Nuclear Prototype Training Unit, West Milton, New York
My next duty station was also somewhat grueling in that the training was rigorous, but we were forced to live off site as there was no base to speak of, only the two different reactor plants on which we would begin to learn how to operate said plants on board the ships we were bound to in the fleet. Someone who'd also he been stationed at NPS, MINSY was also coming to West Milton, so we agreed to find and room together. As he lived in New Jersey he volunteered to find a place and then pick me up at Newark airport.
The above image of downtown Ballston Span could've been taken from our front door (though the make and models of the cars make it obvious that the photo is more recent than when we lived there in 1972. We rented the top two floors of a 3-story house and it was a definite step up from barracks living! Just down the street was a bar (hey I was a sailor!) where I was introduced to a fellow named Harvey Wallbanger (aptly named I learned); the atmosphere and clientele was similar to that sit-com that took place in a bar in Boston. They were friendly enough to the sailors who did show up (Tim and I were the only ones living in the area, but others had frequented this place as well) and made us feel welcome as well as providing us with great information on the local stores and 'talent' (don't be hating, again, I was single and a sailor!).
The above image of downtown Ballston Span could've been taken from our front door (though the make and models of the cars make it obvious that the photo is more recent than when we lived there in 1972. We rented the top two floors of a 3-story house and it was a definite step up from barracks living! Just down the street was a bar (hey I was a sailor!) where I was introduced to a fellow named Harvey Wallbanger (aptly named I learned); the atmosphere and clientele was similar to that sit-com that took place in a bar in Boston. They were friendly enough to the sailors who did show up (Tim and I were the only ones living in the area, but others had frequented this place as well) and made us feel welcome as well as providing us with great information on the local stores and 'talent' (don't be hating, again, I was single and a sailor!).
We worked 12 hour shifts, alternating day and nights but still had a nice amount of down time to explore the local area including a weekend trip one time to Montreal. Saratoga Springs provided lots of opportunity for playing tourist and other activities (Skidmore College for instance had lots of young ladies needing distraction from their studies). The Saratoga Performing Arts Center had some great concerts and the cheap seats were out in the grass. This is where I saw the Carpenters in concert; seeing Karen whipping up on those drums blew me away!
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Another attraction of the area is race track. I managed not to visit it as I wasn't much of a gambler (still am not). On my way out of town after completing my training I did stop and put $200 on the daily double, picking a horse to win and the nags did! Walked out with a nice sum that helped me set up in my next duty station, the Basic Submarine School in Groton, CT.
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One of the instructors at the prototype was part-owner of a bar in Saratoga Springs. One of the 'traditions' we had there (may still be going on, but I wonder with the 'new' PC Navy) was when we worked the night shift. When we left the site Sunday morning we would all drive to this bar to watch Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp (pictured here with his co-star Mata Hari) while drinking beer and eating pizza. Not exactly something I would replicate today, but yet another memory of my days in the Navy and the often weird ways of building camaraderie.