Ever feel like Joint Base Lewis-McChord is more than just your duty station? Like maybe it's a part of you that just can't be extricated or erased from your brain? Then you might be a JBLM native. One definition of the word native reads ‘living naturally in a particular region' and while you might be questioning how a military installation can be thought of as an entire region, remember that JBLM has its own zip code, a variety of places of employment, tons of housing, a hospital and even an H&R Block storefront - so yeah, there is such a thing as a JBLM native.

Here's how to know if you are one...

10. You're still looking for the proverbial Battle Bean and have purchased a mug, T-shirt or other item emblazoned with that caffeinated combative's cheerful face.

9. You've sat in traffic on I-5 for 30 minutes ... and only made it three miles out of the gate ... any gate ... and you're not even surprised.

8. You know which CDC is best to book in advance and which one will incite an influenza outbreak in your home.

7. You know where the old post office was, where the current post office is and, most importantly, to never go at lunchtime or anytime during the month of December. 

6. You've either moved into more than two neighborhoods on base or you've moved from off base to on base and vice versa.

5. You know to avoid downtown DuPont at lunchtime during the week and, as a result, you've learned all about Galloping Gertie's, $1 Chinese and Norma's Burgers.

4. You still have to stop and think about what JBLM stands for ... so you're more likely to say you work at "Lewis" or "McChord" than use any official BRAC language.

3. Seeing a Stryker pass you on the road barely raises your level of awareness and C-17s or Blackhawks taking off 100 feet away make you yawn.

2. You know that the McChord Exchange has higher-end goods and more selection, but that the Army side of the house boasts the superiorly stocked Class 6.

1. When picking up prescriptions at the Madigan pharmacy, you know to do one of three things: bring War and Peace and expect to finish it, heck, maybe bring Great Expectations too; send your spouse in uniform to take advantage of the better number system; or to just suck it up and dole out the co-pay at Rite Aid and reclaim an entire day.