Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Branch: U.S. Army (Joint Base; Air Force component also present)
Location: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington (between Tacoma and Olympia)
Installation Type: Joint Base
Status: Active

Overview

Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) was established in 2010 through the BRAC process, combining the historic Fort Lewis (established 1917) and McChord Air Force Base (established 1938) into a single joint installation. Located between Tacoma and Olympia in Pierce County, Washington, JBLM is one of the largest military installations on the West Coast and serves as the primary Army power-projection platform for the Pacific Northwest. The Army component is the primary host, with I Corps Headquarters serving as one of the Army’s primary warfighting headquarters. The Air Force component, McChord Field, provides strategic airlift and combat search-and-rescue capabilities.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Train, deploy, and sustain Army and Air Force forces capable of projecting combat power throughout the Indo-Pacific and globally; serve as the Army’s premier west coast power-projection platform.
Major Units (Army):
I Corps Headquarters (“The Phantom Corps”)
2nd Infantry Division / 7th Infantry Division (Headquarters rotates; 2ID leads Korea-based operations)
7th Infantry Division (JBLM-based command)
1st Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker)
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker)
17th Field Artillery Brigade
201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
555th Engineer Brigade
593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command
2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (elements)
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) — key tenant
75th Ranger Regiment (elements/battalions)
Major Units (Air Force/McChord Field):
62nd Airlift Wing (C-17 Globemaster III)
446th Airlift Wing (C-17, Air Force Reserve)
336th Fighter Group elements
Tenant Units: U.S. Army Special Operations Command units; Defense agencies; Washington Army National Guard; U.S. Army Reserve

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Tacoma, Washington (approximately 10 miles north); Seattle (approximately 45 miles north)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), approximately 35 miles north; Tacoma Narrows Airport (TIW), approximately 15 miles
Gate Access: Multiple gates with varying hours; I-5 main gate (Exit 120) is primary access point. Valid CAC, Uniformed Services ID, or visitor pass required. Visitors report to the Visitor Control Center at the main gate. Real ID or passport required for unescorted civilian access.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 30,000–35,000 (Army and Air Force combined)
Family Members: Approximately 40,000–50,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 12,000–15,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 100,000 (including family members and contractors on the broader installation)

Key Facilities

Medical: Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) — a major military hospital on post providing Level II trauma care, comprehensive specialty care, behavioral health, oncology, obstetrics, and dental services; one of the Army’s largest medical centers on the West Coast.
Commissary: Yes — two commissaries on post (Lewis Main and McChord); large, full-service stores serving the extensive installation community.
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main exchange complexes at both Lewis and McChord sides; includes car care, food court, clothing and sales stores, and specialty shops.
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers across the installation; indoor and outdoor pools; bowling alley; two golf courses (Eagles Pride Golf Course); Aquatic and Recreation Centers; outdoor recreation equipment rental; skeet/trap range; libraries.
Schools: DoDEA Pacific Northwest District operates multiple schools on JBLM including: Hillside Elementary, Mount Rainier Elementary, McCord Elementary; Custer Middle School; Clover Park School District and Bethel School District serve off-post families in the surrounding area.
Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers (CDC) across the Lewis and McChord sides; significant demand — early enrollment contact upon receipt of PCS orders is critical. School Age Services also available.
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on post providing preventive care, vaccinations, routine exams, pet health certificates, and dental cleanings for military working animals and privately owned pets of eligible beneficiaries.
Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate provides legal assistance at multiple locations on the installation; appointments required for most services; walk-in hours available for limited matters.

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Lend Lease (verify current management company with housing office); multiple neighborhoods across a large area covering thousands of units; neighborhoods include Lewis North, Lewis Main, McChord neighborhoods, and others.
Average Wait Time: Wait times vary by rank and bedroom requirement; 3-12 months is typical; junior enlisted may face longer waits. Contact JBLM Housing Office early upon receipt of orders.
Off-Post Housing: Communities surrounding JBLM include Lakewood, DuPont, Tacoma, University Place, Spanaway, Roy, Yelm, and Olympia. Average rent for 2-3 bedroom homes in the Tacoma/Lakewood area ranges from approximately $1,800–$2,800/month (rates subject to change).
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through the gaining unit S1 or sponsorship coordinator; Army Community Service (ACS) Welcome Center assists with newcomer orientation and Welcome Packets.
In-Processing: Report to the JBLM Installation In-Processing Center, Building 2025 (verify location with gaining unit S1); in-processing typically takes 3-5 business days; separate Army and Air Force in-processing pipelines.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP managed through Army Community Service at JBLM; medical enrollment through Madigan Army Medical Center; robust support services available given the large installation population. Contact ACS at (253) 967-6184 (verify current number).

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Marine west coast climate; mild, wet winters with frequent rain and overcast skies (October through April); warm, dry summers (July-September). Significant rainfall but relatively mild temperatures year-round.
Cost of Living: Moderate to High — the greater Tacoma/Pierce County area is more affordable than Seattle but costs have risen significantly in recent years. Housing prices and rents are notably elevated relative to national averages.
Nearby Attractions: Mount Rainier National Park (approximately 60 miles east — world-class hiking, skiing, and scenery); Puget Sound and waterfront activities; Olympic National Park (approximately 90 miles); Seattle cultural attractions; Cascades skiing at Crystal Mountain and Snoqualmie Pass.
Spouse Employment: The greater Tacoma-Seattle metro area provides strong employment opportunities across healthcare, technology, retail, and government sectors. Washington State has military spouse licensing reciprocity provisions. Seattle’s tech corridor offers remote and in-person opportunities.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/lewis-mcchord
Main Installation Phone: (253) 967-1110
MWR Website: https://jblm.armymwr.com
ACS / Army Community Service: JBLM Army Community Service, Building 2272, Liggett Ave; (253) 967-6184 (verify current number)

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army official installation page (home.army.mil/lewis-mcchord); JBLM MWR; Madigan Army Medical Center; DoDEA Pacific Northwest District; general knowledge of installation as of August 2025, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law