What does a Navy Corpsman do?

I'm thinking about joining the military after high school and the role of a Navy Corpsman sounds interesting. Can anyone explain what their main responsibilities are and what kind of training is involved?

A Navy Corpsman, officially known as a Hospital Corpsman, is essentially a medical specialist within the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Their responsibilities vary widely, since they are cross-trained to serve in a variety of environments, from hospital ships and clinics to Marine Corps combat units.

Their duties can include anything from basic clinical tasks like taking patients' vital signs or administering medications, to more complex procedures like assisting with minor surgeries or medical evacuations. In a combat environment, they could potentially treat battle injuries or provide emergency medical care on the field.

For your training, as a Corpsman, after boot camp, you would first attend "A" School at the Medical Education Training Campus (METC) in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, for 19 weeks. This training focuses on basic medical procedures, first aid, anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology.

After "A" School, some Corpsman may also attend "C" School, a specialized training based on the specific field of interest within the medical specialty like radiology, pharmacy, or surgical technology, for instance.

After the completion of these trainings, Navy Corpsmen are typically assigned to either a Navy medical treatment facility, a Navy or Marine Corps unit, or a ship.

Overall, the role of a Navy Corpsman can be very challenging but also rewarding, as you are directly contributing to the health and wellness of military personnel. Plus, the training and experience you get could also lay a solid foundation for a future career in health care, should you decide to pursue that path post-service.