Charleston, SC or Balston Spa, NY for prototype?
 

How is this decided? What are some of your experiences in either place, and what would you recommend if given the choice?

Is your recruiter Hogan in lumberton?

No, I actually started my enlistment process before I moved out here so I went through the Fayetteville recruitment office.

During power school you will have to select which one you WANT and it gets put on a preference sheet. If you have a specific verifiable reason for one or the other (such as family in New York nearby or you already have housing in Charleston off base as you are married) you will also submit a preference letter explaining these reasons. Preference is in no way a guarantee. It changes based on which prototypes are up and which are down at the time, which prototype has room for which rates at the time, etc.

The rumor is that the Navy wants to simplify the process and have all training take place in Charleston in the future, but that is a ways off (if it ever happens). There is a backup for getting people to prototype right now; 2 months or more for ET's and 4-8 Months for EM's and MM's. Traditionally MM's have the longest hold period, though EM's are catching up.

Roger that, im on my phone so i cant send you a message back. And this site is amazing

Just want to update everyone that Prototype IS one of the commands effected by the recent sequestration cuts.

If you read DTG 022300Z Mar 13, under Remarks: Section 3 Part A:
"Begin negotiating contract modifications to de-obligate efforts for any investment programs for which the remaining unobligated balance will be insufficiant after the sequestration reductions is applied. Major programs affected include: Virginia-Class SSN Advance procurement, REACTOR POWER UNITS, and Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV 10);"

I graduated power school in january, and I can tell you that currently you will 95% get your choice, unless for some odd reason everyone wants to go to one prototype over the other (which shouldn't happen.)

Generally you'll see people with families staying in Charleston, and singles moving to New York.

I can tell you are at least a year and a half away from this decision though, so you've got time to think about it :)