How bad is the work, op-tempo, housing, etc., at Fort Wainwright?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:08:19 -0400

On assignment for Wainwright, Jan 20, 2021. How bad is it up there? I know about the cold, but as far as work, op-tempo, housing, etc. Any and all info appreciated. Anything I need to know?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2020 3:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:05:34 -0400

Winter majority of the year there. I honestly loved my experience there. A lot of sight seeing and nature is just beautiful.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2020 3:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:49:41 -0400

Alaska is beautiful. I lived in Fairbanks and housing is fairly cheap compared to Anchorage (JBER). Summer is short but beautiful. Winter is brutal, get yourself a healthy hobby to occupy your down time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2020 3:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:57:20 -0400

Current 1SG for C Co, 1-24 at Fort Wainwright. You are correct the winters are pretty bad up here about 7-8 months out of the year, but we do a lot of arctic training to prepare you and we also send NCOs to the Cold Weather Leader Course and the Northern Warfare Training Center to learn how to safely operate. Spring/Summer is awesome and the weather is great. Expect nearly zero daylight for about 3 months in the winter and zero darkness for about 3 months in the summer.

It is an austere assignment with minimal amenities both on post and in Fairbanks. Fairbanks is a relatively small town with the basic box stores; i.e. Wal-Mart, Fred Meyers, Lowes, Sportsmans Warehouse, but no Target. Restaurant options are minimal and only have basic fast food and a lot of small "mom and pop" establishments. Big Army has recently started dumping money into the base and are currently working on a lot of projects to improve the installation and living conditions. We have two small older gyms currently, with nearly brand new equipment. New temporary facilities will be constructed in the coming months for additional gym options until the hard structures can be built in the future. On post housing is pretty nice and I haven't received much complaint about them. Typical barracks. If you are an outdoor person who enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing or even just sight seeing you will love it up here. Overall it is not a terrible place, but it does need some improvements and I am glad the Army is working towards making things better here for the Soldiers and families.

You will receive COLA, and if married, a hefty BAH if you live off post. You will need to have your POVs winterized and I recommend getting a really good set of winter tires such as Bridgestone Blizzaks.

Expect to be in the field quite a bit, especially for the next year or so as the Brigade is currently deployed and returning back shortly. We train quite a bit up here and are slated for an NTC rotation in the summer of 2021 so we will be building up to execute that mission.

Just like any installation it is what you make of it and how much you are willing to get out of the barracks and try new things. Both professionally and personally you will learn a lot of new things as this environment is very challenging. One thing is for sure, is that you will always remember your time at Fort Wainwright!

Response by MAJ Tex Hall made Mar 21 at 2020 12:17 AM

MAJ Tex Hall — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 00:17:37 -0400

Check with your sponsor as soon as you can for the latest updates on prep for Alaska. It's awesome in Fairbanks even if it did get to -76 out in the field one time, lol. You get great clothing and your body adapts. Keep your mind open to enjoying the time there and you'll enjoy it. Yup, you'll train a lot in the winter. But the memories will be with you forever. I was there from '88 - '91 so things have really gotten amazingly better.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2020 1:49 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 01:49:26 -0400

I chose to live on post for financial reasons, but it was a lot of work getting moved out of an older housing unit into a newer one. OP tempo isn't bad, you spend a pretty balanced amount of time in and out of the field. Definitely ask questions of both military and locals. I've learned so much in the past year that I wish I knew when I first arrived.

Things can be pricey but use the financial resources the Army provides and get budgeting advice. I'm going to do so myself again, prior to my PCS to Carson shortly after I return. Feel free to message me if you want to know more, I'd be happy to help.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2020 3:10 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 03:10:24 -0400

Change your orders as soon as possible. Do not. And I really mean DO NOT go there.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2020 3:19 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 03:19:06 -0400

Come here as a 5 leave as a 4 or you commit suicide. It’s a bad place right now.

Response by SSG Gary Ciocco made Apr 13 at 2020 4:47 AM

SSG Gary Ciocco — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 04:47:42 -0400

You are asking the wrong guy, I left Wainwright in 1988.(Chinook Mechanic) Back then it was awesome. I was and always be a SUGARBEAR !

Response by SGM Jeff Bullard made Sep 15 at 2020 7:48 AM

SGM Jeff Bullard — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 07:48:51 -0400

You can go to the ACS facility and get information on Fort Wainwright. You can google, or Facebook pages. Once you find out your unit you can get a sponsor and look on Facebook, most units have Facebook pages. If you have physical copy of your orders and are married you can contact housing to get on the housing list.