Growing up as the son of a Marine, I experienced firsthand the challenges of frequent relocations and housing issues that plague military families. While the military has taken steps to address these problems by privatizing housing, a recent study by the Government Accountability Office reveals that thousands of service members still endure living conditions that endanger their health and safety.

Despite decades of efforts, many service members are still living in substandard conditions. Even bases with high readiness scores often have barracks visibly in need of repair. The root of this problem lies in the assessment process, or rather, the lack of adherence to the process. The Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps are supposed to assess thirteen systems, ranging from carpets to foundations. However, the study found that these assessments were carried out unevenly, with some inspections spaced five years apart, even as all thirteen systems were rarely tested when the inspections did occur.

The neglect of barracks maintenance places tremendous stress on service members. Many endure outdoor work or weeks in the field and return home to inadequate living conditions. This is not the respite they deserve, especially when they are tasked with defending our nation.

Shocking reports reveal that many facilities suffer from the same issues my family faced a decade ago: black mold, insect infestations, and even methane gas leaks. These are not mere inconveniences; they are health hazards that our service members should not have to endure.

The study’s recommendations, while well-intentioned, seem to add more rules and paperwork to an already broken system. The reality is that a one-size-fits-all approach will never meet the diverse needs of service members stationed worldwide.

Instead of drowning in bureaucracy, it's time to trust our well-trained and dedicated service members to make housing decisions for themselves. The $15 billion allocated for building maintenance in the 2024 budget request could be better spent if service members were given the autonomy to choose their housing options, whether government or private. Another $27.9 billion package has been allocated to a new aid package for Ukraine; placing this money in our own service members’ hands would help them find livable housing with raises to help cover the burden of nationwide inflation. This would remove an impossible burden from the Department of Defense, which has shown a consistent inability to handle even basic tasks.

As it currently stands, most junior enlisted are stuck living in these barracks due to outdated regulations and low pay. Leaders looking to improve morale should look no further than advocating for Basic Allowance for Housing to become a universal reality for those in service. This would guarantee safe and livable housing for our nation's defenders.

I currently have one of these service members living at my home. Stuck between living in run-down barracks or spending his meager basic pay on skyrocketing rent, he chose the latter. Fortunately, he had a place to land softly, but this is not the case for most of his coworkers.

It seems that the Army Officer Guide circa 1894 is still very much the guiding ethos of decision-makers. "Enlisted men are stupid… and bear considerable watching." While partly tongue-in-cheek, the reality is that the Pentagon and senior leadership continue to treat the rank-and-file as mindless drones who are incapable of making decisions, all the while daily failing to equip them to succeed.

Any business that subjected its employees to the conditions our service members endure would struggle to retain them. Likewise, no business could sustain itself if it consistently overspent and ran over budget, as our military branches often do. Today, even with the seemingly bottomless pockets of Uncle Sam, the consequences of this neglect are becoming increasingly evident, eroding trust and readiness within the military. 

Our service members deserve better than crumbling barracks and health hazards. It's time for a solution that empowers them to make choices about their housing. By reallocating funds and granting service members the ability to take charge of their living conditions, we can ensure that the brave men and women defending our homeland have the safe and comfortable homes they deserve. It's not only about improving living conditions; it's about showing our commitment to those who sacrifice for our nation.