Amenities & Services at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Shopping

There are many services available in the Fort Lewis Shopping Mall. All services are available to active duty Soldiers and their family members as well as reservists and retirees. Food services are available to all military or civilian personnel. Along with the main PX, the complex houses a delicatessen, snack stand, an optometry shop and a garden shop. Rotating concessions also offer four different shops with a variety of services. Also in the mall are a furniture store, Class Six store, shoe repair, furniture store, pharmacy, Chicken Loft, and several other AAFES concession shops.

Other facilities available around the Main Post are a laundry and dry-cleaning shop, 24-hour Shoppette, equipment rental shop, washer/dryer rental shop, radio and television servicing and a shoe repair shop. There are also four gas stations and a car wash. Services are provided at a reasonable cost to eligible personnel. The normal operating hours are M-Sat, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Groceries

Joint Base Lewis McChord offers a super-store grocery which includes meat and produce departments as well as a deli, bakery, fish and plant section. It offers 16,000 products to its consumers and is regarded as one of the greatest benefits on post.  Since products are sold at cost plus a 5 percent surcharge, patrons of the commissary save, on average, more than 30 percent on grocery bills.

The commissary is open seven days a week and is located between Pendleton and Nevada Avenues. Any Soldier, eligible Reserve Component Soldiers, retirees and their families are welcome to take advantage of this service. The Store is open M-W, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thurs-Sun, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For questions, call #(253) 966-8476.

Banking

The Armed Services Bank at Fort Lewis offers services at three different locations. Both the North Fort Lewis Exchange and the PX location are open seven days a week. The main post location is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a drive-through window which is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone number is 1-888-929-2265.

Across from the Armed Forces Bank is America’s Credit Union which is open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Another location is available after you enter Madigan Gate that operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This location is located on the corner of Jackson and Gardner Loop. Service at all locations is open to Fort Lewis employees and Soldiers. For addition information, call #(253) 964-3113.

Legal Services

For a full range of legal services, contact the Staff Judge Advocate located in Building 2027. You will find the building on the corner of Liggett Avenue and North 8th Street.

Confidential legal services for Soldiers, retirees and family members is available through the Legal Assistance Office. Attorneys will help you on a first-come, first-served basis with matters pertaining to separation, child support, child custody, powers of attorney, wills, landlord-tenant issues, debt collection and military administration matters such as OER/NCOER appeals. You can contact attorneys M-Wed, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also schedule an appointment, but you must appear in person to do so. Services for retirees are available one Saturday per month from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call #(253) 966-7526. Notary services and power of attorney are available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. without an appointment.

Anyone who has damaged or missing items from a government-contracted move must turn in a completed DD Form 1840/1840R, Notice of Loss or Damage, to the Claims Office within 70 days of the delivery of the property in order to get Full Replacement Value. Submission of the form does not constitute filing of your claim. Within 9 months of delivery, your claim must be submitted to the carrier. The Claims Office, located in Building 2027A, is on the corner of Liggett Ave. and 8th Street, and is open M-F (except on federal holidays) 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This office handles processing of personal property claims, tort claims against the government and Article 139 claims. For more information, call #(253) 967-0704.

In addition, in the same building, Room 222, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington (Fort Lewis branch), Federal Prosecutors office handles both civilian and military on-post traffic offenses and all on-post non-felony criminal cases involving non-military persons. Court hearings are held in U.S. District Court, downtown Tacoma. Call #(253) 967-0711 for more info.

Also in Building 2027A, on the third floor, active-duty Soldiers who are pending nonjudicial punishment, administrative separation and courts-martial can find counseling services. Counseling service is provided without an appointment on Mon and Wed at 12:30 p.m. (check in no later than 1:20 p.m.) and covers Article 15, summary court-martial, reduction board and chapter separation counseling. Services may also be provided at other times and on the weekend subject to availability. Call #(253) 967-0773 for further information or to set a specific appointment. If you have been informed of your Article 31 rights, you do not need an appointment. Contact TDS immediately to determine if this applies to you.

Army Continuing Education System (ACES)

Located in Building 6242 on Colorado Avenue is the David L. Stone Education Center. The center is home to five colleges and universities as well as many undergraduate and graduate level programs. For tuition purposes, the Washington State legislature considers service members and their families residents when pursuing higher education while stationed in the state. For information about the ACES programs, visit their website at www.lewis.army.mil/eso  or call #(253) 967-7295 (DSN 357). Free computer classes are offered by GiantCampus along with basic level courses provided by Microsoft which include computer game design, website design and digital photography.

The Education Center features a science lab, computer lab and 28 classrooms, a 175-seat auditorium as well as a bookstore and coffee shop with free WIFI (courtesy of Pierce College). The center also features a video recording center available to both Soldiers prior to deployment and family members who have a Soldier who has been deployed. The recording center lets you make videos to send to loved ones abroad or for soldiers to make for family members prior to departure.

Also available in the center is a high-tech computer center which can be used as a study area for family members, veterans, civilians, college students and Soldiers. The Technical Academic Resource Center provides opportunities to improve education skills or work-related projects. The TARC is open M-Th, 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Other services include the Basic Skills Education Program which offers instruction in reading, math and language skills. Weekly classes are conducted at no cost to Soldiers. The High School Completion Program is also available to students who want to earn credits towards their high school diploma or to take the G.E.D. exam. Testing services are offered at no cost. Family members may also be available for fee paid tests. Additional info on tests can be obtained by calling #(253) 967-5657.

Additional facilities are available in the Stryker Learning Center, in Building 3661, providing video and military publications. Staff members assist Solders in enrollment in military correspondence courses. You can reach them directly at #(253) 967-2449.

If you are interested in having an advisor who can assist you in identifying what career development options may be right for you, you can visit the center M-W, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The advisors are available without an appointment or call #(253) 967-5657 for assistance.

Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)

The Employee Assistance Program through the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) is available to Fort Lewis Army employees for help with alcohol and drug-related problems as well as any other personal problem that may affect your job. Services are located in Building 2006A on Liggett Avenue and include rehabilitation counselors, preventive education specialists and staff advisors that can assist Soldiers, family members (18 years of age or older) and retirees with drug and alcohol-related issues. For more information, contact them at #(253) 967-1413.

Independent programs available on post and in the surrounding areas include the more familiar AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), AL-ANON (for spouses and loved ones) and ALA-TEEN (for children of alcoholics). NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings are also available.

Other Services

Prevention Coordinator coordinates a 12-hour Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Training (ADAPT) education course for any personnel who were apprehended for driving under the influence and their commander referred them for assistance. They can be reached at #(253) 967-1412.  For outpatient rehabilitation and treatment programs, please contact the Clinical Director at #(253) 967-1449. You can make an appointment by calling #(253) 967-2202.

Risk Reduction Program Coordinator works with senior commanders and their staff in developing prevention techniques based on interpretation of a Unit Risk Inventory along with a statistical assessment of readiness-indicators of personnel problems. Their direct line is #(253) 966-5778.

Installation Biochemical Test Coordinator works with commanders and supervisors implementing breath analysis tests and urinalysis in hopes of identifying early signs of abuse by individuals whose job performance is being affected by alcohol. Please call #(253) 967-6183 for more information.

Suicide Prevention Program (SPP) Coordinator assists supervisors in training civilians on suicide prevention and how to recognize warning signs. They also work with unit chaplains in suicide prevention for Soldiers. You can reach them at #(253) 966-4597.

Administrative Services Division

Providing mail and distribution services to the base is the Administrative Services Division, located in Building 4171, next to the U.S. Post Office. They are in charge of the bulletin on the Fort Lewis Intranet as well as the Staff Directory for I Corps and the Fort Lewis Command. Please call them for more information at #(253) 967-4807.

Joint Personal Property

Located in Waller Hall, Building 2140, you will find the shipping office for Joint Personal Property. You can reach them at the following numbers:

Interactive Voice, #(253) 967-5239
Inbound, #(253) 967-5039
Outbound, #(253) 967-7230,
Outbound Appointments #(253) 967-7107
Documentation/Permanent Storage, #(253) 967-3776 (Available M-F, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.)

Veterans Affairs

You will find the Veterans Affairs Office located in Waller Hall, Building 2140. They are open M-F, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and can be reached directly at #(253) 967-2790.

Army Community Service

Located in Waller Hall, Building 2166, the Family Resource Center and Building 2013, the ACS works with Army community members to need help or guidance with family or personal problems beyond their own abilities. The center offers a place to discuss confidential personal problems. Once a session has been scheduled, a follow-up visit is also done to make sure the problems have been resolved to the satisfaction of the persons involved. The service is available to Soldiers, retirees and their families. For updated information regarding ACS programs, please visit the website at www.lewis.army.mil/dpca/acs. You can get more information on referral services at #967-7166. For after-hour emergencies, please contact the Red Cross at #1-877-272-7337.

Additional assistance can be found through the following programs:

Family Resource Center

The family resource center is located in Building 4274 on the corner of 9th Division and Idaho Street. The center supports commanders with family readiness programs and coordinates training and guides for implementing a unit FRG (family readiness group). They offer resource support for families as well as meeting spaces for gatherings. For more information, call #(253) 967-9496.

Employment Readiness Program

If you have family members who are in need of preparing their resume and finding local jobs, the Employment Readiness program, located in Building 2166,  provides these services to all eligible personnel except active-duty Soldiers. Opportunities can range from part-time to full- time and are updated daily. Family members can also utilize the center’s computers for resume preparation. Call #(253) 967-3538 with questions. If you are an Active-duty Soldier, you can utilize the Army Career and Alumni Program services located in Building 2013-A.

Financial Readiness

Counselors at the Army Community Service Financial Readiness office help those with debt issues work out a debt-reduction plan and a financially stable budget. You can also seek help from them regarding tax and consumer information and investment advice. You can visit them at Waller Hall or contact them directly at #(253) 967-3525.

Soldier and Family Assistance Center

The SFAC provides services to Task Force Phoenix Warriors in Transition and their families. They encourage self-development and strive to meet the needs of those they serve by providing mental and spiritual healing. You will have computer and internet access as well as TV, library, and children’s play area availability. Other services are provided through off-site appointments using the Blue Card System. Their primary goal is to provide you with help in making a smooth and productive transition back into civilian work life.

Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator

Located in the Family Resource Center, the Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator can help you find an organization with which you can volunteer your time and special talents. One of the organizations that Fort Lewis supports regularly is the Special Olympics which relies on 1000 volunteers a year for its success. Contact the Coordinator at #(253) 967-2324 for a list of volunteer opportunities on post.

Relocation Assistance

Upon arrival at Joint Base Lewis McChord, you will be required to attend a Newcomer’s Orientation at the Relocation Readiness Program, located inside Waller Hall. The program helps orient  assigned Soldiers and family members with the post and even provides English-as-Second- Language classes for foreign-born spouses. You will become acquainted with the services offered at the Davis L. Stone Education Center as well as special upcoming events. Free child care is provided and a guided bus tour is included at the end of the presentation. You can call the Program directly at #(253) 967-3628 for specific questions.

Yakima Training Center

Located nine miles north of Yakima, WA., you will find the 327,000 acre Yakima Training Center. Covered in sagebrush and volcanic rock formations, much of the terrain resembles Afghanistan and is well-suited to large-scale motorized forces. The Multi-Purpose Range Complex and Shoot House includes twenty-five ranges available for training. The Center opened the Shoot House and Urban Assault Course in 2005. YTC also has a recreation center and gym open to Soldiers and families. For more information, call #509-577-3337.

Madigan Army Medical Center

Located just minutes north of the main post is Madigan Army Medical Center. Madigan is available to active duty members, retirees and their families. The medical center staff includes over 4,000 medical, dental, and nursing personnel, and the hospital has 205 beds for inpatient use. The Medical mall complex is available for outpatient use.

The Family Medical Clinic is located on the ground floor of the Madigan Medical Mall and serves TRICARE Prime enrolled beneficiaries. There are numerous other clinics on post that cover everything from Aviation Medicine to Pediatric Care. For more information, check in at the Family Medicine Clinic, #(253) 968-0770.

Participants select one of three TRICARE options for care: Prime, Extra or Standard. The managed care option, TRICARE Prime requires enrollment, and soldiers are automatically enrolled while inprocessing. There is no enrollment fee for Soldiers and their families. For Soldiers and their family members who live and work at least 50 miles away from military hospitals and clinics, TRICARE Remote was designed to serve their needs. For additional information on TRICARE Remote, call #1-888-874-9378. TRICARE for Life and TRICARE Senior Pharmacy were established for military beneficiaries who are 65 or older and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. For more info, call 1-888-363-5433.