Expert: Rod Powers - 5/4/2007

Question
I know beyond any doubt that I want to join the Navy as an HM, but I have some questions before I sign any contracts.  

I am eager to go out to sea and/or be active in the warzone for (hopefully) majority of the time I serve in the Navy. I've also read that HMs sometimes work with the Marines which is something I am interested in. Will I have any say or be able to volunteer for this? Are opportunities for going out to sea or to an area of conflict common for an HM?  

I also know there are many specialties as an HM and some may have more opportunities to work in the battlefield or at sea than others.  Do you know of any specialties as an HM that will be needed more at sea and in Iraq and such places, and will I have any say in which specialties I am trained?  

Also, are there any classes I should take or certifications I should receive before I join, or will I have a chance to do all that once I'm in?  Any opinion on whether making an entire career out of being an HM in the Navy is a smart choice?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but I want to be sure I am prepared and able to make a difference with my time in the Navy.  Thank you for your answers.

Answer
Those who enlist as an HM in the Navy, begin by completing Navy HM training (see the job description on my site at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/hm.htm

Once you graduate from basic training and HM A-School (basic hospitalman medical training), you are generally assigned as a "general" medical assistant, for at least two years. This means you provide general assistance to Navy doctors and nurses in whatever needs getting done. Examples are performing initial tests, such as blood pressure, temperature, weight, taking blood, giving shots, administering medication according to the directions of the doctor, etc., ad infidium.

After about two years of experience as a general HM, you can apply for advanced training in a number of areas. This is called "Navy C School." If accepted, you will attend C-School, and upon graduation, be granted what the Navy calls an NEC (Navy Enlisted Classification Code), which tells the Navy assignment folks that you are trained and certified in a certain specialty, under the HM rating.

As you can see from my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/navynec/blnec.htm there are an awful lot of NECs that are available to apply for, including NECs for Navy Corpsmen (deploying to combat zones with Marine Corps units).

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

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com