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!
My husband is about to graduate from bootcamp and he's going to San Antonio for his A school. I'd like to visit him on the last week of July and first week of September. I'm thinking of booking everything right after he graduates from boot camp. They would always have liberty time on weekends right? I think they would already be in Phase 2 when I visit the first time and Phase 3 the next time. Please help. Thanks.
Hey MariaFaith, I would never say always because just recently a class got Phased down all the way to one from being in Phase 3 for a few weeks. One part of the class messed up and everyone got phased down. You can always book in advance but ALWAYS get refundable tickets because he could have watch and duty, FYI duty is every five days, so just be wise. Also my husband is finishing up EMT so they need lots of space to study. I respect study time so make sure when you are down here you encourage him to study with you.
There's different links to the top of this page explaining the phases. It just depends because every class and NMTI (I hope I said that right) is different. My husband was phase three in a matter of a month but part of his class was phased down all the way to one. It just depends. Your significant other will have all that information to give you once he arrives.
Karin, 105 graduates June 18. It is my son's class & we are attending his graduation. Unless there is another 105???
Lizziebear- I wondered because you were talking about the class that went from phase 3 to 1. I do know which class that was, unless there were two? Also, I don't get how only part of your hubby's class got phased down?
Cupcake you see each "class" is broken down into three separate classes of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie. My husbands class did not get phased down and neither did another one. 145 as a whole didn't at all but just part of the class. Does that make sense? I hope it did :)
SAILORMOM--my son usually bought his tickets through expedia.com. I have heard that to get the military discount, you have to book directly with the airline, but don't know which way was cheaper. I know that when we went to visit him in Italy, buying through expedia.com was cheaper than going through the airlines. Just my 2 cents worth :)
I would definitely price match between expedia and the airline itself WITH the military discount. Expedia is good mostly for bundles but not always for airlines. I read an article best date to book a flights is 54 days BEFORE your departure. It actually works and saves you $100 with military :) hope that helps
Per Navy BUPERS, wearing of uniforms on commercial travel (e.g., airlines, railways, or bus) is prohibited.
Leave plenty of safety time for the return portion, in case weather/plane problems/whatever create a delay that will cause your sailor not to return on time. My son always returns from leave at least a day early. Reporting late is not an option, no joke.
Southwest Airlines flies into San Antonio; you have to go directly to their website to book. Good prices, first two bags (up to 50 lbs each) fly free, and your money is "banked" if you have to cancel.
Maria for the fourth depending if your sailor has duty, they're getting Thursday ever month until Monday at 10pm off. If he has duty he cannot leave the base at all :( my hubby had duty Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend (lame)
Marcy, can you clarify something? Do you mean sailors can't wear uniforms when traveling on leave? They only wear them when traveling on official business? I see men and women all the time in public in their uniforms. What's the general rule of thumb?
Hi Froggy, yes that's right - only when commuting to and from work, or on official travel. In fact, when the current Navy Working Uniform (NWU) was first introduced, you were not even allowed to stop at a gas station or store to and from work; that rule has been relaxed to include such stops. You'll see Army traveling in uniform on leave, and it can seem frustrating that yours can't, but the Navy takes wearing of its uniforms in appropriate settings seriously.
BTW it's always best for a sailor to check with his/her command about such things. I'm told one reason they're discouraged from wearing a uniform during travel is to minimize terrorist actions that it might encourage. What a world we live in…...
Happy Birthday, Hospital Corps! Today marks the 116th anniversary of its founding on June 17, 1898. All over the world, formal Hospital Corps Balls are happening to celebrate it (last weekend in Naples Italy and Norfolk Virginia, to name but two). Corpsmen do all sorts of fundraising events all year and design and sell commemorative coins. The event itself is one of the most amazing and emotional you could ever see.
Here's this year's message from Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, U.S. Navy surgeon general and chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery:
On behalf of Navy Medicine, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Navy Hospital Corps as they celebrate 116 years of unwavering dedication and service.
Since June 17, 1898, when President William McKinley signed an act of Congress, establishing the Hospital Corps, the Corps has grown exponentially in size and stature from the original 25 senior apothecaries appointed by the Secretary of the Navy.
Today, we honor their bravery, brilliance and sacrifice when serving in harm’s way to protect the lives of our Sailors and Marines. From the Revolutionary War to the current overseas contingency operations, corpsmen have served with valor and gallantly answered the call, “Corpsman up!” as they tend to the sick and injured on the sea, under the sea, in the air and on battlefields worldwide. No Marine has ever taken a hill without a corpsman by his side. And when they do, they take solace in knowing that “Doc” is beside them.
From the first Hospital Corps School at Naval Hospital Portsmouth in 1902, to our extensive training programs today at our Medical Education Training Command in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, corpsmen are learning razor-sharp life-saving skills. Because of their exceptionalness and their extensive training, we are experiencing the lowest battle mortality and non-battle injury rates in the history of armed conflict. This is unprecedented and something that the Hospital Corps should be extremely proud of.
The Hospital Corps is the largest and most decorated rating in the Navy, achieving 22 Medals of Honor among many other awards. Twenty naval ships have been named in honor of hospital corpsmen. Since 1919, 178 corpsmen have been awarded the Navy Cross. In the Vietnam War alone, hospital corpsmen received four Medals of Honor, 31 Navy Crosses, 127 Silver Stars, and 291 Bronze Stars for heroics under fire, a testament to the quality of character of the men and women that wear the caduceus and answer to “Doc”.
Today, we honor their bravery in battle; their compassion during humanitarian assistance/disaster response efforts; their willingness to help those in need; and their superb performance at our medical treatment facilities across the globe. They have ensured our nation has a fit and medically ready fighting force, while providing compassionate patient and family-centered health care.
To the more than 25,000 active duty and reserve corpsmen around the world, I thank you for your service, courage, and commitment for the work you do every day. Happy birthday Hospital Corps!
My son drove from A school at Ft. Sam Houston to California. They gave him a few days to get there but he had to leave (check out) of Ft. Sam the day of graduation like right after. He ended up getting a hotel by himself that night so he could get a fresh start for the drive the next morning.
My son has the best HM who has helped him through the class especially when he struggled and I am so grateful. My son has an issue with taking test the hands on stuff is a cake walk for him. this guy has been outstanding and I thought I might send him a care package when my son graduates does that sound like a cheesy mom? Please be honest I can take it....
Marcy, Thanks for all the ibformation you bring this group. It was really good to learn about the Hospital Corps anniversay and I forwarded it to my family.
I am new to this group and have reading all the posts about A school and Ft. Sam Houston as my son is scheduled to arrive in July 14.
He is currently at Norfolk. He was deployed for 10 months at the USS SanAntonio and got back in last October. He is a SAR swimmer and will attend the HM School in San Antonio starting this July.
We loved going to Norfolk to visit him for this past year and will miss the Navy Lodge as is the best hotel to stay when visiting the base. I will start looking for hotels near Ft. Sam as I dont think there is a Navy Lodge nearby.
Our sailor will drive from Norfolk to San Antonio, but will stop at Gainesville Fl to visit his sister. We are thinking to meet him there few days before starting school help him in anyway we can.
I have been reading all your posts ladues and am really thankful for all your experiences in HM.
Good evening and how are you All of my sisters, Navy Wives?
I have not been on the site for a long time, but I decided to reach out to you for your help and support. Hopefully someone will try to help me with my quest?
In August I'll be traveling to join my HM Corp Navy husband in San Diego, CA. I am very excited, but also will be traveling by myself from Boston, MA, to San Diego, CA. I wonder whether any of you traveled that way and would have some helpful hints to share with me, on where to stay safely and not to pay leg and arm for it? I will be staying with my friend for a couple of nights in Forth Smith, MO. Also, I would like to visit METC in San Antonio, TX where my husband attended the A School last year. Unfortunately, I did not attend his graduation in Navy class on August, 2013 and I regretted ever since. I was thinking to go there this year and possibly to attend another graduation, if it is possible. Could anyone help me with it? Also, I do not know anyone there to stay with. Would anyone help me with the accommodation information to stay on SA, TX Base's Navy Lodge or somewhere else, close by? I then will be heading to San Diego, CA. Does anyone have any clues for safe, at reasonable prices, places to stay on my way there?
I would really appreciate all of your help and assistance in this matter. I would love to visit San Antonio and the its Navy Base, METC, where my husband was attending his A Class, May to August, 2013 and proudly, graduated with honors.
Take care, Good Luck and God Bless You to All!!!!!
Hi- Just joined this group today. My son, Bryce, left yesterday for Boot Camp. Hoping to meet some people to have a little support for mommy! I'm very excited my son's going to be a Corpsman - I'm a nurse, so I'm just bursting with pride! :)
Hey ladies my son is trying or get a flight from ft Sam Houston to indy for 4th weekend. What is the best airline to use? What kind of discount do the get? Thanks Paula
Babblesnboyz- I personally know 4 people who went to med lab c school. Only one of them is currently a med lab tech. 2 of them failed out within the first three weeks and one made it thru the classroom portion (around 6 months) and failed out with a few weeks left in clinicals. The person who passed went on to FMTB after C school and is now stationed with the Marines. Its a tough course. Tell your son to study and think positive! Good luck to him:)
And for the stethoscope, I did not get my husband one. He went to C school for Xray tech so we knew he wasn't going to need one. He did get letter markers when he finished C school :)
Happy Saturday! Check this out from U.S. Navy Healthcare: the Anatomy Study Guide app. Designed for health-care professionals, this tool has high-resolution 3-D diagrams of the human anatomy, testing and note-taking features, and more. Download it for free -
:) You are welcome! We love our corpsmen, right? I just posted the new Graduation Schedule above, Classes 110 through 210 (June 25 through November 14, 2014). The photos of Class 105's graduation are up - "A" School graduation, Class 105
Hi everyone. Are the Navy A school students allowed to go inside the IHG army hotels? I booked my room at Powless. My sailor said someone told him they cannot go to any of the hotels inside the base. Can someone confirm this please. Thanks.
MariaFaith,
I have never heard of that rule. Maybe they just aren't allowed to book a room there and stay. Many of the sailors go out in town on the weekends and get hotel rooms so they can hang out, drink, be as loud as they want, co-habit with a member of the opposite sex for a couple nights. Thats the only thing I can see it being an issue with. Maybe they like to keep those rooms open for people who truly are guests.
NHBBALL MOM
Thank you Liziebear0803 - I will go in and check it out :)
Jun 9, 2014
MariaFaith
My husband is about to graduate from bootcamp and he's going to San Antonio for his A school. I'd like to visit him on the last week of July and first week of September. I'm thinking of booking everything right after he graduates from boot camp. They would always have liberty time on weekends right? I think they would already be in Phase 2 when I visit the first time and Phase 3 the next time. Please help. Thanks.
Jun 11, 2014
Lizzie_Corpsmanwife
Jun 11, 2014
MariaFaith
Wow thank you all for your advices. I guess I'll just wait to whatever the hubby would tell me when he's already there. Thanks again!
Jun 12, 2014
Lizzie_Corpsmanwife
Jun 12, 2014
cupcakegirl14
Lizziebear0803 - is your hubby in the 105?
Jun 13, 2014
Lizzie_Corpsmanwife
Jun 13, 2014
cupcakegirl14
Karin, 105 graduates June 18. It is my son's class & we are attending his graduation. Unless there is another 105???
Lizziebear- I wondered because you were talking about the class that went from phase 3 to 1. I do know which class that was, unless there were two? Also, I don't get how only part of your hubby's class got phased down?
Jun 14, 2014
Karin417-14/DIV104
Jun 14, 2014
Lizzie_Corpsmanwife
Jun 14, 2014
SAILORMOMDiv179
My son want to fly home for the long 4th weekend, are any of you aware of the best place for him to purchase airfare. Do sailors get discounts?
Jun 15, 2014
Jana
SAILORMOM--my son usually bought his tickets through expedia.com. I have heard that to get the military discount, you have to book directly with the airline, but don't know which way was cheaper. I know that when we went to visit him in Italy, buying through expedia.com was cheaper than going through the airlines. Just my 2 cents worth :)
Jun 15, 2014
DramaSoul
My son recommneded booking through Kayak which compares all of the other companies side by side (Priceline, Expedia, CheapAir, etc.)
Jun 15, 2014
Lizzie_Corpsmanwife
Jun 15, 2014
SAILORMOMDiv179
Jun 16, 2014
Paula
Jun 16, 2014
ProudCorpsmanMom-Ship 14 Div 155
Jun 16, 2014
MariaFaith
Hi Sailormom. Do they get a 4day weekend on Independence Day?
Jun 16, 2014
SAILORMOMDiv179
Jun 16, 2014
Sammy
My husband is in class 140 and he says they have off Friday and Monday of 4th of July weekend.
Jun 16, 2014
Paula
Jun 16, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Hi all! Just a couple of notes about travel:
Per Navy BUPERS, wearing of uniforms on commercial travel (e.g., airlines, railways, or bus) is prohibited.
Leave plenty of safety time for the return portion, in case weather/plane problems/whatever create a delay that will cause your sailor not to return on time. My son always returns from leave at least a day early. Reporting late is not an option, no joke.
Southwest Airlines flies into San Antonio; you have to go directly to their website to book. Good prices, first two bags (up to 50 lbs each) fly free, and your money is "banked" if you have to cancel.
Jun 16, 2014
MariaFaith
Hello everyone. Are they going to have two days off every holiday? Thanks.
Jun 17, 2014
Lizzie_Corpsmanwife
Jun 17, 2014
Froggy
Marcy, can you clarify something? Do you mean sailors can't wear uniforms when traveling on leave? They only wear them when traveling on official business? I see men and women all the time in public in their uniforms. What's the general rule of thumb?
Jun 17, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Hi Froggy, yes that's right - only when commuting to and from work, or on official travel. In fact, when the current Navy Working Uniform (NWU) was first introduced, you were not even allowed to stop at a gas station or store to and from work; that rule has been relaxed to include such stops. You'll see Army traveling in uniform on leave, and it can seem frustrating that yours can't, but the Navy takes wearing of its uniforms in appropriate settings seriously.
Jun 17, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
BTW it's always best for a sailor to check with his/her command about such things. I'm told one reason they're discouraged from wearing a uniform during travel is to minimize terrorist actions that it might encourage. What a world we live in…...
Jun 17, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Happy Birthday, Hospital Corps! Today marks the 116th anniversary of its founding on June 17, 1898. All over the world, formal Hospital Corps Balls are happening to celebrate it (last weekend in Naples Italy and Norfolk Virginia, to name but two). Corpsmen do all sorts of fundraising events all year and design and sell commemorative coins. The event itself is one of the most amazing and emotional you could ever see.
Here's this year's message from Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, U.S. Navy surgeon general and chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery:
On behalf of Navy Medicine, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Navy Hospital Corps as they celebrate 116 years of unwavering dedication and service.
Since June 17, 1898, when President William McKinley signed an act of Congress, establishing the Hospital Corps, the Corps has grown exponentially in size and stature from the original 25 senior apothecaries appointed by the Secretary of the Navy.
Today, we honor their bravery, brilliance and sacrifice when serving in harm’s way to protect the lives of our Sailors and Marines. From the Revolutionary War to the current overseas contingency operations, corpsmen have served with valor and gallantly answered the call, “Corpsman up!” as they tend to the sick and injured on the sea, under the sea, in the air and on battlefields worldwide. No Marine has ever taken a hill without a corpsman by his side. And when they do, they take solace in knowing that “Doc” is beside them.
From the first Hospital Corps School at Naval Hospital Portsmouth in 1902, to our extensive training programs today at our Medical Education Training Command in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, corpsmen are learning razor-sharp life-saving skills. Because of their exceptionalness and their extensive training, we are experiencing the lowest battle mortality and non-battle injury rates in the history of armed conflict. This is unprecedented and something that the Hospital Corps should be extremely proud of.
The Hospital Corps is the largest and most decorated rating in the Navy, achieving 22 Medals of Honor among many other awards. Twenty naval ships have been named in honor of hospital corpsmen. Since 1919, 178 corpsmen have been awarded the Navy Cross. In the Vietnam War alone, hospital corpsmen received four Medals of Honor, 31 Navy Crosses, 127 Silver Stars, and 291 Bronze Stars for heroics under fire, a testament to the quality of character of the men and women that wear the caduceus and answer to “Doc”.
Today, we honor their bravery in battle; their compassion during humanitarian assistance/disaster response efforts; their willingness to help those in need; and their superb performance at our medical treatment facilities across the globe. They have ensured our nation has a fit and medically ready fighting force, while providing compassionate patient and family-centered health care.
To the more than 25,000 active duty and reserve corpsmen around the world, I thank you for your service, courage, and commitment for the work you do every day. Happy birthday Hospital Corps!
Jun 17, 2014
carfruit
Jun 17, 2014
NHBBALL MOM
Question- does each class number have one HM-1?
Jun 17, 2014
NHBBALL MOM
My son has the best HM who has helped him through the class especially when he struggled and I am so grateful. My son has an issue with taking test the hands on stuff is a cake walk for him. this guy has been outstanding and I thought I might send him a care package when my son graduates does that sound like a cheesy mom? Please be honest I can take it....
Jun 17, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Jeter's Mom, I don't see anything wrong with showing appreciation! I'm sure it would be very welcome.
Jun 17, 2014
ASTRID
Marcy, Thanks for all the ibformation you bring this group. It was really good to learn about the Hospital Corps anniversay and I forwarded it to my family.
I am new to this group and have reading all the posts about A school and Ft. Sam Houston as my son is scheduled to arrive in July 14.
He is currently at Norfolk. He was deployed for 10 months at the USS SanAntonio and got back in last October. He is a SAR swimmer and will attend the HM School in San Antonio starting this July.
We loved going to Norfolk to visit him for this past year and will miss the Navy Lodge as is the best hotel to stay when visiting the base. I will start looking for hotels near Ft. Sam as I dont think there is a Navy Lodge nearby.
Our sailor will drive from Norfolk to San Antonio, but will stop at Gainesville Fl to visit his sister. We are thinking to meet him there few days before starting school help him in anyway we can.
I have been reading all your posts ladues and am really thankful for all your experiences in HM.
Jun 17, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Welcome ASTRID! I love that Navy Lodge too. Here's a place to start researching for your visit to San Antonio - Hotel recommendations for San Antonio/Ft Sam Houston from corpsman ...
Jun 17, 2014
Mia the US Navy wife
Jun 17, 2014
Lizzie_Corpsmanwife
Jun 17, 2014
goodwitchmama
Hi- Just joined this group today. My son, Bryce, left yesterday for Boot Camp. Hoping to meet some people to have a little support for mommy! I'm very excited my son's going to be a Corpsman - I'm a nurse, so I'm just bursting with pride! :)
Jun 18, 2014
Paula
Jun 18, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Hi back! The Littman Classic II is a good basic stethoscope. Website allheart.com has good prices, and you can choose color and personalization. http://www.allheart.com/product.aspx?p=2200-16
Jun 20, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Good news story today from navy.mil: HM 'A' School Conducts Unique 116th Birthday Celebration - and Hospitalman Alexander Turner, a 19-year-old Hospital Corps student from Atlanta, gets a mention :)
Jun 20, 2014
Karin417-14/DIV104
Jun 20, 2014
DSS: Ship 03 DIV 137 PIR 4/11/14
@Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom: I'll pass that along to my hubby. He wrote the story!
Jun 20, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
DSS, how cool is that! Tell him "Bravo Zulu" from us! :)
Jun 20, 2014
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Jun 20, 2014
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
Jun 20, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Happy Saturday! Check this out from U.S. Navy Healthcare: the Anatomy Study Guide app. Designed for health-care professionals, this tool has high-resolution 3-D diagrams of the human anatomy, testing and note-taking features, and more. Download it for free -
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1pPtYm0
App Store: http://bit.ly/1jOUmHl
Jun 21, 2014
DramaSoul
My son loves his Littmann II! Marcy...thanks for all of your great postings. Loved the Corpsman Birthday celebration posting!
Jun 22, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
:) You are welcome! We love our corpsmen, right? I just posted the new Graduation Schedule above, Classes 110 through 210 (June 25 through November 14, 2014). The photos of Class 105's graduation are up - "A" School graduation, Class 105
Jun 23, 2014
MariaFaith
Hi everyone. Are the Navy A school students allowed to go inside the IHG army hotels? I booked my room at Powless. My sailor said someone told him they cannot go to any of the hotels inside the base. Can someone confirm this please. Thanks.
Jun 24, 2014
Britt<3Corpsman Wife
I have never heard of that rule. Maybe they just aren't allowed to book a room there and stay. Many of the sailors go out in town on the weekends and get hotel rooms so they can hang out, drink, be as loud as they want, co-habit with a member of the opposite sex for a couple nights. Thats the only thing I can see it being an issue with. Maybe they like to keep those rooms open for people who truly are guests.
Jun 24, 2014