FMF Corpsman question
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  1. #1

    FMF Corpsman question

    Maybe some of you Vietnam era jarheads may get me pointed in the right direction. If a Corpsman was stationed at Parris Island treating recruits during Vietnam era, never served in a combat theater or was part of a Marine unit would you consider him to be a FMF Corpsman? He has no FMF device of any kind nor do I know if they awarded any such device or ribbon at that time. Asking for a friend. LOL!!!

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  2. #2
    He wouldn't rate an FMF device if he was only at a Recruit Depot.

    He needed to be assigned to the Division and worked RAS or BAS to be eligible for the FMF device.

    Fleet Marine Force (FMF) is an earned qualification. Only those sailors who are attached to forward-deployable Marine units are eligible to earn the FMF pin. The rigorous process takes months and consists of study, written testing and oral boards.





  3. #3
    Interesting! I know a guy who was allowed to join the Marine Corps League as a full member. Based on what you have shared above, he would only be allowed to be an Associate member.


  4. #4
    Thanks for the info FoxtrotOscar. I had found similar information and wanted to get confirmation that it was correct.


  5. #5
    This involves serving one year with a Marine Corps unit (two years for reserves), passing the Marine Physical Fitness Test (PFT), a written test, demonstrating skills used in service with the Marines such as weapon breakdown and familiarization, land navigation, combat communications and an oral examination by senior enlisted sailors who are FMF qualified.

    The Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist designation is most commonly awarded to the hospital corpsman (HM) and Religious Programs Specialist (RP) ratings, although it is also awarded to other sailors who support Marine Corps commands (e.g. Logistics Specialists assigned to medical logistics companies).


  6. #6
    Did this apply to the Vietnam era Navy Corpsmen as well?


  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by 08JarHead View Post
    Did this apply to the Vietnam era Navy Corpsmen as well?
    To the best of my knowledge from being of that era...


  8. #8
    DanM is a former Corpsmen and will read and answer this sometime today... He's also from that time frame..


  9. #9
    The FMF pin/device didn't come about until 1985. Viet Nam era was a strange time HM's needed to complete Field Medical training and receive HM-8404. There were those who were pulled out of their duty stations,equipped,put on a transport ship and received their weapons training off the fantail of the ship.

    I believe the only thing they received was a Nam service ribbon with an EGA and their DD214 would have the records.


  10. #10
    DanM, to my knowledge he was only stationed at PI and never assigned to a forward deployed Marine unit. He does not have a Vietnam service ribbon. I don't believe, by the information that you have provided that he would be considered a "FMF Corpsman".


  11. #11
    All he has is the NDSM and Good Conduct ribbons. Nothing else. That alone makes me think he is just a Hospital Corpsman with no FMF qualification. I could be wrong...


  12. #12
    Two different things here...

    A FMF Corpsmen and the FMF Pin are two different things..

    A Navy Corpsman assigned to the Marine forward Unit could qualify for a rating of FMF by wearing the designated Marine uniforms as long as he met the weight/weight requirements and kept his hair cut accordingly, and meet other requirements he could wear a small EGA on one of his ribbons showing
    he was an FMF Corpsman.

    The Fleet Marine Force pin is something else different from my understanding
    ..


  13. #13
    Right FoxtrotOscar. But the big thing is the "Marine Forward Unit" issue. He was only stationed on Parris Island. He was not deployed or stationed with any other Marine unit. That's why I question him being a "FMF" Corpsman.


  14. #14
    08 Jarhead,

    Parris Island or MCRD San
    Diego are not Fleet Marine Corps, nor are they forward Units.

    He's not FMF qualified if
    he in fact did not serve in those distinct designated areas.

    If he was in during the dates of 1965-75 he would be considered a Vietnam "Era" vet, but not FMF.

    What years did he serve..?? And is
    hein fact claiming FMF "Doc" status.../???

    That's my question... I'm assuming all this has to do with the MCL...

    FO



  15. #15
    He is a Vietnam "ERA" Corpsman. He has claimed FMF Doc status with regard to MCL. I'm not sure who did his DD214 Verifications. But, the way I see it, they dropped the ball and he should not be allowed to be a full member. I'm not sure what, if anything, the National MCL will do about it. But, in case something is brought up about it I want to have the right information.
    Thanks for the information and education.


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