Advocacy groups urge US DoD to fix unsanitary military base conditions
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Congressman Richard Hudson also criticized the inefficiency in using allocated funds to improve housing conditions.
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A concerned parent shared that their son, a Marine, was assigned to stay in a barrack at Camp Pendleton that had a "DO NOT OCCUPY!" notice due to mold, peeling paint, and possible asbestos and lead contamination. (@LoriMills4CA42)
Eight US advocacy groups led by an organization called Hots&Cots are calling on the Defense Department to address unsanitary conditions on US military bases around the world, NBC News reported on Tuesday.
Hots&Cots has shared photos with NBC depicting mold-covered ceilings on a base in South Korea, a roach on a counter at a Texas Air Force base, and visibly dirty water flowing from a faucet on a New Jersey base, among other problems, the report said.
"The Department of Defense must act sooner rather than later to address the quality-of-life issues facing our service members," the report quoted Hots&Cots founder Rob Evans as saying. "Every day that these issues go unresolved is another day that the well-being and morale of those who serve are compromised."
This is completely unacceptable. Every day I strive advocating that quality of life of our service members deserve better. The @DeptofDefense needs to do better for our service members. https://t.co/3MDUiWFgxZ
— hots&cots (@hotscots_app) August 26, 2024
Commenting on the unsanitary conditions on US bases, Congressman Richard Hudson noted that despite the US Army allocating funds to improve housing conditions, these resources are not being utilized effectively to maintain basic living standards.
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There have been numerous previous instances where unsanitary and poor living conditions on US military bases were reported.
In 2021, service members stationed at Fort Hood in Texas reported unsanitary conditions, including mold and poor maintenance in barracks.
In 2019, it was reported that many military families living on bases, including Fort Bragg in North Carolina, were dealing with severe housing issues, such as mold, lead paint, and rodent infestations.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
