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

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!  

WELCOME!! 

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  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Happy 240th birthday to the US Navy today!  

  • diane

    My daughter four out today when Christmas stand down is. I'm really excited. Now I just wait to hear when my son, who's on the Bush, will be home.

  • becathena73

    I am new to the group and my son doesn't leave for RTC until August of next year but we are wanting to get him a watch for his high school graduation that he will be able to use in his navy career. Was wondering if there was certain watches that are preferred by those that are in HM or any certain thing we should look for in a watch for him

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Just my thoughts  - a watch with a second hand would be a great gift.  However, don't invest much $$ so that if it's lost or damaged, he won't feel badly.  They're on the go and in many different situations so keeping track of valuables could make for unneeded stress.  Just make sure it's durable!  This looks interesting ... https://www.emergencystuff.com/smith-wesson-emt-watch-w-nylon-strap...

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    November is Military Family Month, so this "valentine" from Navy Medicine is for all of YOU!! 

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    WELCOME new members!  Please introduce yourself and tell us about your future corpsman!  

  • NavyMom1108

    Hello, My son is graduating BC next Friday! Super excited and proud. He should be in San Antonio by Sunday! My husband and I are super glad he will be a little closer to home. Thanks for the warm welcome!
  • Kristina..s

    Hi everyone, my son has been in San Antonio since October 17th. He did great on his CPR and mod 1 test. He has failed his mod 2 and is now being recycled. He is devasted. Says maybe he made a mistake joining the navy. I tried to encourage him. But, I am very concerned. He says it will be the worst thing ever if he fails out of corpsman school. He said everyone has told him being undesignated is horrible. Any advise?
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Called my son, here's what he is saying:  tell him to stay positive, the Navy wants him to succeed.  Don't worry about not making it, he will.  Join study groups.  Stay healthy with good diet and workouts.  Study at every opportunity.  Make sure his uniform is immaculate.  Always take notes.  Speak up and ask questions always.  He should talk to instructors and make clear his motivation.  He should ask his chief for a mentor who can guide him, help with study habits and so on.  Make a routine of study, workouts, even room cleaning.  Focus, stick to it, give it 200% effort and he will succeed.  

    That's what my corpsman says  :)

  • Brenda

    My son graduates from Boot camp Dec. 11th and then going to San Antonio for A School, When will he start A School? Several people say he might get to come home for a week due to Christmas, and is there an updated graduating schedule. I figure he probably graduate near the end of March, or the first week in April.

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Brenda, contact Navy Medicine Training Support Center at Ft Sam Houston, hopefully they will have the answer - (210) 808-1445 or (210) 808-8594.  Navy Medicine Training Support Center "Welcome Aboard"

  • Bronco14

    Were any of your corpsmen fleet returnees when they went to A school in San Antonio? I have heard that fleet returnees are granted phase 3 liberty immediately, but am not sure if this is the case during corpsmen A school?

  • NavyMom1108

    Hello, my son just graduated this morning. He's heading to San Antonio soon. He was told he starts in Dec. Would they give him liberty?
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Happy Monday!  Have you found yourself using the military alphabet yet?  :) 

  • Bronco14

    How does Christmas and leave work at A school?
  • Squeak4me

    Ok, going to try again. I am really new to this & a new phone to struggle with. I just tried to post something so forgive me if it shows up twice. My SR's PIR date is 08JAN16 & then off to A School for HM. Glad I am able to read all of the posts on here so I am not in the dark too much when he goes to school. Thank you to all of you for your time in helping newbies like me though this difficult but very proud moments.
  • momofnm

    Squeak4me...my son also has PIR 08JAN16 and then A school at San Antonio for HMDT.
  • Squeak4me

    That's awesome momofnm! What Ship/Div? My son is Ship 14 Div 056! Still waiting to hear from him. As I am sure you understand, I am going crazy (maybe a little more than normal) not knowing what or how he's doing. Much love to you and your son! ;)
  • momofnm

    My son is Ship 03 Div 053.  I cannot wait for that first call or letter.  This not knowing anything is doing a number on me.  Much love to you and your son also.  We will have to meet up at Great Lakes and then again in San Antonio!!

  • Squeak4me

    Great to hear from you! We will definitely have to meet at both! Good luck!!
  • NavyMom1108

    My son has been in San Antonio since November.14. Wishing your son well on his journey! My son loves it there.
  • Bronco14

    My sailor heard that they may have 14 days of leave after A school graduation... is this accurate?

  • Leslie

    My son will be heading to HM A School from Great Lakes in early January.  I plan to get him a laptop but first I need a little information.  Is their Wi-Fi access in each barracks room? Are you allowed to keep and use a laptop in your barracks or must it be used in a common area?  Thanks for your help

  • momofnm

    Leslie, I am following that question because my son is heading there also for A school and we were getting him a Surface for Christmas and was hoping he could take it with him.
  • Trish from Texas

    Bronco14 - Because of the holidays, there's a better chance of them getting leave chits approved, but it's a case-by-case basis, depending on when each sailor needs to report into their next duty station. Our son could only have a few days since he was the newest sailor at the clinic he got transferred to, and only got that because most of the senior staff wasn't going back home.
  • Trish from Texas

    Leslie - The rooms in most barracks can get wi-fi once the service is set up. It costs about $60 a month (I think) and can be set up in a few business days. Some rooms are better than others, but there's also a library if all else fails.
  • Bronco14

    Yep, my sailor and his roommate split their Internet bill of $50 ($25 each). They are allowed to use their computers in their rooms. Thanks for answering my question Trish! My sailor doesn't graduate until the end of March, so I don't think the holidays will apply there. But he is getting to come home for 2 amd a half weeks this month, so I'm not complaining there! Thanks :)
  • Trish from Texas

    They are allowed to have all kinds of equipment in their rooms. They have tv's, game consoles, laptops, etc. The curriculum is pretty fast-paced and challenging, so I wouldn't recommend too many distractions, but it's not against the rules.
  • Trish from Texas

    Leslie - Please accept my apology...I thought I was replying to the Okinawa moms page. It's obviously past my bedtime. LOL!
  • Leslie

    momofnm, is your son graduating soon from Boot Camp? Mine graduates the end of this month!!  I'm excited to have him a little closer but the computer access will make a big difference.  Any info you are able to find out will be greatly appreciated.

    Trish, your information regarding the WiFi service was quite helpful.  I'm not sure what you mean about the "Okinawa Moms Page". But it was past my bedtime also so I didn't notice  ;-)

    Bronco14, Thank you! That's a great idea about splitting the bill with his roommate.  I wrote to him about that in my letter this morning.  I'm sure he will love the idea.

  • momofnm

    Leslie, my son graduates Jan 8. Then A school in San Antonio.
  • Leslie

    momofnm, Our sons will be a week apart in their training then. My son is very excited. Partially because of the rate that he chose. He followed in his dad's footsteps by joining the Navy. By choosing the Corpsman rating, he's following in mine. I've been a nurse for 16 years. I hope that he will enjoy it.
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Welcome to all you new moms!  Because it can take a while to "class up," your future corpsmen may end up in the same class.  I'm good friends with a group of corpsman moms I've met on N4M going back seven years, so it's great to see new friendships starting here!  

    Here's a little something via navy.mil - the "New to the Navy" mobile app, which provides answers to common questions and also includes definitions of acronyms.

    Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/opsec/id1031272509?mt=8
    Android: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/opsec/id1031272509?mt=8 

  • Bronco14

    Hi again girls, I am wondering if any of you have heard about a facility on base where sailors and their families can go to get furniture that has been left behind/donated by other sailors and families? I'm moving to San Antonio near Ft. Sam Houston and my dad who is retired Army said he remembers something like that and to look into it.

  • Boms_wife

    Hello everyone! I am new to this particular group. My gusband graduates from BC at the end of the month and will be heading out to Fort Sam. He mentioned yesterday that he might have to wait to class up and is hopong to take leave to come home while waiting to class up. Is that something they allow? I should mention that my husband is a reservist so I'm not sure if the rules are different.
  • wigglyturtle

    No, they don't get leave between boot camp and A school. My husband arrived on the Saturday after boot camp graduation and classed up just under two weeks later on Thursday. They'll have about a week of briefs that they have to go to, they stand watches during the day since they don't have class, and generally get settled in and get to know the place. From what I've read over the last year, 1-2 weeks is about typical for wait time, though its not like they're just sitting there and not busy. He should get leave after A school graduation and it could be up to a couple of weeks by then.

  • wigglyturtle

    I just read that he was a reservist - I still think the answer is the same, but I guess I can't say for certain. I would also think it would be difficult to get any leave approved since he would have to have it from the command at ft sam, and he wouldn't be able to get that approved ahead of time. Good luck and congrats!

  • wigglyturtle

    Bronco14 - I remember passing a place on ft sam that was a thrift store or something. We never went there, so I can't say what they have. But it would make sense that they'd have things that other families didn't need when moving. I looked at the map, and I want to say the sign was somewhere in the area of Schofield Rd & Forage Rd.

  • Boms_wife

    Wigglyturtlea, thank you! I'm pretty he doesn't get leave before A school either, but didn't want to burst his bubble.
  • Bronco14

    Thanks so much for the info wigglyturtle. I will definitely check that out when I move down there!
  • Boms_wife

    Hello everyone! My husband just had PIR this past NYE and will be arriving at Ft Sam tonight. I look forward to learning from all of you!
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Welcome Boms_wife! Regarding study, Navy Medicine has a great 3D "Anatomy Self Study Guide" to download. This article has the info (and the links): http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=81642

    IOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/anatomy-study-guide-americas/id8765...

    Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Pixofactor.Ent.Na...

  • Boms_wife

    Thank you. I passed it along to my sailor.
  • momofnm

    Hello all. My son has arrived. He finished bootcamp last Friday and is now in San Antonio for A school. Not even sure what expect next, I just know he is happy to be done with bootcamp.
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Welcome, momofnm!  Yes I'm sure he's happy to be out of the cold anyway :)  Now on to the next round!  

  • Bronco14

    Hi ladies, I am living in San Antonio right now while my corpsman is going through school. The local electric company here informed me that I could waive the deposit fee with them if I obtain a military waiver from the base housing... I imagine not too many of you have been in this situation but does anyone know who I would get in contact with or how I might obtain such a waiver? Thanks in advance!!

  • Lizzie_Corpsmanwife

    Bronco14 do they know you are living out there? I'm only asking cause if it was a personal move I think your sailor has to go and do that at the base housing office. Then I think he would need to let them know you live there and blah blah blah. It's crazy I went through that process but we didn't get asked anything.
  • Bronco14

    No I don't think they know I'm out here. It was a personal move. Is that process annoying and kind of crazy? I already paid the deposit cause I didn't know I could get it waived, and either way the deposit will be returned to me when I move, which will be in just two and a half months. So it might just be easier for me to wait it out.

  • Lizzie_Corpsmanwife

    I never dealt with it my husband did when he moved in with me during C school. I wouldn't bother with the deposit because he won't be living with you so it doesn't matter. Don't tell them you live there though.
  • Bronco14

    Yeah the only reason I was going to bother with it is because I wouldn't have to pay the deposit if he had the waiver :) But I'm gonna just hold out and get it back when we leave, not a big deal. Thanks for the info and help! Also, why shouldn't anyone know that I live here?