Grad Hold

[ks_medic]

Why are so many corpsman being put on hold after A school? The last graduating class only 15 people got orders all the rest are on hold. This seems to becoming more common. The Hold group has so many people they are starting to send some to work in the galley while on hold. a lot of holds have been waiting 2 + months for orders and seems like FMSS are the main ones waiting. I'm NCS and I'm on hold. One of my active duty friends that graduated with me got his orders to Pendleton. I'm wondering do active duty get orders before NCS due to funding issues or is it all luck of the draw?

[Da-Chief]

1 Reason..
$$$$
As we draw closer to the end of quarters and the FY year closing.. We always run out of money.. It is worse now that our money is going to the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Money is constantly getting diverted when it was meant for other things.. It is like a "SHELL" game now..

Look at it this way.. When you don't hear a "Ziing" (Sniper Shot) or "BOOM" (IED or Mortars) and you wake up safe in your rack at NHCS each day. Look in the mirror and say .."THIS IS CAKE" .. Enjoy it while you can..

I have been deployed months at a time in the desert.. Shower 1 a month(Longest) or every 2 weeks. The smelliest person is the one coming in from Garrison..

Picture not being able to CRAP for days becuase you have eaten MRE's day in and day out..

Not speaking to your family and friends for weeks, No TV, No Sports, Your transportation are your feet and they could get blown off..

In other words.. Buddy Quite whining.. It ain't bad.. This used to drive me nuts when I was staff there.. You guys don't have a fricken clue yet.. Trust me that some of your shipmates who graduated last year and are in IRAQ would kill to be where your at.

HMC

[ks_medic]

Thanks Chief for the info. I didn't mean to sound like i was complaining I just didn't understand why so many went on hold for extended periods. Yes hold is a cake walk and makes for an easy day. I practiced medicine as a civilian and am ready to start treating patients again.

[oldavt]

This was predictable when everyone started to get orders to FMSS. The pipeline isn't big enough to process everyone in a timely fashion, and holding will be done at either Corps school or the FMSS commands. We used to work in the galley at Naval Hospital San Diego when we first checked in. Part of our "orientation". Wasn't at all uncommon to work places like that at any base when you first checked in if you were a very low enlisted. My brother graduated from aviation electronics school first in his class and already had an associates degree in electronic engineering and spent a year and a half on the flight line washing and servicing training jets. He didn't get into AIMD until the last 6 months of his 4 year enlistment. Reason takes second place to numbers.

[DeeDee]

Frankly I would rather be on hold at Great Lakes than sitting in HOT HOT HOT Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton - atleast entertainment is only a short trainride away :D
CHICAGO! CHICAGO! CHICAGO! - enjoy the break :D Go eat a sandwich at Portillo's, check out Shedd Aquarium - there are TONS to do there.

[8404]

A lot of Chicago's attractions are admission FREE if you wear your uniform. Enjoy.

[Navycameron]

Remember Chicago is famous for PIZZA. At least that is what I would be doing if I was their. :)

[Meatfoam]

Will even the reservists be held, or do they get released so they can fulfill their civilian obligations and then report to FMTB once it is their turn?

[Da-Chief]

Reservists are sent to the Naval Hospital at either Camp Lejeune or Camp Pendleton to work until their class date. Our seats on the Reserve side are different. They are bought and paid for by the Reserves. Usually not much of a wait unless it is the holidays or you ask for a longer time.

V/R
HMC

[ks_medic]

mmmm....I've heard alot about Portillo's but have never been. I'll have to look into that. I ate at a place called Giadonno's and it was the best pizza i've ever had.

Are NCS considered Reserve or Active duty? On all my paper work it says USNR but i'm treated as active?

[Da-Chief]

Your active until Reserve. Your paid for by the Reserve Component, but your active for the 15 month obligation.

Hope this helps..

HMC

[Hm_Taylor]

Well, I hated being on hold because I was a graduate being treated like a nugget off the booter bus. Drove me nuts. Guess I wouldnt have been in a huge hurry if i was destined for Lejuene or Pendleton. Instead I am stationed at a hospital in my hometown.

So both sides of that issue, I can see.