Could be moving to Alaska soon! (Sitka and, Kodiak: home, travel, art)

[FutureAmerican]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd post a quick intro to myself and why my wife & I may be moving to Alaska soon!

I was born/bred in England, but had the great fortune to meet a wonderful American girl who somehow agreed to be my wife We moved back to the US (Colorado to be specific) after spending the first year of our marriage in England, and we figured we'd see if we wanted to stay in her home state or travel more. As it is, the travel bug has bit us hard, and so for various reasons I will be enlisting in the US Coast Guard soon! Because of my high score on the entrance exam (called the ASVAB), we are able to choose the geographic location for our first posting, and we were thinking of choosing Alaska, because it's somewhere we've both wanted to go, so we may as well do it on the taxpayers dollar (LOL!) and there are great opportunities with the USCG up there and some of the largest bases (particularly in Kodiak, which would be our first choice for posting within the region).

My wife has a few questions/concerns which we've been trying to find answers for, and have already found a great deal of info on various military/spouse forums, however this website also looked like it was full of good stuff so we figured we'd sign on here to check it out!

We're not sure how long we'll stay in Alaska (the first posting lasts between 6-18 months depending on how soon we want to move off), as our ultimate aim would be to live in Hawaii and New England as well during my 4 year enlistment. Beyond that, I may make it into a career, transfer to another branch of the military, or get out and make a career in a civilian related field like Law Enforcement.

Anyhow, no real questions for the moment as such, just wanted to post an intro to myself and see what other movers to the Great White North have made of it!

[warptman]

I'm sorry, you must be thinking about Canada, they are the "Great White North."

[Majik_Imaje]

The Great State of ALASKA The Last Frontier, The Land of the Midnight sun

It doens't matter what you call it.. The Great White North or whatever..

WELCOME!... .. I just know you will love it here.

I have spent many years up here.. and I must say that people do only one ot two things, after having come to this state. They either stay, or they come back again.

I have spoken to "tourists" at great length, and I was so suprised to hear comments such as.. this is our 8th trip !!

Enjoy all that there is !!

[RayinAK]

See if the US Coast Guard has a web site at Kodiak. You should be able to contact other Coast Guard members over there, and these would be the best source of information for you and your wife. Keep in mind that another nice place I can think of at the moment, at least for Coast Guard members is Sitka, Alaska. I pretty island, with lots of halibut in the surrounding waters. I was there for a week a few years ago (while in the Air Force), and had a great time fishing

[akck]

We've known many CG families over the years and many try to extend their posting or try to get re-posted to Alaska. Many end up retiring here. Kodiak, Sitka and Juneau are popular postings. Once we were in Washington and my father-in-law's boat was boarded and inspected. One of men was stationed in Kodiak and wanted to get back there. There are those who hated it here, but the majority loved living here, many making it their home base.

I believe they have a support system for families, but it's only as good as the old hands make it. Us non-Coasties usually meet Coasties through our kids, so with our kids grown we haven't met any new GC families. We still communicate with several families who retired back east, while others have retired here.

[Jeff Emler]

Let me be the first to welcome you to AMERICA!

The land of the free.

Being an American is the greatest privilige in the world. Then again, I am very biased in that regard.

BTW.....serving this great country in the Coast Guard is a good way to start your citizenship.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Jeff Emler

Let me be the first to welcome you to AMERICA!

The land of the free.

Being an American is the greatest privilige in the world. Then again, I am very biased in that regard.

BTW.....serving this great country in the Coast Guard is a good way to start your citizenship.

Dude, he's from England, Land of the Equally Free but Cooler because of Awesome Accents. No need to congratulate him.

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

Dude, he's from England, Land of the Equally Free but Cooler because of Awesome Accents. No need to congratulate him.

I thought England was now a proto-fascist surveillance country? Eh... Welcome to the United States. Both my sons served in the USCG. I'm sure you will have a good time & emerge with skills that will serve you well.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

I thought England was now a proto-fascist surveillance country?

No, Barkley, you're thinking of us...

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

No, Barkley, you're thinking of us...

We too are headed in that direction.