Military Living in WORST CONDITIONS
In a letter to Army brass, many congressmen stated that even months after a stinging Government Accountability Office investigation highlighted some of the worst conditions, some of those tasked with defending that liberty are still living in abject poverty as Americans celebrate freedom nationally on July 4.
Twelve legislators urged the military branch to act more quickly at its sites within the United States, notably the large Fort Liberty in North Carolina, which was originally known as Fort Bragg.
While conceding some, albeit insufficient, improvement has been achieved, Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., whose district contains the 250-square-mile facility, spearheaded a recent letter urging Army Secretary Christine Wormuth to address “completely unacceptable” circumstances.
“We need to know whether the Army is doing all it can to quickly implement effective solutions to improve housing conditions like we’ve seen at Fort Liberty/Fort Bragg,” Hudson added to Fox News Digital.
“Not only is better quality housing key to help meet recruitment and retention goals, it is critical to ensuring our military’s readiness.”
The letter sought “swift action” to address “substandard indoor environmental conditions” that they regarded to be serious health dangers. Wormuth, three generals, and a sergeant major were among those to receive it.
“[They] are causing increasing liabilities and chronic long-term illnesses. Along with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., and Greg Pence, R-Ind., the brother of the former vice president, Hudson, wrote, “These living environments have become a detriment to our recruiting and retention, as well as the readiness and resiliency of our warfighters.”
Reps. The letter also included the following parties: Dan Bishop, R-N.C.; Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J.; Pat Fallon, R-Texas; Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa; Don Bacon, R-Neb.; Brian Mast, R-Fla.; August Pfluger, R-Texas; and Michael Kean, R-N.J.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) study from 2023 on dangerous conditions at 12 unidentified military facilities was referenced in the letter. The complaint contained pictures that seemed to depict black mold clumps, water-damaged ceilings, and excrement all over a restroom floor.
The GAO at the time concluded that Pentagon authorities had failed to exercise enough control and left it up to each military component to make the necessary corrections.
The timing of the June 24 letter hinted that some of the problems and supporting data in the study had not been adequately addressed when it was published by Hudson on Tuesday.
The legislators did note that the Pentagon has made some strides in its “Strategy for Resilient & Healthy Defense Communities” initiative, including making public pledges to fulfill the air, humidity, light, and water standards for external health certification.
Lawmakers stated that the letter referenced remedial measures implemented at Fort George G. Meade, close to Columbia, Maryland, in that context.
Smucker claimed that military families in his district in the Lancaster region spoke with him personally about their worries over the issue.
He stated that military families who visited the area reported the circumstances to be “appalling,” adding that there is no justification for such “substandard and dangerous” surroundings.
