Posted on Feb 16, 2017
We are PCSing to Fort Wainwright in about two months. Is there any information that would be good to know?
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Fort Wainwright
Housing
Fort Wainwright Housing
Posted 9 y ago
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I'm jealous as that's one of the best places in the Army. Yes, it'll be cold in the winter but not unbearable, plus you dress for it and it's tolerable. The summers completely make up for any winter discomfort. If you like outside activities there is only one better place in the Army to be (and that's Ft Greely, AK -- 100 miles down the road).
Don't winterize your car until you're there, and then have the MWR Auto Craft shop on post do it and you'll save about $200 that way. Get a SAMs Club membership once you get there. Get an Amazon Prime subscription. AT&T works best, but Verizion is up there now also, forget T-Mobile or anyone else. GCI is the local internet/cable tv/cell phone provider. Yes they're expensive and your home internet is limited (similar to your cell phone plan). You'll get COLA up there. Also, I strongly suggest becoming an Alaska resident, as they don't have any state income taxes (yet). Additionally, there is no sales tax up there (except North Pole), so if you have any big purchases (car) wait until you're there to do it. If you buy a Chevrolet drive to Anchorage to do it as they participate in the GM Military discount, the dealership in Fairbanks doesn't.
Hopefully that helped. If you have specific questions let me know, as we just PCS'd from there about six months ago.
Don't winterize your car until you're there, and then have the MWR Auto Craft shop on post do it and you'll save about $200 that way. Get a SAMs Club membership once you get there. Get an Amazon Prime subscription. AT&T works best, but Verizion is up there now also, forget T-Mobile or anyone else. GCI is the local internet/cable tv/cell phone provider. Yes they're expensive and your home internet is limited (similar to your cell phone plan). You'll get COLA up there. Also, I strongly suggest becoming an Alaska resident, as they don't have any state income taxes (yet). Additionally, there is no sales tax up there (except North Pole), so if you have any big purchases (car) wait until you're there to do it. If you buy a Chevrolet drive to Anchorage to do it as they participate in the GM Military discount, the dealership in Fairbanks doesn't.
Hopefully that helped. If you have specific questions let me know, as we just PCS'd from there about six months ago.
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CSM (Join to see)
SGT(P) (Join to see) - I'd wait on the cold weather gear (assuming you have a jacket/coat at least) as there are three outdoor stores plus an REI there. Additionally, SAMs has some pretty decent stuff cheap aslo (North Face, Marmot, etc). I recommend down as it's lightweight and warm. We had dogs also, and it wasn't a problem. They just don't hang out outside in the winter like they do in the summer. As far as where to live, that's purely up to you. Living off post you'll likely have to pay for heating oil, so factor in an additional $500 (yes $500) per month in expenses. Some months its less some more...depends on the weather. This year it's been colder than normal. Last year in January we had windows open as it was 45 so you never know. The houses on post are ok and big enough, but parking is limited as you only get a one car garage (may not be an issue for you but we had 3 cars). I do suggest you drive, as that's an experience in and of itself. Take your time though, as there is lots to see. Get a copy of the Milepost off of Amazon as it details the entire length of the road mile by mile. We drove it several times and saw different things each time. If you have a camper take it...you'll use it lots on the way up and most every weekend there during the summer as well. The biggest issue we had was the summer and the sun not setting. The darkness in winter is easy to deal with as even in TN when you go to morning PT it's dark in the winter and likely dark when you come home. In summer there the sun doesn't set like it does in the lower 48. It's bright daylight at 2AM! This is a problem if you have small kids as you'll need blackout curtains (you can get them there at Walmart). We actually ran blackout curtains and then two sets of regular ones over those to make it dark enough. Our kids just didn't want to sleep in the summer, but you experience may be different.
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SPC Joseph Mondragon
Lots of good info here. I ETS'd from there about 4 years ago. The only thing I have to add is that seasonal tires are worth the cost. They don't salt the roads there because it attracts the wildlife and if you have a truck,make sure to put some weight (sandbags/buckets) in the back or turning can be difficult.
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SA (Join to see)
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Fort Wainwright is a beautiful Duty station, while also small. The summer time is awesome as the sun doesn't go down. Buy eclipse shades as 0200 will look like 1800 when you look out the window. The mosquito's are brutal in the summer as well because of all the standing water. Winter is awesome.. The coldest I've seen it up there was about -70. You'll get use to it wearing the proper gear. If you love city shopping, popular restaurants i.e. olive garden, red lobster, etc. Fairbanks doesn't have that but A drive down to Anchorage is where you'll find all that stuff at. Fairbanks is the town outside of post as well as Northpole. Both places have a lot to offer. Great restaurants, amusement, etc. Like all other post, Alaska is what you make of it. It's alot of fun stuff to do there, you just have to get out and do it.
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Well, prepare to be cold for 9 months. Summer is incredible, get ready for billions of mosquitos though. It can be depressing when it is dark for 20 hours.
Take your time when driving. They don't use salt on the roads, make sure you have good snow tires. The city and base are both pretty small - consider getting 4wd vehicles. Watch where you are driving - I once accidentally drove over the Chena River. I did fall through the ice at the golf course chena river bridge once (and was saved by a squad that was chasing me during training) - even if it is -60 the rivers can still have soft spots.
Consider it time to save your money while you are there. Be sure to visit Anchorage, Seward, etc. during the summer.
Do watch out for the locals. Generally speaking Alaska natives are a tough bunch - don't mess with them - they all carry guns and the bad ones can hurt you.
Take your time when driving. They don't use salt on the roads, make sure you have good snow tires. The city and base are both pretty small - consider getting 4wd vehicles. Watch where you are driving - I once accidentally drove over the Chena River. I did fall through the ice at the golf course chena river bridge once (and was saved by a squad that was chasing me during training) - even if it is -60 the rivers can still have soft spots.
Consider it time to save your money while you are there. Be sure to visit Anchorage, Seward, etc. during the summer.
Do watch out for the locals. Generally speaking Alaska natives are a tough bunch - don't mess with them - they all carry guns and the bad ones can hurt you.
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I'm sure you will get lots of advice about Alaska. I work in finance. We are part of the in-process when the SM arrives to post. My advice: 1. READ your ORDERS, do as they say. i.e.; do not enter into a lease, purchase a home, or make housing arrangements prior to arriving on post and reporting to housing.....or....travel not purchase via gov't contracting office will not be reimbursed....Just to cite a few.
2. If you have questions, go to the official Ft. Wainwright website. If you ca not find your question/answer there, call the listed number for the appropriate office and ask them. 3. defensetravel.dod.mil has everything you need to know about PCSing, entitlements, regulations, etc.
2. If you have questions, go to the official Ft. Wainwright website. If you ca not find your question/answer there, call the listed number for the appropriate office and ask them. 3. defensetravel.dod.mil has everything you need to know about PCSing, entitlements, regulations, etc.
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SSG (Join to see)
Seriously though, I'm originally from the northeast. "Cold" in Alabama is absolutely miserable compared to cold elsewhere. My aunt and uncle PCSed from Ft. Rucker to Ft. Wainwright and they loved it there. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say anything bad about it.
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İt's beautiful.The Northern Lights are awesome seeing them for the 1st time,the mountain ranges surround you,long days and long nights r a little tough 2 get used 2.But it's a great experience.
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