What is the housing like at Fort Wainwright? Will I be able to survive with 2 small children?

2016-05-17T20:47:22-04:00

Thinking about PCSing here. Have many questions hopefully I can get some good answers before I make my final choice. What is the housing like and will I be able to survive with 2 small children?

Response by SFC Randy Purham made May 17 at 2016 8:49 PM

2016-05-17T20:49:41-04:00

You will love Alaska. I was in Anchorage. Only went to Wainwright once, suckered up there to me. But, the overall Alaskan experience is awesome. I have a buddy up there. If you go, I can connect you with him. He just retired.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 8:50 PM

2016-05-17T20:50:48-04:00

I just left Fort Wainiwright. It was amazing. Beautiful scenery, the housing was brand new. We were first put into an apartment style 2 bedroom with a basement, then was moved into a brand new built 3 bedroom with a "bonus room" over the heated garage. We have one child and he spent his first 22 months of life in Alaska. If I can, I'm going to try to pcs back there.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 8:53 PM

2016-05-17T20:53:03-04:00

If you like outdoors as well as your children you can do it. The day and night time is something you will have to get used to. If you're not used to negative 30 it will take a lot of getting used to. Make the best of it if you go. Snowboard, ski, fish, go hiking, paddle boarding. Endless possibilities. Hopefully you have a vehicle with 4x4, it comes in handy.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 9:38 PM

2016-05-17T21:38:39-04:00

I loved it! Spent 8 years at Fort Wainwright in the 172nd & 1-25th. They had to kick me out of Alaska!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 11:45 PM

2016-05-17T23:45:43-04:00

Most of the housing in Wainwright and JBER is fairly new and holds up to the weather. Winters have been mild the past few years but you can see -70F up there.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 11:52 PM

2016-05-17T23:52:03-04:00

I spent my 1st 3 years in the Army up there. I stayed in the apartment style housing, but it was just me and the wife. They were building all new housing in 2014 when I left. They are really nice. Make sure you take your kids to the North Pole to Santa's house. They have ice carving and reindeer. They have the state fair up there in August. A lot of outdoors stuff to do.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2016 7:02 AM

2016-05-18T07:02:28-04:00

Currently stationed at Fort Wainwright. Housing is constantly in a state of upgrading. Overall area outside of post is hit or miss. If your going to go off post make sure electric is included and stay away from dry cabins.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made May 18 at 2016 4:35 PM

2016-05-18T16:35:47-04:00

The housing is not bad. They did allot of updating since I was there. My first tour was 94-98 and the second was 07-10. The housing changed allot but it was nice. You would be very comfortable with your children there. Good luck and have fun.

Response by PFC Kevin Knapp made May 18 at 2016 10:25 PM

2016-05-18T22:25:46-04:00

Whats your MOS? If you're 11B, your thoughts are going to be split between "this place is beautiful" and "this place is nothing but freezing agony".

Its been 27 years almost since I left Ft. Wainwright as 11B, but I still dream about it and time does dull the cold memories a bit. I hope to get back someday.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 19 at 2016 2:36 PM

2016-05-19T14:36:44-04:00

Of course!