Camp Pendleton Corpsmen Moms

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow! I picked up an armload of flowers for our Moms. Have to go heads down and make progress on my homework so I can actually get some sleep. See you at the Bleachers!!

cant wait to hear all about the new grads and the visits you got with your loved ones!! congrats!

Does anyone know the graduation date for the Oct 2011 class. I would like to make air reservations ASAP. Thanks

Congrats to all that just graduated. It sounds like an impressive ceremony. I can't wait to go. My son starts next week but I guess he has already started with the (mis)information... He told me he thought they would graduate on Dec 14. That is a Wednesday, so I am REALLY hoping he is wrong. I hope Gloria's son is right. Friday would be much better for my family...lol

Today has been one yr since Dylan joined. He has been in school or waiting to class up for school for an entire yr. I can't wait for FMTB to be finished for him and then he can settle down to life as a working Navy Sailor....

To everyone that gave me all the helpful advice on finding auto mechanics in the area a Big Thank You! It took almost 3 weeks but he finally has a car again and he can get out and enjoy sunny Southern California...

Maybe next week we can find out the real graduation date. I see several dates and my Son has orders that gives Dec 11 as his graduation date. My Son thinks they will decide and let everyone know after they class up. He thinks uncertainty is the norm.     

Congrats to all the new grads (x3-BC,A, FMTB) and your families. Enjoy your next journey and let us know what to expect on next leg. My son starts next week. He has enjoyed working in the ER these last 2 1/2 months after A school. He's learned alot. I've been very fortunate to have him home every weekend since August and I hope he can continue to do that thru FMTB. I've also enjoyed having his buddies also stay with us and provide them with a home away from home and homemade meals.

ZstratMom, I think we are on that same ship.  My nephew (just like my son, he lives with us) is also preparing for BC in the next couple of months while my son will be starting FMTB next week.  I'm hoping it will not be too cold for the next PIR in GL. It was chilly in mid May but I can't imagine what it will be like in real winter weather...Burrrrr!

Good luck to everyone leaving and welcome to everyone joining me on this new phase.   

Graduation on Dec 11 would be awesome! That is Dylan's 20th bday. He spent last yr in bootcamp for his bday. He PIR'ed on Dec 15 and yes GL in winter is MISERABLE. However it did snow and I was super impressed with how their city takes care of the roads. Here in Ok a few inches of snow brings us to a halt sometimes in GL they had it off the road as fast as it came down..

Well our Sailors started their new adventure today. I hope they are doing well and getting readjusted to their new surroundings. They will not get liberty for the next 3 weeks (according to my son). But in Nov they get several long weekends. Well here we go again. At least now we have a little more experience with all of this. 

I spent this past weekend hosting Homecoming dinner and a driver for a few of my daughter's (HS Sophomores) friends.  When I volunteered for this I thought a few meant 5-6 girls/boys. What do you think my daughter's version of a few meant? Well it meant 18 of her closest few friends. And I'm still dealing with the fallout of the drama of Homecoming. What was I thinking....I should have known better.....Lessoned learned.

I swear I posted a message earlier asking which moms/dads had sailors attending Camp Pendleton FMTB this Oct-Dec 2011 but I must have typed it in invisible ink because I can't see it!

I think I am seeing Gloria, Rena, Cali-Mom.  Any others out there?

We seem to have a variety of graduation dates.  My son's orders have Dec 15.  Wish the FMTB-West site was up to date.

Cali-Mom, what kind of weather should we expect in Dec?  Winter coats, gloves, nose warmer, or lighter weight Fall type jacket?    

D

ocsmom - San Diego / Oceanside weather in winter is mild. Could have a chilly early morning (50-60 degrees) with a marine layer; bring a light coat. Days should warm to 70s, depending on what ever weather pattern we're experiencing. A hoodie / sweat jacket will often do the trick for transitioning throughout the day. Or, something on the level of a light London Fog raincoat. Use your Florida weather as a general guide. Nothing. I repeat: Nothing like going to northern realms. Also, check in with an online 5-10 day weather forecast before you pack.

Now - I will admit to keeping those stretch knit gloves in my coat pocket at all times and I use the seat warmer in the car (year round)--but I am an avowed weather wuss and absolutely, positively loathe being cold. ;-)

zStratMom, thanks so much for the advice.  I've been in the south so long that I just don't tolerate cold weather well.  Yep, I am also a weather wuss!

For those of us who have sailors in the current FMST (FMTB) course at Camp Pendleton, I just called the S3 at the school and spoke to a Chief who told me that graduation is Dec 15, 2011. 

When I told him that there seemed to be a lot of confusion, he said he would be sure the word got out to the students.   

Rena, the 15th is definitely the date.  S3 is the Plans/Operations/Academics section of the school.  The Chief I spoke to was very adamant about the date.

I grew up a military brat and also worked for the military so I know how you feel about the confusion.  That's why I figured, after reading all the different dates, that I should get some clarification. 

Moms whose sailors have already graduated, is FMTB graduation the same as A and C school?  After graduation, they clear out and head to next assignment or leave?

Yes, graduation is on Thursday.

Ruth, my husband was just out in San Diego, visiting our son, and they went out to the pier to eat.  It is really, really, really long, isn't it?  I could certainly use the exercise.

Hoping our FMTB sailors get the weekend to rest as they have had a pretty strenuous past few days and from the video I saw, it is just the beginning.  Praying that our boys stay injury free.   

docsmom, did you get to see a video of the past few days for the boys? mine didn't mention a video but he doesn't share much...lol

Ruth, can't wait for the pier and I will try and get the waitress with the pink dress and red hair...lol

Rena, the video I saw was one posted on Youtube for an earlier class but it is what our sailors are going through.   I just searched for FMTB West and found a video that was 19 minutes long.  Was quite interesting.  Sorry for my confusing message!

Glad they survived their first "camping" trip with no major injuries.  My son feels like someone beat him up with all the bruises and scrapes. But, I think he actually enjoyed it.

yay! gloria, so glad you are going! it is such a wonderful thing getting to see your loved ones accomplish the next step in their lives!

God bless all of you; I have faith that God is covering all of US.

My son Efrain is a Corpmen. Nerve wrecking for me. I am proud, sad, scared, happy, nostalgic...all those emotions in one.   My second son is leaving for Air Force boot-camp Nov 22. So here I go again...7months without both of them.

I hope to make some more friends with this group/forum. All questions,concerns and feedback are welcomed. :)

best regards,

Joan :)

Excuse my ignorance ...lol  what is FMTB? my first year in a half as Corpmen mom..lol

Thank for the compliment. :) Nervous but proud always...:)

FMTB stands for Field Medic Training Battalion. it is a course that pretty much all male and some female Corpsman go through. it is a combination of a marine boot camp and medical field training. it teaches them how to work out of the field with marines and how to pratice working in stressful situations with wounds. also more about how marines do things, so they can work hand in hand with them. it is a couple of months long. but they learn a lot!! it is tough! but by the end they all say its worth it!!

Glad to report that my son, as well as Gloria's, has survived the 4 mile and 6 mile hikes and sleeping on rocky ground.  Believe today was the 4th of 5 written tests but haven't heard results yet.

I know this experience is a huge confidence and ego booster for our sailors.  I've seen the hill they are hiking up and the one they came down yesterday.  If there was snow on it, it would be a black slope for sure!  I would have to slide down it on my bottom.   

Ruth, I met one of my son's neighbors the other day and he was also deploying on Monday.  Must be the same ship.  He was spending his last day with his two little children.  What a heartbreaker.  I know this is ahead for my little granddaughter early next year when her mommy is underway.  Thank goodness Daddy will still be here for her.  

I am sure it will be a long 7-9 months for you.  Will add your son to my prayers.  Never can get too many of those.