Ok I got railroaded by my classifier and I posted the general story in the "joining the navy" forum I just want to ask you guys If my class. is HM/DA, do I have to be a HM/DA or is there REALLY (this is what my recruiter tells me) a way to just be a pure HM. Seriously I have no desire to be a dentist, my dad was a Doctor in the navy for over 20 years and I just want to be a HM soooo bad and it seems like the navy just doesnt want me to.
The HM rate has merged with the Dental Tech rate, this happened a couple of years ago. I believe you choose to go onto the Dental side of the house, it is a C school route.
Your classifier did not "railroad" you, he told you the truth. There is a way to be a "true" HM, don't choose to go the Dental route after and if you graduate from A school. Remember though, Dental Tech are now HM's. You WILL see questions on your advancement exams covering Dental stuff.
im aware that i will be required to know dental "stuff" but I don't want to do just "dental" stuff. Id rather not be classified as an 8700. I just want to know after HM "A" school if I can decide not to go to DA school. Thast all. Every forum I go to I get crapped for me not knowing this could happen. I thought corpsman was just corpsman and went to meps thinking that. All of the faults i made are beside the point. I just want an answer on wether or not I can choose, cause some say i can and some say I can't. If anyone really knows for sure that would AWSOME.
You have to go to a C-school to become a Dental Tech. This is a message board, people have an opinion. Alot of this is folks who have/are currently serving. Instead of being butt-hurt about how people are treating you on a message board, read what they are telling you.
A person who used to(and still might)work as a Classifier broke it down for you. You will have to volunteer to become a Dental Tech after A school. But, if the Navy decides you will be a Dental Tech because of manning, you will be a Dental Tech.
This will probably **** you off(and I could care less) but this stuff has been discussed on this board and others ad nauseum.
No one will make you take a Dental C-School if you don't want to. Right now we are needing more FMF Corpsmen than Dental, and even HM's with Dental training are going to the FMF.
Just to clear up things. The follow on dental training is not a "C" school. It never has been. In the early days of the merger there was talk of it being a "C" school but it never happened. It is just follow on training.
To the original poster just because you may be an 8701 does not always mean you will be in dental. Where I work there are several people who are DT's and work on the medical side. If you want to work in medical there is a good chance you will get what you want. 8701 or not you are still an HM so you can be put anywhere.
Keep an open mind and be willing to learn. Also the key to being an excellent assistant is anticipating what the doctor is going to do next. The doctor and tech must work as a team. When she has down time learn other jobs such as CSR, Front Desk, Lab, Specialties, Etc.....
What is the liklihood that a female would be able to go FMF?
Not bad if you can get an HM seat when you enlist (that is going to be the hard part since they are pretty much non-existant). Baring that if you get the seat there are FMF options with squadrons, wings, groups, logistics units, and a few others. The grunt units are out as they are considered direct combat so no females allowed by law.
To all HMs looking on....I am a mother and want to join reserves as HM. My husband will take care of the kids while I'm in basic, but how much more training is needed right afterwards until I am posted with my unit? I realize A School is a necessity, but my family and civilian job will need me back as soon as possible after basic training for 2 months. Is there enough leave to work 2 12 hr shifts on the weekends?
Hey Guys. I'm a New Recruit. And I was offered the HM/DA positioned. I took it and I'm going to RTC Dec 1. In attempt to shed light on the original posters question, if you take a look at the contract. Mine says "Option1- Hopital Corpsman-Dental Assistant (HMDA 5YO) CLASS "A" School Guarantee".. It doesn't say anything about a "C" School Gurentee which is the qualification for a Dental Assistant job. Trying to be logical, if it ain't on the contract, then it aint gurnteed to happen. So i'm assuming once in A School depending on how u stand academically and the Needs of the NAVY. the C school option to be a DA must be based on that. Also if you read your fact sheet it says under Opportunities "the Current opportunities for placement in the HM(DA) rating are limited, except for highly qualified applicants." I think maybe DA is more of a privelage than an obligation. Well what ever your endevours shipmate I think you should be a little more open minded when entering the millitary then just so focused on a single objective for your self. I have many successful Millitary friends and the best advice they said they could give me is just work hard and have the ability to adapt. If u don't get what you want initially work hard and ull get there.
Looking Foward to working with you all in the near Future!
