He will need a 4x4 dually with camper, wheeler, trailer, snowmachines, Stika high end camo just to get started. Might throw in jet boat too to jet up the rivers full of wakes. And of course top shelf hunters have to have a cub or poor mans TC on floats. For those in AK they get it.
Don't be typical military. Alaska is full of AD and retires but cheechako AD can get a bad rep will quick. Alaska is kind to station AD Vs those who are not with the up to 24 month wait times for residency so don't be that guy. Be thankful and learn the regs. Good thing is, wont see rigs parked everywhere with base decals like the days of old.
Beta is hard to come by, well sort of. Most sourdough will not divulge beta. If you hear of something, keep it secret. This comes from AD who pass through. Has ruined many good areas.
Time off most is hard to come by for any Alaskan. Everyone wants and has their hunt blocked out for the year. Depending on his unit, mission still comes first. Throw in permits good luck!
It can take 2 years to get on first big hunt, with a 4 year tour, thats average of 2 hunts depending of many factors. Hear every year, I thought AK was full of moose.
While I am out of the business for awhile, F&G data report 30.06 is used by 35% of alaskan hunters with 220gr classic ammo as preferred. Of course,, things evolve and AK is no different. Now days hunter have high dollar super laser with telescopes attached. There is a term magumitise, the closer to Anc you get the bigger the magnum.
If lucky enough to hunt the true bush, dont take that 6.5 due to ammo avail in the villages. 300wm, 30.06 338wm can be found in most villages. Dont think ammo wont get dumped, then you have never hunter the bush. Friend got dump in Bethel last year, lost everything and almost his life.
Suggestion is Tikka t3x SL in 300wm, 200gr partitions, Leuply 2.5-8x. Learn the regs, lean the weather, learn AK and tips on how to work on that tipped over moose, hunting is easy, once Bullwinkle is on the ground, now the work starts.
Anchorage is like any mid sized city. But, Alaska is still present in the city. Moose, bears, yotes, 2 wolf packs. Had moose calf in our yard. Trails to hike, bike and ski. Its not expense like 20 years ago. Housing can be small rocky yards for 360k built in the 70s are everywhere. Crime is rampant as the city and state have turned liberal. Our neighborhood 3 break ins this summer. You can see passed out people laying around, sometimes in the street, walk right out in front of you, some are having sex, homeless camps everywhere, even where we are use to safe family area but city polices have crime rampant.
Most places you wont get the eye with your 44 on your hip or chest. Ak is gun culture, CC without permit.
Economy is way down with not much improvement forecasted. Closed business everywhere, empty houses, its a buyers market. Be careful where he lives. Amazon is ruining AK too.
If your son has questions or something, ask.