What should I know about going to Alaska and being in the military?

2015-12-25T18:14:00-05:00

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2015 6:19 PM

2015-12-25T18:19:31-05:00

Well I'm in Fairbanks and its -30 today have good boots and winter clothes

Response by SSG Ron Douglass made Dec 25 at 2015 7:47 PM

2015-12-25T19:47:27-05:00

Having a 4x4 vehicle will serve you best. Also putting a block heater on your vehicle would be a good idea. Of course the obvious winter clothes and boots. Explore winter activities to do with your family or the winters will get really long. Hawaii is only 5 hours by plane, plan to visit before you leave Alaska. Embrace Alaska for all it has to offer, you will enjoy it better, and good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2015 7:50 PM

2015-12-25T19:50:47-05:00

Wainwright or rich?

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Dec 25 at 2015 7:52 PM

2015-12-25T19:52:36-05:00

Get engine block heaters for your vehicles.
Your first winter is going to SUCK. After that, 40 degrees will be a heatwave.
Housing has underwent a major reboot at JBER (Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson), I can't say about JBEW (Joint Base Eielson-Wainwright)
The drop zones aren't bad in Alaska. If you aren't Airborne, disregard.
Anchorage is the hub for just about everything in Alaska (Krispy Kreme will (FINALLY) be there in 2016). It's often called "Seattle North."
It's SNOWMACHINES not snowmobiles
The Saturday Market in downtown Anchorage is a MUST!
If you are going to do "murder runs", take battle buddy. (Murder runs are when you immediately leave work to go catch salmon during the late Summer-early Fall and don't come back to work until first formation. Not recommended unless you have that battle buddy.)
Moose are all over the place. DON'T SCREW WITH THE MOOSE!!
Everyone slips on the ice. Only the Cherries turn around to see who's looking at them
And finally...
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND SEE ALASKA!! It is beautiful and I wouldn't be surprised if you'll want to "throw your boots over the line" once you do.

Response by Sgt Joe LaBranche made Dec 25 at 2015 9:55 PM

2015-12-25T21:55:22-05:00

Eagles

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2015 10:31 PM

2015-12-25T22:31:42-05:00

Where are you going in Alaska? I grew up in Kenai, then was able to get stationed at FT Richardson later in my career. Wish I was back there now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2015 10:32 PM

2015-12-25T22:32:59-05:00

Get in involved in outdoors, we loved camping and 4-wheeling up there. The fishing and hunting is amazing. Lots of military never leave or end up going back to live.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 25 at 2015 10:45 PM

2015-12-25T22:45:36-05:00

You'll learn how to layer up. Talk about Gorgeous in a Stark Cold Way.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2015 11:22 PM

2015-12-25T23:22:12-05:00

Prepare for cold weather training

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Dec 26 at 2015 2:20 AM

2015-12-26T02:20:06-05:00

After checking you MOS, SGT Private RallyPoint Member, I would guess that you'd be going to Ft. Wainwright. If so, be prepared that it is a small city. You do have a Walmart and a few grocery stores, but it only takes about 15 minutes to get from one end of town to the other. You can get almost anything that you get in, "the lower 48" (get used to that term), but you will be paying more than elsewhere in the US. The same goes for gas.

The winters are cold and snowy, you will have a few days each winter when it will hit -30F. and if you are really "lucky" you'll see a couple of days at -40F, or below. The summers are mostly beautiful !! It's a great time to get out and enjoy the unspoiled beauty that Alaska has to offer outside the city. There are lakes and rivers for fishing, or panning gold (if you want to try your luck), and you can find some of the best hunting in the world up here. There is certainly plenty of wildlife. However, beware of the "unofficial state bird", in the spring and summer (the mosquito.....and there are LOTS of them !!). I attached a link to the Denali State Park....it's about three and a half hours from Fairbanks, but well worth the drive !!

In short the area is mostly quiet, the land is very hard but very beautiful, and if this is your destination you'll find plenty of Army and Air Force, as well as retired, and Vets around here. The people are mostly very friendly, and there are also plenty of places to go to have a good time. Best of luck to you !!

http://www.denalitouchofwildernessbb.com/denali-alaska-area-attractions.htm

Things To Do in Denali National Park and Things To Do in Healy Alaska

Denali National Park and Preserve is six million acres of wild land from which North America's tallest peak, Denali, rises to a height of 20,320 feet above sea level.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 4:32 AM

2015-12-26T04:32:39-05:00

The only way to truly experience Alaska is through the outdoors. The state is immensely beautiful and extremely fun if you so choose to experience it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 12:18 PM

2015-12-26T12:18:25-05:00

Depends on where you go? I was in Ft Greely, Alaska and it was in the middle of no where but Ft Richardson and Ft Wainright were bigger bases and cities to be at. Make sure you have aluminum foil to place on your windows so you can sleep at night during the summer when it is 23 hours daylight. Make sure you have a good fishing pole, the outdoors is great! And dress warm, bring all your winter clothes that you never wear before, you will need them here. The first time I landed I could not breathe at first, it was to cold!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 26 at 2015 12:39 PM

2015-12-26T12:39:10-05:00

Agree with all those who say get outdoors, especially in the summer. Fishing is great. If you do wind up in "Los Anchorage":

1. The Double Muskee Inn down Turnagin Arm has a great New York Peppersteak that hangs off the ends of your oval plate.

2. Best place in the world to people watch is the Anchorage airport baggage claim area. You'll see everything.

3. Get into Anchorage for the Fur Rhondy in FEB. Like many other things, you won't find them elsewhere in the world.

Great place to get real Mukluks. My wife has badger and mine are wolf. 30 years later and they're still going strong.

DO NOT get sideways with the variable alcohol laws. Some places are dry, some wet, and some seem to switch every few years.

Learn Alaskan history by going to every museum you can dig up. Also check out the Native Alaskan culture. There're aspects that will put you in a better frame of mind.

Enjoy!!!

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 1:04 PM

2015-12-26T13:04:36-05:00

I've never been but have worked with 5 guys that were stationed Fairbanks and Wainright respectively and all of them concludes that Alaska is a "Slow Paced State/ military and civilians alike". Restaurants and everything is slow so if you are from fast pace region of the State, leave that mentality before you arrive. Plenty of outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Pizza is very expensive since they have to ship it from the States to Alaska but seafood is cheap down there like all you can eat crab legs for $7. If you are into skydiving they have Sky Sports in Anchorage.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 26 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-12-26T13:40:16-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member It's a little known fact that more people are injured or killed by moose every year in Alaska, than by bear. So SSG Michael Hartsfield is entirely correct. Be wary of bears, but they're, for the most part, predictable in how they're going to behave in a given encounter. Moose are decidedly NOT. No rhyme or reason. And they weigh up to 2000 pounds. They're fast. Stong. And MEAN. Stay far away from them, and make sure your kids know, too.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 26 at 2015 1:42 PM

2015-12-26T13:42:30-05:00

The importance of foul weather gear and long days and short nights, then the reverse sans the foul weather gear. Don't know how it is today, but when I was there, it was as near to the wild west of old as you can get. However, Japan and Okinawa are much different from my early days also.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 26 at 2015 2:14 PM

2015-12-26T14:14:14-05:00

No matter where you are stationed or where you go in Alaska, CARRY SURVIVAL GEAR. To many die by not being prepared. Heck people die leaving the gym and have a car breakdown then think they can make it home at 30 below.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 10:27 PM

2015-12-26T22:27:16-05:00

Are you going to Anchorage or Fairbanks? Are you driving to AK? What type of unit?

Response by MAJ Christopher Daily made Dec 26 at 2015 11:18 PM

2015-12-26T23:18:31-05:00

Alaska is a great assignment! I am on my second tour here. Your question would be answered better if we knew exactly where, so I will say a little about everything. (I am assuming you are going to Wainwright as it is posted in our group)

Anchorage is great if your going to JBER. Winters are cold enough but not too cold compared to Greely and Wainwright in the interior. There are all of the local amenities there for the family shopping and eating out. There is a great amount of hiking, fishing, and sightseeing near by. The place is downsizing a bit though, military wise. No big secret there. The summers are great there. You wouldn't be too far from Seward and other attractions.

Fairbanks, FT Wainwright, is cold. But the summers have awesome weather comparable to Virginia. So it will be about 85..... all day long.........even at 0300. The people are great here if you choose to make some friends out in the community. Many are odd but good people! We have a small population of 'Slednecks" here. There is a lot of hiking, fishing, and outdoor activities here, but we are a few hours from the Alaska range and Denali. Shopping is alright, but if you want to eat out there are only local restaurants, no chain sit down places. We do have the usual fast food places. That isn't a bad thing in most cases.

Fort Greely is small, Cold, Windy, and has a small population. But the view is amazing as you are right at the mountains! There are few base amenities but you would only be about 2 hours from Ft Wainwright. Seriously it is windy and cold......and you are outnumbered by the moose.

As far as training, no matter where you go we have good training areas and lots of ranges.

So "What should I know about going to Alaska and being in the military?".... Bring your family, have fun, train hard, and know that you can always go to another assignment in a few years and be able to say that you lived where many saved for years to vacation once in their life.

Like Gump said, that's all I have to say about that.

Message me if you have any specific questions, I love to help new people find their way around the process of coming here and can answer a lot of your other questions.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 11:21 PM

2015-12-26T23:21:37-05:00

I just came from there. Did 3 years. Fairbanks is a very small town, not much to do really. Hope you're an outdoors kinda guy. If you have a car, make sure it gets "winterized". Stay away from the bars off post, nothing good comes from there. Stabbings and shootings. Also, check out Denali and Anchorage!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 11:37 AM

2015-12-27T11:37:16-05:00

Its cold. Dark all the time. We really don't conduct a lot of training during the winter. Summer in Alaska is amazing though.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Dec 27 at 2015 8:47 PM

2015-12-27T20:47:57-05:00

I arrived to Alaska in OCT 2008. I will retire here in February.
Enjoy the outdoors both Winter and Summer (the only two seasons here). For that you need good winter gear. It is an awesome way of living.
Outdoor recreation has great programs for cheap.
The month of July is sacred. No work all fishing!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 10:51 PM

2015-12-27T22:51:22-05:00

That your life is about to suck, the leadership at wainwright was awful when I was there and it's always cold and dark. Look forward to spending the whole winter in the field doing tent drills and recovery drills.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 5:39 AM

2015-12-28T05:39:45-05:00

Buy civilian cold weather gear in the mainland or lower 48. Buying cold weather gear in AK is very expensive. The same goes with preparing your vehicle with an engine block heater. If you have family there is going to be a period of adjustment to either season ( always dark in winter/always light in the summer). Whatever you do, get the family and you involved in outdoor activities which will help assimilate better.

Response by SSG Sean Knudsen made Dec 28 at 2015 9:32 AM

2015-12-28T09:32:18-05:00

Embrace the suck factor when the arctic cold rolls in, when the Pacific heat rolls in, when the unofficial state bird infests nearly every acre of the last frontier and last but not least, the 20 plus hours of darkness during the winters and 20 plus hrs of daylight in the summers. In Alaska, you always will be at the bottom of the food chain.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 10:01 AM

2015-12-28T10:01:06-05:00

idk much but sounds like you may need to put on an extra layer of clothing lol

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Dec 28 at 2015 10:48 AM

2015-12-28T10:48:52-05:00

Don't touch metal with your bare hands in the winter (includes gas pumps).

On a side note, when/where are you going? I have a 3 bedroom / 2 bath condo opening up for rent near Ft. Wainwright soon.

Response by MAJ Jeannine Hinman made Dec 28 at 2015 3:58 PM

2015-12-28T15:58:29-05:00

Get your family the best, warmest coats you can, and make sure they at least cover their bums, (even if it's not as flattering as the shorter length.) Buy tons of hand/foot warmers and bring them in your car, along with a coffee can, and candles and matches/firestarters. You don't want to get stuck in the snow unprepared for an overnight sleepover in your car. (Or 3). Wear no jeans except the flannel lined kind (LL Bean!), b/c denim has almost no insulation value, and when wet, is actually dangerous to be wearing in the cold. More people die or lose limbs from exposure there, than is generally known. And if you want to experience the outdoors, safely, and you have kids, make sure they take a gun safety class. The winters are way too long for most people, so you have to either buy some pricey toys (a snowmachine -also known as a snow mobile-- was key for us) OR plan a trip in mid-late January to go somewhere sunny. Sign up for the Alaskan dividend fund as soon as you are eligible. It helps. Good luck!

Response by SFC Donald Neal made Dec 29 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-12-29T10:18:15-05:00

Be prepared to learn about living in the cold, and other environmental extremes not just at work but with your family on your off time. Learn from others, and ask questions. Everyone is a Cheechako (newbie) at some point. It was the best assignment I had during my career. You definitely learn the art of being a rugged professional. Running PT under the Northern Lights, at -20F is something you won't get anywhere else.

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Dec 29 at 2015 8:05 PM

2015-12-29T20:05:46-05:00

Spent a year and a half in an airborne infantry company there. Learned more about seriously cold weather than I ever thought I would. If you're a hunter or fisherman you'll be in paradise. I experienced -85 degrees there and let me tell you, it was cold. This was in the early 80s when we still used Korean War vintage cold weather gear.

Response by Cpl David E. Jenkins Jr. made Dec 31 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-12-31T11:00:37-05:00

Bundle up!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 4 at 2016 4:10 PM

2016-01-04T16:10:59-05:00

Just do it should be your motto. Sometimes it's dark and cold, but if you stay inside from Thanksgiving to Valentines Day you'll go crazy. Try all the winter sports. Go to Fur Rondi in Anchorage. Fish for salmon at least once.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Feb 20 at 2016 10:51 AM

2016-02-20T10:51:25-05:00

Bring a coat.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2016 9:19 AM

2016-07-12T09:19:12-04:00

OH my, I just can't resist.

You are going to Alaska because you are in the military and they say you are going.