What should you do in your first week after arriving at JBLM? Your first week at Joint Base Lewis-McChord should focus on in-processing, temporary lodging, getting your bearings in Thurston County, and starting the housing search if you haven’t already locked in a place to live.
You’ve just pulled into DuPont, Lacey, or wherever the GPS dropped you after a drive that felt like it would never end. The car is packed to the ceiling, the kids are cranky, and somewhere in a box you can’t find is the folder with your orders. This is the moment most PCS guides skip past. They’ll tell you how to prep for the move and how to house hunt six months out, but not what to actually do once you’re standing in the parking lot at JBLM with a rental car and a headache.
This checklist is for that week. It’s the practical, in-order version of what to handle first, what can wait, and what people wish someone had told them before they arrived.
Day One: Report In and Get Your Bearings
Before anything else, report to your unit and complete initial in-processing. This is non-negotiable and it sets the clock on everything else, including your BAH rate and any temporary lodging allowance you’re using.
While you’re on base, take twenty minutes to drive around. JBLM is enormous, and the difference between the Lewis Main gate and McChord Field matters if your daily commute is going to run through DuPont, Lacey, or Tacoma. Knowing which gate you’ll use most often will shape where you eventually decide to live.
Get Oriented in Temporary Lodging
If you don’t have permanent housing lined up yet, your first stop is usually the base lodging office or an off-base extended-stay option in Lacey or DuPont. Book early. Summer and late-August arrivals compete with a lot of other families for the same rooms, and JBLM’s on-base lodging fills up fast during peak PCS season.
While you’re settling in, ask your sponsor or your unit’s family readiness contact about local housing costs. Thurston County covers a lot of ground, and rent or home prices in Olympia look different from what you’ll find in Yelm or Tumwater.
Handle the Paperwork That Has a Clock On It
A few administrative tasks genuinely need to happen in week one:
- ID cards and DEERS updates for you and any dependents, especially if you’ve had a life change since your last duty station.
- TRICARE enrollment or provider updates so healthcare isn’t a scramble if someone gets sick.
- Household goods delivery scheduling, since HHG shipments to JBLM can lag behind your own arrival by days or weeks.
- School enrollment groundwork, even if your kids won’t start for a few weeks. Districts around JBLM often want proof of residency, which can be tricky before you’ve signed a lease.
If your household goods are delayed, ask your unit about advance pay or a loan closet. Most JBLM-area military communities have informal networks for borrowing basics like pots, pans, and air mattresses until your shipment catches up.
Start (or Restart) the Housing Conversation
Some families arrive at JBLM with a home already under contract. Most don’t. If you’re still deciding whether to rent or buy, this first week is a good time to have an honest conversation with a local agent who works specifically with PCS timelines, not just a general buyer’s agent who happens to be nearby.
A few things worth knowing early:
- BAH at JBLM varies by rank and dependency status, and it’s worth understanding what it actually covers before you commit to a lease or a mortgage payment.
- Commute patterns differ significantly. DuPont sits close to Lewis Main, while Lacey and Olympia offer more housing inventory with a longer drive.
- VA loan buyers should start the conversation with a lender now, even if you’re not ready to write an offer, since a few weeks of runway makes a real difference once you find the right house. Talk to your lender about your entitlement and occupancy timeline specifics.
If you’re weighing rent versus buy, don’t rush that decision in week one. Get lodging squared away, get a feel for the area, and make that call once you’ve actually seen a few neighborhoods in daylight.
Find the Small Things That Make It Feel Like Home
This part doesn’t show up on official checklists, but it matters. Find the closest grocery store, figure out where the nearest urgent care is, and locate a park or trail near wherever you’re staying. Thurston County has a strong outdoor culture, from the Chehalis Western Trail to the waterfront in downtown Olympia, and a short walk can do more for morale than another unpacked box.
Talk to your sponsor about local Facebook groups or spouse networks. Military spouse communities around JBLM tend to be active and genuinely helpful for everything from pediatrician recommendations to which moving company actually showed up on time.
FAQ: First Week at JBLM
How long does household goods delivery usually take after arriving at JBLM? Timelines vary by shipment and season, but delays of one to three weeks after your arrival are common, especially during peak PCS months. Check with your transportation office for a current estimate and ask about temporary loan furniture if you need it.
Do I need to decide between renting and buying near JBLM right away? No. Use your first week to handle in-processing and lodging, then take time to see different areas of Thurston County before making a housing decision. A lender or agent who works with PCS families can walk you through the tradeoffs once you’re ready.
Where should I start if I want to use a VA loan for a home near JBLM? Start with a conversation with a VA-approved lender to understand your entitlement and get pre-approved. From there, a local agent familiar with JBLM PCS timelines can help you match that approval to the right neighborhoods and price points.
Work With PCS Home Group’s PCS Relocation Experts
At PCS Home Group, we help JBLM military families get oriented, get settled, and figure out the rent-or-buy question with a clear head, every single day. Our team brings:
- Ashleigh Camberg’s strategic leadership: PCS timeline guidance tailored to your orders and report date, from your first week on the ground through closing day
- James Camberg’s market analysis: Hyperlocal comp data and trend interpretation across Thurston County
- Kelly Barron’s neighborhood intelligence: Micro-market expertise across Thurston/Pierce, from DuPont commute times to Lacey housing inventory
You don’t have to figure out Thurston County alone in your first week. We work with new-to-JBLM families all the time, and we know the questions you don’t know to ask yet.
Ready to talk through your housing timeline?
Contact Ashleigh Camberg:
- Phone: (360) 513-9034
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit: pcshomegroup.com
- Meet the team: pcshomegroup.com/team-page
