fmf corpsman intro

[Drhenney3]

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I am new to the forum. I wanted to give a little background info. I took a NPSB(non prior service basic) contract in 06'. It consists of going to full active duty bootcamp(ranked #1 in division 022), HM "A" school( ranked #8,education petty officer, graduated 15 classes early), FMSS(now FMTB:Field Medical Training Batallion, salutorian, education petty officer) "C" school at Pendleton, and then home to my reserve unit which was 4th Med. Bn Phoenix. Its an 8 year contract and came with a 20k bonus. I cant get out of the contract or Ill have to pay back the bonus. I want to get out early when I get my bs to possibly go hpsp. I have been lurking/reading many hpsp/fap threads. I got all of the training but never got real greenside or blueside training. Now Im in Washington finishing my bachelors. Im a sophomore now, about to obtain my associates. I like the idea of becoming a surgeon but im sure ill change my mind a few times I have alot of years left. Im back in 4th Med Bn. Im about to pick up HM3. What advice can you students/Drs. give? I just want to pick some Navy brains. Thanks.

 

[NavyFP]

I am new to the forum. I wanted to give a little background info. I took a NPSB(non prior service basic) contract in 06'.

So you owe until 2014. Not an insurmountable obstacle. Should you finish your bachelors and be ready to apply for med school, you may request a conditional release from Active Duty to participate in HPSP (or HSCP). Your enlistment contract would be deferred until you return to active duty and should be concurrent with your HPSP obligation. This will allow you to go to med school prior to 2014. If you don't want to do HPSP, you will have to wait until 2014.

 

[IgD]

I worked with a medical officer for a combat assault battalion who applied for and received a conditional release for HPSP. As I recall, they took the 2-4 years he owed and tacked it on the HPSP obligation. PM me and I could possibly forward his contact info if you want more.

 

[Drhenney3]

Thanks for the responses. An officer recruiter told me I could get a conditional release but you know how that is. Years being tacked on to hpsp seems likely. I will pm you when I'm not posting from my phone. Another issue I have tattoos on my forearms. Right arm love left arm hate. I of course had to get a waiver. I have been told its best to get them removed what is your take on this as well? Thanks.

 

[NavyFP]

Thanks for the responses. An officer recruiter told me I could get a conditional release but you know how that is. Years being tacked on to hpsp seems likely. I will pm you when I'm not posting from my phone. Another issue I have tattoos on my forearms. Right arm love left arm hate. I of course had to get a waiver. I have been told its best to get them removed what is your take on this as well? Thanks.

I would recommend removal. Waivers are possible, but gone is better.

This is a classic example of something that seemed like a good idea at the time coming back to bite you.

 

[notdeadyet]

I would recommend removal. Waivers are possible, but gone is better.

Seconded. The National Guard has announced that they are no long issuing moral waivers. I realize tattoos doesn't fall under this heading (would it?), but with the economy in the direction it's going, we could find the services able to be a little choosier than they've been over the last 7 or 8 years and you may find all waivers harder to come by.

 

[NAVYLABTECH08]

I am new to the forum. I wanted to give a little background info. I took a NPSB(non prior service basic) contract in 06'. It consists of going to full active duty bootcamp, hm a school, fmf(now fmtb:field medical training batallion) c school at pendleton, and then home to my reserve unit which was 4th med. bn phoenix. Its an 8 year contract and came with a 20k bonus.I cant get out of the contract or Ill have to pay back the bonus. I want to get out early when I get my bs to possibly go hpsp. I have been lurking/reading many hpsp/fap threads. I got all of the training but never got real greenside or blueside training. In 4th med bn I learned nothing and did nothing really and what skills I had from a and c school wasted away. Now Im in Washington finishing my bachelors. Im a sophomore now, about to obtain my associates. I like the idea of becoming a surgeon but im sure ill change my mind a few times I have alot of years left. Im back in 4th med bn(med support for 6th esb bulk fuel marines) and have not drilled here yet. Im about to pick up hm3. What advice can you students/Docs give? I just want to pick some Navy brains. Thanks.

Hi there hardworker,

I am a HM2 who completed FMF at Pendleton and had a 8 year obligation.I just separated today and will be starting med school this fall. I have went to many C schools and I know how it feels when you want to do your med school thing, but the military stuff takes over. Joining the military was a good and bad choice. It was bad because I would be completing residency now instead of just starting med school this fall. (thanks to deployments and such) It was good because I never even thought about medicine before joining the navy and it got me pointed in the right direction. I can give you my advice if you pm me,it is too long for this forum. I have been where you are and you can make it if you stay focused on the end game, med school. You sound real green to this subject and this forum and I would generally wish to share my knowledge and experience to help you make the best choices you can regarding USUHS vs HPSP vs other programs vs Civilian loans. Good luck

 

[Drhenney3]

I had already decided to get them removed and that would be me only option. Seemed unlikely to get a waiver, but you never know.

 

[BrickHouseMD]

Sorry to hijack but what's the deal with the tats? No forearm allowed or is the problem the "hate" thing?

 

[TheGoose]

Sorry to hijack but what's the deal with the tats? No forearm allowed or is the problem the "hate" thing?

good question - like can a tat be exposed while in PT gear? For instance a calf tattoo?

 

[BigNavyPedsGuy]

Just look at the regulations. Seriously, it's just a google search. That's what I had to do before I got my tattoo:

7. TATTOOS/BODY ART/BRANDS. Four Criteria will be
used to determine whether tattoos/body art/brands are
permitted for Navy personnel: content, location, size and
cosmetic.
a. Content. Tattoos/body art/brands located
anywhere on the body that are prejudicial to good order,
discipline, and morale or are of a nature to bring
discredit upon the naval service are prohibited. For
example, tattoos/body art/brands that are obscene, sexually
explicit, and or advocate discrimination based on sex,
race, religion, ethnic, or national origin are prohibited.
In addition, tattoos/body art/brands that symbolize
affiliation with gangs, supremacist or extremist groups, or
advocate illegal drug use are prohibited.
b. Location. No tattoos/body art/brands on the
head, face, neck, or scalp. The neck area for purposes of
this regulation is any portion visible when wearing a crew
neck T-shirt or open collar uniform shirt. In addition,
otherwise permissible tattoos/body art/brands on the torso
area of the body shall not be visible through white uniform
clothing.
c. Size. Individual tattoos/body art/brands
exposed by wearing a short sleeve uniform shirt shall be no
larger in size than the wearer’s hand with fingers extended
and joined with the thumb touching the base of the index
finger. Tattoos/body art/brands that exceed size criteria
are waiverable provided they do not violate the content
and/or location criteria.
d. Cosmetic. This regulation does not prohibit
cosmetic tattooing to correct medical conditions requiring
such treatment. For the purpose of this regulation,
cosmetic tattooing refers to medical or surgical procedures
conducted by licensed, qualified medical personnel.

 

[edinOH]

I was a corpsman for several years prior to medical school. You can PM me if you want for any specific advice I can offer.

 

[ValeRx]

Wow.. is that an M16A2 with smooth handguards?? I haven't seen smooth handguards except on an A1.

 

[Drhenney3]

Wow.. is that an M16A2 with smooth handguards?? I haven't seen smooth handguards except on an A1.

Ha, pretty sure its an A1 it was at a training command.

 

[Drhenney3]

Just look at the regulations. Seriously, it's just a google search. That's what I had to do before I got my tattoo:

7. TATTOOS/BODY ART/BRANDS. Four Criteria will be
used to determine whether tattoos/body art/brands are
permitted for Navy personnel: content, location, size and
cosmetic.
a. Content. Tattoos/body art/brands located
anywhere on the body that are prejudicial to good order,
discipline, and morale or are of a nature to bring
discredit upon the naval service are prohibited. For
example, tattoos/body art/brands that are obscene, sexually
explicit, and or advocate discrimination based on sex,
race, religion, ethnic, or national origin are prohibited.
In addition, tattoos/body art/brands that symbolize
affiliation with gangs, supremacist or extremist groups, or
advocate illegal drug use are prohibited.
b. Location. No tattoos/body art/brands on the
head, face, neck, or scalp. The neck area for purposes of
this regulation is any portion visible when wearing a crew
neck T-shirt or open collar uniform shirt. In addition,
otherwise permissible tattoos/body art/brands on the torso
area of the body shall not be visible through white uniform
clothing.
c. Size. Individual tattoos/body art/brands
exposed by wearing a short sleeve uniform shirt shall be no
larger in size than the wearer's hand with fingers extended
and joined with the thumb touching the base of the index
finger. Tattoos/body art/brands that exceed size criteria
are waiverable provided they do not violate the content
and/or location criteria.
d. Cosmetic. This regulation does not prohibit
cosmetic tattooing to correct medical conditions requiring
such treatment. For the purpose of this regulation,
cosmetic tattooing refers to medical or surgical procedures
conducted by licensed, qualified medical personnel.

My hand completely covers the words love and hate on both forearms and does not go against any other regulations, so I should have no problem right? Is there a difference for enlisted/officer? Or does every one just think its a negative or frowned upon? I dont see the words love and hate being prejudicial to good order.

 

[ValeRx]

Ha, pretty sure its an A1 it was at a training command.

Well I thought that but the compensator looks like an A2, and not the three-pronged like an A1. Maybe those three prongs were the old style.

 

[Drhenney3]

 

[Drhenney3]

Im really torn on what route to take. If you could read my info posted above and let me know what you would do. Use one of the Navy's programs or use civilian loans? I know most will say it depends on what I want or you'll ask me if Im in it for money or Navy career, so feel free to ask away. All help is appreciated.

 

[TheGoose]

My hand completely covers the words love and hate on both forearms and does not go against any other regulations, so I should have no problem right?

I dont see the words love and hate being prejudicial to good order.

I would say that "hate" would fall into the category of: "advocate discrimination based on sex, race, religion, ethnic, or national origin are prohibited."

Might not have been your intention but I don't see how it wouldnt be offensive to someone...think "hate crime"

 

[BrickHouseMD]

Idea: stick a "D" on the end of both, then it's all about "feelings". Or, turn HATE into HAIR and argue that you just really don't want a haircut.

 

[TheGoose]

^^ that would quell my complaints

 

[Drhenney3]

If I added a D on the end of both it would not be covered by my hand. Im thinking Im going to do FAP so I come in fully trained. Im probably going to be taking a sel res mob oppourtnity this summer. Hows weather in ann arbor right now?

 

[TheGoose]

Hows weather in ann arbor right now?

starting to improve. Right now its starting to get sunny - we can have a day that gets up to the mid sixties but then the next day i woke up and it was 19 degrees. It's really nice during the summer though

 

[Drhenney3]

I was born in dearborn hosptial, lived in MI for 17 years, gonna visit this summer. Ill figure out the tat issue. Any takers on advice about route selection. Looking to take a sel res mob opportunity in the summer so I can get at least 60% of the post 9/11 gi bill, earn a nest egg, get some actual corpsman & life experience.

 

[ValeRx]

I was born in dearborn hosptial, lived in MI for 17 years, gonna visit this summer. Ill figure out the tat issue. Any takers on advice about route selection. Looking to take a sel res mob opportunity in the summer so I can get at least 60% of the post 9/11 gi bill, earn a nest egg, get some actual corpsman & life experience.

So you're taking a year deployment?

 

[Drhenney3]

Im thinking about it Im not enrolled in school this quarter, well I am but only for a 2 credit pe class because I just moved to WA from AZ and I have to wait to get residency. So Im paying 509$ for just a 2 credit class where a full time quarter of 15 credits would be about 1100$. The quarter is short about 2 months. So im looking to do an estimated 13 month deployment.

 

[Drhenney3]

Any suggestions on routes to take?

 

[TheGoose]

if youre really leaning towards FAP....do it. It's your choice in the end

 

[Drhenney3]

Im really leaning towards FAP. Here are my reasons:

I want to pick my specialty.
I want to come in fully trained.

Im not doing it for the money but because I want to be a military Dr. But here's my situation. I moved from AZ to WA. I now have to wait for in state tuition. My chapter 1606 GI BIll only pays for 347$ a month while in school. Which means if I go full time its about $3k a quarter. Which means I have to pay all of it up front and get the $347 a month which leaves me with more of the cost which I cant afford. When it comes time for in state tuition it will be about $1100 which is doable.I dont want to take any loans for my undergrand and moved after the financial aid deadline for this quarter but have all my info in for next quarter. Besides that as a reserve corpsman I never did much besides training commands and some psi duty at Pendletons Naval Hospital. I volunteered for deployment but as a reservist you have to try to deploy it's not given. I want to deploy so I will recieve better GI Bill benefits, AD pay, the feeling of actually being a corpsman, and Ill be considered an in state resident when I return. Any suggestions, advice, etc is welcomed.

 

[Drhenney3]

Not going to school this quarter by the way because my plan to take a low credit course isnt VA benefit approved so Im just working.

 

[TheGoose]

Im really leaning towards FAP. Here are my reasons:

I want to pick my specialty.
I want to come in fully trained.

Im not doing it for the money but because I want to be a military Dr. But here's my situation. I moved from AZ to WA. I now have to wait for in state tuition. My chapter 1606 GI BIll only pays for 347$ a month while in school. Which means if I go full time its about $3k a quarter. Which means I have to pay all of it up front and get the $347 a month which leaves me with more of the cost which I cant afford. When it comes time for in state tuition it will be about $1100 which is doable.I dont want to take any loans for my undergrand and moved after the financial aid deadline for this quarter but have all my info in for next quarter. Besides that as a reserve corpsman I never did much besides training commands and some psi duty at Pendletons Naval Hospital. I volunteered for deployment but as a reservist you have to try to deploy it's not given. I want to deploy so I will recieve better GI Bill benefits, AD pay, the feeling of actually being a corpsman, and Ill be considered an in state resident when I return. Any suggestions, advice, etc is welcomed.

you should be able to go into your school's financial aid office and set up a deferred payment plan (aka monthly payments). You might need to go past the front clerk and ask to talk to someone who knows what they're doing (in one of the offices), but I think it's a pretty standard practice. That's what i did for undergrad - they'll work with you to set up the deferment plan

 

[notdeadyet]

Im really leaning towards FAP. Here are my reasons:

I want to pick my specialty.
I want to come in fully trained.

Good call.

I now have to wait for in state tuition. My chapter 1606 GI BIll only pays for 347$ a month while in school. Which means if I go full time its about $3k a quarter. Which means I have to pay all of it up front and get the $347 a month which leaves me with more of the cost which I cant afford.

Do keep in mind that you're going to be going to med school and probably taking out six figure worth of debt to become a doctor.

If you push out doing prereqs, you have the potential of pushing out your start date in medical school. Each cycle is getting more competitive than the last and (important point) becoming a physician one year later might cost you $100K in lost income in order to save $10K in tuition. Loans are no fun, but it's worth keeping in mind.

 

[Drhenney3]

My school doesn't do a payment plan. They only do pay for your classes in installments before the quarter starts which doesn't run along with va benefits so that's shot. I'm not afraid of debt, I know ill have to take loans for med school but would rather not for undergrad considering I owe 20k on a vehicle and 9700 in credit card debt. My fault for doing that but no sense dwelling.