Corpsman being deployed if they are reserve??

[Cheryl T.]

Hi All,
My son Robbie has been at bootcamp for 2 weeks now. His plan is to go to A-school in Great Lakes for 14 weeks after PIR. After reading all that I have on this forum I am curious if anyone knows if a sailor is reserve do they still get deployed to middle east?? His recruiter told us he would not hardly ever be put in harms way??? I also know nothing was ever said about c-school!! I hate all this not knowing what is or is not going on with my son's future. Now I am going to lose sleep worrying about him going into combat or something and IED's and who knows what else!!! I know I am freaking out probably for nothing but I am new at having a kid in the military!! I guess I just need reassurance from someone!! Please!
Cheryl T

[Cheryl T.]

Inga,
I am about to have a nervous breakdown! I knew his recruiter probably wasn't telling us all the details! I know I need to just put my trust in God and pray for Robbie, but now more than ever I am so scared! We weren't with Robbie all the times he met with his recruiter as he wanted to handle this on his own. I know he by age an adult but he is still my baby, my youngest of four and I don't know if I can bear the thought of him being deployed! I think that would be the end of my sanity! I realize this doesn't sound very patriotic; however it is my flesh and blood we are talking about. Please excuse my panic attack I just wanted alot of information and now I am not so sure it has helped! Thanks for listening and I will pray for all our kids to stay safe. Thanks Again!
Cheryl T

[Cheryl T.]

Dear Inga,
I know you are right in everything you say. I have always been somewhat of a worry wart about my kids! Robbie has no idea I am worried as my letters to him are of encouragement and of support. I know his decision was one he made for himself and with our blessing. He asked on many occasions if I was okay for him joining the navy and of course even with some reservations we supported his decision to pursue this path. It is here amongst other mom's or dad's I feel I can unload my fears for him. I really don't like this part of my personality believe me! I know I need to calm down as I do not know what lies ahead for him it is just the thought of him being sent so far away and in the line of danger that terrifies me. I will do my best to put my fears into God's hands and pray for my son as well as all the others in the military. I don't mean to sound like I think only my son counts as I know differently. Thanks again for responding to help me to look only at the present and not worry so much about the future as only God knows what lies ahead for all of us. God Bless you for your understanding it means alot to me right know.
Cheryl T

[Jayne]

Cheryl, My son is in Corpsman A school right now. He is also a reserve. His recruiter did not tell him about the FMF C school either (very frustrating).

In terms of patriotism - I think one of the greatest acts of patriotism, of hope, of life - is to be a loving, supportive, responsible parent - it looks like you have that covered :)

Please know that you and your son are in my thoughts.

[Cheryl T.]

Thanks for the information I think!? I am just so mad at his recruiter for not giving us all the facts! I really don't know if my own son really understands all the facts? Our main question way before Robbie seriously considered enlisting was his safety!!! I asked what I thought were the right questions but as you can see was not given all the answers. I know this is what my son wants to do but what I do not know if he realizes he could have very well put his life on the line. I know that doesn't sound very patriotic but as a mother who loves her youngest son with all her being I am not willing to give his life. But that may very well be out of my hands now. I know this will probably offend someone maybe even you but I am trying to be as honest as I can. I will pray with every ounce of being I have for my son as well as all the others who have chosen this path. I do have one question is it certain that after A-school he will be sent elsewhere for additional training?? That also was never told to us. I do think Robbie thought he would come home after A-school. I just can't bear any of this deception! Thanks again for the information. God Bless you.
Cheryl T

[Cheryl T.]

Thanks for you reply once again! The main reason why I don't think Robbie knew he could possibly be deployed with a marine unit into a war zone and have to administer medical care to a possibly severe injured soldier is because a girl he graduated high school with was killed around the corner from us in a car accident and he came upon the wreck, got out to see if someone needed help and witnessed a very gruesome site as her head was partially beheaded and it made Robbie very sick!! He woke me up very disturbed and couldn't get the site out of his head!!! This very reason I don't believe he was given all the facts!! Robbie knows his limitations. Yes he chose medical corpsman but I truly believe he thought he would possibly be on a ship or in a hospital/clinic somewhere! Now don't get me wrong I am not one hundred percent sure of all this but I do know my son and I don't think he knew all this! I am going to try and not worry so much until I have to but it is very hard for me! Thanks again for your kind words! I am so thankful for this website it has been a godsend for me.
God Bless You!!
Cheryl T

[Melissa Valle]

Hi Cheryl,

Just wanted to stop by and give a little support, as this to has happen to me when the my son's recruiter told me that he would not go to Iraq because he did not sign up for FMF (fleet marine forces), but let me tell you all the recruiters are "LIARS" they tell you what you want to hear so that our sons/daughters will sign up, I think they even get bonuses for each recruit it's unbelievable I don't know how these people live with themselves, but as my son tells me mom I knew when i signed up that I very well might have to go to Iraq it is war time right now but I know that sometimes we secretly wish that our son/daughter we will be the one that just might not have to go, but all I can do is be supportive, I mean my son already has orders to go to Iraq in August it's heart wrenching and I worry so much but I just take it one day at a time and I pray everyday for god to please keep my son safe, I know that when he gets on that plane to go to Iraq I will probably go crazy I mean he is my first born and my only son but he does tell me mom don't you worry about me because I know that my marines will take care of me, and Cheryl they do these marines will do anything for their corpsman.

So just think positive your son is in bootcamp still and he still has a long road ahead of him before he evens knows what his orders are he will get his orders like in the last 4 weeks of "A" school and It's my understanding that they will all have go thru FMTB now before their contracts are up.

Good luck to you and your son,

Melissa

[Cheryl T.]

Melissa,
I hate to hear anything about this!!! I am about to go crazy with fear! i promise you as I sit here today if my son is sent to Iraq I WILL go completely crazy! No if ands or buts about it!! I have been told that they will do some field training (ambulances, triage, ER, etc) and have to pass all the stuff for medical corpsman. My son I know doesn't know any of this about Iraq and giving aid to severely injured because he has a VERY weak stomach!! So with that I know he is not aware of any of this!! I just can't even bear to think about it!! I don't know how to think about it!! I pray everyday to protect my son now but I don't think I could ever pray enough if he is sent to Iraq. By the way what is FMTB?? All I know is I better not ever see his recruiter again! He straight up lied to mine and my husbands face!!

[Cheryl T.]

Alisonsmom,
Wow such venom!! I am sorry if I offended you! When I asked that question what how long ago ( I posted that question on June 17th) I wasn't knowledgeable about the procedures!!!!! I have since then learned quite alot about being in the reserves. Our son wanted to handle all this on his own so I wasn't aware of the possibility of him going into a war zone. As far as active duty working day in and day out like you said that is what they signed up for! Maybe I seem a little naive but I truly wasn't aware of him going to the middle east and it upset me initially but I am dealing with it just fine now.
Cheryl T

[Cheryl T.]

Alisonsmom,
I also want to add if you read my initial question you would see that we were told by his recruiter that he would not be put in harms way. So when I found out that this was a lie of course I was upset!!!! I didn't know much about what a reservist did until I checked it out. I was going by what I thought was honesty by his recruiter and I now know differently.
Cheryl T

[Robin (Ali's Mom)]

Cheryl T
I am truely sorry if I offended you...that is why I tried to appologize up front...no one wants their child to be put in harms way...and trust me...I would be having all the same feelings you expressed in your post if I learned that my daughter was headed to the middle east...I would be a basket case...I certainly do not want her to go there anymore than you would want your son to go there. We can only pray that this will all be over soon and that neither one of our kids have to go. I hate that you were mislead...that should not happen. Again, I am sorry to have offended you.

[Cheryl T.]

Alisonsmom,
No harm done. It's just that this has been extremely difficult for me. I trusted the recruiter and what he told us. I thought this was a stepping stone for my son to get a college education and go places he would otherwise not see.....but Iraq or some other dangerous place was not what I expected. I know I must seem rather stupid and naive but I am a trusting person and I have to learn not to be. I don't hold grudges so don't worry you said what you thought was okay and I believe everyone has a right to their own opinion. I hope your daughter stays out of harms way also. God Bless You and your family
Cheryl T

[Robin (Ali's Mom)]

Thank you for your forgiveness Cheryl...I felt horrible all night last night that I may have hurt you and I don't even know you...you are a better person than I demonstrated to be. Lesson learned for me is that your words can hurt someone and I will stop and think before responding to anyone again.
But you know what Cheryl ...this IS a huge stepping stone for your son and my daughter...they will be receiving an invaluable education from their Navy training and unmatched experience that will certainly be highly marketable in the civilian world when they get out of the Navy...whether they get deployed forwared or not. They just posted news about a sweeping new GI Bill just last week...that could mean up to $90,000 dollars for our kids educations including a housing allowance while they go to school...if that is what they choose to do. I could never afford that for my daughter. I know exactly what you mean..HM that is a nice safe environment...Monday to Friday...8 - 5 ...in a hospital...in a sterile environment...sounds good...no sounds GREAT...and if worst comes to worst...on a big ship in the middle of some ocean some where surrounded by other ships in their fleet. The fact remains someone does have to man the front lines and it could be our kids...I hope and pray not...but it could be. God Bless you and your family too. Robin