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Marines are known around the world for their “cleanest bodies..[and] highest morale,” as Eleanor Roosevelt stated. It is imperative to maintain the highest standards of discipline, cleanliness, and safety within our barracks facilities to reflect those standards and ideals. The Marine Corps is preparing to inspect every barracks around the world. By March 15th, someone of Gunnery Sergeant or higher must examine each barracks room and each squad bay, and unlike the typical inspections after field day, these inspectors are outside of the chain of command for those areas.
The goal of the inspections is to ensure that the rooms and spaces are clean, safe, and healthy. They will also inspect the usability of furniture and appliances. Per General Christopher Mahoney, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, the inspections are part of the Barracks 2030 initiative and will provide baseline information on “what condition these barracks are in.” There have been reports of mold, appliance issues, and faulty water heaters in the barracks. These inspections will bring to light what issues there are and what repairs are needed in each location.
The SgtMaj of the Marine Corps, SgtMaj Carlos Ruiz, spoke to the Armed Forces Committee at a congressional hearing in regard to these inspections. “The quality of a Marines home is essential to their readiness,” he stated, and the Barracks 2030 project includes “deliberate investments to improve our barracks within the Corps.” He further stated during the testimony that planned repairs include fixing broken locks, replacing outdated furniture, and ensuring rapid maintenance responses. Long term, there will be further investments per General Mahoney as he desires to spend upwards of $1.5 billion on the barracks versus the $300 million currently spent on average.
Another part of the Barracks 2030 initiative, civilians will be placed in managerial positions at the barracks in the long term to ensure that the barracks will be maintained. The barracks maintenance and care are typically managed by military personnel as a secondary duty.
“Taking care of Marines is a warfighting function,” said Gen. Eric Smith, the Commandant of the Marine Corps at the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) Installation Innovation Forum (IIF) in November of 2023. “Otherwise, they cannot focus on the mission at hand. Barracks, chow halls, and gyms are key to retaining Marines, and investments in quality-of-life initiatives are truly warfighting needs.”
There are no reports on how, where, or if the findings will be shared publicly, but with the promise of Marine Corps leaders, the Corps-wide inspections are a step in the direction to correct the barracks concerns.
