What are your thoughts on volunteering in Antarctica?

PO3 James Bobiney — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 09:35:20 -0400

I have been researching online to find out how to go about volunteering. I have gotten in contact with a Civil Engineer down there and he sent me a few links. I have also looked at other countries Antarctic programs. The Aussie station has volunteer positions, even for a brewer. Lol. Though idk if Americans can volunteer for their program. I would love to do the Traverse from McMurdo Station to the South Pole Station. The Traverse is a 1000 mile trip driving crawler tractors pulling huge sleds with fuel and supplies. Takes about a month or something like that. I would love to Winter over at the S Pole as well. All that is there in Winter are people who maintain the station pretty much. I have always wanted to go, and I'm going to shoot for it before I get any older. I don't care if it's in janitorial. I just want to deploy there for a tour. What are your thoughts and or advice for this pursuit?

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Mar 15 at 2017 9:49 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 09:49:07 -0400

I like the idea of volunteering, but it all depends on whether or not you can reasonably afford to either A.) take time off work or B.) spend long hours for what could be little reward. Don't get me wrong, I like volunteering, but I know that some people don't appreciate the time and effort you are taking out of your life to help out a cause.

If this is something that you want to do, then I would say go for it.

Response by LCpl Shane Couch made Mar 15 at 2017 9:56 AM

LCpl Shane Couch — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 09:56:59 -0400

I have also wanted to go there. If the opportunity ever arose, I think it would be an instant "Yes, I'll go." Especially if the time to go would get me away from the Texas summers.

If you can find your chance to go then go. I believe that I would be denied due to the fact that I am Diabetic and would most likely have too much risk of frost bite. But I would still go in a heartbeat.

Response by SGT David T. made Mar 15 at 2017 10:41 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:41:31 -0400

I would love to. I bet I could get some amazing astrophotography images If I went in the winter time. I haven't seen any positions for my agency there, so I doubt I'll ever get the opportunity.

Response by CPL Deanna Green (Parkinson) made Mar 15 at 2017 10:58 AM

CPL Deanna Green (Parkinson) — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:58:33 -0400

Go for it! Try http://www.volunteerhq.org they are one of the best with a variety of opportunities! Good luck!

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Response by MSgt James Mullis made Mar 15 at 2017 11:53 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 11:53:20 -0400

Eight or nine years ago I seriously considered applying as a Safety Officer at McMurdo Station and tried to get my wife who is a Family Medicine Doc to apply. Unfortunately, she hated the idea of being the only Doc on the Continent and not being able to readily transport sick patients off the base. So she refused and the dream was over. PO3 James Bobiney - I think your disability might prevent your being accepted as either an employee or volunteer. If you just want to make it to the antarctic as a tourist, there are several travel agencies that set up antarctic adventures. Quark Expeditions seems to have the best prices, although they are still very expensive ($500 to $1000 a day).

https://www.quarkexpeditions.com/en

Quark Expeditions

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 15 at 2017 12:01 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 12:01:58 -0400

I made 3 deployments there. So for whatever you think it is, it will be very different. USARP has contracted all that stuff out, so most US positions are low pay. The physical is tougher because it costs a bunch to get you out of there, especially in winter. There's more "community" at McMurdo vs. Pole. That said, it was the best job I ever had as an O-1/2. I would fly in during the Winter (C-130 skis) to build the Sea-Ice Runway. Once main body arrived, I was frequently doing traverses, laying out routes for heavy sleds and so Hueys could follow the flagged bread crumbs back to town in low vis. I was also Blasting Officer and Surface SAR. Pole station is very different now when I was there. More robust and comfortable facility. My take is a lot of the uniqueness that's out there is only experienced if you have an outside vs. inside job. If you work inside, the opportunities to get out are somewhat limited as everything costs. BTW, the crystal ball at the SP isn't the original. The Seabees "acquired" a bowling ball, dipped it in ceramic and chrome plated it. Used to have the plywood box labeled "Antarctic Crystal Ball Service". Left it for my relief.

Time stands still down there. If you are allowed to peek inside Scott's Discovery Hut, you'll be in a time warp back to seconds after they left. Like every place else in the world, there's a unique smell which is timeless too. There're 3 type of people down there. One and done types who have a short job to do or become dismayed and won't renew their contract. Middies who do it 2-4 seasons. Finally there are those who renew their contracts as they love the lifestyle. It can be much simpler there. Some of the long termers get entitlement syndrome, hence can be a problem.

BTW, outside jobs are very strenuous and you'll find that those tend to be "only younger ones need apply". There's no way I could do the job I had when I was 21-23 there now. I'm unqualified.

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 15 at 2017 12:02 PM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 12:02:34 -0400

If the Pay is good, No Problem... I would never, Now, volunteer for a hardship assignment in a really damn Cold Location with a short life expectancy in an emergency or Crisis...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2017 12:54 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 12:54:50 -0400

Bragging rights, and that obscure Antarctica medal. That's about it I suppose. Guys are sitting around drinking and you have, "Oh yeah, well I froze my ass off in Antarctica!"

Though I imagine the things you would see and after all is said and done, it would probably be worth it. If offered I don't think I would pass the experience up.

Response by COL John McClellan made Mar 15 at 2017 4:28 PM

COL John McClellan — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 16:28:16 -0400

Not to... but go for it if that's your passion!

Response by Cpl Joshua Caldwell made Mar 15 at 2017 5:24 PM

Cpl Joshua Caldwell — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 17:24:38 -0400

really cool idea but my wife would have a stroke if i brought that one up. Stay safe and have fun.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2017 6:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 18:09:38 -0400

My thoughts? Dress warm.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 16 at 2017 12:14 AM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 00:14:23 -0400

It is cold? But, what a once in lifetime opportunity.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 16 at 2017 4:05 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 16:05:57 -0400

Sounds like something I might like to do! I've been hankering to do it ever since I saw the Antarctica service medal, but I don't think I'll manage it before I get out. My wife and I are wanting to do some traveling, so maybe we can make Antarctica happen.

Response by SSG(P) Brian Kliesen made Jan 14 at 2018 10:36 AM

SSG(P) Brian Kliesen — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 10:36:42 -0500

https://www.leidos.com/antarctic-support-contract
This is the link to the civilian side of the house for the US Antarctic Program. If you are interested in being a worker on the continent. I spent seven seasons on the ice and it was the best job I've ever had. On the military side, you have to be affiliated with the USAF C-17's, LC-130's out of the NYANG, or find one of only a few slots at Operation Deep Freeze. The military footprint on the ice is very small compared to what it once was. Another avenue would be to go as a researcher, but would require affiliation with a university or organization that is sponsoring a project there. The last way is to go down as a tourist or work for one of the few operators that take tourists to the Antarctic.

antarctic-support-contract

Response by SSG(P) Brian Kliesen made Feb 6 at 2018 11:55 PM

SSG(P) Brian Kliesen — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 23:55:56 -0500

https://www.leidos.com/antarctic-support-contract
This is the link to find work on the ice working for the principal contractor. The traverse and other field projects tend to be very picky on who they take with them and it usually goes to others who have spent time there in other jobs. There are no volunteer positions with the US Antarctic Program. You might also try to work with one of the many science projects that do research there, through a local university, but again, those positions usually go to grad students who are doing the actual research. But being a general assistant at Pole or McMurdo are totally doable through the civilian contractor.

antarctic-support-contract