Welcome to Fort Lewis: where the lifestyle rewards are like no place else

Profile: Life in the Armed Forces, Dec, 2003 by Aaron Thacker

"We live in what is called the Fort Lewis Ramada," says Reinhardt, using a term of affection for the recently completed barracks. "These two historic buildings on main post have been gutted and remodeled to the One Plus One standard. It was the most expensive barracks project in the Army."

Fort Lewis was the first installation to complete the One Plus One standard set by the Army. "One Plus One standard says each soldier will have his own room; one half of a module," according to Reinhardt. "A module has two rooms with separate entrances with a common area in the middle consisting of a kitchenette and a bathroom and keyless entry. There are about five different versions of this standard.

"This new style of apartment grants more leniency," Reinhardt says. "Most of the old-style barracks have one entrance, so the first person you see is the CQ (building manager). We have eight entrances to one building, so it's like going into an apartment building, not a barracks."

Living standards such as these refurbished historical buildings, as well as benefits that come from all the other Army programs, may be exemplified at Fort Lewis; however, they are standards that are being applied at Army installations across the world.

This Army practice of providing the best quality of life for its soldiers is not only about competing in the labor pool, but rewarding people with a dignified way of life. As Sgt. Maj. Mathews says: "The Army lifestyle provides rewards you can t find anyplace else."

STRYKER BRIGADE

Fort Lewis is home to the Army's most advanced rapid deployment infantry units, the Stryker Brigades. The Stryker is a highly deployable wheeled armored vehicle that combines firepower, battlefield mobility, survivability and versatility with reduced logistics requirements. The Stryker Force fills the gap between the Army heavy and light forces, such as the traditional tank units and foot soldiers. It uses state-of-the-art technologies to bridge the capabilities gap between today's Army with that of tomorrow's.

THE BARRACKS

Barracks Features

--Two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchenette

--10-foot ceilings

--Keyless entry

--Two common kitchens for the building

--Two common day rooms for the building including: big-screen television, foosball tables, ping-pong tables and pool tables

--Extra storage space per soldier

--Gear-cleaning room

For more information about the U.S. Army, call 1-800-USA-ARMY or visit www.goarmy.com