FMF Corpsman preparations?

[Blitz]

Hi Guys,

Just DEP'd in the Navy as a reserve as an HMFM (FMF Corpsman) two days ago, I will be shipping mid next year. I can't wait!!! Any tips on how to prepare physically and mentally?

[ptusa]

Read this thread...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=850077&highlight=Rape

Then keep your head on a swivel.

[RickD427]

Hi Guys,

Just DEP'd in the Navy as an HMFM (FMF Corpsman) two days ago, I will be shipping mid next year. I can't wait!!! Any tips on how to prepare physically and mentally?

Sir,

Congrats on your decision to serve.

I'd really work on getting into the best physical shape as possible. They'll work on improving your fitness in boot camp, but life is a lot easier if you start out ahead of the curve.

Understand that the "Boot Camp" process is kinda artificial. A lot of things may not make sense at first. Be "moldable." Understand what your Company Commanders are trying to accomplish with you, and your shipmates, and then work hard to make it happen. Don't take offense at minor slights. They count for much and you're not really going to get any sympathy either. You're working for the big goal.

Never pass up a chance to help a shipmate out. Everybody has their strengths and their weaknesses. Help others where you're strong and don't be bashful about accepting help where you're weak. If you don't know where you're weak, delay the DEP until you do.

Leadership is required. If you master the above paragraph, you'll be well on the way. It's not about you, it's about the unit.

Learn the service. If you're going FMF, you'll have to learn two services (There's a reason they put the Marine Corps under Navy supervision). Each branch has its own idocycracities and they don't often make sense. The sooner you learn them, and to work with them, the easier life becomes and the more successful you'll be.

Once you've been in long enough to really get this all figured out, find some deserving junior member and help them along. You're not entitled to advance until you develop someone to take your place.

Good luck and again, congratulations on your decision.

[Cpl. Haas]

Plan to get out of shape in bootcamp... RTC was basically a joke when I went through, and is completely a joke now. The real work will start when you start playing with the Marines.

[Blitz]

Sir,

Congrats on your decision to serve.

I'd really work on getting into the best physical shape as possible. They'll work on improving your fitness in boot camp, but life is a lot easier if you start out ahead of the curve.

Understand that the "Boot Camp" process is kinda artificial. A lot of things may not make sense at first. Be "moldable." Understand what your Company Commanders are trying to accomplish with you, and your shipmates, and then work hard to make it happen. Don't take offense at minor slights. They count for much and you're not really going to get any sympathy either. You're working for the big goal.

Never pass up a chance to help a shipmate out. Everybody has their strengths and their weaknesses. Help others where you're strong and don't be bashful about accepting help where you're weak. If you don't know where you're weak, delay the DEP until you do.

Leadership is required. If you master the above paragraph, you'll be well on the way. It's not about you, it's about the unit.

Learn the service. If you're going FMF, you'll have to learn two services (There's a reason they put the Marine Corps under Navy supervision). Each branch has its own idocycracities and they don't often make sense. The sooner you learn them, and to work with them, the easier life becomes and the more successful you'll be.

Once you've been in long enough to really get this all figured out, find some deserving junior member and help them along. You're not entitled to advance until you develop someone to take your place.

Good luck and again, congratulations on your decision.

Sir,

Thank you very much for this great advice! I will print this and keep it in my wallet. I believe I have plenty of time to prepare but this will definitely guide me in the right direction.

[stitch_paradox]

Congrats!

Whats a HMFM? You cannot dep as a guaranteed 8404 Corpsman. You have to finish FMSS first. You will be going to Texas in the new joint service medical school, so it will be different. CPL Haas is right, RDC now is a big joke. But maintain military bearing and dont let it get into your mind.

Once you pick orders before graduating school, thats when you find out whether you go greenside (Marines) or blueside (Navy). You can always volunteer for 8404 (FMF) jobs though.

Our job is not just a job. Its a lifestyle, it takes alot of passion and patience to do some of the stuff that we do. Remember any one can be a HM, but not all Corpsman can be called "Doc".

[Blitz]

Congrats!

Whats a HMFM? You cannot dep as a guaranteed 8404 Corpsman. You have to finish FMSS first. You will be going to Texas in the new joint service medical school, so it will be different. CPL Haas is right, RDC now is a big joke. But maintain military bearing and dont let it get into your mind.

Once you pick orders before graduating school, thats when you find out whether you go greenside (Marines) or blueside (Navy). You can always volunteer for 8404 (FMF) jobs though.

Our job is not just a job. Its a lifestyle, it takes alot of passion and patience to do some of the stuff that we do. Remember any one can be a HM, but not all Corpsman can be called "Doc".

Thanks!
the classifier said hm fleet marine and guaranteed 8404, it is also in the contract I signed. he says it is rare but it does happen. I also read it in some of the forums like navydep. I also checked with the recruiter just to make sure. so I took it in a heartbeat. I agree not everyone can be called "Doc".

[Germz]

Blitz,

If you become a corpsman and go "green side" with Marines is when your level of physical fitness will be tested. This is all according to my doc friends, but you pretty much go through a cut down Marine boot camp to go green side. good luck.

Remember, every sailor is a firefighter!

[64physhy]

I thought FMF was a designation you had to earn once you become a Corpsman, I didn't think you could join with a guarantee.

[Cpl. Haas]

I know reservists can get FMF directly in their contract... my rackmate in bootcamp was a reservist HM and was guaranteed FMF. Are you sure you're active duty, OP?

[dwtt]

1. start running and be able to run 5 miles within 35 minutes
2. do pushups and pullups
3. go on long hikes in the hills and on the beach with 40 lb pack. Learn how to wear good socks and boots while humping with a pack.
4. Start reading and studying basic first aid and emergency care.

It was 1989 when I went to MOS school in Camp Johnson, so things might have changed, but the navy corpsman school was also in Camp Johnson and those guys would have to hump along with the infantry school. Humping through sand in the North Carolina heat and humidity is just as hard as going up and down the San Onofre mountains of Pendleton.

[Blitz]

I know reservists can get FMF directly in their contract... my rackmate in bootcamp was a reservist HM and was guaranteed FMF. Are you sure you're active duty, OP?

Sorry I didn't indicate I was going to be a reservist on the original post.

[evidens83]

Start rucking now. If you've never rucked before I'd suggest 12 miles with a 60lb load to start

[stitch_paradox]

64Physhy, you are right, FMF is also a designator. However he can get a FMF billet, but that does not make him automatically a FMF Corpsman, he will have the NEC 8404 though once he graduate Field Med.

Cpl Haas got it right. Now i know why you got guaranteed billet.

[The sarge]

Lots of good advice in here but there's some junk mixed in. I've been in the Corps for 12 years and have served with blue side and green side corpsman. It's very accurate that not all corpsman can be called doc. It's a term of endearment.

As far as what to do. Don't worry to much over it. The schools you will go through are designed to prepare you for what you do. The FMF school is actually right next to where I work on Camp Pendleton. You need to be able to run a reasonable distance 3-4 miles is fine, 5 is great as we really don't run past that very often at all. You will want to be able to hike with a pack on but 12miles is abit much for starting out. Try 3 and work up from there. It's harder once you are in boots.

General fitness is really the best way overall to prepare. Even on the green side you will still do the Navy PRT. Hope it helps.