Shipboard life [Archive] - Scuttlebutt Forum by Corpsman.com

SurfinSenior

04-13-2006, 10:52

Doc, I don't know about the USNS Comfort, actually being classified as a ship, I thought it was the best shore duty you could get! How is it anyway that you can get ESWS qualified on a non-combatant? Sounds like a nurse at work to me!

Allow me to introduce myself, I am HMCS(SW/FMF) Shannon Marquez, SFIDC, USN Retired; a.k.a. SurfinSenior. I know a little bit about being on sea duty, lets see...22 years active, 12 deployments, 39 countries, yeah I think that qualifies me. I jsut retired in Feb 05, it was time to put my board away and lay low in a bungalow if you know what I mean. Hey want to know about sea duty, shoot me a line; wanna know about pounding sand, Iraq, IDC school, shoot me a line. Looking forward to hearing from ya doc.

"The sky is grey, the ship is grey, hey sounds like a fine day for a field day!"

Senior Out!:cool:

Hooli

05-15-2006, 20:37

Brand new to the Navy, (haven't even gone through bootcamp!) and am checking out all the options for Corpsman...not that I'll get to pick, but, you know.:0)

Was wondering if you'd ever been a 'baby doc,' and if you would share your opinion(better than being on a flat top?). Also, is there any way to better one's chances of being stationed aboarda smaller ship?

Much thanks for any input!

Hooli

SurfinSenior

05-16-2006, 07:30

Hooli,

Yes I have been a baby doc, I became a baby doc on a ship a year after boot camp. I went to then Naval Hospital Oakland for 1 year of follow on training and then to a ship stationed out of Pearl Harbor Hawaii. You will get opinions from just about everyone, some good, some bad, as for me...I enjoyed being a baby doc, I arrived on the ship a frigate (small ship) as an E3 or HN and left 3 years later as a E5 HM2 Surface Warfare qualified. You can do it, you just have to tell yourself that --that is what you want. I would not trade that experience in for anything, I saw alot of cool places back then, I will tell you honestly, you probably won't see much more than Hawaii, maybe Guam, Singapore or Hong Kong and the Persian Gulf States these days, but that is still something.

I will be honest with you and tell you that your relationship with Big Doc is of the upmost importance, if you are not honest, hard working and dedicated to your job, you won't enjoy it. If you want to learn about the NAVY and be a part of the FLEET than you should put on your Dream Sheet that you want to go to a WARSHIP!

These are some options, FFGs, DDs, DDGs, CGs. Those are all independent duty corpsman ships, meaning that the Big Doc is a corpsman just like you...and there is usually one or two baby docs. You could go to a Flat Top (Carrier) but I don't think you will like it as much...too many people (60 corpsman when deployed) or you could go to a LHA or LHD, bigger ship, huge medical department, you have a better chance of learning all there is to know here, most LHA/LHD have 4-6 operating rooms, a recovery room, ICU and inpatient/outpatient ward. Plus Lab techs, X-ray, Pharmacy, Preventive Medicine, Aviation Medicine, Biomed Repair etc...you get the picture?

If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change the route I took, I went to a small boy (small ship), was promoted to E4 and E5, then I went to shore duty at a hospital, then to C school, Independent Duty Corpsman school, I enjoyed it alot, it was hard work and many hours of studying, but worth it. In my 21 years of service I made 12 deployments all of them on ships with the exception of the last two which I did with the Marines and the last with a Joint Task Force in Iraq.

Hooli, you will probably go to Field Medical Service School after Hospital Corps School and that is ok, you will learn alot about being the Doc for the Marines. If you like it, stick with it, but if you really want to go to sea, than I tell you to choose a small ship when I say small I mean DDGs and CGs (Guided Missle Destroyers and Cruisers) 350 or so personnel.

If you have any more questions just ask, I hope this helps?

Senior Out!

Hooli

05-16-2006, 12:19

Senior,

Wow. Thank you so much - the more info the better.
Am still in a bit of a quandry over FMF: I asked the guys over in FMF what they thought of women (forgot to tell you that I'm a girl :0) in FMSS and all that, and they were great in giving answers. But you mentioned that after 'A ' school I'd probably get sent to FMSS - is it more likely that guys would get sent? I wouldn't mind, but would want to make sure I could do it physically.
You also mentioned the Dreamsheet - my recruiter told me some about it too - so, if I wanted FMF, would I put it on the Dreamsheet? Do you know how they assign you? I mean, what're the chances that you would get what you requested?
I know, my questions are all over the place! I'm sorry, but I'm really curious and would like to know as much as possible about all of this.

Thanks again Senior,

Hooli

SurfinSenior

05-17-2006, 07:47

Hooli,

I am not one hundred percent sure but the last I knew all HMs go to FMSS after A School. That does not mean that you will be assigned to an FMF unit out of school.

As far as physical fitness, make sure you can run at least 3 miles, the Marine Corps PFT is 3 miles. Your options for ships are pretty much open except the FFGs which only have women on the reserve components, it is to small of a ship thats why.

Your dream sheets are just that dream sheets, obviously they will assign you where they have the most need, but I don't see a problem for you, the other thing to consider is that if you do really well in school you may have the opportunity to choose where you go. Dream sheets give you three choices for sea duty, shore duty and overseas assignments.

So you will choose your selections based on order of desire, say you want to be on a ship out of Hawaii, then you would choose, ship, location Hawaii, they will also ask which is more important to you , type duty or location, this helps them narrow it down for you. But, I caution you, remember that you won't have alot of bargaining power right out of school.

I wouldn't take a C school right out of A school unless you are 110 percent sure that is what you want to do, because once you get locked into to it that will be all she wrote for at least 5 years.

I would also give you this advice, remember that you are a Sailor first, a corpsman second and a technician third in that order, so where ever you finally decide to go, give one hundred percent of yourself and dedication to the job at hand and you will be successful, so many corpsman become disillusioned because they set their expectations really high and then they don't get it, so they disengage, DO NOT DO THAT! The Navy will give you the opportunity that you seek, it is up to you to use those opportunities to succeed.

I hope this helps, if not let me know and I will do some checking on the FMSS thing for you.

Regards,

Senior Out!

Hooli

05-17-2006, 10:55

I would also give you this advice, remember that you are a Sailor first, a corpsman second and a technician third in that order, so where ever you finally decide to go, give one hundred percent of yourself and dedication to the job at hand and you will be successful, so many corpsman become disillusioned because they set their expectations really high and then they don't get it, so they disengage, DO NOT DO THAT!Â*Â* The Navy will give you the opportunity that you seek, it is up to you to use those opportunities to succeed.

I hope this helps, if not let me know and I will do some checking on the FMSS thing for you.

Regards,

Senior Out!

- Thanks for reminding me of that...and thank you AGAIN for taking the time to answer my questions; I don't think I have any more for right now, but will definitely let you know if I do!

Sincerely,

Hooli

hm1park

05-27-2006, 13:23

Regarding assignment to FMSS. Lately, it seems all the Corpsman are going to FMSS upon completion of "A" School. When I became a corpsman in 97' it was a craps toss and based on demand. Obviously lately there is a HIGH demand for people to go to the sandbox so I'm sure there are few exceptions.

The Corps School class just before mine had a variety of shore, sea, and FMF duty station choiceswhich was encouraging to me. They told us we will choose in class order so I was motivated and studied hard. Well, we chose in class order....here was the choices available to the males. 1st, 2nd or 3rd Marine Division. Surprised the hell out of me but it was probably my most fulfilling assignment yet. Choosing Duty stations isanart comprised of availability, finesse, who ya know, and pure luck.

If a challenging tour at sea or with the Marines is what you want, let the leadership of the school know your intentions and they can work with the detailers. Ask for a not so challenging tour on shore and they might not be so helpful.

My two cents,

HM1

Hooli

05-28-2006, 21:17

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Marine Divisions? Mind explaining the differences between the three?

SurfinSenior

05-30-2006, 09:04

Hooli,

The differences really are location and history more than anything. A Marine Corps Division is a little different from an Army Division. But this is the easiest explanation.

1 MAR DIV is out of Camp Pendelton California
2 MAR DIV is out of Camp Leguene, North Carolina
3 MAR DIV is out of Okinawa Japan, but are being relocated to Guam, their AIR element is in K Bay Hawaii

If you go to the Fleet than you have similar numbers

3rd Fleet is out of the Pacific,
2nd Fleet is out of Atlantic
6th Fleet the Mediterranean Sea
5th Fleet the Persian Gulf

Senior Out!

Hooli

05-30-2006, 12:32

Got it - thanks!

Da-Chief

05-30-2006, 21:40

Senior,

Thanks for the info.. Hell I thought I was the only one who said

Sailor first, HM second, Tech third..

We must be of the same ilk..

;-)

HMC Crone

SurfinSenior

05-31-2006, 07:17

Urr! This is a good thing you have done Chief, just need to get the word out to more corpsman about its existence. I have always enjoyed helping Sailors and Marines BTW hope all is well with your family--Godspeed.

Senior Out.

puckmedic

06-27-2006, 08:25

Hey surfinsenior, I'm over west of you about an hour and a half. I live near Jackson TN.

The new kid really has it together, and you gave her some good advice. Now here's mine RUNNNNNNNNNNN !!! No just kidding!!!

Actually, when you become an HM, I urge you no matter where you go to be emotionally involved. It means caring for your folks, being involved in the surrounding community, being a role model for school kids (mentor, coach, tutor).

The other thing I urge of you, is always seek out training, always want more, and never ever settle for pat answers. e prepared for every contigency and expect news ones to emerge that you never thought of.

If you get into a hairy situation remember your training, rely on those around you and expect them to perform. No one ever said the leader has to be the person of highest rank, you can lead by exmple.

Now as for the issue of you to khaki clad shipmates saying the same thing- isn't that something you're all taught at those secret HMC off site things?

I'm sorry, but you do know that we HM1s always had HM1 things to do on those days? How else was the HM2 gonna get experience enough to climb the ladder?

SurfinSenior

08-10-2006, 10:12

Thanks Puckmedic,

I haven't been able to get on for a few weeks, my pc crapped out, so I have a new laptop that I am using now.

Won't be in Clarksville for much longer, new job is taking me to Alabama, just south of Birmingham.

Senior Out.

puckmedic

08-10-2006, 15:56

New job? Old JOB? well I'm still on the look out for a job. Times are tough. Not a lot of calls, gonna have to get pro active qnd call a few places back, to see what the hell's going on.

I actually applied to BURGER KING as a manager. Good pay, and if hired I got ideas to help my employees (mostly kids) stay motivated. Found out the manager actually gets a bonus for meeting certain things (sales, positvie customer responses etc).

I'm not going to take it but rather will give it to my employees (under the table sort of thing). I'm also tired of seeing kids fail out of school so every kid on my payroll that makes honor roll, will get rewarded. Any one not carrying quality grades won't get to stay working for me.

I'm hoping they call me for an interview. Enterprise rent a car also looking for managers in Memphis area, they actually emailed me to ask me to finish my online application and that based on what they saw so far, they want to talk to me ASAP.

Things need to happen quick or I'm selling my truck! Like by next week, that kind of quick!

Xraydoc

08-30-2006, 15:32

This has no revelance to anything posted here thus far.

I have been on one ship in the 11 years ive been in and deployed to Iraq once with MWSS 372. I have to say that the time on ship was much more enjoyable. I am not talkin about port calls and beer days( none for me) the actual time on the ship was more enjoyable. Also my SW pin is alot more valuable to me than my FMF pin. It took 13 months of studing to get my ESWS. Grand total of 3 months to get my EFMFWS. I cannot see how those to are even close. Looking at the book to study from, well most of it seemed made up. Like a bunch of people sat around thought of some stuff flowered it up and placed it in ever slide for training. The SW actually made sence and you couldgo to Main1 and walk right up to the reduction gears. You can't go see the collateral mission of Marine Corps Aviation or Just try to go visit the MACCS. We are all toldsailor first and that is were I reside on the water. In about one year I will terminate shore to go back to sea. The Navy wants to keep ADV Xray tech on shore for 72months. Far to long for my blood I am staring to dry out. If it wasnt for the HM rate I would be a BM, Haze Gray and Underway.

HM1

Out

raleighclark

09-01-2006, 09:38

HM1PARK...

I'm currently PSI'ing at NHC Great Lakes... on my way to FMSS on 9.29. I'd like to form some contacts over there. What's your email address???

HR Clark

rc@clarkworkz.com (mailto:rc@clarkworkz.com)

FTS_DOC

09-01-2006, 10:14

I spent the first 5 years of my navy lofe on a ship. I extended 2 times thats how much I loved it. I am now serving at a reserve center and I would much rather be underway for 6 months then have this job. I know its important to make sure all our reserves are medically Q'd but I hate being a PN. (thats what it feels like). I am going green after this tour and see how I like that. If you want my opinion about ship life. though, its best suited for single sailors or sailors with very strong relationships. It was the end of my marrige but the best time of my life. Wouldnt change it for the world. There is nothing like the sunsets and rises at sea.

Da-Chief

09-01-2006, 13:03

Shipmate,

Sorry to hear about the wife, been there done that.. I have the best now though, prior HM FMF as well.. ;-)
Uhh rah on the Green side, it is a different beast thoguh. Make sure you keep that Sea/Shore rotation though if you want to put on HMC. Trust me you will see those "Sniff" Reserve Ctr / REDCOM HM's stagnate at HM1 later on wondering why they didn't make it.

Let me know if you need anything!
HMC OUT!

puckmedic

09-03-2006, 07:14

Sea time? Oceans? Shipboard living? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOOO some one stop the pain. OWWWWWWWWW my head, make it stop!!!!!!

XRAY- what you talking about in your first sentence about something not having anything to do with what was written already? Do you really say "THUS" when speaking? ;)

Xraydoc

09-05-2006, 10:09

"Do you really say "THUS" when speaking?

Actually I do sometimes. I like to throw some words around that give people pause and question what I said. To ask did he really just say that? Most of the time my posts have some bit of funny speak in them and I do talk like that occasionally.

My first sentence was just a quick bio and no one had posted that before and reading the post most had little to do with shipboard life. I was also having a bad day I have receive a few messages asking about my responses.

raleighclark

09-06-2006, 09:04

:shock:...LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

CLARK!

puckmedic

09-06-2006, 11:07

It's OK I too get cranky and then some one says "HEY STUPID" and I wake up and say "OH CRAP NOT AGAIN" welcome to the club. Having a SEA SERVICE ribbon allows us to speak freely, it's a duty.

Small Town

10-27-2006, 05:15

This is a bit different question. I'm pretty health concious and watch carefully what I eat.I like to keepin best shape as possiblethat my schedule will allow.Would I be able to supply myself with my usual oatmeal and whey protein breakfast without becoming an annoyance to anyone else?

Small Town

10-27-2006, 05:18

Second time a double post has happened on my part, I don't know how it's doing that. Apologies.

usnpinoy

11-01-2006, 00:20

I'm a "Baby Doc..." I've been shipboard in the FDNF (Forward Deployed Naval Forces) for a little over 2 years, and liked it so much that that I extended for an extra year. (I don't PCS until Summer 2008... for a grand total of 4 years on a small boy.) Actually, I don't like it, but I don't dislike it... being on a small ship has it's advantages and disadvantages... But I could go on forever about that. I am staying primarily because once I got the taste of Fleet Medicine, the thought of being stuck on shore duty with the other Land Lubbers Scares me (secondary, because I wouldn't have had enough time in rate to go to IDC School out of here, and that's what I really want.)

Anyway, it's cool... on a Cruiser you are one of three... it's just an IDC, another baby doc and yourself, and you get to know your crew and an awful lot about the rating(I made 3rd and 2nd out here as a result of undertanding the study material). I think I learned more out here in the Fleet than I ever could have at a Hospital or Clinic... (which is where I came from initially anyhow.) Afterall, it is just you and your small, but effective medical department. Not sure what else to say... but if you had specific questions, I'd be more than happy to answer. I will attatch my contact infor to this post. Later

HM2(SW) Vince Gonzales

USS SHILOH (CG-67)

vincent.gonzales@cg67.navy.mil (mailto:vincent.gonzales@cg67.navy.mil)

Small Town

11-01-2006, 04:54

IDC School? I'd like to get as much education as possible and I was thinking FMSS, would a small boy allow me to take time for school more? Hmmm. I'd love to go to an OCS school, but when I beleive I'm ready for that kind of responsibilty. (When I'm a know it all) Another question, how do you get to HM2? Or HM1? Is it tied along with the Petty Officer ranks? What sparked to ask was the initialing at the bottom of the reply. I'm sorry if this is something people most know, but I try and gather the details because that's where you can be burned the most. Thanks.

Da-Chief

11-01-2006, 14:12

it's extremly hard to get a ship right out of school (Around 2% if that) get a chip right out of school. Your better bet is FMSS then a Grunt Unit..

V/R
HMC

crazycajun

11-01-2006, 18:37

Ok here are the stats that I heard about a week, from the Force, ago concerning the number of billets HM's currently have aboard Navy Ships.

There are approzimately 850 billets for HMs.

Only about half of them (~400) are billets for HM 0000.

Now you at least have a little better understanding.

puckmedic

11-05-2006, 07:41

Small Town wrote: IDC School? I'd like to get as much education as possible and I was thinking FMSS, would a small boy allow me to take time for school more? Hmmm. I'd love to go to an OCS school, but when I beleive I'm ready for that kind of responsibilty. (When I'm a know it all) Another question, how do you get to HM2? Or HM1? Is it tied along with the Petty Officer ranks? What sparked to ask was the initialing at the bottom of the reply. I'm sorry if this is something people most know, but I try and gather the details because that's where you can be burned the most. Thanks.

IDC is Independant Duty Corpsman. These folks are 2nd class petty officers with plenty of experience and time in the Navy. You have to be an HM2 with at least one year(correct me guys if I'm wrong) or two years as an HM2.

You get to be an HM3, HM2, HM1 , HMC by progressing through the ranks. You will be advanced based on performance evaluations and test scores. A combined total calculated gives you what is calleda final multiple.

If the HM rate needs 245 HM3's (yes Petty officer third class) the highest 243 final multiples get in. In the year I made HM2, I had a friend stationed where they figure the multiple. My name was 10th on the list! 10th out of thousands.

Just felt like bragging a bit there- back to information spillage:

School on a small boy? Possibly. It wonb't be school like you're used to. It will be a lot of computer courses but beware, the CO of the ship has the right to shut down internet use on deployments due to operational security. So that term paper due next tuesday may not get sent .

OCS school when you know it all? I spent 20 years 12 days on active duty. I didn't know all of anything when I left, good luck on that. Besides OCS is going to teach you how to be a Naval Officer and it will be ENLISTED Marines and Sailors who do the teaching in many cases.

You'll learn real important things from officers such as how to seat yourself at a table when it is a formal Captain's dinner (the lower rank the further from center of the room and head table you are).

However, the real stuff, stuff you'll need to be a young ensign is all taught by enlisted folks.

As you go through Boot Camp, you'll learn thr lingo, the rank structure so don't worry. No one expects you to know anything unless they teach it to you.

Small Town

11-06-2006, 05:10

Thanks, it does help me out alot. I'm just trying to figure out how all this works. I live in an ARMY populous area, soNAVY stuff is a bit different, but I enjoy it. I want to do well in my job is all. (Reason I want to know it all) Currently I'm going to school to help with information in my rate. I know to get anywhere I need to do a good job and education is a prime way to do so (That andI like studying it). I've been talking to another guy and he told me that that's how it usually goes with the computer, but I don't have a problem with that, it may be beneficial without the stress of making it to class. I'm trying to look into a 4-year degree, I'm figuring things out slowly, but I guess when I get out there I can talk to someone about my options. Thanks again. And by the way, that 10/1000 is something to be proud of. If it were me I'd have something framed...even if I did write it. But now I've got another goal, thanks.

killercorpsman20060926

01-28-2007, 13:40

What is the Life style/work style on ship duty? Is it a fast pace job, or does it depend on how many saliors are on board?

~Aaron~

hm1park

01-31-2007, 04:02

What is the lifestyle on a ship?

My answer...it depends. It depends virtually everywhere you are. Morning quarters at 0700 (but we always arrive 15 minutes prior right?)Sick call typically runs from 0800-1000. Afternoon follow ups with patients, medical emergencies, field day (sweeping, mopping, dusting) at various times during the day. Walking around the ship inspecting medical kits. Medical training for shipboard personnel, medical training for medical personnel. General military training in shipboard firefighting and warfare qualification training, Restocking supplies, ordering supplies, administrative work, etc, etc. You can create way more work than you could ever do in 24 hours,most of the timewithout even trying. Remember you are a team and aren't doing it alone.

You can find yourself being that person who just plays solitaire on the computer most of your day to the chagrin of your shipmates. Or, you can find extra jobs to do, putting yourself into your work wholeheartedly. Allof the above duties are very similaras with the FMF. In port, try to knock out your work early and enjoy liberty when you can as a short day. At sea, you WILL find yourself working at least a 12-14 hour day. You won't mind though because what else are you going to do? Work is what helps you keep your sanity.

I wouldn't call it fast paced, but you can stay very busy.

My 1 cent. Someconfirmed surface guys might be able to add more than this.

oldavt

01-31-2007, 07:17

You forgot the "General Quarters" drills. Daily and more during work-ups prior to deployment, and then regularly during deployment. Lasting from an hour to maybe 3 at times. Anytime during the day or night. You use these times to train your shipmates in first aid, diligently, and familiarize yourself with mass casualty scenarios. Loads of fun.

killercorpsman20060926

01-31-2007, 21:59

Thanks for the help, Yeah i would be the one to keep myself busy just because i cnt just set around and do nothing but be on the computer i have to get my hands on stuff and work. So its good to know ill stay busy.

When your inport you go in at 0700 and your job is doun at 1230 and your day dosent end till 1700 can you leave early?

Thanks once more,

Aaron

puckmedic

02-03-2007, 10:51

well leaving early used to be the normal way. Sadly though it seems that my last time on a ship, the ship compnay guys got stuck working until some one decided to let them leave. Of course I don't think the HMCS was ever on aship until then, so she really had no clue as to how it was back in the day.

I will tell all of you this: In civilian land you have to work 40 hours. If you miss some time, you can actually lose the job. Attendance is all important, productivity is monitored, and they are not going to bend if you want any favors (like me with PGR events- if it is on a week end fine, if not guess where I am?) .

I long for the days when all I had going on was a half dozen emails from ships coming into Guam. My fantasy football and hockey teams were top notch because I actually ahd time in the week to work them!

puckmedic

02-03-2007, 10:52