Despite the fact that the United States Marine Corps is a component of the United States Navy, the typical relationship between Sailors and Marines is best described as a good-natured rivalry. But Marines view Hospital Corpsmen (HM) in a far different light than other Sailors because, lacking its own Medical Corps, the Marines rely on Navy Corpsmen for medical care both in combat situations and at forward operating bases.
Male Hospital Corpsmen selected to deploy with Marine Corps units (or with specialized Naval units such as SEALs or SeaBees) must first attend one of two Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB); the East coast FMTB is located at Camp LeJeune and the West coast equivalent is based at Camp Pendleton. Here, HMs undergo training that, in the eyes of the USMC, will make them “fully integrated members of the Marine Corps Combat Team.”
It is at a FMTB that Corpsmen will study to acquire the Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) of HM-8404, or Field Medical Service Technician. Beyond receiving training in emergency medical procedures needed for treatment of wounded in combat situations, Corpsmen will also undergo physical conditioning, instruction in the use and maintenance of small arms, and in general get an “up close and personal” view of what it takes to be a Marine. Upon completion of the roughly eight-week course, HMs are often attached to units in the Fleet Marine Force, and are given Marine service and camouflage uniforms.
The ties run deeper than just a familiarity brought about by training. During World War II, for instance, Navy HMs took part in every amphibious landing involving the Marines. And the historic photo of the raising of the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima? One of the men recorded during that historic moment was Navy Pharmacist’s Mate John Bradley, who if he were serving now would be working in the Hospital Corpsman rating.
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