Can you describe what a corpsman does?

[LXS]

Hi! I am a married mother of three and thinking about joining the Navy as a corpsman. I have read the description of the job before but I would rather hear from someone who has this rating and does the job everyday. I also am curious to know what are my chances that I would get attached to a Marine unit? Thank you in advance...:p

[old navy]

Navy HMs are doing many things all over the world. It depends on the Corpsman's duty station, pay grade and NEC (occupational specialty). New Corpsmen right out of school are doing basic medical stuff in state-side hospitals and clinics. Lab techs work in the labs like their civilian counter-parts. Their are many NECs that support Navy Medicine that one obtains by going to 'C' school. A lot of the shore duty jobs are regular hours with week ends and holidays off. Every ship in the Navy has from 1 to several Corpsmen attached. They do food service sanitation inspections, heat stress surveys, pest control operations, lots of admin, and take care of the health issues of the crew.

The following are a few things I did in 26 years as a Corpsman: orthopedics, ER, grunt Corpsman, shipboard baby doc more than once, taught basic Corpsman school, married with 2 kids (still married) 1 year IDC school student, IDC tour 2 ships, FMF as a Chief and Senior Chief, embassy protection op, clinic LCPO, clinic director, drug ops, combat action ribbon, 4 knee surgeries, training program manager for IDCs, PMTs, and FMF, and medical programs manager for the Navy's civilian ships.

The list isn't all inclusive but hopefully you get the picture. The opportunities for varied experiences are huge. You asked what are the chances of being assigned to the Marines. I don't know. There are others here who will provide input I'm sure.

[LXS]

Thank you so much for your reply. :) I knew they did some of the things you listed but I had NO IDEA how much they actually did. I have been looking into the Navy for quite some time. I was curious about the hours too. I know my schedule won't always be the best but its all worth it in the long run. Thank you:p

[Lil Miss Kenya]

If I were you, I would talk to a recruiter who would know about the corpsman position for women; because I talked to a medical recruiter who said that they were putting a cap on female corpsman for now. The waiting list might be a while. Just FYI, and if you find out anymore on that let me know. I'm hearing different answers from everyone. I also heard that they aren't sending females with the marines. If anyone can elaborate, please do.

[Lil Miss Kenya]

I was kind of wondering if they will elaborate in A school about our c school options. I really would like to branch off myself.

[Da-Chief]

Hey all!
I will be able to answer a lot of these questions later this week on our Corpsman.com Live Podcast.

You will be able to call in and ask questions, or if your uncomortable doing that, Email editor@corpsman.com and DeeDee can ask for you and CrazyCajun(If available our schedules have not matched of late) can answer to the best of our abilities.

I am calling the detailers myself this week to get the correct gouge etc. to put out.

Till then..

HMC OUT!