Posted on Aug 23, 2020
SPC(P) James Baldwin
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I’m looking at trying to get stationed in Alaska just curious as to how it is there
Posted in these groups: Man and woman exercising Exercising183f0dc9 Alaska
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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Everyone I know who has been stationed at JBER loved it and wanted to return. Wainwright was about 50/50 on people who liked it.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
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If you get the opportunity gor an overseas assignment, take it. Period. Even Korea. Seeing new sights, new cultures, new people is one of those things that just makes life more interesting. Navy used to run ads "join the Navy, see the world." One of those unwritten benefits. Take advantage.
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SSG Dennis R.
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During my years, Alaska seemed to be the one place nobody complained about. Germany was about 50/50, Korea more like 20/80 favorable/unfavorable.
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Would anyone recommend to be stationed in Alaska?
SFC Marc W.
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I loved my time at JBER. It's like living in a post card. But you have to want to be outside, even in the winter. Winters you get about 4 hours of sun at solstice, in summer about 20. Anchorage had tons to do and see. I visited Wainwright once and it seemed less interesting, but if you're willing to travel and get out, it can still be fun.

I tell everyone that Alaska is a destination you need to see before you die; even better if you can get stationed there.
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SFC Marc W.
SFC Marc W.
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SPC(P) James Baldwin If you have further questions, email me here and I'd be happy to answer.
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CW4 Craig Urban
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Beautiful state. Cold in the winter but so is Fort Drum. Summer is great and not so hot.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CPT Lawrence Cable
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Probably snows more at Fort Drum.
My experience in Alaska was in the Aleutians or the mainland around the Gulf. Always seemed like it rained all the time in the summer, didn't spend the winter there.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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Lived in AK 4 yrs at Elmendorf AFB. My son has lived there over 25 years. Loved it. Best assignment of my 22 year career. Weather at Ft Rich much like Northern US states. Ft Wainwright is colder in winter and hotter in summer than Anchorage area. Army in AK goes to field all year long so cold weather war fighting skills are a must. Sports and recreation opportunities are plentiful. Beautiful scenery. Go!
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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Ft Greeley sucks big time.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
Lt Col Jim Coe
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Agree. I left Greeley out of my comment. It is the DoD cold weather test facility for a reason! Not my favorite place in AK. Miles, and miles, and miles from town of any size. Big attraction I recall is local Bison heard.
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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Lt Col Jim Coe - I spent 6 months there TDY, October - February. So cold you could spit and it would freeze before it hit the ground. Sunrise at 10 a.m. and Sunset at 3 p.m.
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MSgt Don VandeBogert
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7 years on 2 separate tours in the interior (Fairbanks AK, Eielson AFB). Loved it. Would have retired there.is I wasn't overruled by family. Ft. Wainwright is nice, but not as nice as JBER. -40° is actually pretty easy to get used to, but -20° is more common...that's almost t-shirt weather when a chinook wind blows through. Most folks that dislike the interior do so because its colder, farther from everything (no big chain restraunts, no mall although there is a "hall"), and aren't big year round fans of the outdoors. If you like outdoor activities and aren't afraid of the cold it's a great place to be assigned. If you need warmer weather, more "modern" amenities and a better selection of eateries Anchorage is better. I had Airman literally drive from Eielson AFB to Anchorage just to get Arbys or DQ. That's a 400 mile trip...one way.

Oh...and don't buy a new vehicle in AK if you get there. Pricey. You can get better deals in WA and drive one up for less $.

V/R
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SPC Anthony Jones
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I was stationed there.. Love it
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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SPC(P) James Baldwin Adak wasn't that bad although it is Closed Now.
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SPC(P) James Baldwin
SPC(P) James Baldwin
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Why is it closed do you know?
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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SPC(P) James Baldwin - Necessary during WWII against Japan, Necessary during the Cold War to Monitor Eastern Russia. Others determined that the Cold War is Over and No Need to Watch the Russian Pacific Fleet.
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SPC(P) James Baldwin
SPC(P) James Baldwin
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel from my understanding they are offering bonuses to be stationed there now
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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SPC(P) James Baldwin - Tempting, It Really is Beautiful.
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