Military Minute 05 Feb 24

I'm Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute.

In this edition we are going to talk about barracks. As much fun as the barracks can be, they are in a chronically poor state. I know I've been harping on this quite a bit lately, but the junior enlisted can't speak up for themselves. I'm no longer on active duty so I can speak out for them. What are they going to do, recall me to active duty, shave my head and send me back to the sand box?

Don't threaten me with a good time.

The Navy is making some headway with completely funding barracks and gyms. But it's unclear if that funding includes any of the $130 billion of deferred maintenance. And the MCPON is pushing to get every Sailor into a barracks room. That last piece I especially applaud.

The Army is struggling to get their arms around a truly massive problem and the solution of privatizing the barracks has raised its head again. At least someone realizes they've gone this route before and it had all kinds of problems.

No one expects a 5 start Disney resort for the barracks. But having functional AC/heat, no insects and no mold would be a good start. And having quality gyms that can actually accommodate the personnel stationed on a Navy base would actually be a good start.

I'll keep my eye on this like the Lone Sailor perpetually on watch.

And that's your Military Minute.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/02/navy-sinking-nearly-1-billion-barracks-construction-amid-revelations-of-poor-living-conditions.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pentagon-budget-price-gouging-military-contractors-60-minutes-2023-05-21/

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/01/can-privatization-fix-armys-squalid-barracks-service-hopes-so-now-theres-no-other-plan.html

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-global-resolution-criminal-and-civil-investigations-privatized