Will you be making a permanent change of station (PCS) to McChord Air Force in the near future? If so, you will want to start planning for the move in advance. This is especially true when it comes to researching your housing options and determining your eligibility for the VA home loan. It’s wise to engage professional help with understanding your financing options, especially if you need to confirm your entitlement.

In this guide, we share with you more information about making a PCS to McChord Air Force.

Location and Basic Information

McChord Air Force is one-half of the Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). It is also one of the most requested transfer bases in the military because of the wide range of services and amenities that can be enjoyed here. JBLM is strategically located near major cities such as Tacoma, Olympia, and Seattle, however, you can enjoy stunning views of Mount Rainier and hear the waves of the Pacific Ocean in the distance from your base!

History

Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force merged to become a joint base in 2010. The United States Air Force only started functioning as a separate branch of the military in 1947. Despite this, JBLM has over 100 years of history as Camp Lewis was first established in 1917.

Housing

Although there are both on- and off-site housing options at McChord Air Force, there are only a little over 5,000 properties on JBLM itself, some of which are undergoing renovation. Many military families choose to stay in the neighboring cities, which include Lakewood, Olympia, and Tacoma among others. Regardless of whether you choose to stay on or off-base, you may need some help navigating your VA home loan or refinancing options.

Amenities and Services

JBLM is well known for the comprehensive range of services and amenities provided on the base. The McChord Health and Wellness Center provides nutritional and fitness classes for members, and service members who are transitioning to civilian life can seek advice from the Hawk Career Center. Families will also find lots of support onsite, with a family advocacy program, a Family Resource Center, a children’s library, and more.

Things to Do

Being based at McChord Air Force means that you can always find plenty to do in the area. Whether you wish to go sledding and snowboarding at Mount Rainier National Park or hop on a ferry to Anderson Island, there are many great destinations for solo trips as well as family outings.

PCS Planning Can Be Made Easy with West Coast Veterans

When you require help with PCS planning, West Coast Veterans is the right team to come to. With over 20 years of experience helping military families relocate to bases around Washington, you can rest assured that we keep abreast of the latest market conditions and VA guidelines. This ensures that we are in the best position to advise you and help to make your move go as smoothly as possible! Our team is driven by energy, experience, drive, and transparency, and you can be sure of on-time closings and competitive rates when you engage our services.

Since 2001, we've been assisting active-duty service members and veterans all over the state of Washington and in Puget Sound. Feel free to read all about us at www.PCStoJBLM.com.

Located in Northwestern Washington, Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) is one of the most requested military installations, and it’s not hard to see why. In 2010, the JBLM site was born through the merger of the Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force bases. The site was now able to offer double the number of options and services.

If you are due to make a permanent change of station (PCS) to JBLM soon, read on to find out the essential facts you need to know.

Accessibility

The nearest airport to JBLM is SeaTac International Airport, which is approximately 40 minutes away. However, the strategic location of the base does mean that you will have to account for commuting times while searching for your next property. Whether you choose to stay on or off-base, you will need to secure temporary lodging while finalizing the purchase of your new home, which can be secured with a VA home loan.

Searching for a Property

Of course, you will need to take budget into consideration when selecting a property. However, location is another important factor to consider. If you decide to stay off-site, some cities that are popular with military families include Spanaway, Lakewood, Olympia, and DuPont. Where you eventually choose to stay can depend on the specific part of JBLM you are based in, whether that’s on the northern or southern end.

Families with children will also want to consider the availability of highly-rated schools in the vicinity.

Onsite Amenities and Services

One option open to you is to stay on the base itself. If you go for this option, you will find that most of the housing has either been recently renovated or are completely new builds. Whether you are based on or off-site, you can benefit from a range of amenities that include a track stadium, numerous playgrounds, soccer and baseball fields, a movie theater, and lots more.

Because JBLM is a double base, you will also find many options for services you require, such as childcare.

Things to Do

One major perk of being based at JBLM is the number of places you can explore during your downtime. With Seattle located just an hour away, you can easily plan many fun day trips with family, whether that is for shopping, sightseeing, or a little bit of both. If you are more of an outdoors person, nearby Mount Rainier offers many different types of hikes for all abilities. There are also the Olympic Mountains and Mount Saint Helens to explore!

West Coast Veterans Can Assist You with PCS Planning

Are you a military family with an upcoming move to JBLM? If so, let our team at West Coast Veterans take care of PCS planning so you don’t have to worry. We have years of experience helping active duty military personnel, veterans and their surviving spouses make the move to Washington State. All our team members have ties to the military in some way, and we can assist you with the process from start to finish!

For over two decades, we've been assisting active-duty service members and veterans all over the state of Washington and in Puget Sound. Feel free to read all about us at www.PCStoJBLM.com.

If you will be undergoing a permanent change of station (PCS) to JBLM VA Hospital sometime soon, you may be looking for a housing option to accommodate you and your family. On top of knowing your purchase price and confirming your entitlement for the VA home loan, there are many things you will need to get ready in preparation for the big move.

You can find out some key information about JBLM VA Hospital in our guide.

Location and Basic Information

The JBLM VA Hospital Is also known as the American Lake VA Medical Center. Here, veterans can access a wide range of services, which includes surgery, mental health services, rehab care, and more. Shuttle services are available to transport veterans and their caregivers between Seattle VA medical centers and the JBLM VA Hospital.

Housing

If you are based at the JBLM VA Hospital, you will be able to take your pick from on and off-base housing at JBLM. There are over 5,000 houses on-site with many more options off base. Some of the most popular cities for military families to settle in include Tacoma, Lakewood, and Olympia, all of which are within close proximity to JBLM. Families with children will also want to do their due diligence on nearby schools before deciding on housing options to suit their needs.

Amenities and Services

There is a wide range of amenities you can make use of at JBLM itself. This includes recreational facilities such as an enclosed dog park, a skate park, baseball fields, and children’s playgrounds. A wellness center is dedicated to ensuring that military families can live healthy and active lifestyles.

Support can also be found for military personnel and families in all stages of life. Whether you need help transitioning back to civilian life after a career in the military or you are a military wife who requires support with childcare arrangements, you can find the services you need on-site.

Things to Do

You will find a wide range of area attractions to explore from your base, especially if you are into the great outdoors. Mount Rainier National Park offers plenty of opportunities for winter sports, such as snowboarding and sledding. Being located just an hour away from Seattle, you will be well-placed to plan a city getaway at leisure.

Let West Coast Veterans Take Care of PCS Planning for You

PCS planning can be the last thing you want to think about when you are preparing your family for the big move. If so, let our experienced team at West Coast Veterans take care of all the details on your behalf. All we ask is that you get your financial documents ready for our review, and let us know your report date as well as your purchase price. From there, we will confirm your entitlement and provide you with the best options for your circumstances. We can also match you with a realtor who has experience serving military families if you do not already have one. You can trust our more than 20 years of experience to make your PCS a success!

Since 2001, we've been assisting active-duty service members and veterans all over the state of Washington and in Puget Sound. Feel free to read all about us at www.PCStoJBLM.com.