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 son is stationed in Okinawa and loves it. He works the maternity unit and is happy there. There are a lot more rules on that base but I'm happy that he loves his job and since they have a curfew less chances of getting in trouble !!!
Hello ladies, thanks for the info. How long are the tours over there? How is phone, text, email service.? Do they ever get to come home if so for how long? Any info is appreciated... Thanks Paula
My daughter and son-in-law is stationed in Okinawa. The phone service is good. She has a magic jack app downloaded on her phone. We talk everyday. We email & text each other often and the internet service is pretty good also. I've had no problem communicating with my daughter from afar.
@Paula - our son will be in Oki for 2 years, but since they are overseas, they usually get a much longer leave than when they are in the states. His roommate just got back from 4 weeks of leave with his family.
It may be due to cost and travel time. It takes a full 24 hours of travel one way to Texas and roundtrip airfare is about $1300 for one person.
Our son is coming home on leave right before Thanksgiving and then staying for a little over a month through Christmas. We are really looking forward to that!
Good morning all my navy wife's sisters!!!! I am in dire need of assistance. Because of our financial difficulties, I will not have enough money to travel to SA, CA from Vermont. I will be travelling by my own vehicle, so I'll have to already spent gas money, but need to sleep a few nights on the road. It is about 3,500 miles althogether. Does anyone have an idea about any safe and clean places to crash for one night? I think, I would be travelling sometime in September, that what my HM Seaman, husband said. Any ideas, please contact me for more details, thank you and God Bless You All!!!!
@mia I'm on Long Island NY not sure if that helps but you can crash at my house have 2 empty rooms I know it might not be on your route but your more then welcome. PM me if you are headed this way. South shore FYI
@Mia - how have you been...it's been a while since we've heard from you! :) I'm guessing that since you're trying to get to San Diego, your husband is getting stationed there. Is it for a school, or his first duty station? If it's his first duty station, the Navy will provide the finances necessary to move you and your household to California. Your husband will just need to provide some information to them to get things started. Safe travels!
Hey all Navy moms & wives,
If there are 12 more people to order the Sailor's Mantra tee shirt from teespring.com the company will relaunch the campaign. Are there any interested
Thank you to carafid for invitation. Although, this definitely is not on my way, maybe I,ll make it on my way. It would already be south. Let me see the map. I definitely need more of those offers, all the way to San Diego, CA. Carafid, we would need to conect via our e-mails to irone out the plan. Thank you for your offer and God Bless You!!!!!
Dear Trish from Texas, how are you???? I am going to join him, but can't go on official orders, because he used them last year, right after the A School in San Antonio. Actually, I would like to go to San Antonio and attend one of the Ceremonies, I missed last year. Where are you in TX???? How is everything with you, your son and family??? Where is your son now?
@Mia - we're good, thanks! Our son is now in Japan and loving it. I'm not sure what you mean about your hubby using his official orders last year. I would double check with his command if I were you. As long as he is stationed somewhere for over 9 months, the Navy will move you with him. Good luck! :)
Mia,
I wrote to you here twice, once here and another on the wives page but you never responded. I know of some places you can stay and if you want that info, just send me a message. I can help you but only if you would like since I've sent you messages in the past with no response :(
Hi Everyone, I'm new to the group. My son will be arriving this weekend from cross rating to Corpsman. He is really excited as are we since we will finally get to see him soon. He plans are to go FMF Corpsman. I am Looking forward to meeting ones in this group whose sailors are on a similar path.
Welcome Mamapollo and BusyMom13! We have several sailors cross-rating now, cool to see them making the change.
For any members in Arizona - We're having a Navy moms meet up/luncheon in Phoenix at Macayo's on August 3, info here: AZ Navy Moms meet and greet 8/3
Last, I just want to note that wonderful and lasting friendships are made here on NavyforMoms.com! But please remember that while it's human nature to trust and want to share, but for the safety for our members and our sailors, use common sense and caution. Members new and not-new, please read both of these and keep them in mind: Navy OPSEC Guidelines and online chat safety tips.
Hi everyone. My husband wants to come home on Labor Day weekend. They don't have class monday (sept1)but their leader said he could leave friday (aug29) and miss the class. The leader said one of their classmates asked for a leave and missed two days of class and he did not have a problem because he is in good standing in class. This was just last week. I'm asking because their NMTI is already asking for their itinerary/flight infos before he approves the leave. He's thinking of giving it to him this monday but he just found out today that he can miss a class so He was not able to ask the NMTI. He is confused if he can go ahead and buy the airfare. Can he really miss a class? He is one of the top of the class. So confusing. Any thoughts?
Hi MariaFaith - my instinct is to say, Don't mess around, don't miss a class, stick it out. It's only eight weeks, after all! I'd be asking myself if going home for a weekend is worth the risk of losing standing or some other adverse affect.
Whoops I made a mistake there, I was talking to someone about our sons and was thinking about Field Med!! Sorry about that!!! At any rate my take on MariaFaith's situation is the same :)
No problem . My son is also going to field medic battle training after HM school . Glade you cleared it up it's 8 weeks. He has PIR 8/22 then off to San Antonio
Could you pls contact me at my private e_mail, to talk about the possibility of visiting? I really would love to do it, since i had never been that way and maybe have a chance to visit this part of the country. I do not know anyone in tha part and could really not been able to pay for my way, staying there. By the way, when you write to me on my e-mail, pls. let me know, whether you are, male or female? The rest we'll figure it out, thanks a lot and God Bless You!!!!!
@MariaFaith - I know how tempting it is to want to spend time with your sailor sooner rather than later, but I agree with Marcy...skipping class is risky.
If he does decide that he just can't wait, I would strongly suggest he put in a request chit. Even if he doesn't have duty over the holiday weekend, that could change at a moments notice. A verbal approval to miss class won't keep him from getting in hot water if the watch schedule changes or something else happens. Having the chit approved covers him (with the exception of any "pop" quiz).
My 2 cents regarding missing classes: They are hard enough as it is...even when your Sailor is a great student. There is no way to replace what is missed in the interaction that takes place in a class setting. My son worked hard and he still had times when things were a lot harder to absorb.
I miss him....all the time. However...he is doing something he LOVES doing. It's been 2 years since he completed A school and FMTB.
A look at a "green side" corpsman at 29 Palms - "Corpsman supports troops at LSE-14". Growing up, HM2 Brian McKenna says, he was drawn to the medical field. “I guess I always felt I was compassionate...I like helping people.” Sound familiar to any moms here? :)
'Green side' corpsmen are assigned to Marine units: training, learning and working with them as a revered "doc" to their Marines.
My son is graduating boot camp 22-Aug-2014 and then going to Fort Sam. I have a couple questions.
First, does anyone else have an SR doing the same thing, especially from the same PIR or even from Division 258?
Second, he is then planning to be in FMF. I am wondering where he will go from Fort Sam to do that, will he go straight to another school, stay there, or serve for some time before going on to that schooling?
Also, HM A schooling is 14 weeks, if I'm remembering correctly, that put's his graduation just before Thanksgiving. When will those dates be posted so I will know for sure?
I am very open to friendships and private messages. I find them easier to deal with. :)
Welcome Wendy! If he goes FMF, he would initially go to Field Medical Training Battalion at either Camp Lejeune, NC or Camp Pendleton, CA for an additional eight weeks of training, then things depend on where he is assigned. One caveat - the expression "the needs of the Navy" can trump everything, so one learns not to count on things until hard orders are received.
There is a lot of information available at the links posted at the top of this page. Graduation dates are periodically updated on the BMTCP Facebook page, and I then put it together and post above - look for the list and the blue caduceus :) When your sailor begins school, he'll give you his class number. The latest batch goes to November 14, 2014.
Cool infographic about "hospital at sea" USNS Mercy, based in San Diego. Her sister ship is USNS Comfort, based at Naval Station Norfolk. For starters: USNS Mercy is manned by up to 59 Navy hospital corpsmen when in reduced operating status, and up to 1,200 corpsmen in full operating status. Not mentioned: that they started out as oil tankers! Infographic: http://navylive.dodlive.mil/files/2014/07/Hospital-at-Sea-USNS-Merc...
Marcy....LOVE the infographic! You always are spot on with this great information. Also the article on the green side Corpsman at 29 was awesome. Oorah! It was kind of entertaining to hear my Corpsman explain to his great-aunt on how he joined the Navy to be in the Marines.
Wendy...it's a great ride and you are just starting out! My son is an 8404 (Field Med Corpsman) who went through FMTB West in Camp Pendleton and has been on a Marine base for a couple of years.He loves his Marines! My suggestion is just read all of the great information that is on this site and ask questions.
I have not been here for awhile, been a crazy summer, a school has been kicking my son's butt. Have not been able to see him for 3 weeks and only only calling every other day. I'll be glad when graduation gets here.
I would kill to be able to see my son he is in Japan and it will be quite along time before I see his sweet face again. Be thankful for the time you do have it goes fast and off they go!
Just a heads up for those who are planning a visit, if you go to priceline there are rooms for $48 a night in downtown market square area at the holiday inn. It's under the express deals =)
Yes, I am very fortunate to live an hour away from ft sam, I was hoping to take advantage of how close we are for now, but has not worked out that way. He is very busy with his studies and I have been preparing my daughter l, who leaves for college on friday.
Hey Frogger 1 I.too live an hour from ft.sam. Been down once in the 3 weeks hes been there!,bought.dorm stuff!,going tomorrow for dinner...have to see him asap. Then he gets to come.home laborday weekend. But yes its all study,study study!! He loves A school..said corpsman the best decision he ever made! In class 210! Any other moms or dads from.210?
Cynthia are you north or south east or west. I'm south by choke canyon lake. Getting to see him this saturday, then he too will be able to come home for the holiday. Super excited
My son just got to Fort Sam on Saturday from Great Lakes . He will not start school until next Wenesday . I'm going to visit him this weekend I live about a hour and half from base. I'm glad I get to visit with him before he starts school because I know they get real busy. I was hoping to take him down to the River walk but it sounds like the only way they can leave is by Taxi they can't ride in a regular car. The taxi is very expensive river walk is only 5 miles away and it's 15 dollars one way.
Yes they can..i live an hour from fort sam..have him take a taxi to the starbucks right off base then he can ride in your car..i was there the first weekend..he has to bring his roomate..we went to ihop river walk target..set up dorm room and much more bought coffee maker and everything they need for dorm room. The guards let you drive them to their dorm...but they have to take a cab out..once out they can ride with anyone..and asurs long as he has his m id he can let you drive him into base. Make sure your inspection sticker is up to date. My next visit again cab to starbucks...then dinner at steak place..then drove him into base with him im car with out room mate..now comes home for labor day with out roomy. Anyways you can take him to the riverwalk it was teeming with liberty moms and dads from all branches in uniform.
carafid1
Jul 29, 2014
hootsmom-Ship3 DIV272
Does anyone have any suggestions for things that I can start gathering that may help my daughter when she gets moved to Texas for A School?
Jul 29, 2014
Paula
Jul 29, 2014
SAILORMOMDiv179
Jul 29, 2014
Emptynester
My son graduates C School on Aug 12 and is going to Yokosuka, Japan for 3 years. Does anyone have contact with any groups for this destination?
Jul 29, 2014
carafid1
Jul 29, 2014
Precious2tb
Jul 29, 2014
Trish from Texas
@Paula - our son will be in Oki for 2 years, but since they are overseas, they usually get a much longer leave than when they are in the states. His roommate just got back from 4 weeks of leave with his family.
It may be due to cost and travel time. It takes a full 24 hours of travel one way to Texas and roundtrip airfare is about $1300 for one person.
Our son is coming home on leave right before Thanksgiving and then staying for a little over a month through Christmas. We are really looking forward to that!
Jul 30, 2014
Mia the US Navy wife
Good morning all my navy wife's sisters!!!! I am in dire need of assistance. Because of our financial difficulties, I will not have enough money to travel to SA, CA from Vermont. I will be travelling by my own vehicle, so I'll have to already spent gas money, but need to sleep a few nights on the road. It is about 3,500 miles althogether. Does anyone have an idea about any safe and clean places to crash for one night? I think, I would be travelling sometime in September, that what my HM Seaman, husband said. Any ideas, please contact me for more details, thank you and God Bless You All!!!!
Jul 31, 2014
carafid1
Jul 31, 2014
Trish from Texas
@Mia - how have you been...it's been a while since we've heard from you! :) I'm guessing that since you're trying to get to San Diego, your husband is getting stationed there. Is it for a school, or his first duty station? If it's his first duty station, the Navy will provide the finances necessary to move you and your household to California. Your husband will just need to provide some information to them to get things started. Safe travels!
Jul 31, 2014
Mamapollo
Jul 31, 2014
Precious2tb
If there are 12 more people to order the Sailor's Mantra tee shirt from teespring.com the company will relaunch the campaign. Are there any interested
Jul 31, 2014
Paula
Jul 31, 2014
Mia the US Navy wife
Thank you to carafid for invitation. Although, this definitely is not on my way, maybe I,ll make it on my way. It would already be south. Let me see the map. I definitely need more of those offers, all the way to San Diego, CA. Carafid, we would need to conect via our e-mails to irone out the plan. Thank you for your offer and God Bless You!!!!!
Jul 31, 2014
Mia the US Navy wife
Dear Trish from Texas, how are you???? I am going to join him, but can't go on official orders, because he used them last year, right after the A School in San Antonio. Actually, I would like to go to San Antonio and attend one of the Ceremonies, I missed last year. Where are you in TX???? How is everything with you, your son and family??? Where is your son now?
Take care and God Bless You!!!!!
Jul 31, 2014
Trish from Texas
Jul 31, 2014
Lizzie_Corpsmanwife
I wrote to you here twice, once here and another on the wives page but you never responded. I know of some places you can stay and if you want that info, just send me a message. I can help you but only if you would like since I've sent you messages in the past with no response :(
Jul 31, 2014
Lizzie_Corpsmanwife
Jul 31, 2014
BusyMom13
Aug 1, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Welcome Mamapollo and BusyMom13! We have several sailors cross-rating now, cool to see them making the change.
For any members in Arizona - We're having a Navy moms meet up/luncheon in Phoenix at Macayo's on August 3, info here: AZ Navy Moms meet and greet 8/3
Last, I just want to note that wonderful and lasting friendships are made here on NavyforMoms.com! But please remember that while it's human nature to trust and want to share, but for the safety for our members and our sailors, use common sense and caution. Members new and not-new, please read both of these and keep them in mind: Navy OPSEC Guidelines and online chat safety tips.
Aug 1, 2014
MariaFaith
Aug 2, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Hi MariaFaith - my instinct is to say, Don't mess around, don't miss a class, stick it out. It's only eight weeks, after all! I'd be asking myself if going home for a weekend is worth the risk of losing standing or some other adverse affect.
Aug 2, 2014
Michelle
Aug 2, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Whoops I made a mistake there, I was talking to someone about our sons and was thinking about Field Med!! Sorry about that!!! At any rate my take on MariaFaith's situation is the same :)
Aug 2, 2014
Michelle
Aug 2, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
LOL I was yakking on the phone with another corpsman mom, we met on N4M five years ago and talk all the time :) love N4M!
Aug 2, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
A look at "Life Aboard USNS Mercy" as corpsmen describe their jobs and responsibilities -
Aug 3, 2014
DramaSoul
Marcy....Haven't said this in awhile so I need to say it...YOU ROCK!!! :-)
Aug 3, 2014
Mamapollo
Aug 3, 2014
Mia the US Navy wife
Dear Carafid 1,
Could you pls contact me at my private e_mail, to talk about the possibility of visiting? I really would love to do it, since i had never been that way and maybe have a chance to visit this part of the country. I do not know anyone in tha part and could really not been able to pay for my way, staying there. By the way, when you write to me on my e-mail, pls. let me know, whether you are, male or female? The rest we'll figure it out, thanks a lot and God Bless You!!!!!
Aug 3, 2014
Trish from Texas
@MariaFaith - I know how tempting it is to want to spend time with your sailor sooner rather than later, but I agree with Marcy...skipping class is risky.
If he does decide that he just can't wait, I would strongly suggest he put in a request chit. Even if he doesn't have duty over the holiday weekend, that could change at a moments notice. A verbal approval to miss class won't keep him from getting in hot water if the watch schedule changes or something else happens. Having the chit approved covers him (with the exception of any "pop" quiz).
Aug 3, 2014
DramaSoul
My 2 cents regarding missing classes: They are hard enough as it is...even when your Sailor is a great student. There is no way to replace what is missed in the interaction that takes place in a class setting. My son worked hard and he still had times when things were a lot harder to absorb.
I miss him....all the time. However...he is doing something he LOVES doing. It's been 2 years since he completed A school and FMTB.
Aug 3, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
A look at a "green side" corpsman at 29 Palms - "Corpsman supports troops at LSE-14". Growing up, HM2 Brian McKenna says, he was drawn to the medical field. “I guess I always felt I was compassionate...I like helping people.” Sound familiar to any moms here? :)
'Green side' corpsmen are assigned to Marine units: training, learning and working with them as a revered "doc" to their Marines.
Aug 10, 2014
ProudNavyMom
Hi everyone.
My son is graduating boot camp 22-Aug-2014 and then going to Fort Sam. I have a couple questions.
First, does anyone else have an SR doing the same thing, especially from the same PIR or even from Division 258?
Second, he is then planning to be in FMF. I am wondering where he will go from Fort Sam to do that, will he go straight to another school, stay there, or serve for some time before going on to that schooling?
Also, HM A schooling is 14 weeks, if I'm remembering correctly, that put's his graduation just before Thanksgiving. When will those dates be posted so I will know for sure?
I am very open to friendships and private messages. I find them easier to deal with. :)
Thanks for any help in advance.
Wendy
Aug 11, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Welcome Wendy! If he goes FMF, he would initially go to Field Medical Training Battalion at either Camp Lejeune, NC or Camp Pendleton, CA for an additional eight weeks of training, then things depend on where he is assigned. One caveat - the expression "the needs of the Navy" can trump everything, so one learns not to count on things until hard orders are received.
There is a lot of information available at the links posted at the top of this page. Graduation dates are periodically updated on the BMTCP Facebook page, and I then put it together and post above - look for the list and the blue caduceus :) When your sailor begins school, he'll give you his class number. The latest batch goes to November 14, 2014.
Aug 11, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Cool infographic about "hospital at sea" USNS Mercy, based in San Diego. Her sister ship is USNS Comfort, based at Naval Station Norfolk. For starters: USNS Mercy is manned by up to 59 Navy hospital corpsmen when in reduced operating status, and up to 1,200 corpsmen in full operating status. Not mentioned: that they started out as oil tankers! Infographic: http://navylive.dodlive.mil/files/2014/07/Hospital-at-Sea-USNS-Merc...
Aug 11, 2014
DramaSoul
Marcy....LOVE the infographic! You always are spot on with this great information. Also the article on the green side Corpsman at 29 was awesome. Oorah! It was kind of entertaining to hear my Corpsman explain to his great-aunt on how he joined the Navy to be in the Marines.
Wendy...it's a great ride and you are just starting out! My son is an 8404 (Field Med Corpsman) who went through FMTB West in Camp Pendleton and has been on a Marine base for a couple of years.He loves his Marines! My suggestion is just read all of the great information that is on this site and ask questions.
Are you going to PIR?
Aug 11, 2014
Frogger1
Aug 13, 2014
carafid1
Aug 14, 2014
mmaleigh
Just a heads up for those who are planning a visit, if you go to priceline there are rooms for $48 a night in downtown market square area at the holiday inn. It's under the express deals =)
Aug 14, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Frogger1, three weeks and "only" every other day? heehee like Carafid1 said, enjoy while it lasts! Are you going to graduation?
mmaleigh, thanks for that! Sounds like a great deal to take advantage of.
Aug 15, 2014
Paula
Aug 15, 2014
Frogger1
Aug 17, 2014
cynthiag- hospital corpsman mom
Aug 18, 2014
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Welcome new members!
Aug 19, 2014
Frogger1
Aug 20, 2014
Frogger1
Aug 23, 2014
Michelle
My son just got to Fort Sam on Saturday from Great Lakes . He will not start school until next Wenesday . I'm going to visit him this weekend I live about a hour and half from base. I'm glad I get to visit with him before he starts school because I know they get real busy. I was hoping to take him down to the River walk but it sounds like the only way they can leave is by Taxi they can't ride in a regular car. The taxi is very expensive river walk is only 5 miles away and it's 15 dollars one way.
Aug 26, 2014
cynthiag- hospital corpsman mom
Aug 26, 2014