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Navy Corpmen

1453 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Navy HMC, 
C
Excuse my ignorance, but I had some quetions about Navy Hospital Corpsmen serving with the USMC. Do HMs carry rifles, or do they only have a sidearm? Do HMs attached to Marine units wear Marine uniforms and insignia? I have other questions about the carrier field, but I think those are more for a recruiter. I met a guy in passing who said he used to be a corpsman (radiology IIRC), but we didn't get around to talking about the in's and out's of his work. Anyway, It got me thinking about HMs and the work they do. God bless 'em all. Thank for any info about the job.

CS
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C
Originally posted by cessnastud
Excuse my ignorance, but I had some quetions about Navy Hospital Corpsmen serving with the USMC. Do HMs carry rifles, or do they only have a sidearm? Do HMs attached to Marine units wear Marine uniforms and insignia? I have other questions about the carrier field, but I think those are more for a recruiter. I met a guy in passing who said he used to be a corpman (radiology IIRC), but we didn't get around to talking about the in's and out's of his work. Anyway, It got me thinking about HMs and the work they do. God bless 'em all. Thank for any info about the job.

CS
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I'm not totally sure about the HMs attached to the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). I know they are authorized to wear the Marine MARPAT uniform, and they can earn a special qualification while attached to the FMF. Now, I don't know this for a FACT, but I would assume that HMs are issued rifles alongside the other Marines. Once again, just my assumption.

As far as the "Carrier field" - there's isn't a field in the Navy that is totally dedicated to being on carriers. What else were you thinking of doing?
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It's been a few years since I served with a Marine Corps FMF unit, and I don't recall whether or not the HMs were issued rifles and/or sidearms. I know at the time I was with them that the chaplain's yeoman/RP was issued either a rifle or sidearm based on their rank. I was equal to their Staff NCO rank so I was issued the sidearm. With respect to the uniform, at the time you joined the unit you had the option of going "Marine Corps standards," which I opted to do. I was issued the Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie uniforms, along with the camo utilities. However, I wore Navy rank insignia either on the collar or sleeve depending on the uniform. That drew a lot of attention needless to say.
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Dhansen,

Sorry for the confusion, but I didn't mean "carrier", it was a typo. I meant career. Anyhow, I'm not sure what I want to do. In fact, I'm not sure that the military is the route I want to persue, but I'm trying to keep my options open. Currently, I am a pilot, but my company just sold our airplane. Ergo, I need a job. I've got some resumes out, but I've always kept the armed forces in the back of my mind. I think I'll try aviation one more time and see how it works out for me. I'm getting older, so I need to make a decision sooner rather than later. Thanks for the response.
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D
Navy Docs do get to carry M16's depending on who they are with. I was issued the M9 (Beretta), but was give the opportunity to carry the M16 as well. This depends totally on the leadership of the BTTN that you are with.

I wear the MARPAT uniform and am Marine Corps regs, so get to wear the Alpha, Bravo and Charlie uniforms with Navy rank insignia as was stated by "Leathercrafter".

I love being a "Doc" with the "green side". I get to keep my Marines healthy, play in the dirt and blow things up all while getting paid! What else could you ask for!?!

BTW, Field Medical Service School is great and required to go with the Marines.

Originally posted by cessnastud
Excuse my ignorance, but I had some quetions about Navy Hospital Corpsmen serving with the USMC. Do HMs carry rifles, or do they only have a sidearm? Do HMs attached to Marine units wear Marine uniforms and insignia? I have other questions about the carrier field, but I think those are more for a recruiter. I met a guy in passing who said he used to be a corpsman (radiology IIRC), but we didn't get around to talking about the in's and out's of his work. Anyway, It got me thinking about HMs and the work they do. God bless 'em all. Thank for any info about the job.

CS
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C
Hey Doc, thanks for the reply. I can't imagine the things you guys get to see and do in the field. It sounds like a real rewarding job. I haven't made a decision about what I want to do, but I'm going to have to do something soon. I would like to try and get another flying gig, but I'd like to have a back up plan. Thanks again for your input. Best of luck to ya,

-CS
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K
Lets not forget these Navy Corpsman are the few good men the Marines are always looking for!
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R
HM2 8404 1978-1987
Back then, we were issued 45's.
45 was considered a defensive weapon, used to defend oneself or their patient. Using anything else voided your Geneva Convention standing (or so we were told.) (I believe army medics carry M-16's.)
Job is a blast. Wish I'd stayed in. If you are looking into it to kill people, it's the wrong job for you. If you want to help others and get some serious adrenaline rushes, go for it. Once you prove yourself, they will challenge you to excel. You will be able to do things only Doctors can do in the civilian world. I would suggest only signing with a guaranteed "C" school first. That way you have a marketable skill. Then, all you have to do is put in a chit to terminate shore duty and you will find yourself in FMSS in no time. If you get orders to the Rock (Okinawa) try to stay as far south as you can. Avoid Hansen and Schwab at all costs.

Navy 8404/0000
79-80 NRMC San Diego
81-82 C Co. 3rd MEDBN, 3rd FSSG
83-84 NavHosp Newport
85-86 HHC 3rd FSSG
86-87 HHC 1st MAW
Army 31V
88-89 4th Psychological Operations Group
90-91 3rd MI Bn
92 2/3 ACR
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HM's attached to HQ type duties (i.e. MEF surgeon cell HM's were issued M-9's) though as we "Went north" we could and did get Shotguns and M-16's issued. We won't get into the issues that arose when one corpsman carried a M-249 for defensive purposes.

Some of the Battalion Aid Station folks carried M-9's but most line/company corpsman carried M-16's

As for Kidcop's statement "Lets not forget these Navy Corpsman are the few good men the Marines are always looking for!

see my signature below.

Semper Fi!
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