The State of Washington hosts several major military bases and significant installations of all branches of the military; many in the Northwest Metroplex or right next door. Pierce County is the home of Ft. Lewis and Mc- Chord Air Force Base. Kitsap County is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Naval Base Kitsap and the Keyport Undersea Warfare Research Station. Island County is the location of Naval Air Station Whidbey, and Snohomish County hosts the Everett Navy Base.

Named after Meriwether Lewis of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition, Fort Lewis is one of the largest and most modern military reservations in the United States. It is located on the south end of the Puget Sound about half way between Tacoma and Olympia.