News Front
Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Community Connections program is more than words on a piece of paper or a perfunctory handshake between community and military leaders. The program's intent, which stems from the efforts of Gen. James Hill when he commanded Fort Lewis in 2000, goes beyond the obvious and delves into the
News
The man pushing the shopping cart through the Lakewood Town Center late one evening last week appeared to be homeless. When asked, he acknowledged that he had nowhere to go and that he was "a vet." Courtney Larkins, the founder of Knocks 4 Socks, an organization dedicated to addressing homelessness by passing
News Front
Besides being lethal, flexible and agile, the Army is adaptable to change. The country's largest armed force is cutting it combat brigades from 45 to 32 and shifting thousands of soldiers as it moves toward the goal of trimming the service by 80,000 as it pivots toward challenges in the Pacific. Army
News Front
They volunteered to join the Army. They volunteered to attend Airborne School. They volunteered to become a Ranger. And some of them are members of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord based 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, a unit with a storied history that runs back to D-Day, 1944. Friday evening at the Evergreen
News
For some, a sense of community began on the deck of the Pequod. A fictitious 19th century Nantucket whaling ship, it is the stage on which Herman Melville tells the story of Captain Ahab's pursuit of Moby-Dick, a great white whale. Serving as chief mate of the Pequod is Starbuck, a thoughtful
News Front
Thirteen soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) were honored for their bravery during a Valor Award Ceremony at French Theater on Joint Base Lewis-Mcchord today. "What has become clear to me is how these men talk quietly about their uncommon valor and acts of selflessness," Rear Adm.
News Front
A large part to maintaining this country's national security lies in how well it works with its allies in the Pacific. To that end, I Corps and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's (JGSDF) Northern Army are taking part in Yama Sakura 65 at Camp Higashi-Chitose, located on the island of Hokkaido. Operations
Military Policy
The office was orderly and neat, much like the man who works there. To the left was a small table on which there were two fruit dishes, white napkins and forks. Lunch was in the offing, and I was hungry. Lt. Gen. Robert Brown and I had worked our schedules in order to
News Front
There is a chain of understanding between Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the neighboring communities. One of the most important links in that chain is Maj. Gen. Stephen Lanza, commanding general, 7th Infantry Division. "As the Army transitions from its mission in Afghanistan, it is important to maintain and build the
People Rule
Change comes slowly in the Army. "It's cool that we are the first females to serve in a combat unit," PV2 Haley Bollheimer said recently as we sat in the 1st Battalion, 17th Fires Brigade's headquarters. "Allowing females to serve in combat roles is something that could have been done 20 years
News Front
Haley Gregersen climbed into a light blue, plastic hazardous materials suit and waited for the first causalities to arrive. "The training out here has been really good," the young fire fighter from Eatonville said. "The experience I've gained has been well worth the time and effort." Gregersen had joined about 75 other
News Front
After an hour of heading north into the vastness of the Yakima Training Center, we crested a ridge and began descending into Badger Gap. "There's the Emerald City," Sgt. Nathaniel Phillips said with a laugh as he carefully drove our Humvee down a dusty road. "Other Soldiers call it the ‘Land
People Rule
Maj. Gen. Keith Ware would have respected Staff Sgt. Lindsey Kibler. The Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Public Affairs Office for Joint Base Lewis-McChord's 7th Infantry Division, Kibler is a consummate teller of the Army's story. "We have the best job in the Army," Kibler said recently as we sat outside
Style
"Would you like a hand-washing and lotion treatment?" the Mary Kay representative asked me. Somewhat surprised as I stood in a sea of the fairer sex, I managed to say no. Undeterred, the woman continued to ask me if I would like the treatment. I gave in. My hands underwent a softening treatment,
News Front
For the 20th year, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) units have combined to work with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF). This year, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and several other units partnered with the 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division of the JGSDF to participate in
People Rule
A Change of Responsibility Ceremony is clear in its meaning - responsibility changes hands from one soldier to another soldier. This morning at Carey Theater I Corps Command Sgt. Maj. John Wayne Troxell handed his responsibilities over to Command Sgt. Maj. James Norman, III. "They got John's name perfect," Lt. Gen. Robert
Military Life
The challenge Christian Ball confronts daily is to perform the ordinary under far from ordinary conditions. His life is measured by having the strength and willpower to keep moving forward despite adversity. That said, his goal is to become a pilot. "All he said is that he just wanted to walk on a
News Front
The ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) - otherwise known as Warrior Forge - will not be returning to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. According to Congressional sources, Cadet Command's LDAC is moving to Fort Knox, Kentucky. ROTC officials did not confirm the report. But the move will happen. The Ranger newspaper first reported
Schools
The schoolhouses never looked so good. This fall, students in grades K through 5 who will attend Carter Lake Elementary (McChord Field) or Hillside Elementary (Joint Base Lewis-Main) will begin the school year in brand new buildings featuring state-of-the-art technology. "This is a great step forward for learning and the students," Lynn
Recreation
The 4-mile run was all about hearts, pride and shields. "It's the magical type of stuff that brings a unit together," Col. Louis Zeisman said early this morning before leading 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division on its first unit run - The Lancer Brigade Run - since returning from Afghanistan. "This is
