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

Thanks Britt. That's actually what I told him. Because I saw a lot of people here recommended booking a room with IHG hotels. My sailor just arrived there and it seems like they are getting different informations like their graduation date. Someone told them they are graduating late October when their graduation schedule that was just released is 1st week of Oct. Their class is about to start. If they will close the School for july 4th (4 day weekend), my sailor can't go home right because they are just in Phase 1? 

Thanks again Britt! I think I'll just visit him instead. It's actually our anniversary.

My son got to San Antonio the week of Thanksgiving, he got full liberty for the holiday weekend.  He went and expolored the mall, the river walk and had a great weekend off of base.  I think they allowed full liberty just because it was the holiday because when classes started they were back on phase I liberty.  I know they moved through the phases pretty fast but they did get knocked back down to phase one during A school.  I guess a few Sailors skipped out on PT and everyone suffered!  Oops

Thanks Kat72 for the infos.

Welcome Rob!  Sounds like your sailor has a great dad and a good head start. 

WELCOME new members - thirty-six in May and June!  Lots of good info at the links and Discussions above, also the latest "A" School graduation schedule through November 14, 2014.

My son is traveling to his first post today! He wants me to let everyone know do NOT use Andy's cab company in Norfolk. They treated him very badly. The airline has also lost his huge seabag. So, when your sailor travels have them keep at least one uniform in their hand carry. Yes, he's in his civies.

He just texted that he's gotten his luggage! He has another day of travel to go...

Glad it worked out!  Nothing like first-hand experience ;)

Hi Michelle and Precious2tb, welcome to the family!  Be sure to look through the links above and the Discussions, lots of good info here  :)

Does anyone know the graduation date for the 6/27 PIR graduates?

No. he hasnt given me a class # yet.

I would really like to stay at the Powless Hotel, but my son is apprehensive about coming into the hotel and staying with us for the weekend (close contact with officers).  Any opinions or others that have stayed with their Corpsman?

My son has been there since the 5th of July. He Phased up after one week and was able to leave base , go into San Antonio but had to wear his uniform and had a curfew to be back.  He has watch every 5th day and it lasts 4 hours. Im sure y'all can go visit this weekend if you wanted. but wait till after 5pm and allow him time to study over the weekend. The first part of his schooling is the EMT part and they will have test weekly or maybe daily,  They say this is the hardest part. Classes do begin tomorrow.

 cynthiag- hospital corpsman mom

Hello 1sail. I checked in at Powless House when I visited San Antonio 3 weeks ago . My husband stayed with me the entire weekend and he never had an issue. He was wearing civilian clothes the entire weekend. I think he only saw one Army officer there and he just greeted him.

My son drove all the way from Norfolk to San Antonio, making a few stops and overnight stays and finally arrived last friday July 11th.

We flew to San Antonio the day before and stayed at the Fairfield Inn near the Rivercenter, so he joined us and visited the area and the base during the weekend. Temperatures are in the 90's so it is very hot.

The hotel is only a block away from The Alamo and The Riverwalk. We had a great time before he reported to school on Monday July 14th and we went back home.

The base is huge and mainly ARMY and AIR FORCE so we were lost at the beginning as most of the soldiers we asked for directions only knew their areas, but we finally found the Hall were he had to report to and they gave him all the instructions to follow for starting day. We visited the Exchange and he was able to shop for his essentials.

Before saying good bye on Monday I gave him the talk about studying and really focus in the school and find a good study group.  He knows it will be tough but I always tell him that nothing is easy in life and that the most rewarding things are the ones earned by hard work. Those you really appreciate. And...that this is the job that he wanted so he better do his best!

So far he text me that his class number is 200 and that it is  very HOT at the base!!

Hi Astrid. Is he doing C school? 'Cause I know all the new graduates of boot camp that will go to A school in San Antonio are coming from IL. All the best to your son!!

Hi MariaFaith, He is doing A School (HM). He went to boot camp in August 2012 and was assigned to the USS San Antonio in Norfolk VA. They were on deployment for 10 months in 2013. This year he was chosen to become a SAR and attended training and certification at Jacksonville FL.  Back in Norfolk he received the HM designation and orders to report to the school in San Antonio TX.

I guess he has been very busy since he enlisted in 2012!!

Is there a list of all the graduation dates for the A school in San Antonio?

Mitchmom, if you scroll up you will see "Graduation schedules and updates" and a list I put together of the latest list of graduation class numbers and dates.

congrats Frogger. I wished I could see my sailor.... we live in Alabama

My son is class 195, anyone out there with a sailor in that class?

They just began corpsman classes this past Wednesday.

Hey Anna, I am so jealous, If you see my Trey, please give him a hug for me. Trey is his nickname not birth name. I miss him so.  Im not going out there till September....

It all sounds good!  Mon, they mostly know each other by last names only now  :)   If you do share last names here in N4M, remember to do it by private message.  

Here's a Navy story that I just find interesting - "If preparing dishes in a cramped kitchen sounds daunting, imagine cooking in a small space hundreds of feet below the sea's surface for 170 of your closest friends."  Article:  Cooking in tight quarters: A submarine aboard USS Pennsylvania; from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Thanks for the advice Marcy, I will remember next time.

Mon, I'm used to it now, but in the beginning I thought it was so funny that no one knew each other's first name!  Ah the military LOL

Hi all, I am new here. My son/sailor graduated 07182014 DIV 936. That was a wonderful day and several of his friends traveled with him to Texas. Thank you for all the information here.  Every step is a new journey and I appreciate all the tips and information from those who go before me.  Please feel free to contact me if you'd like.

Someone at HM School told my son that as he comes from fleet deployment at Norfolk, the east coast, he can only get assigned to pisitions in the east coast when he finishes the school.

Sounds strange to me, but if anyone in the group knows about this please tell me!

Hi cynthiag, In case you were asking me:
PIR-July 18, on July 19-bussed to Ohare 1am-flew out after 8am to SA. Families welcome at airport and in USO with guest pass obtained by sailor. It is a wonderful time to meet and hang with his new friends and colleagues from his division that are going to same A school. Leave was short-arrived Saturday, started classes Monday.

Uh Oh, mine was also given Japan today but he said they were 'soft' orders so nothing guaranteed until in black and white, (sometimes not even then...)

Thank you Emptynester. I wish the best for your son. Hope my daughter can still get her wish.

Filnavymom, I'm going to friend request you and ask you some questions.  My son said they're having to re-pick their orders because something changed.  He has some questions about your daughters graduation and ship.

Hi Emptynester. I just approved your friend request. You can

pm me. Thanks.

Daughter just arriving at school and waiting to class up .Happy she is havin a few days to explore the base before things get busy.