What is it like being stationed in Alaska, and what should I expect?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 20:35:50 -0400

Getting stationed in Alaska just curious to see what it's like what to expect ?

Response by MSG Frederick Otero made Mar 24 at 2017 10:05 PM

MSG Frederick Otero — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 22:05:32 -0400

I spent six months testing military equipment also attended winter warfare as part of the 101st and can tell you that Alaska is still a frontier and that it will take some getting use to. The training in winter is rough and one has to to learn lessons of survival not only during military operations but during your off duty hours. The terrain and weather can be brutal. You will gain weight as the need for increased calories are a must in winter, in short one of the most beautiful and dangerous places i have ever served in. I will caution that at temps. below zero it is not place for a hangover. I was told you can still pan for gold. the two visits were during the winter. No idea what the rest of the seasons are like. Good luck with your assignment.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 25 at 2017 12:14 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 00:14:27 -0400

Second and third best assignment I ever had with the first been Fort Ord California on the Monterey Peninsula
Second-best assignment Fairbanks Alaska third best assignment Anchorage Alaska

I spent five years up there back to back three consecutive assignments in different units and both major army installations

Wife two dogs two small boys at the time and everybody loved it and we actually considered going back to retire but at the time it was just too far away from family and friends so we changed our mind

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2017 12:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 00:52:52 -0400

First duty station. It is what you make it. Not a whole hell of a lot to do off post, but if you're into the outdoors thing you're in luck. Cold, dark winters and warm, 24 hour sun summers. This year makes 4 years here for me. I like it. Married with a dog. Live off post.

Response by SFC Donald Neal made Mar 25 at 2017 4:36 PM

SFC Donald Neal — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 16:36:06 -0400

Best duty station ever! I was at Fort Wainwright for 3 years, and returned to the state once I retired out of Fort Drum. It is rugged up here, but you are in charge of your destiny. It's not all brawn, but a thinking assignment. You need to be smart on and off duty. Fairbanks is a small city and the metro area around it aren't too bad. Anchorage is a lot larger (population ~300,000) and offers all the amenities of most cities. Fort Greely is next to Delta Junction and is fairly remote, but it's only 1 1/2 hours from Fairbanks by road; so it's not the end of the world.

Like the other comments about the environment, the constantly changing amount of light or darkness depending on the season, being OCONUS, and the cost of living; you have to do some research and know where to go and what to do on your off time. There are lists you can google for stuff to do, like a top 100 things to do in Alaska thing with the gold panning, salmon fishing, kayaking, and all that. The bulk of the state is very pro military and many businesses offer discounts and openly show their support of the Armed Forces, which is pretty good considering other places.

If your unit assigns a sponsor prior to coming up, they should be able to answer many questions that you may have prior to arrival. My sponsor sent me some info and a fellow soldier gave me a copy of the Milepost, since I was driving up the ALCAN highway. It was a great reference and also helped stoke the dreams of different things and places I wanted to check out here and along the way. if you do drive, go through your vehicle and ensure it is ready for the trip, because it's a long distance and depending on the time of year very remote.

Response by SPC Don Wynn made Mar 27 at 2017 11:59 AM

SPC Don Wynn — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 11:59:30 -0400

If you're at Richards, it's a great place! Anchorage is very close, 1/2 hour by base bus. Been a while since I was there, but from what I've heard it has only gotten better. Weather is the main issue, as you might expect, especially winter. If you're going to be living on base, probably best not to drive up or get a car. The base is compact enough that getting to locations are easy to get to walking or using base bus. Winters are brutal on cars. Even WI winters won't prepare you! Flatlander myself and I was somewhat overwhelmed! Snowfall can be measured in feet! Summers, with the long hours of daylight, are really good. It's weird that at 2400 hours it's like 1900 here.
Be prepared for the daylight differences - summer you get 20 hours of sun, where the sun never truly sets. Winter, you get 4 hours, where the sun rises and sets FAST!
If you like outdoors activities, no better assignment, anywhere. All year long there are things to do. And the leadership, at least when I was there, attempts to have troops engaged with the area. There is an actual glacier nearby that we trained on, extensively. I was 11B/C, so we did a lot within that area. And there are activities scheduled for civilians as well, so even if you're not combat arms, you can do stuff on and around the glacier. Elemendorf, being one of the largest airbases, has fantastic amenities, so go there also. If you embrace the area, it can be a great assignment.

Response by MSgt Robert DiFilippo made Apr 8 at 2017 10:24 AM

MSgt Robert DiFilippo — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 10:24:56 -0400

I really enjoyed my assignment to Elmendorf AFB AK.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2017 2:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 14:21:51 -0400

Loved it there! Was there 2012-2015, deployed once while stationed there. At Fort Dum now, just reenlisted to get Wainwright again, headed back 2018! You'll love it. The COLA and BAH alone are good enough to be there, but the beautiful scenery makes you want to never leave!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2017 7:08 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 19:08:15 -0400

SPC Miller, It was the best 6 years of my life. I spent more time fishing and hunting in AK then I have in my life. The winter in Fairbanks is very cold -40. But you can still have fun. My wife, kids, and I all 4 wheelers and snow machines. Don't just stay in the house. Get out and see AK. Have fun.