Moving to EIELSON AFB AK (Houston: how much, school, calculator)

[dfrench87]

Im originally from Houston, TX and I just found out that my first duty station is in Alaska! My wife and I are excited, but we're not to thrilled about the "upper 49er" that has -49 weather.... I know everyone from AK loves it, but is there anyone who moved there (maybe from Texas) that ended up loving it?

Also, if any Air Force members stumble across this, could you give me a heads up on what an E-1 w/ 3 dependents would be making in Eielson?

[browncoatflan]

I'm not there yet (we're headed to Elmendorf from San Antonio in Aug, but we're actually leaving here end of June), but congratulations!


This board is super helpful- make good use of the Search function, and also just kind of browse through the threads here- there's BUNCH that will help you from just the last few weeks!

An E-1 w/Dependents will make the same amount of base pay as anywhere else. HOWEVER, you will get COLA and a Basic Allowance for Housing- rates which are based on your station/area. Once you have your oders in hand, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make an appointment with Finance (are you just getting out of Tech School?) to talk about your travel pay! But here's the DTMO site to start with.

Here's the DFAS pay site- and specifically the COLA calculator. It looks like your pay would be:


Base Rate- 1,399.50
BAH w/Dep- 1,533.00
COLA w/Dep- 418.00


Add all that up and divide by 2 for your 1st & 15th. (I did not include any incentive pay or sustenance pay or danger pay you may also be recieving)


Also, order the Milepost book if you're going to be driving ( Amazon has it for $19 now)

Here's the Eielson AFB Newcomer's Guide.

Here's the AHRN websitethat is from base housing.


BTW- from what I've read here, MOST people who get sent to Alaska fall in love with it, provided they're the type that get out and DO, not sit in the cave and wallow.





Shan (becoming quite the expert on AF pay :P )

[dfrench87]

Hey TAHNK YOU! You're comment was very helpful, and ya i'd say you're def becoming an expert with AF pay My wife is making the trip to B&N tonight for the Miles...thing and I'll be in the finance office very soon to make my travel arrangements.

Once again thank you for taking the time to help us out with these questions. It really saved me some time and stress.

-David French

[NorthWord]

Eielson is probably one of the coldest places in the state. Minus 49 is a warmup compared to most cold spells.
You'll be fine. I know several military folks that PCSd up here and stayed, myself included.

[browncoatflan]

Happy to help... it always bummed me out when I'd be in line at the Commissary (or Post office, or someplace on base) overseas for something I couldn't get on the economy and I'd be listening to the people whining and complaining about how much they hated it there and missed __X__ thing about the states.... but they never left the base or got involved in activities or did anything. (I inferred this from their conversations, or I'd get nosy and just ask..)

So I thought I'd start trying to help, and I'm super-good at finding things out! Also, I have a great big soft spot for new-to-the-military people that have no idea how to work the bennies.

Shan

[summerlane1981]

we came to eielson from VA last may. by the time it hits -45, you will be acclimated. believe me, it isn't as bad as you may think- you get used to it very quickly.

your BAH rate will be around $1,500. But you will want to live on base. The housing here is actually pretty nice, and it is VERY expensive to live out in town. You get much more for your money if you live on base.

I was full of questions when we first got orders up here and had some great help. I'd love to pay it forward, so whatever you are curious about, just ask!

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by browncoatflan

BTW- from what I've read here, MOST people who get sent to Alaska fall in love with it, provided they're the type that get out and DO, not sit in the cave and wallow.

Excellent advice, and so very true. Those who stay on base and never take the opportunity to explore their surrounding environment will not enjoy their stay. Those who get off base and interact with the local community or participate in local activities, will take away fond memories of their visit.

This is not only true for Alaska, but anywhere else you happened to be stationed. Life is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts!

[dfrench87]

Well if I want to live on base, do I need to request it in advance or do I have to wait until Im there to start the process?

[browncoatflan]

Once you have your orders in hand, you can get put on the housing list.

I really don't want to live on base.. I am not a people-person, and I cannot stand living with one (or more) walls connected to someone else's house.

I have a sensitive nose- if they're smoking over there, it makes its stinky way into MY house. If they're frying something, the oil slick comes in MY place too.. that's not even counting if they're noisy.

Also, I don't want to throw our BAH at a 2 bedroom place when a lower rank with more dependents and lower BAH gets a 3 or 4 bedroom.


Shan

[dfrench87]

Does anyone know how often Security Forces deploys from Eielson?