The Marine Corps is working on a nearly $11 billion plan to improve the conditions and maintenance of barracks by 2037. However, a proposed component of the plan, which would have stationed staff noncommissioned officers (SNCOs) in enlisted barracks to mentor Marines and ensure order, may need to be removed due to legal challenges.
At the Modern Day Marine Expo held in Washington on Wednesday, Eric Mason, Marine Corps Installations Command’s unaccompanied housing team lead, mentioned that the program, inspired by a similar initiative in the Navy, is facing “legality issues.” He noted that the Marine Corps legal team has concerns regarding SNCOs residing in barracks while receiving the basic allowance for housing, which could lead to two entitlements. The legal team is currently exploring alternatives.
A pilot program initiated in 2023 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, involved placing eight SNCOs in noncommissioned officer barracks to help maintain standards. Marine Corps Installations Command spokesman Maj. John Parry explained that the role of resident advisors is to facilitate the transition of Marines from dependency to independence, similar to situations faced by college students.
Mason indicated that Sgt. Maj. Jason Hammock of MCICOM is actively addressing the legal issues and is in discussions with Navy officials regarding the mentorship program. One proposed solution is to charge resident advisors a nominal fee, around $100, to live in the barracks while allowing them to retain their housing allowance.
Mason expressed uncertainty about how to approach the issue, questioning whether it should be regarded as a housing or leadership problem. He expects decisions to be made within 90 days but affirmed that other aspects of the Barracks 2030 initiative, as outlined by Commandant Gen. Eric Smith, will proceed.
The Marine Corps is already making strides, having replaced 532 active-duty enlisted barracks managers with 347 contracted civilians to prioritize maintenance and overall quality of life in the barracks. The initiative is in response to reports and a Government Accountability Office audit highlighting the deplorable condition of housing, including infestations of mold and other problems.
In the fiscal year 2024 alone, the Marine Corps allocated approximately $220 million for the renovation of 13 barracks housing 3,500 Marines and invested $20 million in furniture for 109 barracks. Additionally, a pilot program has been launched at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, to implement Common Access Card (CAC)-enabled door locks to enhance safety, alongside a new reporting system using QR codes for Marines to report maintenance issues.
Mason outlined plans to shift barracks renovation to a 10-year refresh cycle instead of the current 30-year cycle. Emphasizing the necessity of mentorship and prompt responses to housing issues, he acknowledged the frustration that arises when military leaders attribute poor living conditions to the failure of service members to maintain their quarters. He stressed that a barracks room is a significant asset for a Marine and requires the same level of training and care as their weapons and vehicles to ensure a positive outcome.
