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!
I was making a joke/pun(?) off of that (the word 'hoist') since you were saying that you weren't a 'mean person'. As in 'foisted it upon yourself'. It doesn't work. But hey, what can I say? No all of my humorous sayings are winners! ;-) That said, you are a very sweet person who gives much (as everyone knows).
Yes if course, Marcy. I just wanted 2 let the moms know that some kids do love packages!!! My son is zero quad, so he is not doing a c school. A school 4 him is still 20 weeks.
I would second what Marcy said regarding they are now men and women in the military. In addition to studying a very rigorous and intense course, they still have PT (although my son didn't feel it was hard enough so he did more...especially after he got FMTB) standing watch, inspections (room and uniform)....things that are definitely not found in going to college. It took forever for things to get to my son because standing in line at the post office was not worth it...even making it to the post office before it closes was difficult. And...let me tell you, he learned his lesson about acquiring stuff when he had to pack it all up and take/send it home when he came home for leave before reporting to CP for FMTB!
Cold cold and cold...we had snow, rain, slush, ice, snow repeat...supposed to get down in the low teens with a windchill of below 0 and they say Thursday will bring more. Whoo hooo....but in Guam it is in the 90's lol
As for the packages- I didn't send my husband any mail or packages while he was in A school. He said it was too much of a hassle to go pick it up. However, I did visit him several times and brought stuff with me. I even drove to SA from Los Angeles once with our dogs because he missed them. Lol please understand that pretty much every necessity is stocked at the Exchange store on base. And they don't need much. It will all have to be shipped or sold before they leave Ft. Sam. If you are going to send something I would make it homemade cookies or something they cannot get at the exchange, target or walmart.
Its rainy here Hampton Roads, VA. Its perfect snuggling weather for my sailor and our 6 month old. The snow last week was nice. Such a change of scenery from California :)
Portland Oregon gettin' colder. Should be in the teens tonight with a high of 30 tomorrow. Snow flurries maybe and that can be a problem. Portland drivers in snow are like SoCal drivers in rain. (I grew up in SoCal.) We can get a dusting of snow here and it will tie up traffic for hours.
AS for weather, here in the rural northern IL, 42 inches of snow so far this year and none has melted. Coldest day was Monday -27° but have had numerous days below zero and wind chills -40°. Brutal winter. My sailor at FMTB east said they closed the base (camp LeJeune) last week Tuesday through Friday because of the weather. They had 4 days off. He is class 14020. Cant wait for Spring!!!
Greetings to all! I'm a newbie to this group. thanks for having me :)
I come to N4Ms to look for answers and encouragement. It is like a life-line for me right now. My daughter is leaving for BC on Feb. 19th.
I have a question for all of you seasoned parents...hope I explain it well:
She signed and swore in back in early November after waiting a year and 8 months after her initial visit to the recruiter. At that meeting her father and I were with her and asked a million questions and I am thankful that the recruiter was patient and very understanding. Well, that recruiter ended up leaving and a new one took his place. My daughter's plan was to go in to do something in the medical field and come in to the Navy for the hospital corpsman group. She did her freshman year of college and was in a surg. tech. program but came home after her first year because she thought she was going to go to BC in summer of 2013...well, other things came up and then she finally signed and swore in in November 2013. At the time of her signing-in, she was told she would have to wait til JUne 0f 2014 to go in for the hospital corpsman opportunity. The person at MEPS told her about the PACT program and so as to not wait, she signed in with that. Initially she was under the impression that thiswould give her a hands-on feel for the corpsman and she said that is what she understood and that it was better to get into BC now instead of waiting til June. Her dream is to serve God and serve humanity and our country. I am hoping that she will be able to fulfill her goals in the Navy and not be disappointed doing something else that she didnt want to do because she had no choice.
Can anyone shed some light on this for me? has anyone's child gone thru the PACT program? does this affect her opportunity to be a corpsman?
thanks in advance for your time and attention and support!
Welcome aboard Leach73, Not sure if this information will be helpful but here is a link that talks about PACT programs. My son did not go PACT either. Best of luck and God Bless!
Mom4...My running days are over after my third ACL reconstruction on my left knee. Always wanted to the Portland Marathon. Kudos to you for doing it! I love this city. I have done the Bridge Pedal here which is great. Where in SoCal are you from? I grew up in LA/Santa Monica and even lived it the Valley!
Here's a good Facebook page to 'like' if you're planning a trip to San Antonio/Ft Sam Houston; and/or if your corpsman is staying in SA for C school: https://www.facebook.com/FortSamMWR They share upcoming activities, ticket information etc.
Leach73 again, thanks to all who responded. My daughter has a meeting with her recruiter today and I hope she brings up the subject of going in under this PACT program and undesignated. This is really worrying me! If she signed already with the PACT, is there anything that can be done? Part of her wants to say something to him but she is afraid to. I know my daughter is anxious to get started in the Navy but I just want to make sure she goes in without this doubt of her uncertainty of reaching the hospital corpsman group.
On a bright note, She went to get her hair chopped off yesterday! she had long, curly hair for most of her life! She is 19. Her friend since 3rd grade is now a hair stylist and felt honored to do it. The lady in the chair next to her heard my daughter and her friend talking about her going into the Navy and then chimed in and thanked my daughter for her decision to join the Navy and congratulated her. Later on when my daughter's haircut was over, she went to go pay and then the receptionist told her that "it was taken care of". My daughter was surprised and then the receptionist told her that the lady that was getting her hair done in the chair next to her had paid for it! Wow!!!!
Good thing she was still in another part of the salon and my daughter went up to her to graciously thank her. My daughter said she felt so special that someone would go out of their way to do that...God bless that lady!
Leach73, I would let your daughter know she should express her concerns to the recruiter now because its possible they can help her if she is changing her mind. It cant hurt anything and they will still respect her. I think they know that young people are not always sure what they want to do. My son Changed course 3 times in 12 months, a little different situation but you never know unless you ask. On your other topic, I have heard many stories of people buying dinner and other treats for our sailors to show there gratitude for their service. Many nice people out there. Continue to pray for your daughter. God Bless!
Leach73, thanks for the wonderful story about the kind woman at the hair salon. Made my day. Always nice to hear of people appreciating the service and sacrifice our children our making for us all!!
Leach 73: Its so wonderful how people today have a great respect for our men and women serving in the military. I love when I get the opportunity to thank these fine people. What a lovely experience for your daughter.
leach73 - ok, here's the input I received re the PACT program/HM from a Navy career counselor:
"The undesignated sailor will have to wait at least 12 months after on their first ship to even apply for HM. Strikers don't always get a chance to work in medical to get a feel for it. Most of the time the PACT guys go to deck department chip and paint the ship. Bottom crap jobs and maybe if you're lucky the bm in charge of the division/department will let her go to medical a few hours a day. Just not worth a 12 month wait if she could go in June and go straight to HM school instead."
Other corpsmen agreed:
- Don't do it. Get HM school paper first. The guy who came in the Navy with me never was able to get HM school, after four years of applying he left the Navy.
- I agree, tell your friend to wait! I was on delayed entry for a year but received the call that a spot was available. It is worth it to wait for what you want. It could take years to transfer to HM school. I wouldn't recommend it.
I agree with what Marcy had to say. In the "New Navy" it is increasingly hard to cross rate now. Or to really get what you have your heart set on if you do the PACT program. It is even becoming hard for fleet returning HM's to get a C school. Most applications get denied.
I wild hold out for an HM contract. My husband went to meps fir the first time in April 2011. He had to go back several times because there were no jobs available. He ended up finally signing a contract for HM in Sep 2011. And he didn't leave for bootcamp til May 2012. So it can take time.
Britt..my son was the same way. He went to MEPS a couple of times but held out for the HM contract. He graduated A school on 2 July 2012. He said it was worth the wait!
i really do appreciate all of your feedback. thanks so much!
I'm so worried now because she is leaving on the 19th and i know our days are cutting short...
we went to the recruiter yesterday and came out of there feeling better about the PACT program but now I feel so conflicted. So, if she signed the contract with the PACT program, and if the opportunity came up for the HM, will she be able to get out of the PACT contract to wait? I know there are no guarantees in life but I am so hopeful!
Leach73, we aren't experts on Navy programs. That said, if I were in your daughter's shoes, I'd go with the advice of the Navy career counselor I posted yesterday. Please let me know if she wants that contact and I'll put her in touch.
Leach73, my son was a corpsman aboard USS Iwo Jima at that time for the humanitarian mission Continuing Promise 2010, flying on helicopters and setting up a medical clinic in Costa Rica while this gal was painting. Just sayin'!… "Boatswain's Mate Jacklyn Cravey paints the anchor of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima while the ship is ported for operations in Costa Rica" - navy.mil.
Hi. My SR is still in bootcamp (PIR 2/28) and will be heading to San Antonio afterwards to begin HM A-School. He mentioned in one of his letters that oftentimes there is a long holding period (sometimes up to 6months??) before they even start the curriculum since this rating is one of the coveted ones. I was wondering if anyone had any insight or could shed some light into what the current holding situation is like in San Antonio. I know both he and I are anxious for him to be able to continue his training. Thank you very much!
Welcome camillez! There may be a wait to 'class up' but nothing like six months :)
Leach73, it should be ok to message me now, so give it a try. Did your recruiter indicate that she still has the option to wait till June and get her HM commitment? Because the consensus is that's definitely the best way for her to go if she wants the Hospital Corps.
My son got to SA on 11/17 and classed up the following week not sure if they are back logged now I know a lot if his friends that went to Pensacola had to wait. A lot had to do with the government shut Down but that appears not to be the case anymore as I've been hearing from them
Earp13, when a class is large it is divided up into two or three groups, for example 085A, 085B, 085C. But they are all part of the same class and graduate together at the same time.
I just thought I should introduce myself. My husband and I are from Brooklyn, NY. He just graduated yesterday and he will be arriving in San Antonio for A school (HM-DA) tomorrow. I'm so excited that he no longer has to be in the frigid great lakes!
Welcome!! Yes I bet he's glad :) My son graduated from Corps School in Great Lakes on the 22nd of February a few years ago and it was unbelievably cold. But at least he got a taste of snow shoveling! LOL
Welcome!! I am not from Brooklyn, but from upstate ny. My husband I and are currently in San Antonio with sailor this weekend, and as his roommate just moved out, he's expecting to come back to a new roomie Sunday!! Would be a small world if it was your husband!!
Boy the things I miss in a few days, this group has become very busy lately. Welcome to all the new people.
I agree with everyone that going Undesignated is not a good idea at all, your daughter will be very unhappy. My son had a friend of his join as a Corpsmen with him, and during BC for some reason he decided that wasn't what he wanted and now he is Undesignated. They get the worst jobs most of the time. Your daughter should be able to cancel out of that contract, she hasn't left yet and you are allowed to "back out" before you become official USN, but it may come with consequences, like a longer wait, or starting the whole process over. But it may be worth it for your daughters future.
Someone a few pages back said their son is in a 20 wk A School, that isn't possible, they don't have different A School's, they all go the same length. Your son may have been in SA for 20 weeks because if you count the time it takes to class up or if they were held back for any reason.
Guess what girls? U r right!! Just did the math and I don't know where I got 20 weeks from. My son got there nov 2nd, classed up a week later, graduates mar 10. Plus they had the 2 week shut down for Xmas.
CNN has a segment today featuring USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), topic Sailor health and disease prevention. The US Navy Surgeon General is interviewed. Today at 4:30pm EST and Sunday 7:30am EST. Just fyi, an LHD has about two dozen corpsmen in its medical department. We love our blue side corpsmen!
Hi, my name is Georgia. My daughter Krista just started boot camp this week. Once she's finished there she will be off to Fort Sam Houston for A school. This is my one and only child and I have no Navy expertise, so you might find me asking a lot of questions... sorry in advance:)
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
You mean 'hoist'? ;)
Hey I've been on N4M as a corpsman mom for a long time Bobbo, you know I'm just a cranky oldster LOL
Feb 4, 2014
Bobbo
I was making a joke/pun(?) off of that (the word 'hoist') since you were saying that you weren't a 'mean person'. As in 'foisted it upon yourself'. It doesn't work. But hey, what can I say? No all of my humorous sayings are winners! ;-)
That said, you are a very sweet person who gives much (as everyone knows).
Feb 4, 2014
EmilyD
Feb 4, 2014
DramaSoul
Feb 4, 2014
mannysmom
Feb 4, 2014
Karin417-14/DIV104
55 tomorrow :)
Feb 4, 2014
OKCsuzieq
Feb 4, 2014
PoodleLady
After spending a freezing 3 snowy days in Great Lakes . . .so glad to live in the Sunshine State. Will take sweating over freezing any day!
Feb 4, 2014
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Its rainy here Hampton Roads, VA. Its perfect snuggling weather for my sailor and our 6 month old. The snow last week was nice. Such a change of scenery from California :)
Feb 4, 2014
OKCsuzieq
Feb 4, 2014
sweetshaye
Reno, NV and its cold but this winter has been mild so I cant complain too much!
Feb 5, 2014
sweetshaye
Joey's Momma: I actually live in Spanish Springs! Wingfield Springs to be exact. Originally from Calif though. Prefer Calif ;)
Feb 5, 2014
DramaSoul
Feb 5, 2014
vanjr1
AS for weather, here in the rural northern IL, 42 inches of snow so far this year and none has melted. Coldest day was Monday -27° but have had numerous days below zero and wind chills -40°. Brutal winter. My sailor at FMTB east said they closed the base (camp LeJeune) last week Tuesday through Friday because of the weather. They had 4 days off. He is class 14020. Cant wait for Spring!!!
Feb 5, 2014
Leach73
Greetings to all! I'm a newbie to this group. thanks for having me :)
I come to N4Ms to look for answers and encouragement. It is like a life-line for me right now. My daughter is leaving for BC on Feb. 19th.
I have a question for all of you seasoned parents...hope I explain it well:
She signed and swore in back in early November after waiting a year and 8 months after her initial visit to the recruiter. At that meeting her father and I were with her and asked a million questions and I am thankful that the recruiter was patient and very understanding. Well, that recruiter ended up leaving and a new one took his place. My daughter's plan was to go in to do something in the medical field and come in to the Navy for the hospital corpsman group. She did her freshman year of college and was in a surg. tech. program but came home after her first year because she thought she was going to go to BC in summer of 2013...well, other things came up and then she finally signed and swore in in November 2013. At the time of her signing-in, she was told she would have to wait til JUne 0f 2014 to go in for the hospital corpsman opportunity. The person at MEPS told her about the PACT program and so as to not wait, she signed in with that. Initially she was under the impression that thiswould give her a hands-on feel for the corpsman and she said that is what she understood and that it was better to get into BC now instead of waiting til June. Her dream is to serve God and serve humanity and our country. I am hoping that she will be able to fulfill her goals in the Navy and not be disappointed doing something else that she didnt want to do because she had no choice.
Can anyone shed some light on this for me? has anyone's child gone thru the PACT program? does this affect her opportunity to be a corpsman?
thanks in advance for your time and attention and support!
Feb 5, 2014
vanjr1
Welcome aboard Leach73, Not sure if this information will be helpful but here is a link that talks about PACT programs. My son did not go PACT either. Best of luck and God Bless!
http://navyformoms.com/group/bootcampmoms/page/professional-apprent...
Feb 5, 2014
DramaSoul
Mom4...My running days are over after my third ACL reconstruction on my left knee. Always wanted to the Portland Marathon. Kudos to you for doing it! I love this city. I have done the Bridge Pedal here which is great. Where in SoCal are you from? I grew up in LA/Santa Monica and even lived it the Valley!
Feb 5, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Leach73, I put the PACT question to a Facebook corpsman group, and I'll share any responses I get.
Feb 6, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Here's a good Facebook page to 'like' if you're planning a trip to San Antonio/Ft Sam Houston; and/or if your corpsman is staying in SA for C school: https://www.facebook.com/FortSamMWR They share upcoming activities, ticket information etc.
Feb 6, 2014
Leach73
Good morning
Leach73 again, thanks to all who responded. My daughter has a meeting with her recruiter today and I hope she brings up the subject of going in under this PACT program and undesignated. This is really worrying me! If she signed already with the PACT, is there anything that can be done? Part of her wants to say something to him but she is afraid to. I know my daughter is anxious to get started in the Navy but I just want to make sure she goes in without this doubt of her uncertainty of reaching the hospital corpsman group.
On a bright note, She went to get her hair chopped off yesterday! she had long, curly hair for most of her life! She is 19. Her friend since 3rd grade is now a hair stylist and felt honored to do it. The lady in the chair next to her heard my daughter and her friend talking about her going into the Navy and then chimed in and thanked my daughter for her decision to join the Navy and congratulated her. Later on when my daughter's haircut was over, she went to go pay and then the receptionist told her that "it was taken care of". My daughter was surprised and then the receptionist told her that the lady that was getting her hair done in the chair next to her had paid for it! Wow!!!!
Good thing she was still in another part of the salon and my daughter went up to her to graciously thank her. My daughter said she felt so special that someone would go out of their way to do that...God bless that lady!
Feb 6, 2014
vanjr1
Leach73, I would let your daughter know she should express her concerns to the recruiter now because its possible they can help her if she is changing her mind. It cant hurt anything and they will still respect her. I think they know that young people are not always sure what they want to do. My son Changed course 3 times in 12 months, a little different situation but you never know unless you ask. On your other topic, I have heard many stories of people buying dinner and other treats for our sailors to show there gratitude for their service. Many nice people out there. Continue to pray for your daughter. God Bless!
Feb 6, 2014
EmilyD
Feb 6, 2014
Froggy
Leach 73: Its so wonderful how people today have a great respect for our men and women serving in the military. I love when I get the opportunity to thank these fine people. What a lovely experience for your daughter.
Feb 6, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
leach73 - ok, here's the input I received re the PACT program/HM from a Navy career counselor:
"The undesignated sailor will have to wait at least 12 months after on their first ship to even apply for HM. Strikers don't always get a chance to work in medical to get a feel for it. Most of the time the PACT guys go to deck department chip and paint the ship. Bottom crap jobs and maybe if you're lucky the bm in charge of the division/department will let her go to medical a few hours a day. Just not worth a 12 month wait if she could go in June and go straight to HM school instead."
Other corpsmen agreed:
- Don't do it. Get HM school paper first. The guy who came in the Navy with me never was able to get HM school, after four years of applying he left the Navy.
- I agree, tell your friend to wait! I was on delayed entry for a year but received the call that a spot was available. It is worth it to wait for what you want. It could take years to transfer to HM school. I wouldn't recommend it.
Feb 6, 2014
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
I wild hold out for an HM contract. My husband went to meps fir the first time in April 2011. He had to go back several times because there were no jobs available. He ended up finally signing a contract for HM in Sep 2011. And he didn't leave for bootcamp til May 2012. So it can take time.
Feb 6, 2014
DramaSoul
Feb 7, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Leach73, I sent you a friend request/private message :)
Feb 7, 2014
Leach73
hello everyone!
i really do appreciate all of your feedback. thanks so much!
I'm so worried now because she is leaving on the 19th and i know our days are cutting short...
we went to the recruiter yesterday and came out of there feeling better about the PACT program but now I feel so conflicted. So, if she signed the contract with the PACT program, and if the opportunity came up for the HM, will she be able to get out of the PACT contract to wait? I know there are no guarantees in life but I am so hopeful!
[BIG SIGH]
Feb 7, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Leach73, we aren't experts on Navy programs. That said, if I were in your daughter's shoes, I'd go with the advice of the Navy career counselor I posted yesterday. Please let me know if she wants that contact and I'll put her in touch.
Feb 7, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Leach73, my son was a corpsman aboard USS Iwo Jima at that time for the humanitarian mission Continuing Promise 2010, flying on helicopters and setting up a medical clinic in Costa Rica while this gal was painting. Just sayin'!… "Boatswain's Mate Jacklyn Cravey paints the anchor of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima while the ship is ported for operations in Costa Rica" - navy.mil.
Feb 7, 2014
Leach73
Hello Marcy
yes! please send me the career counselor info.
I did accept your friend request but I am having trouble sending you a message so that you can reply back. sorry.
I still get confused and lost when I'm on this website.
thanks so much!!
Feb 7, 2014
Casu
Feb 7, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Leach73, have your daughter message me with her Facebook address and I'll put her in touch :)
Feb 7, 2014
camillez
Hi. My SR is still in bootcamp (PIR 2/28) and will be heading to San Antonio afterwards to begin HM A-School. He mentioned in one of his letters that oftentimes there is a long holding period (sometimes up to 6months??) before they even start the curriculum since this rating is one of the coveted ones. I was wondering if anyone had any insight or could shed some light into what the current holding situation is like in San Antonio. I know both he and I are anxious for him to be able to continue his training. Thank you very much!
Feb 7, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Welcome camillez! There may be a wait to 'class up' but nothing like six months :)
Leach73, it should be ok to message me now, so give it a try. Did your recruiter indicate that she still has the option to wait till June and get her HM commitment? Because the consensus is that's definitely the best way for her to go if she wants the Hospital Corps.
Feb 7, 2014
mannysmom
Feb 7, 2014
carafid1
Feb 7, 2014
Earp13
My son arrived this past Monday and will be in class 085. Says he is in group B, What is that?
Feb 7, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Earp13, when a class is large it is divided up into two or three groups, for example 085A, 085B, 085C. But they are all part of the same class and graduate together at the same time.
Feb 7, 2014
Thinton88
Hi everybody,
I just thought I should introduce myself. My husband and I are from Brooklyn, NY. He just graduated yesterday and he will be arriving in San Antonio for A school (HM-DA) tomorrow. I'm so excited that he no longer has to be in the frigid great lakes!
Feb 8, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Welcome!! Yes I bet he's glad :) My son graduated from Corps School in Great Lakes on the 22nd of February a few years ago and it was unbelievably cold. But at least he got a taste of snow shoveling! LOL
Feb 8, 2014
carafid1
Feb 8, 2014
carafid1
Feb 8, 2014
IrinaNavyMom
Feb 8, 2014
EmilyD
Feb 8, 2014
louielou
Boy the things I miss in a few days, this group has become very busy lately. Welcome to all the new people.
I agree with everyone that going Undesignated is not a good idea at all, your daughter will be very unhappy. My son had a friend of his join as a Corpsmen with him, and during BC for some reason he decided that wasn't what he wanted and now he is Undesignated. They get the worst jobs most of the time. Your daughter should be able to cancel out of that contract, she hasn't left yet and you are allowed to "back out" before you become official USN, but it may come with consequences, like a longer wait, or starting the whole process over. But it may be worth it for your daughters future.
Someone a few pages back said their son is in a 20 wk A School, that isn't possible, they don't have different A School's, they all go the same length. Your son may have been in SA for 20 weeks because if you count the time it takes to class up or if they were held back for any reason.
It's ok Marcy, I'm old and cranky too :)
Feb 8, 2014
EmilyD
Feb 8, 2014
DramaSoul
My son was at FSH for about 4 weeks before classing up. That was in March 2012.
He was at CP for FMTB for 10 days before they classed up and began training. It just depends!
Feb 8, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
CNN has a segment today featuring USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), topic Sailor health and disease prevention. The US Navy Surgeon General is interviewed. Today at 4:30pm EST and Sunday 7:30am EST. Just fyi, an LHD has about two dozen corpsmen in its medical department. We love our blue side corpsmen!
Feb 8, 2014
HM_Momma
Hi, my name is Georgia. My daughter Krista just started boot camp this week. Once she's finished there she will be off to Fort Sam Houston for A school. This is my one and only child and I have no Navy expertise, so you might find me asking a lot of questions... sorry in advance:)
Feb 8, 2014