Watching the posted comments and questions I have seen very little interest or
comments on our sons and daughters going to FMTB.
Seeing and watching our son graduate from this school with about 200 others
it seems strange that comments are not posted or asked about this school.
This is a very important part of a Corpsmans training and touches almost all
of them during their tour in the service.
It may be those that go say little to the parents, but they seems charged up
at graduation and you can see the pride in getting thru the school.
If you hear FMTB ask questions you be amazed................
SF Randy
Replies
My son just graduated from HM school and is headed to Camp Lejeune attached to MSOSG and FMTB after the first of the year. He's the envy of several of the instructors. Of course mom's a bit apprehensive to say the least, but it's where he wants to be so we support him all the way. He's gotten a good start from corpsman school instruction, being on the Dean's list and his class being the first one at San Antonio to earn the "Don't Tread on Me " award. He talked a lot with the instructors, many having been in the field, so that gave him a lot of incouragement and a better feel of what would be expected.
I'm getting into this pretty late. My son (now HM3 & an Iraq vet with the 2nd Batt. 1st Marine regiment) went through FMTB about 4 years ago. I believe that the Navy is now sending most HNs to FMTB, but for those who go "greenside" for real, the Marine training is essential to begin to gain the trust of Marines. One of my son's proudest moments was when "his" Marines started to call him "Doc" rather than "corpsman"--he even changed his Facebook "handle" to "Doc". The Marines have to trust you to be as well-trained as they are in combat, PLUS being able to keep them alive and well. [My son describes his job as "fixing broken Marines".] Once they know that you are as tough and dedicated as they see themselves to be, you are really one of them as a Corpsman. My point here is that the trials of FMTB are well worth it in the end--they may save your life or someone else's and they are the beginning of a necessary bonding process with the Marine Corps. Earning your FMF badge is also a huge step for Corpsmen serving with the Marines. Anyway, your son will come out of FMTB as tough as a marine, but still a Navy man.
Dan Melia
Good moring Collin
After your son gets to Corps school he needs to request serving with the Marines "going Greenside"
They have a 5 yr contract and most serve with the Crops,FMTB gives them a chance to learn from
those that have served with Marines and the Marines will add their knowledge of serving with the
Corps.
First step is to do well in bootcamp ,then corps school,then FMTB, much to learn from many instructors
but if they have a true desire to be a Corpsman it is possible to do more than they can imagine.
Run and swim all he can each day if possible, boot camp and corps school will keep you on
the move and pushing each day to see who you are.
Good luck and keep us up to date on his progress
SF Randy-go
My son is in DEP, He enlisted as an HM. He really wants to go greenside.
Can you please tell me what the chances are of him going greenside.
Do all corpsman go to FMTB or a combat medic school?Corpsman (our sons and daughters) serve in more places than you can
imagine.
Asking to learn more moves them thru things we as parents never thought
possible....our kids have become adults and pack a load we can only imagine.
I'm sure your son will do good in school, his Marine uniform will add a new
look you can be proud of.
If you can go to the graduation, we as parents hold the rope they hold onto
for life
SF Randy
Jeff Jones said:
I would guess that east and west are very close to the same.
FMTB school is a small look at Marine Corps boot camp with a push on
field medical methods
Instructors are both Navy and Marines, this gives the men a look at both
sides of the coin on services and methods.
This method brings many Navy blue thinking Marine Corps green as they
graduate.
Simulated combat action methods, movements,defense etc.
The gas chambers are done again,force marches and defense on the move
always keeping the medical (what do you do now?) in their minds.
Hand to hand combat is redone , going to the range is important and done
with a chance to work the target area.
Simulated injuries on very life like dummies , timed events,day and night
every thing they can come up with to give them as close to real as possible.
They do one hell of a job to give them the upper hand on being a Corpsman
with Marine units.
They can use words from home for support, questions gives them a vent and
working together adds a look you will see.
Pictures can be taken at times, and some pics are done by the school this
is nice for those of us at home and later for those that went thru but find
pics not to cool at this time.
Most instructors have combat time that adds to what they teach
Great school and as always what you put in to it adds to what you get
from it.
Good luck to your Corpsman, let us know how he's doing......I'm sure
youll like him in Marine green as much as Navy blue
SF Randy
Jim Hoyt said:
After Corpsman school, our son went to Pensacola where he just graduated from AVT School. He is now at Camp Pendleton awaiting his FMTB class to start in October. I know that the training here will be intense. Can you, from experience, tell us what to expect? The FMTB West website is lacking (compared to FMTB East) so any information you can provide will be appreciated.
Honor, Courage, Commitment
Jim Hoyt