Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, Il

• Established in 1913: The Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes, Illinois was founded in 1913, making it one of the oldest technical training schools in the U.S. Navy. • World War I Surge: During World War I, the school trained thousands of Hospital Corpsmen to meet the urgent need for medical personnel on ships and in field hospitals. • Women in the Corps: The school began training WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) as Hospital Corpsmen during World War II, marking a significant step toward gender integration in Navy medicine. • Massive WWII Expansion: At the peak of World War II, the school operated around the clock, graduating more than 20,000 students annually to support the war effort. • Notable Alumni: Many Medal of Honor recipients, like William D. Halyburton Jr. and Robert R. Ingram, began their medical training at Hospital Corps School Great Lakes. • Vietnam War Support: The school played a pivotal role in training Corpsmen who served alongside Marines in Vietnam, where they were often referred to as "Doc" and known for their bravery under fire. • Modernization in the 1990s: In the 1990s, the school underwent major curriculum updates, incorporating advanced medical simulations and technology to enhance training. • 9/11 Response: After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the school adapted its curriculum to include training for mass casualty and chemical/biological warfare scenarios. • Consolidation and Closure: In 2011, the Great Lakes school was closed as part of a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, consolidating Hospital Corpsman training at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. • Legacy of Honor: Over its nearly 100-year history, Hospital Corps School Great Lakes trained more than 100,000 Corpsmen, leaving a legacy of service, sacrifice, and lifesaving skills that impacted generations of Navy and Marine personnel.