The standard to become Corpsman in the Marine Corps is a little confusing, as the Marines use Navy Corpsmen for their missions. But the Navy Corpsman serving in a Marine Unit is for all intents and purposes a Marine, and is treated like a Marine by other Marines and by everyone whom they have contact with. So the Marines and the Navy Team up in training corpsmen for the Marine Force Fleet. Candidates for Marine Fleet Corpsman have to attend a 7 week course that is much like Marine Boot camp in makeup at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
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The Marines have a saying, Every Marine is a Rifleman, and that extends to Navy Corpsmen serving in Marine Units, corpsmen have to learn to carry a rifle and how to use it as well. Marines need qualified medical personnel on the battlefield and thats why the Field Medical Service School exists. For a Corpsman to be effective he has to earn the right to be regarded as a fellow Marine, and that can be an eye opening experience to many Navy Corpsmen unfamiliar with Marine Corps ways. For a Corpsman to be effective in a Marine Corps unit he has to be someone that the other Marines know and trust. He has to be able to lay down cover fire, dig a hole, or do whatever other Marines in his unit are doing toward accomplishing the mission.
The top priority for a FMSS corpsman is to learn to save Marine Corps lives, but they have to be accepted by the unit in which they work. They learn to look like Marines, act like and function just as other Marine Corps personnel function, despite in reality being Navy Corpsmen assigned to a Marine Corps Unit. Much of this need to be a Marine is not understood by those who have not experienced it, but it is vital to the success and cohesiveness of the unit.
The FMSS field school teaches the tactics, methods and procedures it takes to be a Marine Corpsman in the field. It also gives the new Navy Corpsman self-confidence, and the ability to experience real life conditions before being thrust into the field. The level of mental and physical discipline that are imposed on a Navy Corpsmen headed for the field to serve with Marine Corps units is not a trifle, but vital. The training serves to make the corpsman ready to handle whatever is put into their path.
I am only 14 but I am interested in being a doctor in the Marine Corps. Any advise on how to pre-train?
You cannot be a doctor in the marine corps. There are only doctors in the Navy, Army, and Air Force. I know it sucks, but the marines don’t have much to do with medical stuff at all.
Can i attend this college after high School?
My 20 year old son wants to be a marine, but he also wants to be a medic. He has already trained as a firefighter and EMT. If he joins the marines will he be able to train as a medic with the navy?
jan, your son would have to join the navy to become a corpsman or “medic ” as you referred to the title. Once through corpsman school and field medical service school your son could go “Green Side” with the Marine Corps and virtually be a marine as the article describes. If he’s good and committed to his field he will gain respect and be treated as a fellow marine. If he is all about himself and doesnt take care of his marines he WILL get the “boot”!!! An accepted corpsman is most often referred to as “DOC” by his marines if he has earned their respect. In order to gain this title your son will have to meet and exceed the physical & mental required of his fellow marines. IE: He will have to be in better shape than any of his fellow marines able to keep going when they have all but given up etc>>> ie when the platoon takes a break on a 20 mile hump the corpsman (who humped with his Marines(didnt sit in the hummer) continued to work checking feet ,treating blisters,dehydration etc…Corpsman are some of the highest decorated among the enlisted ranks for their dedication to duty. Being an EMT prior to service willl help w/his corpsman training … There are several C schools avail. to corpsman such as XRay Tec , Nuclear Med Tec, Dental Tec etc.. U may wanna get him w/ a Navy recruiter and discuss options.He would need to take the asfab? test to see where his IQ takes him. As an entry into the navy he could negotiate with recruited for C school if he wants to specialize. There could be a couple year wait to get him in the service, I’vebeen told this is due to the current economy (more people joining needing jobs) Hope this helps!!!
I want to be a navy corpsman do I have to have any medical ex?
My son is 22 years old and a Navy Corpsman. He is going through Marine Field Medic School right now in Camp Lajaune North Carolina. He said it is tough but he wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I served as a corpsman with the 3/10 out of CLNC – you don’t need any experience, just enlist into the Navy and score well enough on the asvab to be able to select the hospital corps rate. I was a green corpsman and I am extremely proud of my service with my artillery batallion. I joined right out of highschool with no other formal education. Semper Fi
I’m only 13, but I can’t wait till I’m old enough to join the United States Marine Corps. oorah. Semper Fi
I’m Almost 17 now, Junior year of Highschool looking to become a FMF Corpsman. What should i do to prepare for it?
I just enlisted in the navy in Oct as a HM, i was curious as to how they select you to be a combat medic with the marines. My recruiter has told me it’s voluntary, but i have heard from other sources and did some research on my own and have gotten 3 or 4 different responses. I would just like to know so i will have an idea of what to expect
i am 15 and i want to become a nurse in the marines medical field but dont know how to get there any help ???
rosy if you want to do anything in the medical field with the marines you are going to have to enlist in the navy. The marines don’t have any nurses or doctors they partner with the navy and use their medics and nurses
i was wondering, to be a marine Corpsman, you have to go through the Navy,
but is it a selection course where, after you have completed your medical training,
you get posted to a Marine ”Infantry, Artillary, etc” unit??
or does something different happen ??
regards
I am 16, and a junior in high school. I have been interested in Joining the medical field for as long as I can remember. Trauma and emergency care has always been whats grabbed my attention. I have also been considering joining the Marine Corps, so naturally im wondering about being able to do both! This article and the comments people have written have helped answer a lot of questions that Ive had! One question that I would really like to know though is the same as Bryce’s. If i join the Navy as a Corpsman, will i be able to volunteer to be a Marine Corpsman? Or does the Navy decide what the Corpsmans positions are from there? Any answers would be greatly appriciated!
Thanks!
i want to be a corpsman in the marines but some marines have told me to become an emt before i enlist. what is yalls opinion and what is the difference between emt and corpsman?
@brian,
From everything i’ve been told by my recruiter it is voluntary, yes the navy does pick some to be a fleet marine force medic but if you’re not chosen to be a fleet marine force medic you can still volunteer. Here’s what you can look forward too, the Navy Boot camp is 6-10 weeks long and after that you attend school for Corpsman. The Navy Corpsman A school right now is 14 weeks long and they are in the process of moving to San Antonio, Tx after that 14 week school if you volunteer for the Marines you will go through another 14 week training period with the marines to become combat affective. The Marines take great pride in their Medics so if you do it be prepared to do more than a regular marine, you will be expected to do everything they do and more. While they rest you don’t, they expect you to check everyone for dehydration and etc. But it is one of the most recognized positions in the military if you bust your butt hard you will earn the name “Doc” this is what marines call their medics that they respect and have earned it. So pretty much yes sir either way you can become a combat medic with the Marines but be prepared to work your butt off its worth it if you can do it….Good luck
I am 24, I have recently served four years with the United States Marine Corps as a Corporal and was honorably discharged, I am now working towards joining the United States Navy to be a Corpsman and go “green side” to be with the Marines. For anyone wanting to do the same, you dont need medical experience, but would be advisable to read medical books and become familiar with what Corpsmen do and how they are different from EMTs. I decided about six months before I got out that the Marine Corps was not where I needed to be, but in the Navy as a Corpsman, I love the Marines, but I want to do more than a regular Marine does and help my brothers and sisters medically in the combat zone. Once a Marines,, always a Marine. Semper FIdelis.
I served as an FMF Corpsman with the Marines in Vietnam. It’s not for the light of heart. It takes a real dedication to your fellow Marines as well as strong physical and mental conditioning. It’s true, often, you have to out marine your Marine buddies because that’s what you do. When they fall and are still in a “hot” zone you jump around the incoming fire and do what you can to keep them alive. This can and, most likely, will include defending yourself and your fallen Marines with a weapon as you render skilled aid to those that need it. That being said … there is nothing like it in the world. Your job is one of the most repected in the military and the most highly decorated in combat of all the services.
im a nationally certified clinical medical assistant and am enrolled in a L.P.N course and would love to become a corpsman. im 25 got a 71 on the ASVAB and passed the physical and am almost ready to go
Hey Doc’s. I trained at Camp Lejeune FMF school in the sumer of 1977. At that time their was a program to obtain your EMT certification with the state of NC. It was extracurricular, and we trained after our regular FMF classes. I am trying to find a record of my EMT certification in 1977 while at field medical school in Jacksonville. Suffice to say I am not having any luck.
I need to show that I completed the EMT training and in fact did become certified as an EMT in the state of NC in 1977. Does anyone have any ideas where I can find a record of my certification?
Thanks Doc”s, I miss my marines! There was a simple truth between us, they would gladly lay down their lives for me, and they knew I would do the same in a heartbeat. I miss the honor of this old agreement between navy Doc corpsman and his marine unit.
im 16 and im going to go into the marines after high school and i want to join the medical field i do PT with the marines every thursday in long beach, CA on pine nd 6th street ive asked for more information about it but my recruiter told me that i need to do really good in school and i have but i would like to know if there is any programs that i could join to help me out more with the medical field….any suggestions??
I am obviously female. Would I qualify to be a field medic?
I am only 13 and i already know that being a corpsman is what I always wanted to do, but it would be helpful to know what kind of mental and physical excersises I should do. Any tips on how I can prepare as of right now?
i m only 13 and i have always wanted to be a corpsman.
how old do you have to be to join?
is there any way to get prepared now?
I’m a currently enlisted Marine and was curious if anyone had any advice on going from enlisted Marine to corpsman nearing their EAS date. Any advice/preparation would be appreciated.
hi, my name is anabel and im only 13, i want to be a Marine, but at the same time a nurse and also attend College. how can this be possible in my future schedule of when i get out of High School???
I am 16 years old right now and I want to become a Navy Corpsman, but I dont know if I should join the Navy right out of high school or go to college for a couple years get a degree then join so I will have a higher rank when I graduate from bootcamp. Do I need to have a higher education then a GED to become a Navy Corpsman? And what training would I have to do after graduation from bootcamp, will I have to go to a Marines camp and train with them to be able to be deployed with them into combat?? :))
i recently enlisted in the navy as a hospital corpsman I AM FEMALE. after graduating A school i want to go FMF; scratch that I WILL go fmf. does anyone have any advice or tips on how i could better my chances of accomplishing my goal? i plan to graduate top of my class in A school …is there anything else i should do or know?
First off I’m glad to hear there they are so many people interested in becoming an FMF corpsman. You do not need to have any prior medical experience, does it help yes, but don’t let someone tell you its mandatory. Trust me you will get more than enough experience from the 3 months of HM school and the 2 months of FMTB (field medical school). Your recruiter might not ba able to guarentee you going FMF (green side), but there’s always a need and they won’t hesistate to send you this route if you show dedication in your school work and military bearingat HM school. As a female you can go FMF, but you will not go with division (infantry). Most likely you will go to logistics, artillery, or wing. All great experiences, but not in the “trenches” so to speak. Do not take this lightly, if you go with division you will spend long, hard days with your marines. But if you do a good job and show you have the best interest for them, they will treat you like one of their own, if not better. I deployed to Iraq 3 months after school so you can end up doing your job in a quick time frame. THe best advice i can give you is to get in good shape. Be able to run 3 miles without stopping, do 70 pushups in 2 min, and 90 situps in 2min. That will give you a good start so that you won’t be as tired during the training process at FMTB, if you can’t do that by the end you will be able to anyway.
my fiancee is in the Navy and is in A school right now for corpsman training. he just got his orders. he says he is going to camp lejeune, NC to train with the marines for 7 weeks. if he does this training is he expected to get deployed with the marines? is he for sure to leave with them? i never know what to expect. he said he will be going to work in a hospital after training. maybe they will send him out after that? it’s bittersweet news.
i am a new york city emt i heard the the navy/marines corps were looking for emt to volunteer for duty in iraq is this true and how do i apply i served in the marine in 1979
I’m Miranda & I’m 16 years old , I want to become a nurse for the navy but I don’t know how to do any of it , I was in nursing for almost a year so I no how to do things but I was never hands on because I’m only 16 . I don’t want to join in the navy I just want to be a nurse or a medic in the navy can someone help me out so I can join now.?
Please & thanks (;
Do I have to be U.S. Citizen to be a Navy Corpsman and be assigned to assist the Marines? Or can I do so if I’m just a green card holder?
Here is how it goes. To be a corpsman for the marines you must talk to a recruiter, take the asvab, go to meps, and you will get a list of jobs that you are qualified for. If you qualify for corpsman school then you can get that ONLY IF THE NAVY HAS THE JOB AVAILABLE. Otherwise you will have to wait for the job to become available. Then when a job opens up you will be presented with a contract with a HM guarantee. Then you will be in the delayed entry program and wait to ship to boot camp. You will complete boot camp and be sent to corpsman (A) school. Then you MAY have the option to go green. If there are green side jobs available the top.of the class will get dibbs. In other words, the better you do in a school, the more choices you have. If the job is available and you are good enough to get it then you will be sent to trail with the marines and become a corpsman in the fleet marine force. I have signed my contract and am waiting to ship to boot camp. I study my corpsman manual that i tracked down daily and i have an allied health certificate plus many additional college credits in healthcare so if you want to be the best in corpsman school you better bring it because there are many more as driven as i am.
@victoria he is likely going to shadow in the hospital to gain hands-on experience. He will probably be attached to a unit and yes deploy with them. Welcome to military life. Your fiancee signed up for one of the most dangerous, rigorous, and respected jobs in the military. Be proud
im a marine, and im an infantry marine and later on down the road i was wanting to go to corpsman school and be a marine instructor there, ive been told by the docs in my battalion that there are marines at the school. does anyone know how to go about that?
I served as a Corpsman with the 1 Bn 25 Marines reserve unit in NH overy 20 years ago. This was one of my best years in the Navy. Love Honor Respect
Doc Smith
Hi everyone. I’m nearing my ets date withe the air guard and looking at the navy corpsman side. Any suggestions for a prior service female?
I want to join the Marine Corps but still want to be Corpsman. if i enlist in the Navy and become a Corpsman. would I be considerd a Marine or a Navyman? like would my uniform be Marine Dress Blues or Navy Blues? Officaly what would I be?
Marines are authorized to wear Dress Blues. You could wear your Navy Uniform or go Marine Regs. Cammies are what we wore 99.9% of the time.. thats what counts. I was in for 8 yrs the last 4 with the FMF, nothing helped me more in life.. then that 4 years spent as “Doc Torres”. Being prepared and properly trained in handling emergent situations has made me still the go to guy 25 years later.
if you have had any medical history…such as surgery wise can you enlist in the navy as a nurse or doctor? or do you still have to do all of the physical training?
hi, I’m Emily i am 17 years old. I’ve always wanted to join the Navy, but I’ve had previous hip surgery in junior high, but I’m wondering if i can join the Navy as a nurse or work in the medical field. After i graduate college with a degree in nursing can i go strait to the Navy as a nurse or do i have to complete any physical training or bootcamp?
im 16 years old and in high school.Thanks to my dad i knew i wanted to serve in the military,but i also wanted to save lives so odviously i chose to be a corpsmen,but in confused adout all the different kinds.What is the diference between fmf corpsmen, hospital corpsmen, marine corpsmen and all the rest? and how do i know which one’s for me?
I lost a brother-in-law, and a “Shipmate” this week……… VietNam era Corpsman, HM2 “Ernie” (Ernest David)Gonzales. He passed 02JAN12 in the Albuquerque VA Hospial after being in a coma for 2 months following a massive stroke. He went from VietNam service into Physician’s Assisant (PA) training and served southern New Mexico for 30 years as “The Doc” for the VA clinics, an EMT trainer, and a Deputized Sheriff.
Can anyone out there find his class # in HM “A” school in the mid-60’s and get the family a class picture we can put up at his memorial service next week?? find me on Facebook if you want to.
Thanx !!!!
I’m currently in Corps School. Have been in the navy for over 3 years and worked with Corpsmen for over a year. I must say that Navy Corpsmen are the most intelligent and focused servicemen in the military. The school basically acts as a filtration system, weeding out everyone but the best. Its a tough school and you must meet high expectations. Even after school you will be studying deep into the medical field, furthering your knowledge. You never know when something you learn during your off time will save your shipmate/battle buddy/or even wingmans life. It is hands down, one of the most respected and rewarding rates in the United States military. After spending a year with them, i couldn’t see myself NOT being one… but be warned, you will witness things in your career that most people can’t even imagine. Human mortality and death.
I will be done with school next year and I am plaing to go in to Marines and be in the Medical Field so can you just please send me more information about what kind of school i have to take to be able to do that I will really be happy if you can do that for me thank you.
Can women also train to to combat medics? I’m enlisting in a couple weeks but I would like to know, I want to be a corpsman but I also want to go through the marine training.
I’m a Corpsman currently in 8483 training, if you have any questions about enlistment, Corps School, and green side you may direct your questions to [email protected] and I will do my best to help you or direct you to where you may get information.
Are there normally any girls that work as navy/marine corpsmen?
Im 18 on a delayed entry program and Im going to be a corpsman. I want nothing more then to be an FMF corpsman. What if anything can I do to better may chances to apply for that feild? Any help is extremely appreciated.
Thank you
Sam
Raegan22
Yes there are ALOTof women in the navy corpsman rate.
Theres a program that u can be a Marine and have medical exprierence..NROTC… great program… Lets u go to college First then serve your country
I am joining the marines. I got a 71 on my ASVAB and i leave to go to parris island Oct. 15. Im so excited. I originally wanted to be a medic but my recruiter told me that i would have to join the navy. I decided not to do that so now im stuck with all these jobs and dont know what to do. Any suggestions?
are girls allowed to become corpsman?
what are some important tips to reading yourself for becoming a corpsman? I am currently a freshman. what can i do in highschool?
No, you cant be a marine corps doctor. There is no medical branch of the marines. As a female corpsman yes you can work in an aid station that takes care of marines, but you will not be a platoon medic/corpsman for the infantry or anything else that is all male
I suggest for all you kids under the age of 17 that if you want to join the military to do some research on what the military is. If you knew anything and were serious about joining the marine corps or navy there is no medical field in the marine corps. The navy supplies all of the medics or “Doc’s” as marines call them. You can go into the navy and decide to go fleet marine force which would allow you to be assigned to a marine unit making you basicly a marine. Im 18 and joining the marine corps and in the DEP program so I know what im saying so to all you young people do youre research then ask questions.
Sadly. i servered in the Marines for 4 years. at the tine they did have a medic program. it was my mos. however due to budget and other issues they had to shut it down.
I’ve read a lot of these comments and a question that comes up a lot is “How do I become a ‘Medic’ in the Marine Corp? Well we call our beloved unsung hero’s, Corpmen. They are in the Navy and as we {Marines} are in the Department of the Navy they are temporarily assigned to us. I was in Viet Nam for a few minutes, 26 months and served as an 03, Infantry. First as an 0311, rifleman then since I was big became an 0331, Machine Gunner. M-60, then back as an 0311. In Viet Nam a Corpmans tour of duty in the bush was 6 months but some re-uped for an additional 6 months.A Marines tour of duty was 13 months. Yes we considered them Marines. When it got tough out there and the S…. hit the fan,you would hear, “CORPMAN UP”and time after time, without fail they would be there, most times it was as if Hell opened up. A lot of times as a Machine Gunner my job was to suppress enemy fire so I had a good idea what they were up against.They were up against the Devil himself. Yes we love our Corpmen and in my experience’s they had Guardian Angels with fully Automatic weapons. They are unsung hero’s and to the young men in these comments expressing a desire to become a Corpman, God bless you. Its not a walk in the park. And please be advised tours of duty are different for each war. Now they have shorter tours but more of them. Semper Fi, do or Die.
That is my comment above and I’m afraid we didnt know each other by our Birth names so I must include my nick name so my friends will know who I am, When someone inquires about the Eagle, Globe and Anchor tattooed on my arm I just tell them its a .birth mark.
I was a fmf corpman for 5 years of an 8year tour with the usn . i really enjoyed my life with the marines.If i had it to do over again i would certainly do it. it was the most satisfying time of my life.that was 30 yrs ago. i became as crazy as my brothers in arms we were all family. I was with 6th marines out of lejuene. the title doc is earned not given from the corps.
So i have read alot of these comments, I am currentely a fmf corpsman thats deployed to afghanistan. We are called corpsman for a reason not medics. Corpsman are versatile ranging from working in clinics to hospitals to ships and with the marines. We do more than medics. But for all the kids wanting to be corpsman great on you. You do not need any medical training though if you want to be corpsman with marines you will learn alot on the job, especially working with doctors. If you dont have an answer for one of your marines you find out, you are much more respected by them if you do everything in your power to help them. You learn ALOT, basically u learn a doctors job because your always being asked questions by marines. Countless times i have been woken up 2, 3 oclock in the morning cause they need help.
SAM A- unfortunatley its the luck of the draw to become a green side corpsman. The orders have to be there. Unfortunatley since the corpsman school in great lakes is closed im not sure how they are doing it in san antonio or wherever the hell they changed it too. Good luck, cause once u got to fmss its not to hard but they woop your ass.
I got treated for injuries received ina barracks attack by first aid batallion station by a Navy Corpsman.There is no record in my military personnel jacket of ever getting stitched up. I was trated for this assault sometime in April of 169 at DingHa Combat Base 4thBn12Marines. Is there some sort of medical log entry that i can access and find out what was recorded? The Va says they have no records. Somewhere there must be a record of my visit to the First Aid Station. Can u help? Can u contact me ?
These Marines are counting on you; I yelled Corpsmen twice and was immediately hit with morphine for a 9mm Shoulder pass-thru and shrapnel in the upper inner thigh; in both cases being close friends with Gunny Sarge whom was always next to me I stayed in the front-lines until my third tour; All I remember is a blast and I think I was yelling Corpsmen or trying too; I know I heard a few others yelling along with burst fire from the M16 every few seconds; everything was faded to black, I remember hearing Rodriguez say it would be 1.4 kilometers to 3rd Marines moving the left flank in Baghdad as we suffered 80% casualties up the middle; at this point we had no Corpsmen left; Gunny dragged the remains of Santiago in order to reload my 1911 and place it in my hand; he searched for morphine or a sedative as I apparently was in shock and due to the damage unable to move at that moment; Nothing was on Santi, Gunny S’well used the one Morphine he was given as a last resort to either put someone out of suffering; or to keep a marine going- All I had was neurological damage and 3 broken ribs, 2 fractured, and multiple chips in my back and a large hairline fracture fron my shoulder blade to my shoulder along with some tissue damage from being thrown from the vehicle; all I remember are bits and pieces- I remember not feeling much of the main any more and holding the 1911 with 12 rounds in the magazine; my M16 “Becki” was MIA as was most of our gear lost during the IED Blast that killed 6 Marines (I include the Naval Corpsmen as a MARINE) and wounded the other 5 of us; without remembering much Gunny walked with his arm around me while carrying one KIA Marine; the other Marines also carried those who didn’t make it as “No marine left behind” – I recall near falling asleep from a mixture of the brain truama and the sedation of the medication; but after what felt like hours We ended up holed up inside what intel had told was an informant’s house; I remember being told “-laughing- Now you can phone home; from the Green Zone STRIKER!” two hostile men one with an AK47 and one with yes; a Machete stay upstairs; I remember sitting on the ground my head and back against a wall. slowly firing round after round near the stairwell with no rhyme or reason; perhaps surpressing fire. Half a mag was fired from the cieling down at the floor near us; not wounding any of us- Gunny aimed and in two shots says he head a body fall; he then charged up stairs and disarmed the machete insurgent with it to his kneck; speaking the language asking for closest shelter; and closest medication – The man gave an Anti-biotic he had in a small closet sized bedroom; along with Dried Poppy Juice (Opium)- Gunny took out his field knife and lit beneath the metal to the Opium under our noses in a circle clump after clump of the opium- never taking any of it for himeself; “You look like shit men, and my men are not going to suffer in this god forsaken hell hole” He remained aware and sober to keep radioing in for air support of which was blocked off due to RPG fire; no Helicopters could safely make it above as the amount of rooftop RPG’s was unknown and atleast over a dozen ground RPG’s within a two block radius; –
Once the opium was gone and we all had taken the anti-biotics in hopes it would lower the fever caused by what was assumed to be the wounds sustained near 8 hours earlier with dirt, blood, sand and debree getting inside. The Insurgent remained tied up in the corner; when I am more aware although feeling like I am floating; I hear the same word being yelled; The insurgent begins to yell it back and Gunny covers his mouth; Defeaning rounds from Heavy Machine gun fire rained from every direction is a downward trajectory and the sounds of the Roaring US Engine’s became louder; dozens upon dozens of enemy soldiers charged inward towards the firing as we could see through the debree and windows; (Everything was a damn window)- A defeaning IED went off again; raising the small clay and brick house across the street in the air rather sideways and toppling down; an obvious mistake of detotnation by the enemy as it took out several of them; they began to retreat and I did not see one get out alive. I Hear the shout “Wyoming!” I in a stuber shout back the correct “Whiskey!!” and the 3rd Marines had secured the area along with the rest of the 1st BT 7th marines; A ton of men led this flank and immediately we had a Naval Corpsmen to each of us; Gunny explained in order to aid the pain he used Opium and takes any blame for the action- The kid must have been right out of officer school; he looked 16 but obviously a few years younger, getting an excuse from a battle hardened 2 war 1 conflict hardened man in his late 30’s whom raised the ranks from Private as a grunt on the ground through experience. The “Kid” said something about “Keeping the morale up” and asked the corpsmen along with a First Sarge by the name…
of Cameron Negri aid in our evac back to Camp Commando in Kuwait, The Corps”woman” of which tended to me on the field and aided in the evac was last named Smith; I remember laughing under a drip about the Musical Band “The Smiths” in which later found out was one of her favorite bands… and when it was all over I met her family she jokingly said “I’m taking you to see The Smiths! (while play “The Queen is Dead” in the Car *Back in the USA*)
Let’s say that her name is No Longer SMITH. 😉 we both wear wrings I was 19 when all of then happened, she was 17; apparently her Father who had quite the pull in the Navy had gotten her in under the age– but it was meant to be..
I owe my wife more than I’ll ever be able to repay her; she likes to ease my mind by stating the front offensive breaking the first two blocks allowed the 360 degree battle the 3rd marines encountered to retreat to a 60 degree battle (in more of a 180 range) allowing to pick off with a 1/15th casualty rate as opposed to the first 45 minutes for them which was a 65% casualty rate. We suffered 80% as we were told to take 4 blocks; and while this day we only took a little over 2; the rest of Suicide Charlie (My outfit) along with the 3rd Marines took 6 blocks; and 3 days later when the Army sent men in all marines had been ordered up to take strategic locations
This was my first of my four tours in Iraq. The next two each also featuring a purple heart described near the start; the fourth being more of nothing but securing houses and illegally securing Temples / mosk’s of which were being used as Weapon Cache’s and Insurgent tunnel ways under the city; and shelter for the strong, and wounded insurgents; After video intel of endless US ARMY Siezed crates of Ammunition, weapons, food, clothing, ciggs, chocolate, was taped brought in there by a guarded by pacing men with AK47’s and US Military Issued M16’s taken from my fallen comrades; we had been allowed to clear the holy buildings of which held intel of people of importance / our supplies / intel written of which could lead to Hussein or any of his top advisors; Four succesful raids (Blowing two holes in the right; one through the front stair’s / lower door, and a dug pit allowing 4 marine wide to crawl in (all with heavy machine guns) then the largest size C4 set off 25-30 seconds once the Tear Gas / Flash had been thrown allowing 20 men per 2 seconds to breach left right left right left right and take position; at the moment of the C4 detonating the Marines on the opposite side would cease fire while throwing flares, and Flash/StunBuns into the middle; most thought the flares to be bombs and dove; the Flash temporary blinded them as Night Vision was turned on after in which we’d continue with what we call a…–“Flash and Clear” — within around 1-2 minutes 4-5 “Secure’s” had been shouted and we had usually 50-100+ KIA Isurgents with just as many taken captive for information. The intel ended up invaluable; and we gained back 40% of what was lost during the first 3 days of the US Armies entry into Operation Iraqi Freedom; by the time
The final ended up with a near massacre of holymen and civilians; prompted the wrong intel by a captured Informant with nothing to lose; and this was his way out of “Hell” as it was put to him- I suppose he felt we were being sent to hell… and he was correct; The public began to know about our siege upon sacred grounds and it was now an offense to be dishonorably discharged even though the superiors knew that until the war “ended” these had been the #1 gathering of US Enemies and Enemy Weapons / Stolen US Weapons along with Prisons of War. -sighs-
Naval Corpsmen save lives; and without them we don’t know what to do- honestly. We are trained to save lives ourselves but when someone is bleeding through the neck and we have limited supressing fire to cover while we attempt to perform the correct head placement while moving the body results in stray fire or worse; sniper fire taking down men sent to help other men… Just as in any way The snipers look for Rank; but prior to Rank they look for anyone Medical “Corpsmen” are usually well protected by our manpower and firepower, and they protect us with aid; medication when sick or injured; Anxiety medication when something happens that is too much; and surprisingly amphetamine tablets in abudency for nights we didn’t have the choice of sleeping as we needed to go on offensives with our Night Vision in attempts to defeat the Iraqi homefield advantage. While we always had the first jump; they knew the layout of the cities to a greater extent than any map; aerial photo; or airforce intel could tell us; aside from the amount of roof-top armed men, women and children had been spotted to engage immiedately (until it was passed that the insurgents had to fire first or at the best excuse aim directly at you with intent to kill)
I have seen endless corpsmen save lives; lives that one would have thought impossible to save; injured that bad… but thats War, and it is a very serious thing – these images never leave you; both me and my Wife have PTSD from Iraq; My nightmares are mostly losing friends; seeing the enemies I killed; or scenarios I may not have made it out of; and having it end that way. Sometimes even a dream of a conversation patrolling with nothing ending up happening has me wake up in a sweat as if I had seen a ghost; for my Wife – I can only imagine it to be worse attempting to calm a man with a stomach wound so bad the guts pouring out being held and by the soldier; after admitting what she could to off the pain and rather quickly send the soldier into a dream state to die in peace; she would look them in the eye; and they would hold her tightly either muttering the name of a Girlfriend or Wife; but what got her the most emotionally is the majority of men of any age repeaditly chanted “Momma.. Momma. MOMMA” “Maw Mama! Mawww” any combination you can think of; “Momma where are you; Hold me momma hold me” I shiver thinking about it.
I remain best friends with Gunny James S Well ; and First Sarge Cameron Negri… and I remain Married with 2 lovely children (18 months apart; Cam and Janeccka Boy and A Girl rightly named after Gunny and First Sarge; — Middle names being our grandfathers whom served as Marines in WW2/Korea/Vietnam (both of ours) thus Janeccka John-Ashley and Cameron Grace-Americo
I rambled; its the PTSD and remembering back but listen…. Know it’s what you want to do; I wouldn’t change anything… but be PREPARED.
God Bless, Semper Fidelis.
If i do this, will i be in the Marines or the Navy? i’m confused
I’m 13 but i want to be a corpsman but i dont know where to go after high school to sign up
i just turn 18 .March 29 of 2012. I’ve basically been alone since i was 14 i didn’t have a chance to finish high school. I’m struggling real bad and i dnt have any kind of help i always wanted to join the marines corps but it’s hard since i dnt have. school or a place to stay i wanna do things rite i dnt wanna be involved in gangs or anything like that what can i do? ‘:(
I’m a senior at high school, and I want to study in the Medical Field for the Marines. But is there only a Medical Field in the Navy?
well the best way in my opinion is to watch the show PARAMEDICS on channel 261 (directv) or on discovery fit and health. that show will give you a general idea of what the work will be like.
Alright. So, some FAQ I’ve seen on here:
Are woman allowed to be Corpsman?
-No. Not currently.
Can I be a USMC doctor?
-USMC does not offer medical occupations
Can I go to college first?
-You can. However, Corpsman are only enlisted. So if you become an officer, you are disqualified.
Am I respected?
-VERY MUCH.
How old do you have to be to join?
-18 years old
The short version….. Also “My Story”: …..There is no more respected job in the military, nor will you find a job that will give your greater personal satisfaction in or out of the military. That said it is not a walk in the park. You will find out what you are made of.. As far as question of whether you are you in the Navy or Marines goes .. the Navy trains you, then the Marines do and then you are effectively in the Marines with a critical, specialty job. But you never really leave the Navy. The next time you actually see the Navy again may very well be when you are transferred for medical treatment, as a patient wounded in combat with the Marines.
If I am EMT-B certified can i skip A school and just go right to FMTB?
Hi! i’am interested in joining the military corpsman, just want to know how to join and if i’am still qualified to join.
my info:
– male
– 26 years old
– Legal Resident
– College Graduate
– Graduate in Midwifery
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
– Licensed Registered Midwife (RM) 2005 in the Philippines
– Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) 2007 in the Philippines
I am 20 years old…i want to get in the army and the medical school… I dont even know what should i do. What should i do to get in the army and the medical school. My parents and me can not afford the tuition of weber state university. I started school on fall 2012 but i can not continue the spring because of the tuition..
My son just graduated from Fort Sam Houston as a Navy Corpsman (but is going to be working for the Marines) He is going to be on “hold”, until they decide where to send him, California or North Carolina! I’m a little confused about that! Can you help?
Thanks!
Currently working on an article to be printed in a famous Marine’s book. Any 1971 corpsmen who served in Vietnam, would like to interview you concerning your service as a field medic or corpsman from that era. Your experiences would be invaluable to help write these articles. Currently working on description of a Marine who lost both lower limbs due to stepping on a 60-pound box mine in Quang Nam province on 8 March, 1971. Any experience in treating Marines like this, especially around 1971 would greatly help us. We hope to do a book later on. God bless all of you for your service to Marines and to our nation. Sincerely, Jack Randall.
I am 18 years old and I want to become a corpsman but don’t know what grade’s I should score in high school. If I have biology what should my grade be if becoming a corpman ?
just take the asvab score above 50 ask for the rate HM, if you get the job or rate you will go through Navy boot camp (RTC recruit training command for 8 weeks) go through HM a School for 14 weeks where you will learn basic EMT, and Basic nursing and clinicals for a week. After grad you can expand you basic medical knowledge to xray, surgical, biomedicine, ECT. After that you can begin your medical career or expand to FMTB (field medical training battalion) where you will learn field medical knowledge such as first reponder to heavy bleeding, bullet wounds, broken bones, and usesage of a rifle. physicaly demanding at some points.
If you go into the navy Corpsman are you no longer a marine, navy?
sucks the marines don’t have docs. there’s one question can you still go through marines training and go into be a doc?
Wish me luck i leave for boot camp on the 12th with the rate hm: corpsman
Hoping to go fmf
I found this forum very interesting. I served as a Corpsman (I prefer the term Combat Medic) with the 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Penelton, CA in DaNang back in ’65. I had 3 years of training prior to going to war including 13 months in Okinawa. I survived combat conditions for 6 months before getting wounded myself while treating wounded Marines when we got caught in a crossfire ambush. I returned home at a time when vets were not honored for serving their country. I went back to college, kept a low profile and eventually got my degree. I was honored to have received the Silver Star for my actions in combat and to this day I have the greatest respect for all the Marines I served with and in general anyone who joins and risks their lives for the good our country. I especially respect the interest many have shown here in asking questions of how to become a Medic. That really surprised me. It seems like such a little know fact how we are trained by the Navy to then end up in the Fleet Marine Force. I was surfing the Net to discover stories of other Corpsmen who were awarded metals. In all these years I have never met another in person and was curious to compare notes. I will keep my eye on these messages and try to respond to some of the questions that come up. Good luck to all in your pursuit.
I was drafted into the military in 1955 between Korea and Viet Nam and put in the Navy. I was told Navy enlistments were low at that time. After boot camp in San Diego and due to my experience as a part-time EMT while in college, I was sent to Hospital Corp School and then to FMF at Camp Pendleton, and then to El Toro Marine Corp Air Station at Santa Ana, Calif. I wore the Marine Corp uniforms and when other Marines saw the Navy stripes or rank as an HM2 and the Caduceus on my Marine Uniform I was always call “Doc” and treated with respect as one of them. Most of my time was spend as the medic on a rescue helicopter except for The day I was at the main dispensary (Easter Sunday Morning 1957) and delivered a baby! I still think of myself as a Marine! Great duty. Semper Fi
did three tours vietnam.S/F
I went to Field Med School at Camp LeJeune in 1980. I was assigned to 2/8 Infantry and 5/10 which was 8 inch tracked artillery then. Later at Security Group Bangor Submarine Base. My last tour was as Command Master Chief for a MARFOR. I was also and Independent Duty Corpsman on a Destroyer. Loved my times with the Corps.
My son is a Navy Corpsman who just returned from Afghanistan “Doc” who was out in the field quite a bit with infantry marines. He has been told to talk about what he went thru – however some responses are eyes rolling and out and out disbelief of his experiences. This has shocked him to the core as he was chosen to go to Afghanistan due to his record and dedication how can I help him deal with this secondary trauma?
Marji Scott,
I was a Navy Corpsman in the first Gulf War with a recon unit. Your post put soulful feelings I havnt been able to explain my love and respect to Marines. I’ve always concidered it a privledge to have been their “Doc”, and never had to question, trust, respect and just straight up brotherly love. Yes, I cry everytime a Marine hugs me and says, “thanks Doc”. To my Marine Brothers out there, Thank You for experiencing the uncommon trust for each other’s life with me. It was pure. To my fellow Corpsman who served with and before me. Thank you for your faith and wisdom that got me through some of the most intense moments of my life. Chief? I still have my round tuit, and, jump? How high? Thank you for the faith in me as a green HN to serve independently of BAS. I came back a real HM3(PJ)Doc. Your still teaching me 24 years later.
Marji, thank you again for the beautiful post. Much respect to you who served before me.
My question is. I want to the join the Navy As A Corpsman , but I want to go FMF, But there is one problem I am going to college for nursing and if I enlist I will be come a officer, so my question is. Can I still go FMF as A Officer Of the U.S Navy??
Brandon,
Navy Nurses are normally commissioned officers. I have known a few guys that get their nursing degree while enlisted as Corpsmen, who then either remained Corpsmen, or pursued a commission to become a Navy Nurse. If you do decide to pursue a commission as a Navy Nurse, you can still be assigned with Marine Corps units. Normally nurses are assigned with a Field Service Support Group and assigned to Medical Battalion. The folks assigned to those units operate what is basically a field hospital, kind of like M.A.S.H. only without Hawkeye and all the laughs.
for those of you who wish to be devil dogs, but also want a medical MOS, there is a Naval Corpsman. theyre basically combat medics that work with marines but are apart of the navy.
Yo Holmes the corp is gayer than a pilots meat stick. GO NAVY, OOOORahhh
I am 12 and can’t wait to train to become a navy corpsman, I love hard work
FMSS ’83…then attended a new advanced course called M.E.D.I C. which taught field suturing and advanced field medicine.. Led me to the RN trauma route in ER and ICU care..Semper Fi!
Graduated from FMF School at Camp Pendleton in May 1967, 5 days later in Nam assigned to Kilo 3/3. Carried an issued 45, but soon put it away and picked up an M-16 as well as carried all my medical gear in my jungle fatigues at the suggestion of the Staff Sergeant. Just looked like any other Devil Dog. Wounded in action in late August 1967. Flew back to “THE WORLD’ in May 1968. Have great respect for the Marines and to this day they too have an equal respect for Navy Corpsmen.
From May 1967 forward I felt I was a U.S. Marine. Simper Fi to all others, Marines and all FMF Corpsmen.
MARINE’S FOR LIFE SLAYING BODYS PT ALL DAY EVERYDAY SEMPER FI
I went through “Corp” school in Sept.58
I am still very humbled to be called “Doc”
Our son tried to enlist in Marine Corp, but could not due to vision problem.does not have correctable 20/20 vision. Joined Navy as corpsman and dental program. Got his hard orders and going FMTB. After completing that course will he go back to dental?
i read a lot of things here about navy corpsman. the best advice will come from current fmf doc’s but one thing never changes your navy not a marine/ having said that though you become marine in your heart and soul. you can joke with them or dig each other but if youve served with them they are my marines/ what do you have to do to be good will never change either study learn and ask questions about your craft the best years of my life were as a navy corpsman. i cant get over the doc who preferred to be called medic but i know you moved heaven and earth to answer the call corpsman up. thank you to all who served and truly know the feeling of serving in or with the corp. with respect and love doc g
I am proud of all the young people posting their aspirations to serve our country as a Navy Corpsman. Just to clarify for the females, you may serve in a Marine Corps Division. I was assigned to Division Schools, HQBN,2ndMarDiv, as the first female instructor for EMT school, EVOC, IV and suture training in 1992. After I got off active duty, I was able to challenge the CA state LVN board and eventually became a RN. But be prepared to keep up with the men and prove your worth. Good luck to all of you! Thank you to all my brothers and sisters that proudly served!
I want to be a medic in the marines I want to be on the front lines saving other marines in my squad
im only 17 and battle depression but I will accomplish my dream to serve and protect
I was a FMF Corpsman from 1988-1996 8 years serving OUR country I spent 6.5 of them with the JARHEADS. Wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Love my Marines being a FMF Corpsman most rewarding job I’ve ever had, being a Desert Storm Veteran serving with 1stMARDIV I would encourage anyone with aspirations of becoming a FMF COrpsman go for it you will never regret it, but as it states in the article you have to become a Marine to be successful and be accepted. Simper Fi!!! Anchors Aweigh Shipmates!
Im a sophmore in high school and looking to be a corpsman in the future, should I duel enroll in nursing school to maybe get me ahead of the game? and also can i retire from this job and become a nurse right away after? thanks in advance
Tyler^;
If you do nursing school you will go into the Navy as an officer and be a nurse. If you go enlisted you could go through Navy Bootcamp in Great Lakes Illinois, then you would go to San Antonio to do corpsman school and then if you do well enough in corpsman school you would then go to Camp Lejune North Carolina to go through Field Med Service School… That is a whole lot of schools and you will be in peak physical and mental fitness.
I want to be a trauma surgeon and on the battle field as a marine. i know they dont have medicinal training so how can i be directly put in to be a surgeon serving with the marines
What should I do to become a medic in the marine corps?
I am only 16 but I am interested in being a doctor in the Marine Corps. Any advise on how to pre-train?
I was an FMF Corpsman with the 9th Marines(1st and 2nd battalions) for 3 years during the Vietnam War. My guys took care of me and I took care of them. Of course they ribbed me about being a swabby but all in good fun. I was very proud to be associated with such great men. When I was transferred back to the “Navy” I still considered myself a marine at heart, and the corpsman who had never gone FMF just couldn’t understand my love for Marines. I guess you just had to be there to understand.
I’m 16 and as soon as I turn 18 I am going to be a combat medic in the Marine Corps. Any advise?
I am looking at enlisting to be a corpsman for the sole purpose of being attached with a marine infantry unit. the navy recruiter in town says that it would be almost guaranteed that i can do just that. I would just like to know if he is telling the truth or not. Because I’d rather not enlist than be stuck in a hospital.
I am 14 but I want to be a paramedic. Are there any medic classes? Because I love helping people. So I just need to know if there are any classes like that.