The Condition of Military Housing: Leadership Is AWOL
By Tom Jurkowsky
June 26, 2025
During a visit to Guam a few weeks ago, Navy Secretary John Phelan was so appalled by the condition of the barracks he toured that he ordered leadership to move out the Sailors and Marines who were living in them. Phelan said he initially thought the buildings were condemned because of their appearance—exposed wires, badly corroded plumbing, water damage, and mold in the rooms.
Phelan’s findings and reaction prompted Vice Adm. Scott Gray, the head of Navy installations, to order a worldwide inspection of Navy barracks. In his email ordering the inspection, Gray attached photos from the Guam barracks and referred to their condition as “clearly neglected” and “unacceptable.” Gray also said the conditions are a failure of leadership.
Does it take a visit by the Secretary of the Navy to identify problems of this magnitude? The questions that arise immediately from the Secretary’s findings are: Where was our leadership on scene—not just senior officer leadership but senior enlisted leadership? Whatever happened to zone inspections or even walk-throughs of barracks by senior enlisted personnel? Is this what our military services have come to?
I had the privilege of serving the Navy as an enlisted sailor. When I lived in the barracks, our chief or leading petty officer would visit at least once a week, if not more. Were our rooms clean? Were the bathrooms clean and operating correctly? Were there any maintenance issues that needed attention?
https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/06/26/the_condition_of_military_housing_leadership_is_awol_1118976.html