Openings

[mcdillioh]

Hi, I am a Navy Depper & I am going in as an HM. My recruiters told me to kick ass in A school and I could choose from the list of openings, but how many openings are there overseas and what are my chances. Thanks.

[Da-Chief]

Hate to tell you this, but the Recruiters are full of it. You can only take billets of those that are open. Generally you get Japan for overseas. Either the Hospital or with the Marines, or if none are open, you get stateside.

Which program are you in, NCS, 5 Year, FTS/TAR, NPSB?


Let me know..

HMC

[mcdillioh]

thanks for the reply. im in the 5 yr program. and i heard so many good things about rota.

[Da-Chief]

Rota is really hard to get first time, not saying it doesn't happen but really hard to get, I loved the place when i was there..

Your single right?

Still might be a chance..

Later

Da-Chief

[mcdillioh]

yes sir. single. are there any euro bases that are regulary open by any chance?

[Da-Chief]

Nope we don't have any bases in Europe other then Italy and Spain.

Really hard to get first tour especially when most males are going to the FMF.

If you want Europe, you might want to look to the ARMY or the Air Force. Although Army is getting deployed pretty regularly to the Sand Box now.

Hope this helps

HMC

[mcdillioh]

thanks for the reply. im deadset with the navy, just poking out my options. personal question chief - what was your favorite duty station?

[puckmedic]

I know this was for Da-Chief, but I'm hopping in and answering and also putting my two cents in.

First of all, there are two fronts to go to, as in WARZONES. My thinking is despite what any recruiter tells you about the HM rating, you're most likely headed to one of those two war zones, be it at sea or wearing desert boots and 80 pounds of gear.

Remember, the recruiter is a SALESMAN and he is trying to sell you on enlisting. If he gives you mis information or neglects to tell you anything, it's never going to bounce back on him.

Now could you go to Rota or sigonella or Naples Hospital or even Guam, Okinawa or any of the clinics there? Yeah maybe but not bloody well likely (My brit side comes out again). I'm a betting man, and I put my money on you hitting the deck on an operational buillet in a war zone.



My favorite duty station was a toss up. I enjoyed my time at my last one. I actually extended there. That is something I NEVER did in all the years prior to. I retired from there and moved home to the mainland. That was Guam Naval Hospital. Plenty of snorkeling, the best diving in the world, and cheap to get to places like Paleu and Chuk for more exceptional dives.

Jet skis on an open ocean in an uncrowded enviroment (yes they can be shipped as house hold goods to and from -just like motorcycles)

I also equally loved HSL-46 a helicopter antisubmarine (LAMPS) squadron at mayport NAS , just minutes from Jacksonville FL to the west of it and Jacksonville Beach FL to the south just beyond Atlantic Beach FL.

It was so cool to be able to go to lunch at the CPO club and watch the waves roll in. On week ends, Mayport's beach was nearly deserted so I would spend my time there (Hate the pretty people "everyone look at me" idiots on public beaches) when I felt like driving an hour from the west side of jacksonville.

Of course you can't fully enjoy a place like guam (with very little to do) unless you have been cooped up in a ship and had to walk all over europe on libeerty ports. Except for the occassional scooter rental (breaking all sorts of rules) in Spain and such.

[mcdillioh]

thanks for the info man. its exactly what i wanted to hear -which was exactly the opposite of what the recruiter told me lol. well, im in and just got to make the best of it. i dont want to sound like a cry baby, but i just dont think i can cope with people in extreme agony you know what i mean...or maybe after schooling i may change my tune.

its cool that you mention guam. i was born and raised there. i hated the place growing up - took it for granted. now that i am in ohio i miss it lol. thats life. but anyway, thanks again for the info. have a good one my man.

[puckmedic]

No prob and email me any time. from Guam huh? What is the family name and what village you from? I lived down in Santa Rita just past the Pizza Hut. Uncle Bob's had a great steak. The old Uncle Bob's got crunched by Super Typhoon Pongsonga. He rebuilt a place with concrete and rebar up in Hagatna near GPO on MarineCorps drive.

Believe me, one tour in a hospital and you'll be begging for a fleet assignment. I totally absolutely enjoyed Guam, but I was so boat sore, I would have loved anything.

No really, Guam was absolutely beautiful , not a day goes by that I don't miss it.

You know a guy afew tyears older named Brian Mafnas? Brian Gregory? I used to go to church with those guys. They're probably 25 or so.

[crazycajun]

i dont want to sound like a cry baby, but i just dont think i can cope with people in extreme agony you know what i mean...or maybe after schooling i may change my tune.
Don't sell yourself short, you'd be amazed at what you can do when you are in situations just like the one you mentioned. I've seen Corpsmen who I have personnally sold short, turn out to be the very ones you want by your side in the fight. We all choose this job for one reason or another. Stay strong learn what you can and keep the Sailors and Marines in your care, healthy and in the fight. That's our job!

Semper Fi,

crazycajun