Camp Pendleton Corpsmen Moms

Enjoy that vacation Jess!  Sounds like you need a break.  I've had my airbags deploy on me before and it's not the nicest feeling at all.  I remember my knuckles were red (burned) from the dust/powder that comes out of them.  My car at the time was a 2003, so they might have had the "old" type of bags.   But still, glad your ok.

Thanks Ruth for the shipping advice!  My mother always sent cookies to our teachers...RDCs are no different! 

Jess, glad to hear you are ok!  Enjoy, relax, re-group on vacation.  All will be well!  I'm glad you bf was there for you!

Ruth - does this apply for reserves corpsmen as well?  I would imagin they are trained the same...if not, he might be able to go back to his civilian job inbetween A school and going on to C school at CP.  FMTB is only 40 days right?  I'm still trying to get used to all the terminology!  I am just trying to get a sense of it all.  My Sailor has been told several different things and asked me to research this for him. 

He at least (I think) knows what he's supposed to be doing...just the time frames and what his deployment status is going to be.  We know he has to be top 10 in his class for FMF.  But I'm not sure why.  I understand why as active duty...but for a reservist my understanding is that you know where your going and have already made your choices.  So a little confused on that point. 

He should have just arrived at SA for A school, I know they have to class up and that might take a while.  So when I was projecting the december graduation...it was just an estimate.  The last CP C school class is already underway as far as I can tell (aug 1) so it's all so hard to sort out!  I feel like I'm talking in circles now!  LOL! 

Thank you all for bearing with me and thanks Ruth for your experience and sharing it with me!  Maybe if I break it down into small chunks I'll get a better understanding of what goes on!  So, let's start with A school....I'll do my research and be back with better questions later!  ;)

My son went through FMTB from October of last year until mid-December.  Can't believe it's been almost an entire year!  Crazy! 

Good luck to your son Gloria and hopefully you'll get a few more classmates.

Hi Cali-Mom!  I thought the last class started already!  Boy, when you think you have the Navy figured out...bam!  I guess we won't really!  I'm trying to figure this all out since we are trying to fit in a vacation!  We have decided on visiting Cali with my Sailor....but from the sound of it...they may get leave before heading to FMTB?  Any details would be most welcome! 

Congrats to your son on his accomplishment!!

Thanks and yes you never can figure it out...I believe he starts the second week of October and ends mid December. He is on hold at the hospital until then. My son did get leave after A school graduation and has been home until yesterday. He also went in to his original recruiter station to put in a few days to get back some leave.  Hopefully he will use them for Dec (but who knows if that will work).

Ruth VH-December 15 I believe is the date.

Gloria-I'm a participant...I'll be on this adventure with you.lol

I've been on vacation from work since 8/24 and will return on Tuesday (yuck) and haven't missed it at all. I could get used to this only if I hit the lotto though. It was great having him home (actually he was more with his frenz) but still having him home was great. It was nice to see his frenz come back around.

Does anybody understand the food choices at Camp Pendleton? Are the Sailors paying for it themselves or is there some kind of reimbursement? Also it seems there are tons of fast food options but do they pay for that and not traditional mess hall? Not big on fast food for good nutrition... also trying to pinch pennies. Any feeback would be great. Note: done with BC and FMTB. He is stationed at a clinic for 2 years.

Hi Maria, it's been over a year since my son graduated FMTB at CP but here's what I remember.  Access the base thru the main gate, they'll check your ID and let them know you're attending graduation for FMTB and they'll direct you (basically, it's a left at the 1st light and then follow around and you'll see signs directing to the location).  I arrived around 8:00-8:30am and think it started between 9:00-9:30  and lasted about an hour.  It was outside in front of the classrooms, they had bleachers set up.  Feel free to go into the classrooms 1st PLT to the left, 2nd in the middle and 3rd to the right.  They'll be playing the training video inside the classrooms and you'll get to chat with your son prior to the ceremony.  Everyone heads out right after graduation, their bags are all in a tent behind the bldg.  Here's a link to my pictures: 

http://www.navyformoms.com/photo/albums/cp-fmtb-graduation-june-18

Thanks guys for the help! I will watch the video tonight! :) I will let him know about the food. I know he had trouble with that in San Antonio. How long is training here?

Hi Maria Andy's Mo,

My son is graduating this September from CP...then he's off to 29 Palms...don't know all the details yet

Hello Everyone,

Looking forward to graduation next week...Woooo...Hoooo...Stevensmom, I am so sorry for your son...I do hope he does graduate with the rest of the young men, and hope that he's all better. 

New info to all the Moms for Grad. They changed process and we will see Pinning! For all of you unfamiliar w/area . . . Take 5 north from San Diego, exit is after the 76 off ramp. When you get on base, it's first left (Wire line road???), back over the 5 and then left again. You will see signs.

My son said ceremony is at 10, but will confirm.

Recommendation is to get there plenty early, due to parking constraints and limited bleachers. DOES ANYONE NEED A WHEELCHAIR for a family member? I have one and can bring it.

Steven's mom - heard all about your son from two sailors over the weekend.

congrats to all the new grads!! so happpy for all of you that can make it! if there are some that cant, maybe you can ask the ones going to get a pic for you. at the very least try to get a video of the FMTB training they sell!  its nice to have. got to see my bf at least 4 times in it. hope the weather is good for all of you! maybe bring a sweater and unbrella just incase. it has been a little gloomy and chilly here lately.