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

Thanks Penny - we've put together an "emergency list" of items for him to get when he arrives in NY.  I'm printing out what you posted too so he can see it from someone else besides us! LOL 

He seems to think that for the first (maybe) couple of months that he & his roommies will be able to carpool so that should help - buddy system!  At least get them through the worst part of winter.  Hopefully when they start on their individual schedules the weather will be better....I just don't think he realizes how bad the weather can get - he's a SoCal boy through and through!

There may be a problem with carpooling because even though they have 12 hr shifts, they will probably be putting in extra hours so they would need to coordinate that with their buddies. If they can carpool, great, but I think that might not work.

Carpooling can usually work for the first 7 weeks while they are on off-crew, but once they go to on-crew they tend to start putting in a bunch more hours and tend to get away from the herd and are more at their own pace.  Even after a few weeks into off-crew you can start seeing some of the eager beavers starting out front (not necessarily in the lead, but out in front).  My son and his roommate carpooled for quite some time to save $$ but there were time that they needed to drive on their own because of additional work that needed to be done.  Play it by ear and see what they can do.

Well hopefully they can carpool for at least a month - enough to get them through part of February and maybe the worst of the weather!

I just remembered - son says that classes aren't scheduled to start until sometime in March but they do have to go in starting on 1/13.  He's not sure what they actually do during Jan/Feb - maybe that's when they can carpool though?  Do you know what they do before classes actually start?

Thanks Wendy - so it doesn't sound like they have to go in every day before classes actually start then.  That's good to know as this will give them some time to get their apartment set up!

Sending some of our California Sunshine to BS!  Hope all the sailors there are staying safe (and warm!).

PattiP & ktrsb - was the test yesterday or today?  Any news?

Just heard from my sailor - he passed his 100%.  And his text began "Glory to God!"  Amen!!!!

Exam was yesterday, during midday, and then he had to go to work, so he just woke up after going to bed.  We are happy, happy, happy.  Never been so proud.  

Now for the oral board - but he is much more confident about that than he was the written exam.

BZ to your sailor ktrsb!  What happens next?

ktrsb - we were posting at the same time!  I see you posted what happens next.  Good luck to him with the oral board!

Oral board to be arranged according to individual sailor, likely in next week or so.  Oral lasts from one hour to three, depending on how well it goes.  My understanding is that sailors feel somewhat more confident about it since they can have, during the questioning, multiple opportunities to demonstrate knowledge, even if it takes them a little time (and prompting) to get there.  It's largely, as I understand it, the same as the checkouts they have been doing, but one giant furball of a checkout. 

And then, graduation Jan 24.  Not sure if there is going to be a big ceremony, but we will be there, God willing.

Good job, ktrsb, on your son passing the 100%.  My son found that in taking the Oral Boards, some instructors will let you go once they determine you are going to meet the passing grade of a minimum 2.75 (or something around there).  My son was let go in a little over one hour and told he met the minimum grade and to "get outta here"!!!  lol Kind of disappointing to some of the sailors that would really like to know what their finally GPA could have been!!!  But by that time, GPA doesn't matter and they are glad to be done.

Hey, all.

I just got off the phone with Northwest Territorial Mint from who  I have, over the years, purchased a number of challenge coins commemorating my sailor's progress.  I have made do with what they have, but they really have none dedicated to the nuke training pipeline. 

I am giving serious thought to having some custom challenge coins made up, round, something like a cross between the attached - round, but with nuke symbols. 

So, anyone else interested?  I would have them made up with an place for sailor and date-specific engraving.

Only issue, they won't be ready til mid-Feb, so it would be a post-grad gift for those in Class 1302. 

Forgive my ignorance, but what is MTG?

Penny - I don't know, and I was planning on pulling all of those out (the other two refer to reactors, I think) to make it more general.

Hmmm, I've only ever heard of MARF and S8G at Ballston Spa.  I love the oval shape of the coin.

ktrsb - also check with Craig on this site - he runs the Dep site and also is involved with Challenge coins.  On the Nuke Mom's site I started a discussion on Challenge Coins and Craig chimed in and was discussing the possibility of making a specific coin representing the pipeline.  He was asking various questions and trying to learn the nuc lingo.

I for one would be interested but have a ways to go still - my sailor is just getting ready to start proto.

I'd love to have one.  Let me know

OK, I have decided I am going to have a set of 50 struck.  They will come to me, and then I will ship to anyone who wants.  I think I will be able to do paypal.They will be more expensive than the stock coins at NTM. I have ordered several stock coins over the years, they are high-quality, and my son carries one (Armor of God) in his wallet.

They will have a design on front, and an engraveable space on the back.  You will have to have a local jeweler or gift shop custom engrave it should you wish.  They will not be available any earlier than February.  I will continue to update as I firm up the artwork and production schedule. 

Thanks, all, and I hope this is not inappropriate for the forum.  I am not looking to make any money off of it, nor do I even expect to recoup all of the costs.  But my sailor is worth it even if I keep all of them.

ktrsb - I think it's great that you are doing this....sounds like you have it figured out but I did send a message to Craig for you too in case he can help out at all.  Like Wendy asked - will this be something that is class specific or would I be able to get one down the line when my son finishes? 

Just dropped sailor at the airport....tomorrow he will drive to NY for the start of prototype. (college boy in front, navy boy in back).

hello ktrsbNPTU1302-  my son is in 1303 - I would like one of the coins as well. how much do you think they will be? Thanks!

I would be interested in at least 2 of the coins. 

Happy Monday!  Sailor made it to NY on Saturday ;-)  College son went back to school yesterday - house is quiet and the dog is lost without them :(

ktrsb - I would like one too - as long as it isn't specific to a graduating class.

Beside myself with gratitude and pride. Just learned my sailor is Nuke Qualified - passed his oral boards this morning. Praise the Lord!  On to graduation - BS, here we come!

Woot Woot - BZ to your sailor ktrsb.....doing the Happy Dance!

Sailor texted me a picture this morning of one of his roommates cars covered in snow!  HaHa - better him than me!!!  We are still in the 80's but unfortunately the fire danger continues.  There is a fire burning in the San Gabriel Mountains (near Los Angeles) and it is out of control - the Santa Ana winds are not helping :(

PattiP - thinking of you today as your son takes his orals!

Happy Monday!

I spoke with my son yesterday - he said this week they do studying and they take the "rad workers" test on Friday.  He is still being told that classes will start sometime in March - doesn't have an official date yet.  So far he's enjoying the area and he's even handling the weather ok!

Oh and he said he will be "MARF".....so Penny, if I remember correctly your son is S8G, so I guess he won't have your son as an instructor.....

PattiP - enjoy your trip to BS! Be careful! 

When we spoke with our son on Sunday he said they stayed inside all day (watching football of course).  He said it was supposed to get real cold again this week - going to be interesting to see how this California boy does with the cold!  I think this sums it up for these warm weathered guys!

PattiP - I don't know how you handle the cold.  Right now it's 79* here....and supposed to hit 80 tomorrow.  Of course this isn't normal for us at this time of year but I am loving it still....only bad thing is no rain and we have major drought conditions....not good :( (not to mention the fire danger...)

Try to stay warm.....where do they hold the graduation?

Safe travels to all of you heading to BS for graduation!  So excited for all of you and your sailors!