Expert: Rod Powers - 11/21/2007

Question
Hi I am going to MEPS on Monday to physical and then get a wavier for my knee from a past ACL surgery.  My recuiters commander is a HMC(FMF).  Now my recuiter has told me that I may or may not be able to go FMF or to FMSS school to become a 8404 qualified because of my knee he said that he can not guarantee me anything.  However, he said that he was not for sure.  So we ask the Chief who is a corpsman and he said there is absolutely no medical screening to go to FMSS or go FMF.  He said that when I get to "A" school they will ask for people that want to volunteer for FMSS and when I do I will go no MED screening at all, and he said if I pass then I can go FMF if the Navy sends me there.  Is the Chief telling me the truth can he legally guarantee me something if its not true.  I mean I've done the MEPS physical before a couple of years ago and passed with all 1's on my Army PHULES test when I joined the first time, and I'm healthier this time around.  If I qualify physically for any job in the Navy should I have a problem passing a screening (if there is one) to go to FMSS and then FMF.  Thanks

Answer
Hi Brandon,

Well, both your recruiter and his Chief are correct. The recruiter is correct in that he cannot guarantee you FMS school. In the HM field, nobody can guarantee you any specific specialty.

If enlisted as an HM, nine times out of ten you will be assigned to the fleet as a "general" HM, and do "general" medical assistance duties, after graduation from A-School, for at least a year or two, before you can volunteer to "specialize" and attend a "C-School." Although it happens, very few get selected during A-school for FMSS or FMF assignment.

However, after a year or two in the "fleet" you can then volunteer to "specialize" including NEC 8404 (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/navynec/blhm8404.htm).

There is no additional medical eval to become 8404 NEC Qualified. If, however, you wish to be assigned to an FMSS Marine Corps unit, you will have to be able to complete the Marine Corps physical fitness test for your age group (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marines/l/blfitmale.htm

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com