Recruiting Questions

[Matt712]

Hey, I am a 20 year old Firefighter/Paramedic and I have really been thinking about becoming a Corpsman with the FMF. I have a few questions about it though and was hoping that someone could help me out.

First of all, I am assuming that the class room portion of the training, at least, is very similiar to Paramedic knowledge.

Secondly, one of the guys I work with was in the Navy, but was in Crash and Salvage, and he told me to push the recruiter to let me have the rank of Petty Officer Third Class after I finish Boot Camp. I didn't know if this was a reasonable request or not because of the training that I have already had.

And Finally, what kind of physical shape does someone need to be in before the start FMSS. Because if i understand correctly, the being in better shape can help with your evaluation or something along those lines. I was wondering what kinds of things that I could do before to be in good enough shape for the school.

Thanks all, I appreciate the help.
Matt B.

[citrus]

I am not a corpsman yet. FMSS teaches you everything Marine way from what I hear. Rank, History, Small Unit Tactics, and Marine life. I would assume 3 mile runs and 12 mile hikes with 50 pound packs is standard FMSS. This is what I have found with my FMSS research.

[The_Dirty_Name]

triple post, sorry.

[The_Dirty_Name]

double post, sorry.

[The_Dirty_Name]

Hello. Take note that I have not even to boot camp yet.

Here is your Pipeline.

1. Get initial screening from a recruiter.

2. Go to a Military Enlistment Processing Station (MEPS)
A. Pass ASVAB. you will need to focus on General Science/ Word Knowledge/ Math Knowledge/ Paragraph
Recognition/

B. Pass physical

3. Enlist in the inactive reserves. (Delayed Entry Program). Now your PQS, and pick up a E-2. If you give referrals to your recruiter and those persons enilist you can get more rank. You will max out at E-3.

4. Participate in DEPS until you ship out.

5. Go back to MEPS to start your active duty. Take the final commitment and join the U.S. Navy and take a trip to Ill.

6. 9 weeks at Great Lakes, Ill for boot camp.

7. 96 days at Great Lakes, Ill for Corpsman A school. (learn all you can here and do not rush your training.)

8. 8 Weeks at a FMMS Marine Camp. ( here you will want to excel and try really hard.) http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/fmss/
Here your paramedic training will help out.

9. From here it is confusing. I do not know if you get assigned to a Marine outfit or go to C school ( more advaced school) and serve with the Blue side (Navy personnel) see these jobs: http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/NEC/HM.htm

____

Being a Firefighter/Paramedic will give you a huge advantage with going FMF!
From what I understand learning Basic Life Support during A School is more challenging than most of what you will do.

Keep in mind A school most likely encompass a wide spectrum of topics. One of which is Nursing and chronic issies. As a paramedic you handle a lot acute injuries. Most likely you are weak in chronic illness, dunno. Basically find you weak points. Regardless, you are way ahead of the curve. :)

Sadly, I do not have a great link for the what you should cover during A school. I do have their homepage: http://navmedmpte.med.navy.mil/nhcs-gl/mission.htm

___

With PT. Train like a Marine, because you will be need to pass their PRT in FMSS. You will have a lot of time in-between now and when you go to Navy boot camp. I recommend swimming asap.

1. It is great for cardio
2. Being a great swimmer will open up a lot of jobs as a Corpsman
3. tones the muscles well. This will prepare you for the training to come in the future.
Check out the SEALS website for some good PT. Remember, it is about stamania and endurance not power (so stay away from the bench press max ok.)
http://www.navyseals.com/community/navyseals/navysealworkout_main.cfm

___

With the E-4 post boot camp. Most likly not going to happen for HM (Corpsman). I believe this works for Nukes.

[Matt712]

Thanks for your help. I also had one more thing that I forgot. I was reading some site that if you have over 48 college credit hours that you are able to go in as an E-3 and I have 54 hours. Does this apply to me or is there more to it?

[Da-Chief]

Matt,
it sure does, bring your transcripts to your recruiter and you will get E-3. Make sure that it is in writing. Get a copy of everything you sign, trust me on this it will help you out later. Have someone send it to you when your done with bootcamp as this is when your schools etc come down. You having a copy will help Student Personnel and the Career Couselor take care of you.

V/R
HMC

[KentuckyBoy]

I highly recommend getting the E-3 in your contract. In fact, I wouldn't enlist without it or at LEAST E-2. You can't get petty officer in your contract, you have to pass an advancement exam for that. You should have no problem with A school at all with your paramedic knowledge. FMSS is 180 degrees from corps school. It is all focused on combat medicine, which is different from hospital medicine. You do need to be in shape for FMSS, we do the Marine Corps physical tests as well as the Navy. We do a 4 mile, 6 mile, 7 mile, and 8 mile hike with packs and rifles. I'm currently in FMSS so I should be able to help out with questions there and A school if you have any more.

[Matt712]

Alright thanks for everyones help, I'm sure that I will have more questions later and I really do appreciate it.

[Matt712]

Hey, Sorry to keep bothering y'all, but someone told me today that you actully can get your Paramedic certification after you have finished with FMSS and all that stuff. This will kinda piss me off if it was true :mad: but I would still like to know.

[Da-Chief]

Nope not true.. Someone is smoking something..
;-)
HMC

[KentuckyBoy]

Sure, you can get anything after FMSS. EMT-B, EMT-P, become a doctor, president, whatever the hell you want. HaHa, you have to go to school for that stuff on your own. What can a 8404 do as a civilian directly out of the military with no other education? not much. The military doesn't offer EMT-B classes. You MIGHT be able to get your command to let you take the course. Just depends, but I would recommend getting your education.

[8404]

Not sure about Paramedic, but for sure your EMT certification.

[Matt712]

Is an assurance that I will be enrolled in an FMSS class as soon as I finish A school something that is reasonable?

[8404]

Yes, the Chief posted a ways back an article about this. It's not an assurance, it is the way the Navy is doing business today for all male Corpsman.

All Males who are reporting out of NHCS regardless of next duty station will be attending FMSS. This goes for Fleet Returnee's as well..

What does this mean to you? If you cannot pass the FMSS Screening to attend the school due to injury etc.. You will be processed for ADMIN SEP, (administratively separated from the Navy).

This does not mean you will be getting a FMF billet automatically out of school, what it does mean though is you will have the training needed to save your ass if need be if your sent "IA" if assigned to a hospital. You will understand the Marine Corps, weapons, adn the whole process of living in the field.

Understand though, FMSS does not make you a expert. Getting the FMF device after being assigned to a unit does qualify you a pass and you complete the program.

This came down 2 weeks ago from BUPERS, All detailers are already cutting orders this way.

Reserves, Expect the same as VADM Cotton has already put out we are "1" Force.

Da-Chief.

[Matt712]

Could someone please tell me the steps that you take after FMSS if you do what to be with the FMF? And how difficult is this to get? Thanks for the info.

[8404]

I believe while in FMSS, let the instructors know of your interest to be sent FMF after graduation. They may have some pull.

There should not be any difficulty getting it. I know, through my son, that some 8404 do NOT want to go FMF. If the instructors know before cutting orders that you want to go, it would make there job that much easier.

[The_Dirty_Name]

Granted I am only in the inactive reserves, but the best STEP is to do extremly well in FMSS if you want to be a battlefield medic with the Marine Corp.

So PT is important and understanding all the esential stuff about the Marine Corp should help.

Basically as a FMF Corpsman one will need to be both a Sailor and a Marine at the same time! Not too sure, but this job is the most Marine and infantry like that the Navy has to offer (besides Spec War).

I plan on doing the bulk of the book time to become a Marine in-between 'A' school and FMSS. I am currently PT like I am joining the Marines right now!

P.S. 8404 is on a role for writing excellent post!:)

[Matt712]

Well I'm pretty sure that I have most of the Medical part down, going to EMT school for 3 monthes and then Paramedic for 16 monthes I freaking better have most of it down. But in what ways can I study Marine stuff. I am willing to do anything to make my chances a good as they are gonna get. Thanks for the help

[KentuckyBoy]

FMSS is the school you go to. FMF is the warfare pin. After FMSS you go either to a C school or your next duty station. I don't think you can earn the pin while at C school, but you can at a duty station. You have to know a lot of information, you go in front of a board and take a test. 8404 is what you are once you graduate FMSS. Being FMF doesn't change the 8404. You will already have orders once you report to FMSS so you will already know where you are going next. Most everybody here is being sent to Division here in Pendleton or Hawaii, or MLG in Okinawa. You have the choice to go Marine regs or Navy regs. If you go Marine regs you wear one of their uniforms, and abide by their rules and regulations for things such as PRT, facial hair, hair cuts, etc.

[Matt712]

So is there any way that I can prepare for this test or anything before I go in?

[Da-Chief]

Ok it goes like this in this order..

Step "1" See Recruiter

Step "2" Go to MEPS see if qualified and receive Billet for Boot Camp an Corps School. (IF Reserve you get Guaranteed FMSS). They will not "GARUNTEE" you a Marine Billet!!!

Step "3" Stay out of Trouble while in DEP! Go to your DEP meetings do what is needed to make E2 or E3. Get it in Writing!! This is important you have to have it in your service record at RTC! If not you will not be awarded that RANK!

Step "4" Go to BootCamp RTC Great Lakes, Enjoy the HairCut, get out of Shape, Your in the "NAVY" Who needs to Run or walk, we put everything in "1" building now!

Step "5" Grad BootCamp, Load up on Bus, Go across Street to NHCS (Naval Hospital Corps School).

Step "6" Meet and Greet with HMCS Boner. Tell him you want to be his "SPECIAL FRIEND!" (Do this I promise you, you will get attention, tell him HMC Crone said "HEY"! ) ;-)

Step "7" Do well in school, don't lose your bearing.. On our about after test "8" you will select your orders (Active) to your next duty station. YOU ARE NOT SELECTING FMSS, THAT IS AUTOMATIC!! You are selecting where you are going "AFTER FMSS!" That's right you will know where you are going before you leave NHCS!! There is "NO" negotiation of orders @ FMSS, they are already Hard Copied etc..

My last bit of advice to you all.. Stay in Shape. Don't wuss out. And by god, Please don't find a "CORPS SCHOOL SWEETHEART" and Marry her while in School. Odds of you getting orders together are very slim. We have one guy right now, who is in Japan, his "New" wife is in Washington. He wonders why the Navy won't move them together..

The Phrase.. "The Navy Didn't Issue you your wife in your seabag" takes effect. Your problem, not the Navy's.. Piss poor planning on your part does not change the "WAR" on the Navy's part. In other words think about it..

Good Luck, some of this was meant tongue in cheek, but all of it is relevant to your questions..

Da-Chief..

[The_Dirty_Name]

Very informative, thanks!

[Da-Chief]

Someone is lying to you..
There that is simple..
HMC

[brucehm]

i didnt know hmcs boner made senior unless a different person

[DeeDee]

Good advice Chief - especially the Corps School Sweetheart part

:D

[KentuckyBoy]

Haha, I had a room mate who came across the quarterdeck one night (after test 13) while Chief Boner was on duty. We became his not so special friends really fast. Chief is a great guy, and I would highly recommend not getting on his bad side.

[old navy]

Good advice Chief - especially the Corps School Sweetheart part

:D

I married my Corps School sweetheart. Been married 22 years now. We were both instructors though. Big difference.

[DeeDee]

YEAH old navy - BIG DIFFERENCE there :) Congrats on 22yrs together

DeeDee

[old navy]

YEAH old navy - BIG DIFFERENCE there :) Congrats on 22yrs together

DeeDee

thank you very much