Will JBLM follow state restrictions?

Base commander weighing readiness -- may announce the opening of some services next Tuesday

By Ken Swarner on April 23, 2020

Lt. Gen. Randy George, I Corp and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) commander said Tuesday afternoon that he had planned to stick with Washington state guidelines in effect (at that moment in time) until May 4; however, 90 minutes after the CG's announcement during a JBLM Town Hall, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced that the majority of shelter-in-place orders would extend beyond that date.

Inslee said the state health officer believes the spread of COVID-19 is likely declining in Washington state, based on data on hospitalizations, confirmed cases and deaths, but he still urged caution.

"The data tells us that if we were to lift all restrictions right now -- or even two weeks from now -- this decline would almost certainly stop and the spread of COVID-19 would go up," he said, adding that "to turn back on this successful temporary approach now would be disastrous."

"We're going to take steps and then monitor to see whether (opening up some services) work or if we must continue to adapt," Inslee added. "We will not be able to lift many of the restrictions by May 4."

How does that update affect JBLM?

George said prior to Inslee's announcement that he'll try to stay within the state shelter-in-place orders, but he said he also had to weigh unit readiness. 

George praised Inslee's "common sense approach" to the COVID-19 crisis. "We've been in line with Governor Inslee," George added. "We would like to stay in line and we will do that as much as possible."

How to do that is up in the air.

"I also have to weigh, though, our readiness, and that is something we are looking at," George said.

George said commanders are looking at unit and individual readiness training that can be accomplished with social distancing; however, he left open the door that training may have to evolve.

"I am looking at our ability to maintain readiness." George said he will take the decisions to follow state recommendations for social distancing week by week following May 4.

George did announce he's already considering opening some base services, and he will make that final decision by next Tuesday.

George also said some PCS moves will be deferred, and others may not happen.

George said a decision to open some areas on base are to mostly support the soldiers living in barracks. Those facilities under consideration include the Skeet & Trap facility, Army and Air Force testing centers, the off-road vehicle complex and Whispering Firs Golf Course.

"Thankfully (we are) not seeing many positive COVID cases on JBLM," George said. However, there are still some new cases, so staying with social distancing regulations will continue. 

George also referenced the DoD's decision last Saturday to extend the hold in place on military and unit moves until at least June 30 (see page 2 story for additional coverage).

George asked military and families to be "positive." He said some people will PCS to meet certain Army needs, while others will move later than earlier planned. He also said some people won't move, but he wasn't specific if that means some moves will be cancelled.

"You may not get the departure date you wanted," George added. 

The following are other points made Tuesday at the town hall:

The Associated Press contributed to this story.