GAO Report Finds U.S. Troops Living in Barracks with Mold and Backed-up Sewage

Government investigators have recently discovered health hazards, including mold, contaminated tap water, and bug infestations, in several barracks where single military personnel reside. Shockingly, enlisted troops living in these barracks were even instructed to clean up biological waste after a suicide occurred in one of the rooms. These findings raise concerns about how the Defense Department manages housing for service members both within the United States and around the world.

In a recently released report, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlighted ongoing issues with poor conditions in military barracks. The GAO auditors visited ten military installations across the country, where they spoke with enlisted residents and officials. The troops expressed how the substandard conditions of the barracks negatively impact their quality of life and military preparedness.

The GAO report emphasized that these barracks pose potential health and safety risks due to broken windows, malfunctioning fire systems, and a lack of privacy and proper configuration. According to officials, thousands of service members currently reside in barracks that fall below the established standards.

One unnamed military base, mentioned in the report, had a foul odor throughout one of its barracks. It was later discovered that the smell was methane gas leaking from aging plumbing with routinely cracked sewage pipes, which require frequent replacement. Exposure to methane gas is a known health risk, as confirmed by officials.

Senator Roger F. Wicker of Mississippi, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed his deep concern about the report’s findings. Wicker stated that it is shameful and troubling for the future of the military to fail in providing its service members with safe living and working conditions. He added that this year’s Senate defense budget includes increased oversight of military housing and the establishment of basic habitability standards, along with targeted funding to address these problems.

According to the investigation, some troops in these barracks were tasked with basic pest control and were even responsible for removing significant hazards such as mold and sewage. The GAO report revealed varying levels of mold and mildew in both occupied and vacant rooms. In fact, one barracks resident had to be hospitalized due to a respiratory illness caused by mold in their room. After being moved to a different barracks without mold, their medical issues were resolved.

Heating or air conditioning problems were present in all of the ten bases visited by the GAO. Troops reported the unbearable heat of sleeping in a room with a broken air conditioner during the summer, likening it to standing on the surface of the sun. Furthermore, during the winter, barracks residents often had to purchase their own space heaters despite the fire risk.

Poor barracks quality can also have a detrimental impact on a service member’s mental health. Some soldiers reported feeling depressed coming home to a “dark box” after work, while others speculated that the military’s suicide problem might be linked to the quality of the barracks.

The GAO report concluded that the Defense Department does not adequately track information on the conditions of military barracks. Additionally, the report highlighted that the Pentagon could not identify the amount of funding allocated for barracks maintenance. The Defense Department was also unaware of the amount of money being spent on housing allowances for military personnel who, due to insufficient space or poor living conditions, were not required to live in the barracks.

Complete funding information would enable the Defense Department to target improvements and gain better visibility into the full costs associated with barracks maintenance. It is crucial to address these challenges to ensure the well-being and readiness of our military personnel.