Fort Greely anything out there? (Fairbanks, Valdez: appointed, for sale, houses)

[Arcticthaw]

Originally Posted by Gennaver

Hello,
I'm a student nurse and not sure of my chances of being assigned to my first base of choice, Fort Wainwright, but I reallllly hope to post an update someday saying all worked well!
Moving North has been a 20+ year ambition of mine, I guess I am a bit slow on the follow through but, ready now!
Gen

Well if you do get posted they just finished a brand new Hospital on base. Lots of new housing and with the stryker brigades lots of entertainment.

[thestovalls]

We too are moving to Ft. Greely soon. I am nervous and excited all the same. My friend says that it is a beautiful place. But I have some concerns. What is there to do there? Is the weather really that bad? We are moving from the heart of Texas with no real winter clothes to pack! What do we do? And I love to shop so where do I go? My husband and I are family oriented and hope to network and find friends who share the same interests. I am currently a stay at home mom and would love to meet some nice people to do things with. Book clubs? Dinners? And does anyone know what the onpost housing looks like? Is there a website for this base? Feel free to email me njones124@hotmail.com or alfredo.d.stovall@us.army.mil

[mal_flisk]

The weather is sometimes very cold. -10 to -20 is the norm in winter. It does get colder. I don't want to discourage you, but I am not about to fib and paint a rosy picture. Summer is glorious, green and daylight for 20 hours and just after sunset twilight until dawn. Winter is long, and can be hard for the newcomer to adapt to due to the dark. Use extra lamps around the house that are for Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD). Shopping is an hour and a half away in Fairbanks. There is a small grocery store in Delta Junction, a commissary on Greely, and a couple of general stores in Greely. It is a tough tour, but it can be rewarding. If you can adapt, the outdoors can be a beautiful experience. The Northern Lights can only be really experienced on winter nights. The cross country skiing is excellent and photography begs to be tried out.

[siamiam]

one of my friends moved from there not too long ago, his parents are still there. he would drive here to squarebanks as much as he could because there really wasnt much there for him to do.

[starpresta]

I was stationed at Clear and was a Security Forces member/ Game Warden for the base. At the Army Base in Anchorage they do yearly DNR Training. I volunteered for the position. It is great because it is one of the only programs were you don't have to have a four year degree to be a Federal Game Warden. As far as going up to Alaska, I came there from an assignment in England and it was a HUGE Change too, but one for the better. I found out I love the outdoors.

[rescue6694]

Hello

Can anyone tell me anything about Delta Junction and Ft Greely. I am thinking about taking a job there and was wondering how life was there. Is there any programs for 10 year olds on base? any information would be great

[icarian]

Delta Junction ~1-2k people (actual numbers can easily be found via the internet). Life is different down at Greely...day to day things can definitely be had at Greely/Delta Junction. "Big" shopping is done 100 miles NW in Fairbanks.

I can speak "somewhat" for on post. VERY decent commissary for the locale, normal small shopette/PX, decent gym/pool, high speed internet, etc. They seem to have a rather active youth activties center...this coming from a guy that spends a week to two weeks at a time conducting MEDEVAC coverage down at Greely (that is my caveat/perspective). A lot of contractors (perhaps you)...a lot more than the green suiter side.

Just understand that the post is rather remote...but what the MWR/services side does provide, I think they do it well. Other questions? I might be able to answer in a couple of days...going down this Monday to spend another week of conducting coverage and flying around the AO as I train up another new guy. Obviously, OPSEC does apply for Greely...I can answer basic life support stuff about the place.

[mal_flisk]

The Buffalo Center Restaurant isn't bad for breakfast, but the Steakhouse is only so-so. I think they closed the Italian restaurant in town, but haven't been there in a year. Food Cache has decent coffee. Wells Fargo branch in town, next to the Food Cache.

[christyrana]

Well, I have lived in Delta Junction for almost two years. My hubby isn't military, but does work on base for a Boeing. I can't shop at the commissary, but the shoppette has a nice variety of things from snacks to DVD players to towels. The local grocery store has most of the basics if you are not to choosy, they will order things for you if you ask. There is a great store here called Granite's View Sports. They have lots of winter gear and other outdoor type sporting goods. As for "shopping", sorry none to be had, you have to drive to Fairbanks (FBX).

There are lots of family oriented things, there is a very active MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) group and during local events there are always lots of kid activities. There is a really great park and you will often find families picnicking there in the summer. Remember our seasons are winter, break-up, summer, and freeze-up. My family enjoys riding ATV's. There are trails along all of the roads.

I can tell you that if you are willing to adapt and reach out to the locals, you will find a wonderful community. You can't come here with the attitude of you will endure it for the assignment. That is one of the biggest complaints of the local people. So many people move here and fail to become part of the community. If you live like you are moving in two years, you will be miserable. I know we are not going to live here for the long haul, but we bought and house and settled in. I am pretty happy.

This is the sort of place you can leave your house unlocked and we leave our cars running in the winter at the grocery store. Crime is not a problem. There are several churches, a sportsman's club with a shooting range, and of course the wonderful outdoors.

As for weather, I won't make it rosy either, today for the first time since I have been here, schools are closed for the cold. It is around -50. Winter can be long, but if you make it through Christmas, then the daylight starts returning.

Hope this helps!
For local news check out the Delta News Web: Delta Junction, Alaska ~ The Delta News Web We also have a weekly newspaper called the Delta Wind.

[icarian]

Originally Posted by christyrana

As for weather, I won't make it rosy either, today for the first time since I have been here, schools are closed for the cold. It is around -50.

You aren't kidding Been trying to make it down to Delta for two days now, but the temps haven't been cooperating. I will say that DJ has been 'a little' warmer than Fairbanks over the last couple days (approx 5 to 8 degrees F). Of course, you all do have the wind chill which I know more than trumps a couple of degrees.

Maybe I'll make it down tomorrow...although after having my gear packed up on the bird for two days, the Pelican Case with the laptop came home tonight.