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U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Nick I. Brown and U.S. Navy Capt. Jeffrey Richer address barracks discrepancies during Operation Clean Sweep at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 21, 2024. (Jeslianne Torres/U.S. Marine Corps)
All Marines living in barracks can expect a new mattress and furniture, while sailors will see housing improvements at 50 Navy bases as the services invest $615 million to improve housing for junior enlisted troops.
“Quality of service is inseparable from readiness,” said Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander of Navy Installations Command, said in a news release. “Providing safe, comfortable, and clean housing is not optional. It is a responsibility we owe to every sailor who volunteers to serve.”
The new funding stemmed from a Defense Department-wide barracks task force stood up in October to overhaul the military’s aging housing for junior enlisted and unaccompanied service members. Government reports and the military’s own assessments have found substandard conditions including mold, non-working appliances and air conditioning, plumbing issues and broken locks and windows.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last month announced $1.2 billion for barracks renovations across all service branches provided through the massive spending package signed into law earlier this year commonly referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The Navy will invest $375 million into safety, comfort and cleanliness projects across the shore enterprise. About $75 million of that amount will support 95 prioritized projects across 50 installations and will meet the specific needs at each base. This money will go toward kitchen updates, heating and cooling systems, new floors and new furniture, the Navy said.
The remaining $300 million is flagged for major work at six bases:
Naval Support Facility Indian Head in Maryland: $22 million toward the Marine Corps barracks for the Joint Chemical-Biological Incident Response Force will modernize barracks with structural, mechanical, electrical and fire suppression upgrades.
Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia: $91.8 million toward the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Student Housing for a comprehensive renovation with roof replacement, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire system updates, mold remediation, cabinetry replacement, new flooring, closet upgrades and painting.
Oceana Dam Neck Annex: $78.3 million toward Marine Corps Intelligence School Mardet Student Housing for a full restoration and modernization of HVAC, plumbing, electrical system replacement, new flooring, closets, paint, updated bathrooms, new furniture and in-room refrigerators and microwaves.
Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam: $30.3 million toward Building 1489 for repairs to plumbing, exterior, roofing, interior finishes, HVAC and electrical. Interior renovations include upgrading kitchens, lounges, flooring, windows and shower areas.
Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia: $13.5 million for Shields Hall will support major HVAC system work, dropped ceiling replacement and the installation of lockable access doors.
Naval Base Kitsap in Washington: $12.1 million to Keppler Hall to repair damage from an August fire and sprinkler flooding, upgrade fire alarm system and interior restoration of flooring, new ceilings, updated bathrooms and electrical updates.
“This is not a one-time fix, but a sustained commitment,” Gray said in the release. “We are dedicated to continuous improvement and ensuring our sailors have the quality housing they deserve throughout their careers.”
U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander of Navy Installations Command, inspects a house ceiling at Naval Air Station Key West’s Sigsbee Park Annex during a visit to the Florida site on Oct. 8, 2024. (Nicholas V. Huynh/U.S. Navy)
The Marine Corps said it will spend $22 million across all installations to fund “self-help programs” and other minor repairs. Officials said this will empower commanders to act on local improvements.
Another $55 million will purchase new barracks furniture and mattresses across all installations, and $10 million will buy new door locks and a standardized barracks access control system.
The Marine Corps also designated $218 million for improvements and renovations of 16 barracks across six installations: Camp Lejeune, N.C., Camp Pendleton, Calif., Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., 29 Palms, Calif., Quantico, Va., and Camp Fuji in Japan.
Those renovations will cover HVAC repairs, mechanical repairs and work on major building systems.
The barracks task force also covers the Army and Air Force, though neither provided as granular a breakdown of the work to be done.
The Army will push $50 million to local commanders for barracks improvements and another $65 million to soldier self-help programs, the service said. Another $405 million will fund major renovations. Officials said they are still inspecting all barracks to find what work needs to be prioritized.
The Air Force will put $41.5 million toward immediate dormitory fixes of door locks, sinks, exhaust fans, lights, toilets, HVAC components, mold remediation, roof, flooring and window repairs. Another $89 million will support larger projects.
