What is Fort Irwin like?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 18:18:05 -0400

As a 92F this will be my 2nd duty station and I'm just looking for a few pointers about this area? Housing, shopping, etc?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 6:20 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 18:20:07 -0400

The post and particularly the Housing is top-notch. It is a long, long way to Barstow, though if you want anything not found in the Commissary/ PX. It is almost like an OCONUS base. Very isolated. But a drive to Las Vegas, Palm Springs, or LA is not too bad for a weekend.

There is an outlet mall in Barstow with a lot of good stuff in it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 7 at 2015 6:20 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 07 May 2015 18:20:10 -0400

400,000 acres of desert and mountains in the training area.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 7 at 2015 6:31 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 07 May 2015 18:31:43 -0400

Hot, dusty, brown and in the middle of nowhere.... ;o)

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 7 at 2015 6:33 PM

SFC Joseph James — Thu, 07 May 2015 18:33:07 -0400

Get ready for the suck! Cause the "suck train" is heading your way! Choo Choo!

Response by SFC Charles S. made May 7 at 2015 6:42 PM

SFC Charles S. — Thu, 07 May 2015 18:42:38 -0400

Desert...and more desert.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 6:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 18:47:41 -0400

Well I haven't been stationed there but have done 8 rotations out there (6 OPFOR, 1 BLUFOR, and 1OC). I actually liked it there and wished I could have gotten stationed there.

But then again I am a glutten for punishment at times....

Response by SGT Richard H. made May 7 at 2015 7:12 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 07 May 2015 19:12:30 -0400

Kinda like hell...but dusty.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made May 7 at 2015 9:20 PM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Thu, 07 May 2015 21:20:41 -0400

I'm so sorry for you, but make the best of it

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 7 at 2015 9:25 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 07 May 2015 21:25:43 -0400

Keep the registration on your car current from the state you are already in unless you want to face CA emissions, that is if your vehicle is up to CA standards.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 10:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 22:33:34 -0400

Left arm pit of hell.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made May 9 at 2015 8:29 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Sat, 09 May 2015 20:29:05 -0400

Windy, dusty. Miles from no where

Response by SPC Angel Guma made May 9 at 2015 8:29 PM

SPC Angel Guma — Sat, 09 May 2015 20:29:09 -0400

Remember Gotham city from Batman? Dark, cold, and scary. Jk

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made May 9 at 2015 8:36 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Sat, 09 May 2015 20:36:53 -0400

Do you have a nice car? I ask because I had a mustang that I was still finding sand in years later. It get in EVERYTHING!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 9:01 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 May 2015 21:01:18 -0400

It's in the middle of nowhere but in the middle of everything. Like Big bear, Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Anaheim or San Francisco. You will have a locked training schedule posted for the Fiscal Year. Just completed 8 months and 16 months to go. "Train the Force"

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 9 at 2015 9:38 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 09 May 2015 21:38:49 -0400

A terrible place to use a lensatic compass for navigation. Rolling small undulations of the ground for klics and klics.

Response by MAJ Haris Balcinovic made May 9 at 2015 9:57 PM

MAJ Haris Balcinovic — Sat, 09 May 2015 21:57:42 -0400

Had to do a recovery mission for a D7 bulldozer weighing in at 32,000 pounds, that slid off the side of an M870 trailer on a side of a mountain. One of the dozer rippers punched through the trailer's decking and that was about the only thing preventing it from rolling over - fun times.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2015 7:19 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 07:19:30 -0400

Hi, Latasha, I responded to De Mino's question about Fort Irwin on his page across cyber space >>>> My response to his question might apply to you too. Check it out. I feel like a cheese ball just cutting and pasting my response here.

I might also add that the Santa Cruz area is on the coast and far enough away from the So Cal hum drum that it could offer you a nice break from life on Irwin. The boardwalk is filled with gigantic ocean rats though! But lighthouse point and some of the surrounding areas north and south of the boardwalk are quite nice.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2015 8:15 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 08:15:44 -0400

If you want to shop somewhere not on base, you have Barstow, CA as the nearest town (30 miles I believe). You also have Victorville, CA which is about an 1-1 1/2 hour drive away. Otherwise the base itself is pretty good, IMHO. I enjoyed my time there. The housing was pretty good too. You wont have much grass to mow. And if you are not much of a water drinker, start getting yourself into being a water drinker.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2015 9:00 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 09:00:55 -0400

Fort Irwin is the home of the 11th Cavalry and the National Training Center (NTC). From my (prior service army) experience with Fort Irwin ( NTC rotation with 2nd ACR )... it sucked. It is a hot and dry desert...just like Iraq. When I redeployed back to Fort Polk it took several showers just to get all the sand out of my 2000 parts. I was never so glad to be back at Fort Polk as I was after that rotation.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 26 at 2015 10:11 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 10:11:20 -0400

You will most likely not be in an aviation setting. Most of the Aviation fuel duties are handled by contractors. They were doing some force restructuring when I retired so there may be some wiggle room in that.
NTC has rotations on an almost monthly basis. The schedule doesn't line up nice and neat like "rotation will start the second Thursday of each month".
Typically, the 916th will help the rotational unit with transporting equipment from Yermo into the staging area for the rotation. Contractors help the rotational unit with MILES (or whatever the new MILES is called), ammo draw, and pre-staged vehicles ect...
Once training begins there will often be live fire exercises and lane training in addition to the actual training in the box. Each stage will require fuel handlers to support troops on the move both on the good guy side and on the bad guy side.
I hope this helps.

Response by 1SG Alan Bailey made Jun 26 at 2015 10:28 AM

1SG Alan Bailey — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 10:28:01 -0400

I was stationed there for 4 years me and my family loved it. I agree with almost all the commits, but like any assignment it is what you make of it.

Response by MSG Marcel Guaring made Jun 26 at 2015 11:03 AM

MSG Marcel Guaring — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 11:03:49 -0400

Any Post or Duty Station you go to has similar perks and quirks. It is what you make of it.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 26 at 2015 11:08 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 11:08:17 -0400

Was stationed at scenic Ft Irwin 1994-1998. The installation and housing have grown significantly. What has not changed is the following:
- Ft Irwin is 35 miles away from the edge of Barstow CA. There is one two-way road in and out. 80 miles to the nearest "mall" in Victorville CA. You will become intimately familiar with Interstate 15. 3 hours to LA. 2.5-3 hrs to Las Vegas NV.
- Irwin is not like other posts where you roll out the gate and you are in "town" and housing tracts right there. 35 miles of nearly uninhabited desert. If you live in Barstow, on the Marine Base (Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow), or out further in Victorville-Hesperia, it is a deliberate named operation to go to work everyday. I have lived on post and in Barstow. Advantages and disadvantages to both. Heavily consider fuel costs in this decision. CA gas is pricey.
- Summer temperatures get into the 120s. Winter it gets cold. It has snowed and been 90 degrees in the same day. Wide swings in temp between day and night. Hydrate and PT like crazy now to brace for that heat.
- What unit you are assigned to makes a significant difference in how a typical duty day will be.
- If you are assigned to the 11th ACR (OPFOR), you will be down range 2-3 weeks a month and fall in on a rotational schedule. The monthly 4 day comp weekend is in there too. You will have block leave in the summer and in the winter. Leave outside of those periods is on a case by case basis. The good news is you can buy plane tickets a year out and save $$$.
- If you are assigned to the Operations Group you may or may not live in the field, but you could.
- If assigned to anywhere else on Fort Irwin, you will have a more conventional duty schedule.
- My advice, run don't walk to the 11th ACR. Allons! You will learn a lot.
- Shopping: there is an outlet mall in Linwood, on the other side of Barstow on the interstate. There is a huge commissary at Irwin and a tiny one at MCLB. There is a massive PX at Irwin. Nearest Walmart is in Barstow.
- Schools: There is elementary and middle schools on Irwin. High School is in Barstow. You may get tasked for bus monitoring duty at some point if you have a HS student.
- Dust: if you have allergies, better stock up on stuff for it. Dust is everywhere and gets in everything.
- Car: At some point, you will have a tumbleweed go down the side of your car. Cost of doing business. Your windshield and car finish will suffer. Lots of pitting. If this is a concern for you get a California dust mop for your car to wipe off dust. Wash and wax. Good tires will be essential as nearly all your driving will be highway driving.
- Lots to see and do in the area. Hit MWR ITT to check it out. Discounted tickets to Disneyland if you are into that. I loath Disney and would rather be on a patrol in Paktika Province getting shot at.
- The vastness of it will weird you out at first, especially if you are an East coast person. You get used to it. All distances are three times what you think they are by visual estimation. Check the map before moving dismounted ANYWHERE. Water, Water, Water, Map.
- Rain: the desert typically gets a few inches of rain a year....but it comes all at once. When it does rain it will come with the risk of flash floods. Upside, sleeping outside not a big deal.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2015 11:35 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 11:35:52 -0400

Was my first duty station and one of my favorites. Plenty of things to do on base when rotations aren't going. Downside is the travel to anywhere outside of Irwin.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jun 26 at 2015 11:31 PM

CPT Chris Loomis — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 23:31:47 -0400

I was going to reply only with the word, "HOT," but LTC Paul Labrador beat me to it! HAHAHA!

Seriously though, there are good and bad places in the high desert of San Bernardino County, CA (the county that Fort Irwin is in). The city of Barstow, CA is the city immediately off post. It's not of my taste. And directly west of Barstow is the city of Hinkley, CA made famous in the movie "Aaron Brockovich." Obviously, don't drink the water there. About 30-40 miles directly south you have the cities of Victorville and Apple Valley, CA. Again, there's good and bad areas. Neither of those cities are of my taste.

If you drive approximately 65 miles south of Fort Irwin, and "down the hill," you can find the cities of Rancho Cucamonga and Alta Loma, CA. I like those cities. The problem is that you cannot commute to and from those cities to the post as it's not uncommon for the Cajon Pass/I-15 freeway to be shut down in the winter. And, even in the other months it's a technical road to drive because of the weather conditions (ie, wind).

Housing in the high desert area is affordable. There is culture there. There's a community college and a state college. From Fort Irwin (as I drive) you're about 90 minutes from Las Vegas, NV.

Overall the high desert isn't too bad. I know several folks that live there. It's just my taste. I'm a bit more...cosmopolitan... And prefer the Los Angeles area (which is about 90 minutes from Fort Irwin).

However, Fort Irwin isn't too far of a drive from skiing in the winter, the ocean in the summer, and the forest in the spring.....

Hope it helps! And, welcome to California.

Response by SSG Aaron Rivera made Jun 26 at 2015 11:46 PM

SSG Aaron Rivera — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 23:46:22 -0400

It's a dust bowl out in the middle of nowhere the closest town is Barstow which is probably about 12 to 20 miles away it's the National Training Center for desert warfare and can find more information on it at mybase.com

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2015 1:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 13:33:19 -0400

Point blank: if you like training and learning, it's for you. If you are a shammer, you're out of luck; nothing but work out there.

This sanity of the soldiers there relies soley on the command, and or the support of the family. I was VERY relaxed with my subordinates because the climate needed my type of leadership. For that reason, I NEVER had issues with my soldiers. That's not to say you will be disappointed at your command. Right place right uniform covers alot, and go in with the mind set that you will work till 1800 or later everyday.

It gets VERY windy/cold, so pack right. Its gets Iraq (feel) hot, so pack right.

If you have more Questions, just DM. All in all, it's 40-50% what you make of it if you are single; WHOLE DIFFERENT ball game if you have dependents.

If single, be early, and when you have a chance, LEAVE IRWIN AND SEE CALI. Also, use the BOSS, it's awesome there, or can be.

If married, learn to communicate clearly about your schedule, if not, learn to walk away.... matter a fact..... Run, cool off, come back, apologize even if you were right. LEAVE IRWIN, even if it's just to laugh at the people in the Barstow Mall (Wal Mart).

Response by CW4 George Bailey made Jun 28 at 2015 6:52 PM

CW4 George Bailey — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 18:52:56 -0400

I was stationed there for 4 years. If you like Vegas it is 180 miles from there. LA is 120 to the south. You should be able to get housing there. Most homes are new. I enjoyed my time. Are you going to 11th ACR?

Response by SGM Jeff Bullard made Jul 5 at 2015 7:12 PM

SGM Jeff Bullard — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 19:12:47 -0400

You will most likely be assignedto11thACR. If you're married fortirwin has someof the nicest housing I've had. There are several areas to travel and see, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San deigo.

Response by 1SG David Lopez made Jul 5 at 2015 8:04 PM

1SG David Lopez — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 20:04:10 -0400

Did anybody mention HOT!!!! But on a serious note, Las Vegas is 150 miles away.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 7:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 07:43:45 -0400

Fort Irwin is where you can get a grasp on the tactical side of the house as a Fox Trot you will do various missions. You will role play you will do your job. You will have time to further your education. I was stationed there for 3 and half years I enjoyed it. I really appreciate what I was able to do there as a 92F. Be open minded and flexible.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 17 at 2017 9:15 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 09:15:43 -0400

Response by SPC Angela Bolster made May 18 at 2017 11:17 PM

SPC Angela Bolster — Thu, 18 May 2017 23:17:43 -0400

If Simba was asking his dad what was in the dark spot. He would tell his son to never go there. If it was a n MRE it would be the veggie omlet

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2019 3:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:46:17 -0500

Best duty station in my career which included, Europe, Korea, Hawaii and a host of stateside assignments and a couple of deployments. It’s isolated but to me that lent to the charm. No automotive congestion, at night you could see the stars. I was sent the first time and, I pleaded for a second assignment. First with the OPFOR (6/31st Inf) second with the MEDEVAC unit. Lot of field duty but lots of time off too. It was great !

Response by SGT Lonnie Woods made Oct 28 at 2020 11:39 AM

SGT Lonnie Woods — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 11:39:00 -0400

Housing isn't to bad they were always tearing down an rebuilding when I was stationed there twice 05-07 then 09-11

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 31 at 2021 5:17 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 31 May 2021 17:17:24 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Barstow used to have a ‘Foster Freeze’, the soft serve, ice cream place which fed my addiction for chocolate malts!