves getting packages, and as previously stated, he shares the goodies I send with his roommate and friends. I do also send gift cards of places I know he frequents. Also my sons hm program is close to 20 weeks. He got there nov 2nd and will be graduating mar 10. Things I have shipped him like his laptop, tv, and Xbox he plans on either shipping to his next duty station or back home.
My daughter loves getting packages. She just asked for a package last week which I gladly sent. Normally I am just sending her bathroom items and lots of chocolate! I don't send her anything that she will have to drag along to her next duty station. Everyone loves it when she gets packages because they know there will be goodies in there that she can share :) I really do think it is a personal preference on whether a Sailor would want care packages or not. It is not always easy to go pick up packages, but my daughter definitely thinks it is worth it!
Emily, note I said A School/eight weeks, not C School :) I've learned a lot over my years as a corpsman mom. Yes it's individual preference of course, but you get my overall drift.
I actually just sent my son one today, filled with a VDay card, candy, jerky and a couple DVDs. I was told from going Ground UPS from Oregon it would take 6 business days to get the package, so hopefully it will arrive next Thursday at the latest!
Thanks everyone for your replies! I will ask my son about his preference; I was mostly thinking about cookies and little goodies that would be easily disposed of. But I appreciate the perspective. I am trying to start think of him as a young man and not my teenaged son, but it's hard when he's only 18.
Kat72, the link to the NEC/C School list is up top, below the graduation dates jpg and above the Rating/Rate list.
Hey I'm not a mean person! I'm a single mom of one whose son joined two months out of high school. But I have been at this for a while and know that A school really is an intense time, plus it's much easier to mail stuff when they reach their first duty station and have a normal mailing address - or get settled into C school for a longer period.
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Now that is out of the way... being stationed over seas is possible for ALL sailors whether they are married or not. And whether they are E3 and below. Everything is the "needs of the Navy". If they have 5 Corpsman who are E2 and married, and the only open positions they have are in Japan, those 5 corpsman will be sent there.
Now that being said. I have come across this situation a few times since my husband has been enlisted. Two of the guys from his C school class picked Japan orders. Both of them are E3's and married, one with one child. Both of them had their orders changed by the Navy to stateside duty stations. The Navy does a really good job of keeping families together. I haven't heard of anyone being sent overseas to a duty station without their dependents. The orders either get changed or they make an exception to allow the dependents.
As for the advancement stuff. My husband went to boot camp in May as an E1, made E2 9 months later in February and just put on E3 9 months later in November. He will be eligible to take the advancement test in March. That does not guarantee him to advance though. The HM (corpsman) rate is very competitive. I know several Corpsman personally who were an E3 coming out of boot camp and are still an E3. Most of them graduated boot camp between February 2012 and July 2012. The competition is tough!
Jan 27, 2014
MOMom44
Gosh, I am overwhelmed by your detailed and extremely helpful responses!! Thanks to all of you who answered my questions. This will, I'm sure, put my daughter-in-law's mind at ease. Thank you so much too for the warm welcome. :-)) I am looking forward to being an active part of this group!
Jan 27, 2014
Froggy
I have a question I hope someone can answer. My son will be going to San Antonio on March 1 for HM. What happens if, god forbid, he just can't cut it! What happens then? Does he pick a new job? Does the Navy place him someplace else? I have every faith that he will do well, but I need to know the outcome for worst case scenario.
Jan 28, 2014
Froggy
Yes, loving all the groups I'm in - everyone so nice and most helpful. I am stressing a bit because he wanted to badly to go into Sp. Ops. but failed the eye exam. HM was the closest job he could get to Sp. Ops. so that's why they steered him this way. I couldn't bear it if HM didn't work out. I just have to continue to pray and hope that his sense of hyper focus and self motivation carries him through.
Jan 28, 2014
beachwalker
I am in need of a little more information regarding graduation...... am I correct that the ceremony begins at 2 p.m.? If so, who long does it last? I need to schedule a flight out of San Antonio that day and need a time frame to work with so that I don't miss a connector later that evening.
Jan 28, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Yes, that's what I'm told and that's what is listed at the BMTCP Facebook page.
Jan 28, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
As for length, the schedule says 1400-1500. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Basic-Medical-Technician-Corpsman-Pr...
Jan 28, 2014
DramaSoul
I posted this on Corpsman Moms and Dads....my son's next orders just popped...3rd Marine Okinawa...3 years. Didn't see this coming! Leaves in Sept. Any information is greatly appreciated.
Jan 28, 2014
louielou
If they are below E4 and married and get orders for overseas, those orders will most likely be changed as the Navy will not move dependents in the first year. They also won't move dependents until they are at their first permanent duty station.
My son went in as an E2 and left BC an E3 because he was Div. Yeoman the whole time. So advancing is different for each and depending where they are in their training. As Britt said getting advanced to E4 is tough, they have to take an advancement test and most do not pass the first time, but they also have to accumulate points that go towards this test (that part is confusing). They tested in Sept. and will test again in March, all E3's will take the test. Some commands are very good about helping them study. My son didn't pass his this last time and although he thinks he will pass this time he doesn't think he will get advanced because there are so many that have been in longer and have more points.
Jan 29, 2014
louielou
Proudmama, after graduation is over they will have to clean out their room and have it inspected before they can go. This usually takes a few hours. Is he staying at FS for C School or going somewhere else? Staying at FS will make a difference because he will have to check into his new room and then be released from his new command.
Jan 29, 2014
Karin417-14/DIV104
Jan 29, 2014
beachwalker
Karin417, typically they do fly out on Saturday after a Friday PIR. My son's flight left at 4:30 p.m., so I got to see him at the airport and give him his phone, laptop and a few other personal items. Take a look at what time flights are leaving O'Hare for San Antonio and see if that will helps you. My calculated guess about my son's flight was correct. Good luck and early congratulations!
Jan 29, 2014
Karin417-14/DIV104
Good idea to ck San A flights ;)
Jan 29, 2014
Karin417-14/DIV104
21 flights!!! Lol
Do they prefer a certain airline?
Jan 29, 2014
Momof2NavyFemales
Jan 29, 2014
Karin417-14/DIV104
Didn't consider that it could be that way! Lol
Gotta learn to roll w it I guess!
:)
Jan 29, 2014
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Jan 29, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Joey's Momma, here's some more help:
A School moms hotel recommendations and a map of Ft Sam Houston.
These plus more recent comments and photos are at HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS by corpsman moms for the San Antonio area &am... … and Britt's right about the car :)
Jan 29, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Just a thought - tell your future corpsmen that no matter what they're going though, at least A School moved to SA from Great Lakes, so no snow shoveling like they had to pre-2011! This week in the 20s, next week down to 10 degrees and zero at night -
Jan 30, 2014
Kaiti's mom
Once they get to San Antonio. How long will it be before they get Liberty to go off base? Not overnight just for a day trip around town? My daughter will be there 2/8 and we were going to try and drive out there around 2/21 just want to make sure we will be able to see her.
Jan 31, 2014
MOMom44
My son told me he is in Class 080 and his graduation date is May 29th. However, this website lists grad date for that class as May 14th. Can anyone help me out with this?
Jan 31, 2014
MOMom44
After reading several more comments I see that, like everything else, the graduation dates may be subject to change. I will stick with the date on this site unless I get confirmation otherwise. I know my son got lots of misinformation during boot camp and generally the most accurate info. came from N4Ms! So, guess I will work my schedule around the May 14th date. :-)
Jan 31, 2014
Kat72
I know that my son is happy he isn't in Great Lakes anymore, however he is a little disappointed in the weather in San Antonio right now...so much for the normal sunny and 75 this time of year. He has already had his PT cancelled because of weather! LOL:)
Jan 31, 2014
MrsZ
MOMom44, my daughter is in the same class and she also was told May 29.
Jan 31, 2014
Kat72
Kaiti'sMom
My son got to San Antonio on 11/23 and had full liberty over the holiday weekend, and then when back to normal liberty after the holiday, now he is back to full liberty. I think liberty depends on the class but they are usually allowed phase 1 liberty pretty fast, so I would think by the time you get there she would be able to have liberty at least for the days (maybe not overnight yet) but days yes, and maybe not civilian clothes yet.
Jan 31, 2014
MrsZ
MOMom44 - Just heard from my daughter and she said they told the class today that their orders had a misprint; graduation is May 14.
Jan 31, 2014
PoodleLady
Jan 31, 2014
MOMom44
Thank you MrsZ!! Helps alot to know that!. Don't know what I'd do without N4Ms!
Jan 31, 2014
Karin417-14/DIV104
So glad you had that precious time w your daughter!
Thanks for sharing info!
:D
Jan 31, 2014
louielou
The sailors wont know until usually the day before PIR (sometimes two days) what their flight orders will be. Some will fly out of Midway, some O'hare, some in the very early a.m. and some later. This is based on airline seat availability. Most will fly out on Saturday, very few will stay longer. I picked the latest flight possible (and within reason because we had young ones) to fly home Saturday as a just in case. My son ended up with a 6:30am flight, so we went to the airport at midnight and spent the next four hours with him there. It was great btw, well worth it, meeting his new friends and hearing their BC stories. Priceless!!
Jan 31, 2014
louielou
Proudmama, maybe I am reading your post's wrong? He is getting leave after A School graduation yes? They say he can leave the next day, but of course this will all depend on his flight schedule yes? If his flight is the next day and let's say it is at 11am, he will need to have been packed up (entire room) and inspected and checked out. As soon as all of that is done, he can go. Most get all of this done right after graduation ends, and then they can go back to the hotel or whatever with their loved ones. Of course those that don't have family there will stay at the base and check out the next day. My son and a few of his friends actually had their travel orders messed up and so they had to move over to the other building to stay until it was fixed.
Jan 31, 2014
She'sLove
Hi everyone, my SR will be graduating this week and heading to San Antonio for school. I've been going through the massive amounts of information posted here, and it's been very helpful. Thank you all!
Feb 2, 2014
beachwalker
Take tissue on Friday and a seat cushion.
Feb 2, 2014
beachwalker
Oh! Welcome aboard!!
Feb 2, 2014
DramaSoul
I second that about the tissues and the seat cushions. LOTS of tissues. When the doors rolled open and they start marching in wearing their dress uniforms, I started crying immediately!!!!
Feb 3, 2014
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Feb 3, 2014
Bobbo
I completely agree. From the moment those roll - up doors began rolling up, and the drums started drumming, and the announcer began calling out the divisions; I felt as if I was in one of those old WWII Techincolor Hollywood feel - good movies. I get misty eyed myself. Our entire family felt it.
I think it even brought us a new closeness with my father knowing he had gone through PIN back at the start of WWII.
It changed our family forever too.
Feb 3, 2014
Kaiti's mom
Well Plans have changed I now get to go watch the PIR on Friday. I am so excited!!! We will then come to Texas in April. Hopefully she will have phased up by then and we can spend some quality time together. Wow this is kind of a surreal feeling just knowing that I get to see her and Hug her Friday...
Feb 3, 2014
DramaSoul
Britt...I agree with you. It became very real at that point. My son's division was the first division in. I still get choked up thinkin' about it.
Feb 3, 2014
MOMom44
Can our sailors receive care packages while at A School at Ft. Sam Houston?
Feb 4, 2014
beachwalker
MOMom44 - absolutely! And apparently they enjoy sharing with others.
Feb 4, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Yes, they can, but some caveats: most A school students have told their moms (pretty strongly) that the hassle involved in picking up a box just isn't worth it. And keep in mind that whatever they acquire must be either carried to the next duty station in seabags or have to be shipped back home. They are only there for eight weeks; you can send away once they get set up with permanent mail at their first duty station. Right now they have access to everything they need, and are focused on study and getting to know each other and the system. And if this sounds a little hard - well, this is the time to realize this ISN'T camp or college. They're adults in the military now, so it's time to start taking that attitude - while being super-supportive boosters of course!! Remember I'm also a proponent of giving reloadable Visa gift cards, makes everyone feel good :)
Feb 4, 2014
EmilyD
Feb 4, 2014
sweetshaye
My daughter loves getting packages. She just asked for a package last week which I gladly sent. Normally I am just sending her bathroom items and lots of chocolate! I don't send her anything that she will have to drag along to her next duty station. Everyone loves it when she gets packages because they know there will be goodies in there that she can share :) I really do think it is a personal preference on whether a Sailor would want care packages or not. It is not always easy to go pick up packages, but my daughter definitely thinks it is worth it!
Feb 4, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Emily, note I said A School/eight weeks, not C School :) I've learned a lot over my years as a corpsman mom. Yes it's individual preference of course, but you get my overall drift.
Feb 4, 2014
Kat72
Yes!!!
I actually just sent my son one today, filled with a VDay card, candy, jerky and a couple DVDs. I was told from going Ground UPS from Oregon it would take 6 business days to get the package, so hopefully it will arrive next Thursday at the latest!
Feb 4, 2014
Kat72
Question, does anyone know where I can find the list of C school stations? I remember seeing it on this site someplace but now I can't find it.
Feb 4, 2014
MOMom44
Thanks everyone for your replies! I will ask my son about his preference; I was mostly thinking about cookies and little goodies that would be easily disposed of. But I appreciate the perspective. I am trying to start think of him as a young man and not my teenaged son, but it's hard when he's only 18.
Feb 4, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Kat72, the link to the NEC/C School list is up top, below the graduation dates jpg and above the Rating/Rate list.
Hey I'm not a mean person! I'm a single mom of one whose son joined two months out of high school. But I have been at this for a while and know that A school really is an intense time, plus it's much easier to mail stuff when they reach their first duty station and have a normal mailing address - or get settled into C school for a longer period.
Feb 4, 2014
Bobbo
Me thinks the Lady (Marcy) doth protest too much! Haha, foisted on your petard. :-)
Feb 4, 2014