Question about qualifications for HM

[buffington1em]

My husband finished boot camp last week friday and is on hold right now. The first job he picked was AV and he couldn't do that because his color vision is off. Then he decided on CTI and didn't pass the final qualification test by a few points. Now he has decided to go into HM, and the last thing I want to happen is there be some type of constraint that he has to get through in order to qualify. According to his ASVAB score he qualifies, are there any other tests or qualifications he will have to go though to get in?

I also want him to get out of being on hold, so I was also wondering on the length of time it will take for any Navy personel to gather everything for him to start his A-school? This has been an extremely hard time for him. It would be great to hear some positive information that I could tell him to cheer him up.

Thank You for reading this and I would be greatful for any information anyone could give me.

Grace and Peace,
Erin Buffington

[8404]

Welcome aboard Erin;

First, the Navy uses sub-test scores of the ASVAB to detemine a Corpsman HN qualification.

The ASVAB Sub-Test Composites Used by the Navy are:

General Science (GS)
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
Word Knowledge (WK)
Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
Numerical Operations (NO)
Coding Speed (CS)
Auto and Shop Information (AS)
Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
Electronics Information (EI)
Sum of Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension (VE)
Assembly of Objects (AO)

To qualify for Corpsman, (HM) you must receive a composite score of 146 from the above three categories: VE+MK+GS=146

The 146 could have been raised and/or lowered depending on what is current in the Navy. If the Navy has notified your Sailor that he in fact does qualify, with regards to his ASVAB sub-test scores, he should be good to go.

The Sailor must also be able to pass his physical fitness tests. As long as your Sailor did not have any illicit drug use or convictions he should also be good to go. Of course, that should have been caught prior to him joining the Navy.

I don't foresee anything else, that would prevent him from continuing on to Hospital Corps school.

The Sailor should be 'certain' beyond a doubt that this is the job that he really wants, as opposed to just picking from a list.

Additionally, the Navy should have most of this cleared up within a short period of time. The Sailor could feasibly be placed in a holding status again, once they report in to Corps school. This is only while a class date is scheduled and sufficient Sailors have arrived to staff the class.

[MAWDoc]

The Sailor should be 'certain' beyond a doubt that this is the job that he really wants, as opposed to just picking from a list.

I picked from a list. My recruiter was busy setting up my nuke test, and was foaming at the mouth after my ASVAB came back at 95 while I did my physical. I wanted to work in aviation, as a jump to school, commission and ultimately, Aviator Wings of Gold. Obviously, that didn't happen...

The technician at MEPS did not know how to administer a FALANT (Farnsworth Lantern) color perception test (I know this now as an AVT, where for 16+ years, I have done flight physicals) and categorized me as color blind, immediately eliminating about 90% of ratings to choose from in the Navy, and securing any thoughts of piloting $30 million aircraft.

I can pass a FALANT, and have flown as aircrew, but the point is, I "just picked from a list" too...and it worked for me. There is some degree of fate in the process, and I wouldn't go back and change it now. Of course, that's my experience.

Oh, and my recruiter was less than enthusiastic about losing that potential nuke or advanced electronics tech, but sold corpsman like the best of 'em...Chief Dennis Espinosa - still hear him pitching the rate - "Hot nurses, hot enlisted women, skate duties...ALL of the Navy's women work in medical...think about it." - to a 17 year old still in high school and very "hormonally influenced" - he absolutely accomplished his mission of accession.

Best of luck to you and your to-be-Corpsman.