Where are the best places to live around Fort Irwin? What is the day-to-day work life like?

2019-10-11T12:07:20-04:00

I am on tentative orders to Fort Irwin, would like to know where some good places to live are around the area. I can't live on base because of my dogs (restricted breeds) so I would have to live off post. would like to not have a 2 hour commute if possible.
Also I have been in Special Operations for the last 9 years so any insight on the day to day work life ( average pt/work call times, work hours, etc.) would be appreciated because I honestly dont know what to expect.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2019 12:30 PM

2019-10-11T12:30:17-04:00

The nearest town to base is Barstow. When I was there in the 90's, Barstow was a shithole. It may have improved since then. It's about a 20-30 mike commute one way. The next town is Victorville. But that's about 60 mikes away one way.

You will either be with Garrison, but chances are you will be sent to the 11th ACR. Work days vary from Troop to Troop, obviously. When I was last there, when on base PRT was 0600, work call was 0900 and COB was 1700. Again, things may have changed. It's gonna be hot hot hot in the summer, cold and windy in the winter....especially at night.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Oct 11 at 2019 12:55 PM

2019-10-11T12:55:21-04:00

Damn! That's going to suck because the nearest town is Barstow which is about 30-40 minutes away from the base...one way. You don't want to go all the way to Victorville, too far. I was there back in the early 90s when there was not much in Barstow so, I don't know how much it has improved.
Day to day work life at Fort Irwin? Well, it depends where you end up. I was assigned to Operations Groups in the Vulture Team or video team as other teams referred to us. Most of our work we did was around the rotation days (21 days). We were on the field constantly so, our work call was depending on what we had going on any given day. We conducted organized PT/PRT as a team few days prior to the start of rotations and then after. Sometimes we did PT as a section...when we could or if we had off.
Weather wise, uffff...hot as hell in the summer. Don't get fool because is desert because it gets cold too during the winter. But men, I can't believe they won't let your your pet on post/housing, that's going to suck big time. I did that for six months before getting into housing...I couldn't wait because it is a long drive from Barstow. Just be ready to work brother, and good luck to you!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2019 1:01 PM

2019-10-11T13:01:35-04:00

I’d find a place off post to watch my dogs or I’d get a Prius or similar vehicle. That is a long drive after a days work or 14 days on a rotation.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Oct 11 at 2019 2:12 PM

2019-10-11T14:12:12-04:00

Barstow.... Take a Google Street tour of the Town. Remember Deserts are beautiful but deadly. Respect Fort Irwin Road ... 31 miles of it 2 x a day. Make sure you vehicle is in good shape ..always carry phone.. water..etc.. I have spent many an hour waiting for wreckers to arrive. This road is the spookiest road I've ever drive. The dozens of crosses bear truth to it's testimony. Watch YouTube videos on Fort Irwin road.. SAFTEY always at Fort Irwin and the Desert. Read about the Desert and study it if you plan to explore. The crosses glow in the moonlight... you will see. Be safe.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2019 7:35 PM

2019-10-11T19:35:30-04:00

I was out as a guest OC rotation for my testing command and most people on I can concur with everyone on here. If you choose to live on post your family is screwed, this is the only post I have ever seen where there is jackS%^ for forty minutes (at 80+mph) around the post. The downside is with the rotation schedule you probably will only see your family for a couple of days during each month. I did work with an OC that had a pretty good plan...he kept an RV on post that he lived in while his family lived in Victorville when he visited once a month. I was there in 2017 and Barstow and Victorville were okay looking cities. Hope this helps and you have a good tour.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 11 at 2019 8:23 PM

2019-10-11T20:23:01-04:00

Recommend against living in “Paradise Valley” or lake front property overlooking Coyote Lake.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2019 3:25 PM

2019-10-13T15:25:23-04:00

Hour each way is as good as you can do. Turns into 2 hours each way when you add in time to drive from box to home and vice versa. Unless you go to black horse pt is on your own. Most airborne guys go to tarantula though. So that’s pt/accountability on Monday’s after 4 day weekends, and the rest is on your own. Work hours depend on your team.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2019 2:51 AM

2019-10-14T02:51:27-04:00

Sent you a message

Response by SPC Jonathan Schmidt made Oct 15 at 2019 10:50 PM

2019-10-15T22:50:39-04:00

You will be 50 miles from base to Barstow so its a good drive every morning and night. Good luck though. I left Irwin in 1986 so may have changed a little.