Naval Corpsman School Great Lakes IL

• Historical Origins: The Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes, Illinois, was established in 1913, making it one of the oldest and most storied Navy medical training institutions in the United States. • World War I Expansion: During World War I, the school rapidly expanded to train thousands of corpsmen to meet the demands of the war effort, cementing its reputation for excellence in medical training. • World War II Contributions: Great Lakes Hospital Corps School trained over 600,000 sailors and corpsmen during World War II, playing a crucial role in the medical support of American forces worldwide. • Women Corpsmen: In 1945, the first class of female Hospital Corpsmen graduated from Great Lakes, breaking gender barriers in Navy medicine. • Vietnam War Support: Thousands of corpsmen trained at Great Lakes served with distinction during the Vietnam War, often as the only medical personnel with Marine units in combat. • Presidential Visits: The school has hosted several prominent visitors, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and other military dignitaries, recognizing its vital role in Navy readiness. • Symbolic Mascot: The school’s mascot, the Caduceus, symbolizes the ancient tradition of healing and has become a badge of honor for all Navy corpsmen trained at Great Lakes. • 9/11 Response: Graduates from Great Lakes played a critical role in providing medical support during major crises, including the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. • 2011 Relocation: In 2011, the Corpsman School at Great Lakes officially closed, and training was consolidated at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) in San Antonio, Texas, marking the end of nearly a century of service. • Distinguished Alumni: Many of the Navy’s most decorated corpsmen, including multiple Medal of Honor recipients, began their medical careers at Great Lakes, contributing to its legendary status in military medicine.