If you had a choice between Ft. Richardson and Ft. Lewis, which would you pick and why?

2020-02-22T03:11:01-05:00

If it helps any, I'm an MP. Both have it's perks when it comes to outdoor recreation, which is something we enjoy and want to raise our kids around. So, we are sort of on the fence on these two. If you've been to one of them, or both, what was your experience like?

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Feb 22 at 2020 5:46 AM

2020-02-22T05:46:29-05:00

If what you do with your free time matters, Ft.Lewis winds hands down. Outdoor activities are great at both, but doing other things like travel and sporting events there's no comparison. The sane with the climate, Ft. Lewis wins in my book.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2020 6:44 AM

2020-02-22T06:44:09-05:00

The few times I flew through SeaTac or McChord I really liked the area. Better than Norton or Travis, although I lived at Pendleton for a few. All I know of AK is what a fellow Marine told me about Adak. He loved it as an outdoorsman, even bagged an elk with 7 mm while there. Some of the best outdoors at both I'd think. Good Luck.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Feb 22 at 2020 7:40 AM

2020-02-22T07:40:15-05:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member We spent 5 years in Alaska, 2.5 in Fairbanks, 2.5 in Anchorage with our two young boys.... It was much fun in both, snow, sledding, club wrestling, snowboarding, camping, hiking, 4WD trips in Alaska and all the way to Colorado one year.
Had it been a few years later when our younger son was riding bikes off road and then racing MX...Fort Lewis WA would have been better choice ...but in those early years Alaska was great for our family.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2020 8:11 AM

2020-02-22T08:11:27-05:00

It’s a 50 50 from me I’ve been to both . JBLM is a little more family friendly in the surrounding areas. that’s all I got lol

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2020 10:31 AM

2020-02-22T10:31:14-05:00

I lived in Anchorage as a kid and was on and off the bases there while growing up. 5 years I lived there and to this day, nearly 50 years later, I still miss it. I also lived in the Seattle area and spent a lot of time on Ft Lewis in the Marine Reserves. I miss the nature but I do not miss the crowds. Unless you are a city-slicker, avoid Seattle/Tacoma/Everett and stick to the peninsula (west) and the mountains (east).

If I remember correctly, Ft Lewis is the largest Army Base in the US. Depends on what type of duty you pull as a MP you could be driving a lot.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Feb 22 at 2020 11:16 AM

2020-02-22T11:16:25-05:00

I recommend you explore the politics of each area and explore what is best for you. I like my firearms and there are just some places I cannot PCS to. It maybe different for you but as you join a community, I think something important to understand. What will your civilian counterparts be like? You are an MP, I am a nurse, and our jobs are to serve without regard however that does not mean the people we live around and work with are not bias.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2020 4:14 PM

2020-02-22T16:14:00-05:00

I am in Alaska at Fort Richardson and if you like to hike, fishing, hunting and love the snow this is the place to be, summer are beautiful and long days of sun light and winters are long, during winter from November to January you only got about 3 hours of sun light. As far as the post is not bad Fort Richardson is by the city of anchorage in wish is one of the biggest city here in Alaska and it does have everything the lower 48 states have including night life

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2020 8:07 PM

2020-02-22T20:07:22-05:00

Never been to Alaska. But have been to Lewis twice and loved it both times. My wife and kids miss it aswell. If I got out today I would move back there.

Response by LTC Lee Bouchard made Feb 22 at 2020 8:17 PM

2020-02-22T20:17:53-05:00

For me this would be a tough call after spending some time at both. Consider the weather and outdoor activities. SGT. Pryor has a good point about Lewis. The Seattle area is a complete mess.
Traffic issues make travel around Ft. Lewis filled with accidents and hurry up and wait in heavy traffic.
Often at a complete stand-still on I-5 and other Hwys. There is also the high crime and the homeless by the thousands. Seattle used to be a very clean city but that has changed.
There is plenty of outdoor activities from fishing, hunting, skiing and boating. There are plenty of world class places to dine out, football and baseball games to attend in your back yard.

Ft. Richardson offers much of the same with less rain (Ft. Lewis is known for it's 5 mos. of rain) but more snow. Alaska has much more to offer in terms of outdoor fun without the congestion issues that the Seattle area has.

Response by PO1 M. Chandler made Feb 22 at 2020 9:14 PM

2020-02-22T21:14:47-05:00

Ft Lewis is in a great area for adventures outdoors and food and the metro areas of seattle and portland to explore nearby if you like craft foods/beers and wines of the woodinville area. High country desert (ellensburg) has a top rodeo annually. There are colleges galore to work education if you want to improve there and tons of job options if you ets there and decide to stay. It's not even a question for me. I lived there for a couple of years, technically on McChord (before jointness) and in 2018 I lived in Yelm, just a 20 min backroads drive south of Ft Lewis. FT LEWIS for the win.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 23 at 2020 4:47 PM

2020-02-23T16:47:08-05:00

Its amazing that every soldier who has PCSd to Alaska loved it.