Moms/Dads/Families with Nukes in Ballston Spa, NY

Our Son left BS less than a week ago for Washington...He shared a place with a few others at a place called "Marketplace" I believe...I think it was over top of a shop...or there were shops on the ground floor. Sorry I don't have much more info than that.  All I know is that we are from Florida and it was quite cold there! Good Luck!

I was looking at apts over the weekend - seems like there's a lot in Saratoga Springs but they are a little on the expensive side.  Son said they are going to start a more serious search this weekend......I guess there's 6 of them that want to rent near each other (2 each and they want to be in the same apt complex). 

@OkSuzy - I tried to find the "Marketplace" but couldn't find anything by that name.

Looking for good information on Class 1302 graduation from Prototype Dec 2013 / Jan 2014.  Is it completely up to the individual's progress, or is it class-by-class?  Is there a firm date or dates?

Happy Monday everyone!  Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving and were able to talk with your sailor....we are getting close to our son officially being in Ballston Spa.  One more final this week - MTMO - and then comps on 12/10 and graduation on 12/13.  Supposed to head out to BS on 12/20.....I see the weather is really cold. YIKES!!!!  We head out for graduation on 12/11 - can't wait to see him!

OK, out of the blue heard from my sailor, and yes, the 24th of Jan.  Lol, this should be fun - an overseas trip, Proto grad, and his brother's birthday, all in the same week.  And PattiP, I just learned our sons are roomies.  Not a minute too soon, lol.

PattiP - lol. It could be mine that doesn't eat chocolate - he was never much on sweets. He's the Texan, the one with the crazy dad who drove his car from Texas to GC and then to BS.  We had such a blast.  I am pretty sure I met your boy, and mine talks about him a fair amount, so I think they do get along, but these days they all work different shifts.

I met the chef, "Bum-G", he is CIA trained (Culinary Institute America) and his cooking smells delicious.  He is a little older than our guys, but a genuinely good person, if my instincts are any good.  They all seem to be level-headed, and I am thankful they all stayed out of that underage mess - mine is, but fortunately isn't tempted.

Not sure about the future, I think perhaps he did mention something about ELT, probably something I should ask about, lol.

Blessings!

Good Morning!  I heard from my son yesterday - sounds like they have the apartment situation figured out for BS - yay!  One less thing for him to worry about ;-)

Happy Wednesday!

Thanks PattiP for the tips!  One of his roommates is from PA so he knows all about the cold weather and has been telling my son about these things.  My son is from Cali and the other roommie is from FL so it's going to be interesting for those 2 LOL!  I'm concerned about them driving - do they need to get snow tires?

That's good to know PattiP - my hubby was worried how Sailor was going to get snow tires.....I'll just make sure the other big thing he knows is to take it slow!

I will tell him when he gets to BS to find a parking lot to practice in - good idea!

Thanks ;-)

Happy Monday All!

If you have (or have ever had) a dog, I'm sure you can relate!

Hi All!

My sailor has been in Ballston Spa just over a month and will begin Prototype classes Dec. 23.  Glad to have found this group!  

Welcome jbkbmom, glad to have you. Classes start 2 days before Christmas? Bummer!

My son starts January 6. He has been there with 3 of his buddies sharing a duplex and learning how to live in the snow and ice. He has been working his shifts and learning to cook more. I wish he could come home for Christmas. This will be the first year without him... :-(

Yup, that is the bummer but they will give them Christmas Day off at least.... no more, no less!  My son is one of the MM instructors up there and has been there since 6/2/12 and loves the northeast, the trees, the snow and the hills.  If any of you have questions about prototype and how it pertains to MM and S8G, I am happy to answer.  One of the first questions you will need to ask your sailor is which plant they are in - there are two:  MARF and S8G.  I'm pretty partial to S8G!!!  They are also in one of five sections:  section 1, section 2, and so on and remain in that section throughout the six months of Prototype and they are given an instructor that sticks with them throughout that time as well and sees to is that they understand the material and pass the qualifications.  Hopefully, they will get one that cares!!

Penny you always know so much more than me!! My son needs to learn better communication skills. He is staff in the MARF plant and has also been there for over a year. Penny and I figured out some time ago our sailors don't know each other even though their progress through the pipeline has been virtually neck & neck. My son says it isn't likely that if you work in an opposite plant that you will know each other.

I guess I'm surprised, Wendy, that he won't be home for Christmas since he doesn't start until Jan 6. But, if there is one lesson to take from all the info we share is that everything is done navy way on navy time. Maybe next year...hope so!

NancyJo, that is correct. MARF and S8G are in two separate buildings on site which gives them no real access to each other. 

Hi All - well my son didn't pass PS comps on Tuesday.  He and 29 others will "re-comp" on Wednesday next week.  Not exactly what he was hoping for but it is what it is.  He says next week is "One & Done" so hoping things go well for he and all the others.......Please say an extra prayer for all of them to pass!

Sorry B, my thoughts and prayers are with him and the others.  Hoping next week you will sharing better news with us!

Brrrr!  This is Rock Springs.

Just a reminder, we cannot share on here if there are reactor problems going on with either of the plants.  It is one thing to say that the graduation dates are going to be sliding but another to say the reactor is down.  Thanks for understanding ... we do need to keep mindful of OPSEC regulations to keep our sailors safe.

My son will officially be heading to BS - he passed!  All of them that were re-testing did!  So happy right now!

PattiP - yes this is a huge relief - I swear I was holding my breath all morning waiting for his text!

He will be living (with 2 other guys) in an apartment complex in BS - it's called Winners Circle. www.winnerscircleatsaratoga.com   Very nice looking place.  They do have 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms but I don't know the availability.....

That's unfortunate that they weren't able to take their test....to have yourself ready and then be told no - ugh - very frustrating......

B'sNukeMoM......YEAH,   Congratulations to your son and all the other retesters, now Breathe and enjoy the Holidays.   :)

Wendy4Cody - my son is being told he will start Prototype in March........he's flying home on 12/22 and back on 1/10.  Then he (& his roommies) will have to get busy and furnish their apartment!

Does anyone have any recommendations for inexpensive furniture places around Ballston Spa?  I know there's a Walmart & Target for the little things but what about the bigger items?  Beds, couches, tables.....

Hi All - well my son "officially" checked out of Goose Creek today!  Next step Ballston Spa!

Hi All - Happy Monday.  Sailor made it home for Christmas leave last night!

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas tomorrow.  Whatever you do, however you celebrate, I hope it's a joyful day!

Boy - been watching the weather in BS - all I have to say is YIKES!  My sailor is going to freeze when he gets there LOL!  He's home now and it's been mid/upper 70's and even low 80's here....

Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!  I'm looking forward to 2014 and being a bigger part of this group as my sailor starts prototype......Stay safe!

PattiP - good luck to your son with the ELT training - when does he finish up Prototype?

Congrats, PattP! Nice feather in your son's cap. Well done and enjoy having your son stateside for just a little longer.

PattiP - I do remember you mentioning that now!  I hope this time the TC has everything in order so they can all test.....Good Luck to all of them - keep us updated ;-)

Here's a picture of me & my boys from Christmas and then out shooting the other day!

Man I see NY is getting hammered with bad weather.  Our sailor flies out of CA next Friday (1/10) back to Philly....from there he meets up with one of his roommates and then on Saturday they drive to NY.....I sure hope the weather holds!  They have to muster on 1/13.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Erika - I'm right there with you!

Making the most of our visit with sailor.....can't believe he leaves this Friday.

Here's hubby & sailor son & college son....

My son has been in BS for more than 1 1/2 years now - first as a student in Prototype and now more than a year as a MM Instructor.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to message me and ask away.  :)

Hey Penny - so with this crazy weather that NY is having what happens if they can't get to school/work (whatever they call it!).  Have they had any problems with all these storms?

I'm looking at the weather and it says it is currently 37 but snow in the forecast. Tomorrow high of 9. Good grief! Sounds like there will  be ice under snow. I feel sorry for the sailors from the south who don't have the winter experience of northerners. Moving to Alabama from snowy Michigan years ago, we were amused by the panic when there was a sprinkling of snow that disappeared within a day.  Prayers for safe driving for our sailors.

Unless the school is given a snow day the sailors are expected to be there.  So, that said, encourage your sailor to be prepared - pack his vehicle's trunk with heavy items for weight to stay on the roads.  Go to home depot and buy 50# sand bags and put in there in addition to a portable shovel, chains for his vehicle and even some rock salt in case he does get stuck in the snow and needs to get out.  Put in the back seat a blanket and then pack a small bag with a flashlight (fresh batteries) a pair of warm gloves, a couple of energy bars, warm hat, etc. in case he gets stuck, and always make sure his car is on the top side of the 1/2 way mark of gas.  Now, back to what about school - leave  EARLY to give himself plenty of time to get to work.  They can always check in early or go to the galley for a bit to thaw out but if late, they aren't always given a pass.  Everybody knows upstate NY gets snow - some years worse than others but they do their best to keep the main roads open to the plant.