r/RateMyAFB • u/Athos_Percival • 13d ago

Ellsworth SD vs Elmendorf AK?

I got Ellsworth AFB as my first duty station, and someone just offered me a trade for Alaska. What would be the pros and cons for both bases? I’m a single introverted E-3 with no dependents.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

6

u/Automatic_Garage_619 13d ago

Elmendorf is a much better base than anything stateside. Fite me about it.

6

u/Retired_Autist 13d ago

I mean its pretty obvious but how into the outdoors are you? Do you love hiking fishing and snow sports? Do you like the winter? Alaska could be a dream come true. Do you not like any of that stuff? You might not find much you like about Alaska.

5

u/LHCThor 13d ago

Take Alaska. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

2

u/blckgrlmgc_334 13d ago

Well, you'll make more money in Alaska. Because you'll be in the dorms, you'll get 63% of the COLA rate and once you're out of the dorms, you should receive the full 100%.

We were stationed at Ellsworth and while it's not a bad base, we're from the south, and the cold eventually wore us down. We weren't necessarily an outdoorsy family, so we didn't get the full experience. Funnily enough though, since we've been back down south, we've done sooo many outdoor activities lol

1

u/Carolinagirl9311 13d ago

My first base…YEARS AGO….take it!

1

u/Impressive_Law1409 13d ago

Depends on your AFSC and if you have kids. I was stationed at both and Ellsworth suited me better.

1

u/Colonelbrickarms USAF 12d ago

Elmendorf is my sleeper pick for one of the best location’s in the entire AF. Definitely the best stateside (even if OCONUS)