I'm PCS'ing to Fort Lewis next year. How is the family life there?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 May 2018 05:43:06 -0400

Response by LTC Kevin B. made May 16 at 2018 5:59 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Wed, 16 May 2018 05:59:08 -0400

You'll get much better responses if you narrow the focus of your question. This is far too broad of a question. What do you want to know? Barracks life? Family life? Units? Workload? Weather? Etc.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 6:09 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 May 2018 06:09:52 -0400

I would like to know about family life (I am married), how are the units there, training schedules, workload, things to do and places to go on and off post.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 16 at 2018 6:11 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 16 May 2018 06:11:12 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member 2 Seasons, Rain and Summer and I was always Deployed during the Summer.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 9:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 May 2018 09:18:00 -0400

Depends on the unit that you wil be assigned to.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 16 at 2018 9:38 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 16 May 2018 09:38:55 -0400

Pacific Northwest family life is good. You'll be a touch south of Tacoma. If you like trees and greenery, you're good to go. Schools are OK, the freeway can get jammed, and the base amenities are consistent with the size of JBLM. We lived west of Seattle on the Kitsap Peninsula for 28 years but had a PACOM slot there for 3 years. The base has been extensively modernized and expanded to hold the varied units relocated there. It rains OCT-APR and you get long periods of sun say JUN-AUG. If you're into sports the Mariners, Seahawks, and Sounders are an easy train ride to the stadium. There're too many family activities to mention from a nearby major zoo to theater. Everything said, you just have to realize the base is large, hence certain aspects are impersonal. It doesn't have the "small community" look and feel. I'm out of date insofar as housing but it tends to be better than standard Army as the Air Force effect over the years seems to given it a notch up. The big thing is to make sure you frequently get away from the base and enjoy the parks, Seattle, etc. Finally get into the mindset that rain isn't an inhibiter. Gore Tex was invented a long time ago so you just put it on and go/do whatever.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made May 16 at 2018 11:31 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Wed, 16 May 2018 11:31:23 -0400

The post is one of the better places to be stationed, with relatively mild temperatures, and not in the middle of nowhere. You're going to be 60 minutes from Seattle, 40 minutes from Olympia, and 10 minutes from Tacoma. There are decent schools in the area. A slight crime problem in Lakewood which is the closest city to you. Traffic sucks. Madigan Army Medical Center is the best army hospital I've been to. Field problems are generally longer than other duty stations due to your proximity to Yakima Training Center. Your work hours vary between units. There are two different fort Lewis locations (main and north) plus Mcchord is two freeway exits north of the main gate. If you need to drive anywhere between 0630 and 0800, around half of the roads will be closed for PT. Most housing in north fort is under 30 years old while most housing in main fort were made in the 60s and 70s. There are things for kids such as the boy scouts. After 2100 only the primary gates to post remain open. Back gates which make commuting easier are closed between 2100-0500. That's all I can think of relating to family life. When you get there, you should check out the MWR for more information.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 3:22 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 May 2018 15:22:44 -0400

Well, its a lot of trees which means a lot of rain, lots and lots of rain. Three months out of the year it's sunny other than that it's gloomy. Whether or not your unit is good or bad depends on your unit. I was an infantryman in a cav unit which was a terrible experience for me and every other Bang Bang (facts), but for you it might be fun. Make sure you live off post, on post housing is not the greatest I lived in new hillside by madigan hospital, Lacey has very nice homes. You can go north but lakewood and tacoma are pretty crappy. No deployments, the units haven't deployed since 2012 so if thats an issue for the family your good just ntc every year but other than that do what you can there I personally didn't like it the rain all day every day killed it for me in my fours years there. Hope this helps.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 5:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 May 2018 17:06:37 -0400

I was there from 2005-2010 its a great place lots of places to see and go with your family. Very nice post. I think you and your family will enjoy it there.

Response by SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II made May 19 at 2018 9:53 PM

SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II — Sat, 19 May 2018 21:53:30 -0400

It is awesome plenty of things to explore outside and plenty of unique indoor activities to do. The mountains and beach, fishing and hunting are second to none the weather year round is good.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 4:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 May 2018 04:16:54 -0400

Was stationed there for 6yrs. In short excellent place for family lifer. Alot to do on and off post and a few hours from BC as well as Portland Oregon. You will have a great time.

Response by SSG Vincent Jauregui made May 23 at 2018 7:53 PM

SSG Vincent Jauregui — Wed, 23 May 2018 19:53:50 -0400

Its ok..but it gets very cold in The winter..the last time I was there was 1978.. 9th S&T BN..

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made May 30 at 2018 11:24 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Wed, 30 May 2018 23:24:48 -0400

I WAS STATIONED THERE AT FT LEWIS 3 TIMES AND ENJOYED THE PACFIC NORTHWEST

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2018 2:57 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 02:57:50 -0400

Amazing! I had an awesome two years there. Beautiful scenery!

Response by SPC Shawn Durnen made Aug 16 at 2019 7:26 PM

SPC Shawn Durnen — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 19:26:56 -0400

Plenty to do on base or locally in Tacoma or seattle