Does anyone know ANYTHING about this place? :nutts Looks like DF volunteered to go, and I've never lived anywhere other than Texas. :worried I need any and all information anyone has about Ft. Wainwright. Anyone stationed there now? I'm just wanting to know what it's like (does it kinda suck or not so much?), what's there to do, weather, etc. Oh and another thing, does anyone know... if someone in AIT volunteers to go somewhere for their first duty station, will they be sent there for sure? Is there a way to get out of volunteering? Just wondering. :thinking Thanks to anyone who has any info!

Well we're in Alaska. I've never been to Ft. Wainwright, but I have been to Fairbanks. Which is the main city it's located near. Um yea it's very cold there in the winter, not going to lie. The summers are very nice there. Fairbanks doesn't have a lot, but it's livable especially if you're there with the one you love.
As far as getting out of volunteering and all, I'll have to ask the hubs and get back to you.

Well we're in Alaska. I've never been to Ft. Wainwright, but I have been to Fairbanks. Which is the main city it's located near. Um yea it's very cold there in the winter, not going to lie. The summers are very nice there. Fairbanks doesn't have a lot, but it's livable especially if you're there with the one you love.
As far as getting out of volunteering and all, I'll have to ask the hubs and get back to you.

Thank you so much. It'd be really helpful if you could find out about the volunteering thing! :D However, I am NOT happy about being in a small town or reallyyyyy cold. :no I've always lived in Texas and it NEVER get's below 35! Haha. And I've always been a big city girl. I guess it's something to get used to! :sigh

Oh honey, 35 in the winter would be a HOT day! But if you do end up living there the key is get to know people. Socializing gets you through the freezing cold winters. And blockbuster!:D But you bet, the next time I talk to my husband I'll ask him.

From what I understand, hun, (my husband is in AIT) they can volunteer all they want, but the Army is still going to send them where they're needed(ie usually NOT where they "volunteered" to go).

I hope that helps!

From what I understand, hun, (my husband is in AIT) they can volunteer all they want, but the Army is still going to send them where they're needed(ie usually NOT where they "volunteered" to go).

I hope that helps!

That's exactly what my husband said. :thumbsup:yes

Best of luck Kiki!

Kiki
hon your in luck my brother in law is there now & my sister in law is heading there mid oct.. . and YES it gets COLD ther my DH lived there as a kid ....

That's exactly what my husband said. :thumbsup:yes

Best of luck Kiki!

Thank you! I've decided that no matter where my sweetie goes, I'll BE THERE! (L) Haha.

I lived in Fairbanks. Well my in laws and husband are from there. I spent 6 months up there. In the winter I can personally tell you I have seen the temperature drop to -55. In the summer time it can get up to 70-80 degrees.
It's gorgous. But don't expect to be able to do much. They are starting to grow. But there is a walmart, chili's, joanne's, micheal's. So it's an area that's developing but there isn't much to do up there.

Don't expect to see a large mall that you are used too. The economy is slightly higher up there since things need to be shipped or barged up there.

You will need to weatherize your vechicle also.

As for Ft. Wainwright it's self. It's a large base. And it can be confusing to get around. During the winter they have a ski hill and a tubing hill. where you can go tubing it's really fun. But you need your winter gear on to be able to survive the cool temperatures. There are a lot of outdoor things to do. Seeing wild life is awesome. And the mountain ranges they never seem to end.

If you want more info message me. I love alaska so much and can't wait to go back.. I miss it

I lived in Fairbanks. Well my in laws and husband are from there. I spent 6 months up there. In the winter I can personally tell you I have seen the temperature drop to -55. In the summer time it can get up to 70-80 degrees.
It's gorgous. But don't expect to be able to do much. They are starting to grow. But there is a walmart, chili's, joanne's, micheal's. So it's an area that's developing but there isn't much to do up there.

Don't expect to see a large mall that you are used too. The economy is slightly higher up there since things need to be shipped or barged up there.

You will need to weatherize your vechicle also.

As for Ft. Wainwright it's self. It's a large base. And it can be confusing to get around. During the winter they have a ski hill and a tubing hill. where you can go tubing it's really fun. But you need your winter gear on to be able to survive the cool temperatures. There are a lot of outdoor things to do. Seeing wild life is awesome. And the mountain ranges they never seem to end.

If you want more info message me. I love alaska so much and can't wait to go back.. I miss it

Great information! Thank you so much. I need someone a little experienced! Haha. We're still not sure where he's going to end up, but I'm trying to be as prepared for this as possible...doing my research and all, you know? Thank you so much and I'll definently being getting back to you if I have any more questions! :)

I have lived in Alaska (Ft. Wainwright) twice and I love it more than anywhere I have ever lived. Let's just get the obvious out of the way, yes, it gets cold in the winter, but you know that, so it isn't going to be a surprise. Also, it is not going to be a huge metropolitan area, but it is thousands of miles from most large areas of civilization, so you won't be surprised about that either. Once you accept the former and the latter, you are good to go. Experience Alaska for what it is: beautiful, grand, dangerous and plentiful. There is nothing like standing in Fairbanks and seeing mountains that are 200 miles away in the Brookes Range look like they are right in front of you because there is no pollution blocking your view. There is nothing like standing underneath the Aurora Borealis and watching that unearthly movement, hearing a slight crackle and feeling an electric energy in the air. There is nothing like looking up in the sky and realizing that there aren't a few key stars in constellations, but thousands and thousands of other stars you've never seen because of light pollution. There is nothing like seeing moose, bears, wolves, salmon, beavers and other wild animals right in your backyard. And there is nothing like the combined experience you will pull away from your time in Alaska. It might not be NYC, but I am glad of it! It is still a beautiful and wild place and everyone should have the chance to experience it.

There is plenty of things to do to keep you busy, no matter what time of year it is. I played year-round soccer, outside (in the summer the sun never goes down so you can play at any time!!) and indoors. I snowboarded, figure skated and swam. There is also cross country skiing (GREAT cardio) and downhill skiing (not a fan personally). You can also sight see...Denali National Park is home to Mt. McKinley (or Denali as the natives call it, which means "Great One"), Anchorage and the sea port cities (where most the glaciers and Orcas and seals are). Right around Ft. Wainwright you have Alaskaland (which I think they changed the name to Pioneer Land) which has an AMAZING salmon bake in the summer (think salmon, halibut, sides and wonderful blueberry pie!). The University of Alaska Fairbanks is about 10-15 min from post and there are college sports there to watch as well as a wonderful museum. There is Cramer's Field where you can take walks along a nature path and see many animals as well as observe the migrant animals on their journey southward. There is Chena Hotsprings where you can go and take a soak in one of the natural thermal pools.

I could go on forever, and it is very apparent (I hope) how much I love this place. If you'd like to know anything else, please let me know!

-sam:)

PS
You are so lucky!! :)