How can I change my duty station projections?

You not wanting to go to Alaska because if hearsay is not a smart move. Just because you have people that didn’t like it there doesn’t mean it’ll be the same for you. Also you don’t know if the information is hearsay from a third party.

For every assignment location across the Army you have just as many people who love the location as you do people who don’t care for it. Only YOU can determine if you like the location not someone else because it’s YOUR experience.

I actually loved Alaska when I went there, I loved it so much I went back again so I actually have a total of 6yrs if being stationed in Alaska and I enjoyed both tours...

Advice....make you own decisions about your assignment, no two people have the same experience. Good luck to you....

I was stationed in Alaska in the mid-80s for almost 4 years and loved every minute off it! My favorite duty station in my 10 years of AD Army. Don't let the opinions of others taint your service...

Go with the flow... you can always try to pcs voluntarily or just wait until you reenlistment opens (15 months before ets) and pick from whatever is available at that point in time.... if you plan on making a career out of this, you are definitely going to be sent to places where you rather not be, but the location doesn’t make the duty station... you could be in sunny San Diego, but if your unit/leadership is subpar you’re experience of that location will be just that... subpar. Make the best of it, everyone that I have met that was stationed in AK loved it there. Best of luck

If you were able to request Airborne then yes you would go to an Airborne assignment... Which could also be Alaska. Other than 75th Ranger Regiment or Airborne, you aren't able to change your projected assignment. Your branch still could if they need to.

You do realize that there is an airborne unit in Alaska right?

I base my locations on what I see, not what others say. It's what you make of it to be honest. What do you like to do? Alaska is a big state with an abundance of stuff to do. Good luck wherever you go!

Go to Alaska, get it over and ask for a follow on assignment of your preference.

The best advice I can give you is go with the flow. Do just assume where the best location for you is yet because you really don’t know what the army has to offer you yet. Take this opportunity to get a feel of what being in the military is all about. You never know Alaska could be the best thing you ever did. Right I would worry about being a solider more then where you are gonna solider at. Not trying to be mean just being honest.

Well Alaska is what you make of it. Some people save their money for a decade to get the opportunity you will have. I was at Wainwright for 3.5 years. I loved it, trying to get back up there. If you like the outdoors hiking, camping ,hunting, skiing, fishing, sledding, snowmobiling (also sledding... you will understand when you are up there for a bit), wildlife then you will have a good time. If you love the big city life, clubbing, and high class places you will have some adjusting to do. It is a very Military friendly place, with good "down home" folks that love their state and don't want to deal with the lower 48s problems. Don't be that guy that goes up their with an attitude of everything is so much better anywhere else or it will be a long 3 years and you will make the locals less fond of the military.

I was born and raised in South Texas. I loved being stationed in Fairbanks. Go Airborne if you can regardless of the duty station. Jump in Alaska! Awesome, but I didn't get to. A good friend of mine got there a year before me and was in the FSO jump slot and could've moved out for me.
The unit I commanded up there has a reunion every so often. We all enjoyed our time up there as well as the things we did together (and some things I didn't know till these later years, LOL).