As Americans across the country celebrated Independence Day on July 4, some lawmakers raised concerns about the living conditions of military personnel. A Government Accountability Office report had revealed poor conditions in barracks several months ago, but little progress has been made since then.
A group of twelve lawmakers, including Rep. Richard Hudson from North Carolina, called on Army Secretary Christine Wormuth to address the “completely unacceptable” conditions at bases like Fort Liberty, previously known as Fort Bragg. These conditions were described as major health risks that could impact recruitment, retention, and overall military readiness.
The lawmakers highlighted a 2023 GAO report that detailed hazardous conditions at 12 military installations, with images showing feces on restroom floors, water-damaged ceilings, and black mold. Despite some efforts by the Pentagon to improve conditions through the “Strategy for Resilient & Healthy Defense Communities” program, more needs to be done.
Several lawmakers expressed their concerns about the substandard living environments faced by military families. Rep. Lloyd Smucker from Pennsylvania stated that families in his district found the conditions “appalling” and called for immediate action from the Department of Defense. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick emphasized the importance of prioritizing military families, especially when comparing their living conditions to those of individuals housed in luxury accommodations after crossing the border illegally.
In their letter to Army officials, the lawmakers requested detailed plans on how remaining funding for 2024 would be used to address the issues, as well as the implementation of empirical standards to ensure progress. The Army spokesperson acknowledged the need for safe and high-quality barracks for enlisted personnel and assured that efforts would be made to improve living conditions.
Overall, the concerns raised by lawmakers reflect a commitment to ensuring the well-being, readiness, recruitment, and retention of military personnel. It is imperative that swift action is taken to address the poor barracks conditions and provide a suitable living experience for those who serve their country.