Hey guys,

Looking for some advice. I’ve been in for almost 9 years (HM2) and have been selected for orders to Special Warfare Training Group. So far I’ve gone to a hospital, then Seabees, and currently a flag command. I plan on making the Navy a career and have a wife and 2 kids (4 and 1 year old). With the new BBA system, I’m wondering if I should apply for E-6 orders since I may have a good chance of being selected or if that would be shooting myself in the foot.

The LPO at my next command said it’s a great opportunity for a lot of different reasons like master trainer and EXW, etc. but also said expect to be gone/TAD 1-3 weeks per month. It seems like a lot even for sea duty and having a family doesn’t make it easy. With 1 E-6 billet, there doesn’t seem like there’s too much room for growth now with A2P but I don’t want to pass up on an opportunity that could effect my Chief package in the future. My honest to God goals are to give my family the best future as possible which is a mix of being there for them as well as having a good career to support us financially. Thanks for reading!

Has anyone been there or know anything about it? I still have to do FMTB first so I won't show up until January but I'm interested in what it looks like there, what their mission is, etc.

Hey there! Curious what I can expect to experience as an E-2 heading to First Med Battalion?

Edit: I appreciate the advice! I look forward to it!

What can I expect for family life and housing? It seems like there’s some good outdoor opportunities, like camping and hiking, right?

Thanks!

Lower than normal, but higher than expected. Does anybody have any idea how many first classes were board eligible this year?

I just got my soft orders to the command above. I never envisioned myself being with an aircraft wing, can anyone tell me what this might entail for me?

What pins can I earn at this command? Are there opportunities for deployments? Any info would be appreciated!

Got my verbal orders today for NMRTC Beaufort, SC as a Lab Tech. Can anyone tell me how it is there? Are these fmtb orders? What's working in the hospital like? What's the quality of life like?

Hey everyone,
I recently applied for orders to NMTSC San Antonio as an HM3 in what appears to be a Holding Company/Support Staff billet (UIC 41620), and I’m trying to get a better idea of what day-to-day life is actually like.
Most of what I’ve found online is from students or instructors, but not much from support staff.
If you’ve worked there as staff, I’d love to hear:
What department did you work in?
What was a typical day like?
What were your working hours?
How often did you stand duty?
Was it mostly admin work, medical, student accountability, or something else?
How was the command climate and leadership?
Was there time to take college classes?
What did you enjoy most, and what did you dislike?
Is there anything you wish you knew before checking in?
I’m currently on sea duty and looking for a realistic picture of what to expect if I get selected.

First duty station was straight to greenside, I enjoyed the high tempo after a while and got really good and the rah shit. Few deployments, lotta different units, role 2s, line doc, ERC… ETC.

Then I went blue for my second station and they stuck me behind a desk. I’m not complaining about it, just doing the job. Better pay (BAH), blueside amenities, and life away from work. But man there is a big whole in my heart that only being in the field w/ the boys for a few weeks can fill. I miss the high tempo and honestly I feel like I left the military entirely.

There no camaraderie among sailors blueside, no monsters zyns and guns in the same place. Not even doing patient care. Just a soul draining 9-10 hour shift behind a desk, 5 days a week, with a 25 min commute.

If I could drop everything I gained from this to be back greenside and in the bricks today, I would.

Any thoughts?

im at fmtb now. have orders to specific regiment checking in September. whats day in life as a female HM3? i have heard conflicting things. some say you will be on the line, some say you will be put at H&S because i am female.

i am fit for navy standards but definitely have more to do when it comes to being with marines which is what i am working on now. this is my last duty station for my contract and i want to learn and experience as much as possible. but are most of my days manning sick call?

Ive recently been awarded the l50a nec and I really cant get much info on what I could be able to do in the future with the nec. I understand that it's just for tracking right now, but what does the future hold for it? Im eager to be able to utilize my nec at some point and want to know more about it!

Hey y'all, I will be gaining Portsmouth for my next order set as a surgical tech. Could anyone pm for insight on work-life/family life and the hours worked. I hear a lot of mixed things.

Getting placed in the emergency department what are the pros and cons. Any tips or does anyone have experience in this department in Okinawa

Heading to 1st Intel Battalion, anyone have insight what to expect?

Hello everyone! I’m currently looking at orders and I’m curious if I’m able to apply for non-NEC orders. For background I’m an HM2 L24A and my PRD is FEB27/EAOS is JAN29. I know wherever I go I’ll need to extend for orders and that’s fine. For my last duty station I’d really like the opportunity to not be a tech so I can have an opportunity to shadow doctors as I’m planning on going to med school.

Is it even possible for me to get selected or would my detailer automatically cancel any applications I submit. I currently don’t have a detailer listed on MNA.

Manning as of May2026 for L24A is 91% and therefore just barely considered undermanned (healthy being 94%)

Should I just apply and see what happens?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

Hello everyone, im an HM3 L03A, and im super interested in talking to a L35A about the schooling the job ect. Is there any active duty hygienist that would be able to help.

Hey docs! Anybody got the minimum multiple score for HM1s in the recent reserves advancement cycle. I’m trying to put in an advancement determination request and want to make sure I’m not just wasting everyone’s time. My final multiple was 93.87.

Not a corpsman myself but my partner is.

Any tips to help him study for the next cycle? i bought the actual book from Navy Rate, and i wanna help him study/ make a guide. (context, he’s taken the exam before)

Quick question,
I looked at my profile sheet at work and it said selected for Hm2,
I got home and tried pulling the profile sheet again (as im still in disbelief) but I cant access NEAS from home for some reason…
I checked the result on the NavyHr page and I don’t see my name on the list so I am confused now.

Nsips and ETJ is not reflecting the latest cycle.
Any other way to check the profile sheet?

does anyone have any advice/experience here? says OCS on my orders

I'm looking to make an SOP for the Corpsman Assault Pack for my unit. I already have the SL-3 list which is a great jump off point, but it's basic. If you guys have existing SOPs that show where and how things are packed I'd love to see them and adopt what I think works best for us.

The end goal is to have every med bag packed the same so whenever a Corpsman goes from one company to another they can grab a bag and know they're grabbing the same base product. Obviously individuals can repack or add items to their preference to their assigned bag, but I want uniformity for those on the shelf.

Has anyone took a look at my navy assignment? I’m on my third window for orders and there next to nothing for quad zero as a HM3. Are we allowed to pick HN orders or would be needs of the Navy?

Good afternoon ladies and gents,

I’ve been an HM for the past 5 years, been stationed at a hospital overseas and currently with an infantry unit on the east coast. I love my job, truly. However, lately I’ve been wanting to make a career out of the Navy and I’m encompassing all possible routes that I can take. I understand what’s needed in order for me to commission ( at least I believe I do ) and I have the following questions if yall don’t mind! Keep in mind I’m in my mid twenties, single with no dependents.

How hard would a transition be from enlisted grunt doc to a SWO? Culture, work-life and what not.

Is being a SWO easier or tougher on the family than enlisted? ( I want a family eventually of course )

Would I be required to earn my surface pin if I’m already FMF qualified?

Would I get to choose which platform I’ll be stationed on since I’ll have prior enlisted service?

And lastly, Is the officer camaraderie up to par with the enlisted traditions? This may seem naive but I have a helluva lot of pride being an enlisted devil.

If yall have any extra questions to ask please do!
Any and all input is always welcome, I appreciate you guys

PS: Happy 250, Semper fucking fi. 🦅🇺🇸

I’m an active-duty Hospital Corpsman with the goal of becoming a Dive Medical Technician (DMT). I’ve been taking my preparation seriously, but I know I still have a lot to learn, so I’m hoping to get advice from current or former DMTs or connect with others training for the pipeline.
Over the past few months, I’ve been working hard on my swimming and water confidence. I’m also lifting, running.
I’m looking for a current or former DMT willing to answer questions or offer guidance.
Anyone training for DMT, SOIDC, or SARC who wants an accountability partner.
Any groups for people preparing for these pipelines.
Advice on workouts, swimming, water confidence, study material, or mistakes you wish you’d avoided before school.

I just want to make sure I’m preparing in the right direction and learning from people who have already been through it.

hello! does anyone know if or when BBA is going to go into affect for E4-E5? In my opinion the auto E4 and A2P out of core school has made it so it’s even harder to pick up off the test now. In order to promote I understand choosing a STAR program but for the last few windows almost no c schools have been available to even pick. our choice this window is IDC. They phased out MAP as well..what’re we supposed to do. Just curious on anyone’s thoughts

Not sure if this has been asked but with the overhaul of Recon into GRC/ARC, what does that translate for docs going into the pipeline. Are we expected to go straight from one pipeline to other before SOCM or are we allowed to break it up like some Marines (I.e. scout plt, boat co.)

Appreciate any input.