Posted on Jan 6, 2019
What is it like getting stationed at Ft. Wainwright as a new 68W?
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Just found out I'm getting stationed at Ft. Wainwright. I feel excited but at the same time really anxious, I plan on getting my pre-med degree through one of the universities at Fairbanks (only have a few units left, currently at 99 credits from my past university) then I'm applying to medschool to become a military physician) Any advice/ reactions/ experiences/ suggestions would be highly appreciated! and how long does one usually stay in a station?
Posted in these groups: 
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
Fort Wainwright
Education
OCONUS
Fairbanks
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic) Fort Wainwright Education OCONUS Fairbanks
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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Go to the Education center on post, they’ll square you away. You’ll be very cold, and if you’re coming here soon get ready for darkness. We do PT until -25 so it may take a bit but you will climatize. It also kind of depends which unit you go to. Alaska is a three year tenure, unless you put in a packet to do something else. Any specific questions?
SPC (Join to see)
Thank you! I get there this coming April. Do you know anything about HHC 1-5 INF 1/25 SBCT? Someone in my company wants to trade his orders of Ft. Lewis with mine because Alaska has always been his "dream" duty station, do you agree that Ft. WW is the best and if you do, why? also roughly how many duty hours do we get as new combat medics?
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I don’t know anything about the specific unit, I have a buddy who’s a medic in that unit, I can get with him for any specific questions about the unit. Personally I would go with Lewis myself because you’re gonna have more opportunities there, but WW certainly is experience, albeit not always pleasant. I’m not sure what you mean by duty hours but we’ve got a pretty decently high field tempo, the quality of training depends where you working specifically and who’s in charge, up here at least.SPC (Join to see)
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Like any new post, it is what you make it. It is very seasonal in what is available. Winter is from Oct to April then summer is May to September. If you are an out doors person this is the place to play. Cultural is a bit on the limited side but there is a symphony and several Play organization with many productions annually. Not much fall and spring as it is either break up for the rivers in the month of April and Snow on the ground between 1 and 15 October (usually). Depending on your unit, lots of things going on now. If you are in the brigade, the Surgeon is awesome in the support area of wanna be Docs. The key to living here is get out and get involved.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you so much MSG! Do you know anything about HHC 1-5 INF 1/25 SBCT? and do you think it would be smart to buy a used car once I get out of AIT to get to places in FBX or are the modes of transportation there pretty decent?
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CSM Charles Hayden
SPC (Join to see) Cars become expensive in harsh climates. FBX or NTC.
See if you can ‘learn’ to use Uber.
2 of my 4 grandchildren, ages 20 ish do not have cars!
See if you can ‘learn’ to use Uber.
2 of my 4 grandchildren, ages 20 ish do not have cars!
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MSG Andrew Whitish
SPC (Join to see) - They have "ok" bus service. You will be heading to the Bobcats. Wainwright is a small post and all the services and barracks are within walking to the PX/Mall and Bowling alley as well as the mess hall. As far as a car, you might want to hold off at first. Learn the phrase "Beater with a Heater!" lots of cars in the area that have been "upgraded" with winter heaters. It gets cold up here and you need to plug in your beater to keep it alive. It is -42F outside as of 9PM here this evening.
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I cant answer what it's like to do anything medical there, but I can tell you FBX is awesome. I lived there for 7 years. Plenty of hiking, fishing and hunting to be done. The North Pole has the Santa Clause house, which is cool to take kids to. Arctic Man kicks off every winter and it's a bunch of booze and snow machines.
Things to note, winters are long and average about 6 to 7 months. -40 hurts the skin within 2 minutes and the extremely short day light can be off putting. There isn't much for big stores I.E. no BestBuy or Target. Things are more expensive and rent is stupid high. Fresh produce is hard to come by unless it is grown local.
I really do recommend getting involved and exploring. There are a plethora of things to see in that state. Word of advice if you can live off base and you're single, get a room mate. You can make bank up there if someone helps with the rent.
Things to note, winters are long and average about 6 to 7 months. -40 hurts the skin within 2 minutes and the extremely short day light can be off putting. There isn't much for big stores I.E. no BestBuy or Target. Things are more expensive and rent is stupid high. Fresh produce is hard to come by unless it is grown local.
I really do recommend getting involved and exploring. There are a plethora of things to see in that state. Word of advice if you can live off base and you're single, get a room mate. You can make bank up there if someone helps with the rent.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you so much sergeant! that's awesome because I do love the outdoors. I don't think the cold will bother me all that much because I prepared a bunch of thermal wear /gear already and it's not like we'll be out in the field all day too. Can you please tell me more about the pros of living off base than on base though?
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SSgt William Parobek
SPC (Join to see) Sure. The quality of housing is mediocre. Obviously, the more you pay the better the place. But let me tell you, I knew an airman who had managed to keep 10K in his checking and 30K in savings at all times. It's really all about how you operate and how disciplined you are. Fairbanks is pretty large. Avoid South Cushman. What little "gang" violence there occurs largely around there.
If you want a definite pro, look at your BAH for the 99709 zip code. Groceries are expensive. Search for bargains. Commissary can be cheaper, but walmart or Fred Meyers can be at times too.
If you live off base be prepared to pay for heating fuel. That can be really expensive to have it delivered. Find a way to haul it, get a 55 gallon drum and fill it yourself monthly or every other month. Some smaller houses rely on wood to heat. Mostly those in North Pole or Cantwell.
A definite pro if you live out in North Pole is the wild life you see in your back yard. Had a massive bull moose 20 feet from my back door. Do NOT let your dogs out near a moose. A moose will stomp your dog until it is pudding. Also black bears and wolves sometimes appear. Needless to say, they are dangerous. I dont know how FTWW is,but living off base you can have as many guns as you like.
If you live in North Pole, the back gate on Badger rd usually isn't too bad.
Off base, there really isnt crap for trash services. You have to haul it to collection sites.
Really, living off base requires you to be more proactive about your living condition. Fairbanks is more modern then North Pole, but most military lives in North Pole. That's where I lived for my years there. Would move back if my wife would let me.
I almost forgot! You need to get your car winterized and pick up an arctic grade extension cord. Winterizing is a heating block in your engine, thermal pads on your oil pan and transmission and battery.
If you want a definite pro, look at your BAH for the 99709 zip code. Groceries are expensive. Search for bargains. Commissary can be cheaper, but walmart or Fred Meyers can be at times too.
If you live off base be prepared to pay for heating fuel. That can be really expensive to have it delivered. Find a way to haul it, get a 55 gallon drum and fill it yourself monthly or every other month. Some smaller houses rely on wood to heat. Mostly those in North Pole or Cantwell.
A definite pro if you live out in North Pole is the wild life you see in your back yard. Had a massive bull moose 20 feet from my back door. Do NOT let your dogs out near a moose. A moose will stomp your dog until it is pudding. Also black bears and wolves sometimes appear. Needless to say, they are dangerous. I dont know how FTWW is,but living off base you can have as many guns as you like.
If you live in North Pole, the back gate on Badger rd usually isn't too bad.
Off base, there really isnt crap for trash services. You have to haul it to collection sites.
Really, living off base requires you to be more proactive about your living condition. Fairbanks is more modern then North Pole, but most military lives in North Pole. That's where I lived for my years there. Would move back if my wife would let me.
I almost forgot! You need to get your car winterized and pick up an arctic grade extension cord. Winterizing is a heating block in your engine, thermal pads on your oil pan and transmission and battery.
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