The Media Relations section assists members of the news media in reporting on JBLM, ensuring the American public has access to the information they need understand the military's role in the community, in support of the nation, and in the world. The Media Relations section in responsible for:

  • Releasing information, arranging interviews, responding to media inquiries, and coordinating access to the installation for news media representatives,
  • Inviting reporters to significant events that highlight missions, programs, or issues of interest to the public,
  • Providing media awareness and media engagement training to members of the JBLM community.

 

Reporting on Joint Base Lewis-McChord

High-profile military missions, high-tech military equipment, high-intensity training opportunities, our innovative installation and family support programs, and easy access from Portland and Seattle are among the many reasons local, national, and international news organizations cover activities at JBLM on a regular basis.

Media office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. Call (253) 967-0152.

For urgent issues after duty hours, call the JBLM Operations Center at (253) 967-0015, and ask for the Public Affairs Officer on call.

Media Escort Requirements

Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a closed military installation. For security reasons, installation access rules require a public affairs escort to be present any time members of the media conduct news-gathering activities on post. For invited events, media should RSVP in accordance with the instructions provided in the news release to coordinate a public affairs escort onto the installation.

For other stories, news media representatives may request assistance from the Media Relations section. Requests are granted when service and DoD regulations as resources allow.

Service members and military family members who are interested in engaging the media are encouraged to contact our office for assistance. If the story is of limited official interest, we may suggest meeting with the reporter off-base (where a public affairs escort is not required).

For stories not related to the subject's military affiliation, we can generally provide an escort onto the installation only if the story cannot be adequately reported without such access.

Please note:

Our office does not facilitate "reaction" stories (stories seeking service member or military family member reactions to issues of current interest or events) and "person-on-the-street" interviews - reporters may solicit military personnel and their families for their reactions to current events via other means, but we will not use military resources to provide an escort onto the installation for these types of stories.

Possession of a military-issued ID

card or visitor pass does not constitute permission to conduct newsgathering

activities on any part of the installation - including family housing - without

a public affairs escort. Pass-holders and/or the visitor's military sponsor may

be held responsible if a pass or military ID is misused.