Military Affairs Forum

Tom Knight, Garrison Chief of Staff Joint Base Lewis McChord Dan Penrose, Project Manager, South Sound Military & Communities Partnership

April 24, 2012

MISSION OF THE PARTNERSHIP

To foster effective communication, understanding, and mutual support by serving as the primary point of coordination for resolution of those issues which transcend the specific interests of the military and civilian communities of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord region.
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STUDY PURPOSE AND PROCESS

Purpose Provide initial data on the demographic profile, perceptions, and needs of JBLM staff and military families. Process Web-based survey of 41 questions designed to take less than 10 minutes. Online gift certificates to local retail outlets were offered to randomly selected respondents. Responses are anonymous. Distribution

Direct invitation to approximately 27,000 official JBLM staff emails and over 200 personal emails via the Family Readiness Group (FRG) list serve. Articles in the NW Guardian, with a circulation of approximately 20,700 on the installation. Facebook posts, JBLM Website banners, On-Base Electronic Reader Boards, Commanders Channel

Survey Findings

DEMOGRAPHIC SNAPSHOT

3,250 Completed Surveys (2,145 from active duty/spouses) 66% Active Duty or Spouses Gender Distribution Male 64% Female 36% Pay Grade E1 E4 E5 E6 E7 E8 E9 W1 O3 >O4 GS1 GS6 GS7 GS9 >GS10 N 562 428 392 320 170 530 218 216 385 509 % 15.1% 11.5% 10.5% 8.6% 4.6% 14.2% 5.8% 5.8% 10.3% 13.6%

DEMOGRAPHIC SNAPSHOT

RESPONSES BY LOCATION

1,464 respondents provided a valid location for their residence

HOMES & SCHOOLS

WHY DO YOU LIVE OFF-BASE?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Bought/own a home Closer to family or a specific amenity (e.g., spouses work, church, childcare, etc.) Cheaper/more affordable than on-base housing Home size and/or quality is better off-base Dont want to live on-base/want to get away from work Required to live off-base/not eligible to live on-base

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WHO LIVES IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

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DEPLOYMENTS

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TRANSITIONING

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CAREER PLANS

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CAREER PLANS

Attend/finish college or university Law enforcement/security-related Civilian DOD/federal employment Information technology/computerrelated Aviation-related Mechanic

Engineering
Contracting Healthcare/medical Self-employed/small business

Teaching

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TRIPS BY ON-BASE RESPONDENTS

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TRIPS BY OFF-BASE RESPONDENTS

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COMMUTE TRIP REDUCTION OPTIONS

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PERCEPTION OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE REGION

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WHAT RESTAURANTS DO YOU WISH THIS REGION HAD? Restaurant Number of Times Listed by Participants

Chilis Chick-Fil-A Buffalo Wild Wings In and Out Burger Texas Roadhouse Cracker Barrel Chipotle Sonic Golden Corral TGI Fridays Applebees Cheesecake Factory Dave and Busters Olive Garden Macaroni Grill Outback Carrabas Dunkin Donuts Joes Crab Shack Longhorn Steakhouse

81 52 35 28 26 24 23 19 19 17 13 13 13 12 7 7 7 7 7 7

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GENERAL COMMENTS

1.

Regional and On-Base Transportation A top concern. Suggestions and ideas were provided on how to improve
congestion issues at the gates (such as opening each at all hours), stagger physical training and work schedules, interests in ride sharing, shuttles, bio diesel, carpooling, and methods to reduce single occupancy driving to the base.

2. 3.

Schools and Childcare A need for improved school quality on base, high cost and inadequate hours of childcare
both on and off base, long waitlists both on and off base, and the inadequacy of care for special needs children.

On-Base Commercial and Service Choices Interested in healthier food choices and non-fast food restaurants
on-base, better grocery choices on base and proximate to the base, farmers markets, and better fitness training opportunities on base similar to off base athletic clubs.

4. 5.

On and Off Base Housing Options and Conditions An interest in improving the quality of on-base housing;
housing costs and BAH issues; and the need for privacy and spaces for pets and gardening on base.

JBLM / Regional Amenities The region is an attractive place to reside long term due to regional amenities and
culture. Many identified reasons they prefer to live off-base, including growing gardens, having pets, privacy, and more service and commercial options, but would like to see more military discounts.

6.
7. 8.

Walking and Biking Environments Comments were targeted at low quality walking conditions on-base and
respondents interests in sidewalks, biking infrastructure, need for improved cross sections, and enforcing speed limits.

Health Care Identified the need for improved health care services at Madigan and the need for dental clinics on base. Safety Issues on-base related to the speed of traffic and petty crimes. Off-base safety comments were related to
concerns with criminal activities near base gates and in communities close to JBLM.

9.

Joint Base Transitioning Joint Base transitioning issues, including merging Army and Air Force operating systems,
cultures, and expectations.

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Contact:
Dan Penrose, Project Manager 253-983-7772 dpenrose@jblm-growth.com

COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC SURVEY RESULTS

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COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC SURVEY RESULTS

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