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

Thanks for the restaurant recommendations Ian loves to eat we did go to Jacob and Anthonys last time we were there and had a fantastic steak. Ian will be able to hit the brewry next month after he turns 21. B your son is going to the Truman right? I can't remember my reasoning but I recall telling Ian that would be my first choice if he was deployed in Norfolk. I can't wait to find out and also get that long 30 day break. Still looks like a May graduation date.

1proudmama - sorry, I haven't checked this group in a bit.  Yes, my son will be on the Truman.  He checks in on Thursday!  He & his roommate made it to VA safe & sound.  They are in the process of getting their apt set up & taking care of little things.  Hubby & I are saving our pennies (& nickels & dimes!) so we can visit ;-) 

Hopefully things will keep moving smoothly at the plant so your graduation date holds! (Don't hold your breath though!).

The 30 day leave is wonderful (but somehow still manages to fly by too fast!).  Now it's a whole new learning process for me - and preparing for deployment.....that will be interesting.

B's mom - totally know how you feel.  My son's been in 4+ years and finally got his first 30 days leave to come home and then report to his new home port, the USS Nimitz out of Bremerton, WA.  Between 8 days of packing his place up while waiting for all of his paperwork to be completed for check-out and release and his truck's head gaskets fixed then 7 days of driving cross country, the 30 days of leave was welcome but also went by way too fast.  Just last Wednesday he reported aboard the Nimitz - his first time ever standing on a commissioned aircraft carrier and he was fascinated.  Now time for me to learn about life of a sailor in dry dock!

Skyped with my son for quite a while Sunday. He says he has a few more sign-offs and then on to the oral board. He didn't say anything about the 100% test, so I hope that means he passed it (forgot to ask about it).

He says he still doesn't have a graduation date and they may not have a real graduation but just send them on to their new places.

He did get his orders a couple of weeks ago (after his 100% test). He got the Virginia class (fast attack) sub he wanted. In Groton, which he seems fine with. I'm worried about the drive there to visit, not because of the distance (we drove to GL, GC and BS). While it's a long drive, it's more the kind of driving, through NY/NJ. Living in the land-locked mid-west none of the places he could be assigned would be close. Norfolk would have been an easier drive though.

Hi all, my sailor is set to graduate BS end of June..  then who knows..  vol sub, so we'll see, haven't seen him since Thanksgiving when he graduated PS in Charleston - only a 7 hour drive from Florida, BS - not so much..  He put in for Hawaii, Guam and the whole west coast, guess he's tired of the East Coast..  Anyone else's sailor graduating end of June?

Hi, my son is also set to graduate BS at the end of June.  We have been fortunate that he came home for Christmas and we were up to see him last weekend.  It's a 10 hr drive, but worth a few days with him.

jkayr and Crys49ers - awesome that your sailors are so close to the end of the pipeline!  Will you be driving up for the graduation?  Our sailor graduated BS in January.  We were fortunate enough to attend the ceremony.  Had a great time & then sailor was home for leave right after.

B'sNukeMoM, yes we will drive up.  The 10 hrs are not so bad knowing our sailor is at the end :) Last time we towed our camper and stayed in Oneonta with the dogs.  Sailor was very happy!  He said he expected to get leave right after Proto, currently still on schedule for June Grad.  He has not talked about his 100% test yet, but he is the only Electrician who has not gotten 'up-graded' (so I think that means he is doing ok).

Anyone with a sailor who started prototype in Feb. in BS? Can anyone corroborate, or does this sound reasonable; Son started prototype on MARF in early Feb. 2015. Says his class # is 1406 (I thought it would be 15XX, but he's confirmed 1406 several times.) Tentative, potential graduation 7/24, (even though he emailed us his watch schedule through the end of August.) 

Hi, just found this group. My son is going to Ballston Spa for Prototype. Does anyone have suggestions on where he should look for housing? Thank you.

When my son was in Ballston Spa he lived in the Winners Circle Apts.  It's close to the reactor site (which is a huge plus in the winter!).  They have 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apts with a garage.  He lived there with 2 roommates.  Nice complex, very Navy friendly.  They do sign a year lease but they let them out of it once they receive their orders.  It comes with a washer/dryer.  Only downside is they are unfurnished.  We visited & it's a nice area.

http://winnerscircleatsaratoga.com/

SoCal_Sailor_Dad - proto grad is always up in the air!  It's 24 weeks, but often there are delays (reactor shutdowns, maintenance, etc).  My sons changed many times!  It started out Oct '14 & changed a few times - finally ended up 1/23/15. I'd say be careful making plane reservations until closer to the end (or do something like Southwest where there's no change fee!).  Good luck to your son!

MMSailorsMomWA - I also bumped the discussion above on Apartments in Ballston Spa.  You'll find some more info there too!

B'sNukeMom - Thanks for bumping the information.  My sailor told me he's found a place in Middle Grove today but that it's not available until 31st.  Says he will stay at motel he's currently in until Saturday but then it is raising price for racing season.  He says he'll sleep in his car after that.  I'm happy he's found a place but stressed he plans on sleeping in his car for over a week!?!  I asked him to try to find a friends floor to sleep on.  Hope he does.

Hi B'sNukeMom thanks for the reply. Oh, I know better than to make plans ahead for Prototype grad! When I asked about possible grad date, I forgot to add that my son says the reactor's been down since he started, so I was wondering about the likelihood of an on-time grad. lol.
He also said, if the contractor can't fix certain things in a certain timeframe, they will roll the next scheduled maintenance into this downtime which will mean a 4 month delay. Somehow, I think this will happen. My kid has already had a 2 month grad-hold and a 2-month pre-fill hold. His 2 year ship-out-to-boot-camp anniversary is in three weeks, so another delay wouldn't surprise me.
I was curious about the class number being 1406 since he started well into 2015, but he said they don't really go by class numbers in proto.
Also, he cleared up why he has the watch schedule through August - he said he actually has the watch schedule through the next year - it doesn't change, he only sent us the part through August. :)

MMSailorsmomWA - He could also look into the Balfour Beatty privatized housing on the support base in Saratoga Springs. They have a "single-Sailor" program that can help him find a roommate to share a 2 bedroom condo. Cost is 50% of his BAH and includes all utilities (except cable/internet).
My son and his friend are renting there. I think it is $30/month more for fully furnished.

Heading to BS for Proto grad next week - Hooyah!  Anyone have any new restaurant recommendations for downtown Saratoga Springs? I've got Auggies, Druthers Brewing, Putnam Market, Jacob & Anthony's and Iron Roost in BS as possibilities.  

MichianaMom - every single one of those we went to when we were there! (hmmmm I must have suggested them to you before!).  We also had some good sushi but I don't remember the name of the place.  No matter where you go, I'm sure you'll have a good time. 

Enjoy the graduation!  BZ again to your sailor ;-)

FYI - I added a discussion above about Prototype coins for BS if anyone is interested.....

I all!!  My son will be heading to BS in the next few weeks.  He's at the end of his Power School classes and graduation is just around the corner.  He just let me know that he will be going to BS, so I thought I'd get a head start on my reading.  LOL

Welcome Donna!  This website isn't as busy as Nuke Moms but it was very helpful during my son's stay in BS.

Thank you Kim, all information is help full I think.  ; )

Hi all - Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

boconavymom, congrats to you and your son! My son is also graduating on Jan 29th. Unfortunately, we live in Washington State and will not be able to attend. There is a mom on the NukeMom page that says she is going. I've asked her to take pictures of my son for me.

@dots, you're right, there's not been much activity here. Our son graduated a year and a half ago, so I'm not active, but still a member here. I'll post a note in the main Nuke Mom's group reminding everyone that this group exists.

Hi all - Happy Monday!

Yes dots, this is a rather quiet group.  My son did proto here and it was even pretty quiet back then....the nuke mom's page is more active.  Is there a specific question you have regarding Ballston Spa?  I'll try to help if I can :)

dots - my son spent 13 months in Ballston Spa - one delay after another!  One thing for sure, nothing is definite with prototype!  You might find some others who have sailors in BS on the nuke moms page.

dots, my son was there for 11 months and loved it. Lots of outdoor things to do - hiking, biking, skiing, 4-wheeling, etc.

Yeah, don't make early plans for graduation - his schedule was moved up and back so many times I lost count. When the reactors are down, there is a simulator that they can use for some of the training, and when they are up, they push through as many as they can.

Whendy: Graduation at BS is pretty low key. It's usually held at a VFW or a place like that. That being said, everyone says "it's for the parents", which it is. It's a great opportunity to take lots of pictures. Like all of the Nuke graduations, if you can go, I suggest it. It was a no-brainer for us, as our son was picked up for staff, so he started training the Monday after graduation and did not get to come home on leave. Most Sailors that are moving on get leave before they have to report to their next duty station. We ended up having a fantastic weekend with our Sailor; Saratoga Springs is a great place to explore, and we got to meet some of his buddies. Hope that helps!

Hi Whendy - Our son's graduation was at the Milton Community Center - it was a small affair but we went since it was the final graduation!  It was in January and it was cold but we had a great time (it was our 2nd visit to BS).  They let us take lots of pictures and afterwards they do the re-enlistment ceremony.....Our son also got 30 days leave after and was able to come home to (CA) before he had to report to VA.  Like MichianaMom said, Saratoga Springs is a fun place to explore - if you can make it, I say go! 

Just stopping by to say hello!  My son graduated Power School on May 26th and he is currently at BS.  I think he is still in grad hold but has gotten an apartment with 3 other buddies and seems pretty happy.  A School and Power School were very grueling for him but he made it!! Thanks to some great Navy staff in Charleston an absolutely awesome SLPO and supportive classmates. I hope this final leg of the pipeline is successful.  I definitely understand nothing is a given :)

Whendy - please join our nuke mom's group - it's much more active than this page:

http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/nukemoms

sailormom - remember for proto it's definitely a lot of hurry up & wait!  My son's original graduation date was changed twice....be prepared to be flexible!

How's everybody doing in Ballston Spa?

Good Morning and Welcome! 

As usual it's kind of quiet here.  I see we've had 2 new members join this year - AZNukeGma and Duchess.  If you look at the discussion forum above (hit "view all") you may find answers to some questions you might have.  Otherwise feel free to ask here (I try to check periodically and my son was here for Proto and we visited the area a couple of times) or ask over in the nuke moms group which is more active.  Either way we'll try to help!

Thanks for the mention.  I've joined various groups but most seem geared for enlisted.  My son started proto in November and has just finished his first shift/watch rotation.  

Duchess - I see you joined the NUPOC group too.  It's not real active but maybe if you start posting you can get it going again.  And you are more than welcome to comment in our nuke moms group.  We can answer regular nuke questions for you!

Welcome Duchess2006   My son is an officer too. He is currently station in Banger WA on a sub.  Is your going surface or sub? 

Welcome koko and DomsMom.  

Feel free to ask any questions you may have - my son did prototype in Ballston Spa.  It looks like your son is there koko and DomsMom your son is waiting to leave for boot camp.

topdog1p,  my son is going sub.  I think by the time all his training is done, it will be Aug before he is on a sub.  He still has a couple of months before he finds out the results of his dream sheet (that's what I called it when I was in the army back in the day).

Hi everyone - welcome to the new members!  This group isn't real active but feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer - my son did proto in Ballston Spa and really loved the area.  Of course, you can always post any questions you may have in the nuke moms group too (it's more active!).

I don't think I was aware of this group.  My son has been at BS since early May - getting very close to finishing.  We just returned from a trip to visit him.  B'sNukeMom suggested I post the pictures here as well that I posted in Nuke Moms.

These first ones are from our trip to Fort Ticonderoga and Lake Placid.

And here are a couple from Vermont and the last one from right near where we stayed in Saratoga Springs.