Anybody been to Kodiak in recent years? Any and all info/advice is appreciated... I'm in ET school now, grad date 01NOV... Married w/ newborn... CGC Alex Haley in on the billet list (sadly the ONLY boat on the list) and I'd like any and all info possible... Also, anybody up to date on firearm laws/restrictions in AK? Pretty lax from what I understand, but any specifics I need to know about?

KODIAK...WELL PUT IT THIS WAY, YOU'LL EITHER LOVE IT OR HATE IT. THIS PLACE IS SO SMALL, JUST A WALMART AND A SAFEWAY! I COME FROM AN ISLAND TOO BUT WE GOT STUFF. MY ADVICE IS THAT IF YOUR WIFE IS LIKE A CITY GIRL DON'T COME UP HERE. YOU'LL JUST HAVE MORE PROBLEMS. PEOPLE MAY SAY THE MONEY IS GOOD, IT AIN'T YOU JUST GET COLA WHICH OFF SETS FOR THE $3.99 HALF GALLON OF MILK. SO GOOD LUCK MAN.

We just left in june- we lived there for 4 yrs.
we loved it.
gun laws very lax- but you do still have to register.
crime rate in Kodiak very small- no major crimes- mostly drunk and disorderly and stupid kid stuff.
housing: probably the best I have ever seen
once you get entry appoval you will be put on the housing wait list- and depending on the time of yr will wait from 1-10 days for a unit.
the ALEX HALEY is a very busy boat- they are gone alot- BUT they have an active spouses group and I personally know about 10 wives whose DH's are currently there.

there is not alot of city life- a walmart a safeway in town, with several mom and pop stores- a mc donalds, 2 subways,pizza hut, pretty much does it for fast food- but there is a mexican resteraunt, a few chinese.a japanese steak house and Kings diner- best breakfast on the island. ( there are resteraunts in the hotels too).
there is not a whole lot to do- but outdoorsy stuff-
the base is huge- with lots of activities and services- movie theater, commisary, exchange, bowling, sports bar, bingo, gym and pool.
the COLA is very good- we banked ours for 4 yrs-
but I worked - I ran a home day care-
even with an infant there is alot to do-- just get a carry pack- front or back- I have seen infants as small as 3 months in slings on thier moms while standing calf deep fishing for salmom, I have seen infants at 6 months old camping and hiking- so it all depends ons the amount of work you want to put into it.
if you hunt hunting is by far the best we have ever seen- duck,deer, goat, bear,ptamigan,rabbit-- amazingly all with in a 1/2 hour drive.
Not counting the fishing- halibut,trout,salmon dollies-- awesome awesome fishing.
the lifestyle in Kodiak is by far the easiest we have ever lived- it is beautiful rugged and awesome-
I could go on and on and on about the wonders of kodiak- and if you want any more specifics let me know-

I want to comment on the milk thing from the other post- Unless milk has doubled in the last three months- I only paid 3.99 at the commisary for a gallon- at safeway ALL the time they have it 2 for 5.

I transferred from The Alex Haley this April after completing a two-year tour. As race6fan noted, the Haley is a very busy ship and is usually out at sea approximately 200+ days a year. Almost all of the patrols are conducted in the Bering Sea. So if you get sea sick, then you may not want this particular ship. The crew onboard is fairly friendly, as far as the command, I am unsure of as both the CO and XO have recently transferred. However, as an ET, you will have a pretty cool OPS boss that is still onboard there and there are some cool guys in the ET shop. Although you are busy on there, you can still make some extra money with the Cola and you can also fit in sometime for college classes as well. If you aren't into fishing and hunting, then you may find yourself quite bored. (This is where most people find themselves drinking and getting into trouble). There isn't much crime on the island, so cops and milpol are definitely out looking for speeders and dui offenders. The past few winters have been pretty chilly and with a good deal of snow; however, each winter is different there and this year it could be more mild than previous years. I always seemed to notice on average the temperature was around 40 degrees. If you have a rear-wheel drive car, you may want to consider purchasing a 4-wheel drive or front wheel drive with chains or studs. Driving conditions can vary greatly day-to-day, especially in the winter. If you are into photography, or desiring to enter that field, Kodiak is a good place to start. As mentioned by 13592689, Kodiak is a love or hate place. Anyone that has ever been to Kodiak will tell you this. Good luck to you in your decision.

Thanks guys... I am an avid hunter and an outdoors type of person... Kodiak sounds like a great place for me, I've just gotta talk the wife into it... Thanks again...