Welcome Parents!!!!!

[DeeDee]

You are definitely in the right place to get the support needed to be the parent of a military medical person :)

Let us know what we can do to help you out. What would you like to see in this area?

Talk to me :D
DeeDee

[kissthesnook]

DeeDee,
My son has decided to join the Navy and is interested in becoming a corpsman. As a RN myself, I am pretty happy he has chosen this. However, I have a lot of questions. How transferrable is this job when he gets out? I have heard that he can challenge the LPN exam in some states, is this true? Is it true that right now, all males get sent to FMS school? What advice can you offfer me as to the best way to support him in this decision? He is not the best of students (made a 2.8 GPA in all of his college classes), so I am wondering what his chances are of making it through "A' school? Since he is my first born, I'm new to all of this. I suppose by the time I get to child #5, I'll be a pro! Anyway, anything you can tell me would be appreciated!

[DeeDee]

kissthesnook
You have asked a lot of really good questions as a parent of a future corpsman. One thing I have learned is that you are most DEFINITELY in the right place to get the answers to your questions. The members here are so knowledgeable and more than willing to share that knowledge.

One of the most important things for you and your son to remember is that if he is promised anything that he needs to make sure that it is in WRITING in his contract BEFORE he signs it. If it isn't in writing then it doesn't exist in the world of big NAVY.

It is true that all males are to attend FMTB (Field Medical Training Battalion) this is to help ensure that there are enough trained corpsman available to work on "Green Side" (with the Marines) as well as "Blue Side" on the ships and in the clinics/hospitals. FMTB is a great training program and if it weren't required I would still recommend that all corpsman go there.

"A" School is more classroom based and structured than it was when my son went through in Winter/Spring 2007. My son was not a great student in high school (he did well in the classes that truly interested him) but he did do well in "A" school and at FMTB so I would think that your son shouldn't have too many worries there.

Stand beside him and let him know that you are behind his decision. These men and women who are enlisting these days know we are in a war and yet they sign those contracts anyway. They really are heroes. Just ask Da-Chief, he'll tell ya. :)

Anything I can do to help - you just let me know - get your son in here as a member too - this is a great place for him to get his questions answered too.

Talk to you soon
DeeDee