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

Welcome new members today Navy'an, Hootsmom (great name) and Augie1116!  A great way to start is to read through the information and use the links at the top of the page, and then take a look at the Discussion topics.  

Does anyone know if sailors get liberty while in FMTB or is it like boot camp. Can they at least have their phones in the evenings? Any info appreciated!

wigglyturtle, here's the liberty policy at FMTB East (Camp Johnson at Camp Lejeune, NC).  Yes, they can use their phones in the evening.  Regarding liberty - if you're thinking of visiting, my personal view is that there is no question that it's best to wait until graduation.  It's an INTENSE eight weeks of class and exams and extremely rigorous field training with Marines.  Falling back a class likely leads to a change in orders and losing the duty station the corpsman wanted.  Hope this helps!  :)

Thank you Marcy!

What is the liberty policy at FMTB West (Camp Pendleton) ?

Joe&NatesMom, METC has said that changes to the schedule are rare but do happen, so I'd go with what your son has said.  

inw0nderland, the FMTB-West website doesn't have details about their liberty policy.  However, FMTB-East's site does; use the link above for FMTB-East, then go to Students and you'll see Liberty Policy in the drop down menu.   West's may be the same policy but you can call the command (760-725-2559) to see.

One of the less-savory but necessary things to discuss with your corpsman is all the predatory people seeking to separate them from their money.  This article is about travel loans but mentions payday loans, auto loans and tax-refund loans too.  They're despicable and everyone needs to know what to be wary of.  http://www.stripes.com/travel/payday-auto-loans-now-regulated-but-t... 

Best Mother's Day gift ever - our son face timed with the news he earned his FMF pin - pinning ceremony was held yesterday afternoon.  Gushing with a little extra pride today!!

Thank you Prince15!

My SR is still in RTC.  He will have PIR 6/26 and was told depending on his school and start date that he could have a week between RTC and A school?  I think they meant if he was going to school in Great Lakes he could have a week, is that correct?

 my son did not leave great lakes after PIR till  Sunday and he waited a week due to thanksgiving.  To be honest I cant remember what he did.  I think stood watches and cleaned.  The fiscal year starts in Oct. so sometimes that has an effect on when classes start.  He got there after the government shut down but a lot of sailors in his PIR had to wait a long time to class up for different schools

He goes to San Antonio they don't get to come home till after school.  I unfortunately their are some that go right to their duty stations and don't get to come home.

We actually had 12 hours with my son at O'Hare.  I can tell you all about Terminal 3. Wouldn't have traded that time for all the money in the world. His first leave came after he graduated from A school in SA and before he reported to FMTB-West.  His graduation was 2 July 2012.  Don't know if things have changed. We thought we would have the whole weekend with him after PIR...especially since it was his birthday (PIR was 2 Mar...his b'day was 4 Mar of that year). It seems the Navy doesn't really care if he spends his birthday with his family. LOL!!  I ended up going to the Art Institute (which I had planned if he had been with me) and texting pics to him. He was settling into his living quarters in SA!  Hard to believe that was 3 years ago. Wowy! The time is flyin'. 

Hi NM! I have a prayer request please. My daughter just called and said that she was told today that she was exposed to TB on her first day of clinicals. She has to get tested tomorrow morning. She was trying to put up a good front for me but I could tell she is very scared. All I can do is leave it in God's hands.

Sending lots of prayers your way, Dutchess.  Let us know how your daughter makes out.

@Lizziebear0803_corpsmanswife When they are on hold for 1-2 weeks in San Antonio after RTC are they allowed visitors or their cell phones, etc? 

Amber02888: After my husbands RTC graduation, I was able to spend time with him until 6:30pm, then dropped him off back to the base.  He told me where to meet him Saturday and what time, which was about 6am at O'Hare Airport.  I gave him his cellphone that day and spend time with him until 2:30pm.  He was able to text me and even call me during the hold time, but I lived in CA so I didn't even visit him until he was phase 3 (about 2wks after they arrive).  Hope that helps and answers the question :)

Hi all. Just joined in. Love all the info. My son's PIR is 7/2 then off to San Antonio.

Hello NMs!! My daughter's TB test came up negative. She will have to retake the test every three months for at least a year to be sure she stays negative. Thanks for the prayers.

She took the hospital corpsman oath today. She is a corpsman. Now on to C school! 53 weeks for Medical Laboratory Technician. First 6 months at Ft. Sam. New orders in Jan. to tell her where her second phase will be.

Congratulations Dutchess and thanks for the good news!

elise_denise2514, welcome to the group!

Elise, phases start when they arrive. My husband was phase 1 for just under two weeks. Started classes on a Thursday and was phased up to phase 2 the next day. I think it all depends on how the group is doing and what their instructors are like.

Happy Monday!  Looking ahead to sea duty  :)  Homecomings are amazing events, I hope everyone whose corpsman serves on a ship gets to attend theirs. During deployment, you'll be on the Ombudsman (official liaison between command and families) and Family Readiness Group lists.  The FRG, led by elected volunteers, coordinate the homecoming events.  Here's a good article about homecoming traditions:  "Return to Homeport: U.S. Navy Homeconing Traditions"

My husband finished boot camp in April 10. He is in San Antonio hes a corpsman in the Navy and has not been wanting to send me money. We have a  joint account and He cancelled my card and started wasting in going clubbing, and getting tattoos etc. We have a one year old daughter and he seems not to care whether she has something to wear or not. or if she eats or not. All he cares is about himself. I'm sick and tired of everything he has done to hurt me, He cheated on me and is not sending me money. He wasted last paycheck entirely ... he has an Iphone and had just bought a new one.. he supposedly returned it and i'm supposed to be getting back the money but its been 10 days and nothing. I do work but its not enough. I don't think its fair hes wasting all the money and not giving my daughter and I anything. It hurts to see he rather spend money going clubbing etc then buying his own daughter even a pair of shoes. I'm so devastated about everything that's been happening. They told me to file for child and spouse support but I have no idea where to start all this is so complicated... I cant believe this is happening to me... but well I need advice . I don't know who to go to or what to do. I'm so stressed out. Any advice ?

Texans13, I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles.  I would suggest calling Fleet and Family Support at 817-782-5287 and inquire about family counseling and assistance.  Wishing you well for a positive outcome.

Thank You Marcy. 

Texans13:

Hey girl I just talked to my husband and he told me to advise you to contact Family Fleet on San Antonio base to advise them about your situation.  I wouldn't necessarily tell them he cheated on you out there because he will get into some very serious trouble, which could (not will) get him court martialed and kicked out.  Advise them that he cut you off the account, you don't have enough money for childcare and what not, and know you are not the first person to face this.  I haven't faced it personally but my husband said he saw lots of this happening when he was in A school.  I don't know your age or the hubby's age but he said mostly young kids (we are 30 & 27) went out and acted like crazy kids out there.  Don't worry it's going to be ok and just know in the end your daughter will be ok as well.  Message me if you need to vent or whatever ok?

Hi I'm new to the HM San Antonio group. My son graduates June 22nd. We're so proud and excited for him.

Is there a page on here for sailors in C school for Medical Laboratory Technician at Ft. Sam?

Welcome Melinda, and congratulations!  Yes, so much to be proud of, and it's so great to be starting out on his adventure!

Dutchess - Not that I know of; but you may find others whose corpsmen have gone through that C School by asking in the groups "Corpsman Moms" and Corpsmen Moms and Dads."

Thank you, Marcy!!

Welcome, MomofMo21! 

Today, June 17, marks the 117th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps!  The annual tradition of honoring the Hospital Corps' legacy of achievements, heroism and sacrifice as the Navy's most decorated rating is taking place this week around the world at formal Hospital Corps Balls and at ceremonies on land and at sea (and every one will have a cake-cutting by the youngest and oldest corpsmen present).  When my own son joined the Navy just seven years ago, these same Navyformoms.com corpsman groups were filled not so much with questions about liberty phases and cellphones, but with sleepless parents sharing their deepest anxieties about their deployed loved ones and, too often, their anguish.  Thankfully, far fewer are in harm's way today as the rest nevertheless continue to maintain battle-readiness.  Take a moment today to celebrate and honor our heroes, our Navy hospital corpsmen!