C school

[ChrisMctwist]

What are the chances of actually getting into a C school after A school?
Can it be guaranteed in a contract to go to a C school after A school?

[8404]

It is possible to obtain a 'C' school after 'A' school, if you do very well academically while in 'A' school. However, the needs of the Navy will always take presidence.

One cannot get a 'C' school guarantee on an enlistment contract. As an aside, FMTB is not a 'C' school.

[indolence]

What happens in corps school is they will have a certain amount of slots for C schools available. These C schools arent always the same, ie my class was offered a few spots for Pharm tech and a few for Aviation Medicine tech where are my buddies next class had Surg Tech and Opt Tech offered, and the seats will be VERY LIMITED. Normally the assignment of these seats will be based on GPA. You want a C school then study hard, that way if and when it comes up you can have the option of rogering up for the school or saying nope, give me needs of the Navy.

[indy]

Depends on how you define after A school as well...lol, if you want until completing your first tour, you can work with your command career counselor and detailer to go to one of the C schools. So your chances of getting to a C school 'after' A school in general are actually pretty good - unless you mean immediately after A school in which case see above.

[jeepinva]

So, what if you're offered a C School, but you still wanted to go 8404? Would it be rediculous to pass up the opportunity to attend a C School early on in order to attend FMTB?

Only reason I ask is because I want to serve with the Marines, but I don't want to miss an opportunity that I'll never get again further into my enlistment. Or could I ask to go to a C school later on and stay persistent in hopes of getting a spot? Is that what you were talking about Indy, with the Command Career Counselor and waiting until you've completed a tour? I'm sure I'm off.

[indy]

It depends on the C school as well - most of them have a requirement for you to be 8404 as well, so you would go to FMTB and then to your C school. It all depends though. You can certainly apply to go to a C school after you complete your first tour, and thats what I recommed you do rather than take a C school directly out of A school - by completing a tour of duty first, you get a better idea of whats out there and available rather than potentially getting stuck into something that you may find out later you don't want. Ultimately it all comes down to what you want to do - the good news is that most likely you will still meet all the criteria for applying to any C school after your intial tour, but as with anything, it'll all depend on the needs of the Navy at the time.

[jeepinva]

Absolutely SPECTACULAR response.

That's what I was looking for, just wasn't sure how to convey it well enough. My mind tis made up. "A" School to FMTB for me.

How long is a tour generally again for FMF?

[indy]

A standard rotation is 3 years Sea (FMF) and 3 years Shore tours, but depends on your NEC.

[jeepinva]

Thank you. I'm really happy this site is here. I'd be pretty far behind without it.

Sorry for the thread jack OP.

[jeepinva]

Indy, when you say 3 years Sea {FMF} and 3 years Shore tours. Does that mean a 6 year enlistment typically, or that it's either a 3 year Shore OR Sea and the two other years are filled in wherever they may need me? I'm just curious.

[indy]

Sea/Shore rotation and enlistment lengths are two different topics. One can enlist anywhere from 2 to 6 years (depending on current state of affairs etc), while the Sea/Shore rotation is dependent on rank and rate. Certain rates are more sea intensive and folks will have a longer sea tour, while others are more shore intensive and will have a longer shore tour. The concept behind Sea/Shore rotations is that you rotate between operational commands and shore commands for the prescribed period, shore duty being a time to 'recuperate', spend time with family, take care of yourself (education etc). Unfortunately with the IA, and GSA billets as well as world affairs, that isn't neccessarily true at the moment.

Let's say you have a 5 year enlistment contract. You would go to boot camp, A school, FMTB, and have orders to 1st MarDiv. You would spend three years there. Once you have completed these orders, you would have approx 18 months left on your enlistment - at this stage you can negotiate with your detailer for orders to a shore command as well as start talking with your command career counselor about re-enlisting if that's what you want to do (certain exceptions and rules apply). If you choose not to re-enlist, then once your contract ends, you will separate from the Navy.

[jeepinva]

Oh okay, I appreciate the clarification.