I moved to Italy: Corps School

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Corps School

Naval Hospital Corps School is where I went to be basically trained as a Corpsman. It consists of a 4 month didactic (book learnin’) portion, and two weeks of clinical. We learned basic Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Care, Tactical Triage and Combat Care, Pharmacology and basic EMT training. A Corpsman is like a mini-Doctor, hence, the appellation “DOC”. We can give you an IV, insert a catheter, stitch you up, we run sick-call, deliver babies and give basic medical assistance to military personnel. A few lucky ones get to go with the Marines and get crazy good experience.
I loved my time at NAVHOSPCORPSCHOOL. It was challenging, exciting and I learned more than I ever thought I could. I met some amazing people both students and instructors. Here are some pictures.

In case you thought the Navy was all work and no play...

...this proves otherwise!

My whole class. 170-A. Our beloved instructor is the diminutive Phillipino man in the center.

Some Graduation fun! We now all have a caduceus on our sleeve.

This is when I first arrived at Corps School. Note the amazing Navy haircut I'm sporting!

This is an example of "Mando Fun". I'm in my dress whites, in the second row from the bottom.

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Acronyms and slang you'll need to know:

PT: Physical Training = mandatory excersise. Usually in the early morning. Like really, really early in the morning!

METC: Naval Medical Education Training Center= The Navys newest, most advanced, multi-billion dollar Tri-Service Medical Education campus. College for Navy Corpsmen.

"What had happed was...": Did you just get in trouble with the Navy? Speeding ticket? Late to watch? Just plain didn't go in to work today? Craft an AMAZING excuse with class 170's patented line.

Examples include: "Well Chief, what had happed was the sign with the speed limit was obstructed by a... soldier" (when in doubt, always blame the Army)

And who could forget: "Well Captain, sir, what had happed was we were told to do one thing by you, but orders from METC superseded and therefore negated your command. Also the Army said we looked like dorks. And that's not true sir! You know THEY are the ones who look like dorks."

Sick Call: Hospital/Clinic hours dedicated to seeing active duty Navy and Marines with no appointment. Run by Corpsman.

Mando: Mandatory = "Mando PT" "Mando Study Session" or "Mando Fun"

Mando Fun= Direct orders to gather at a certain time, in uniform and participate in a command function. Usuall on one's own time.

Scuttlebutt: A rumor. Or a drinking fountain.

Shipmate: A fellow member of the Navy. Can be used in a sincere manner "let me get the door for you shipmate!" or as code for as$ho!e, "hey thanks for cutting in front of me shipmate!"

Balls: Midnight = "I have watch balls to 3am"

Watch: Duty

Rover: A kind of Watch. You get a partner and walk around the ship, making sure no one steals it.

BAS: Basic Subsistance Allowance = "We don't need to give you time to eat breakfast, we give you BAS. Get some breakfast bars and bring them with you".

Peanut Butters: Navy Service Uniform= black pants with a brown shirt. We all hate them!

Cammies/ NW's: Navy Working Uniform. Blue on Blue digital camoflauge. We love them. Feels like wearing your pj's all day!

Cover: Your hat.

Orders: Where you will be working for the next 2-3 years.

NAVHOSPCORPSCHOOL: Navy Hospital Corps School

OPSEC: Operational Security - "Well sailor, we can't stop you from keeping a blog, but try to remember OPSEC and not post anything the enemy can use... like the high depression rate at this command"

BIG NAVY: The Navy is a corporation. Corporate Headquarters is in DC. Each individual Command is its own little world, operating independently and smoothly... until BIG NAVY decides to throw its weight around. BIG NAVY is "They". "They decided to change the Watchbill". "They" wan mandatory drug testing. "They" are ruining this Command by instituting insane policies that have nothing to do with the mission here. "They" will get you (see Don't Ask, Don't Tell post).