'Everything Is on the Table': Army Eyeing Expansion of Privatized Barracks
The Army is considering a significant expansion of privatized barracks, a concept it has revisited periodically since the 1990s and one that gained renewed momentum under the previous administration. As part of a pilot program, construction is expected to begin this summer on a new privately managed facility at Fort Irwin, California, designed to house […]
Army Pulls Back Household Goods Shipments as Privatized Moving Contract Leads to Widespread Issues
The Army is pulling some household goods shipments belonging to its personnel out of the military’s new privatized system that manages moves due to “contract performance issues,” according to the service and the military command overseeing the system. A memo from the Army Personal Property Lead Element, dated Feb. 28, told transportation offices to “pull […]
Privatized Barracks Would Get Deeper Look Under House's Draft Defense Bill
As the military services flirt with the idea of privatizing more barracks to deal with deteriorating living conditions, a key House panel wants the Pentagon to study the issue more in depth. In its draft National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, released this week, the House Armed Services Committee calls on the Pentagon to deliver […]
Pentagon Chief Sidesteps Question on Privatized Barracks Oversight During Congressional Testimony
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed the need to invest in housing when pressed Tuesday on how the Pentagon will ensure that any privatized barracks are not plagued with the same problems as privatized military family housing. Appearing at a wide-ranging Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Austin was asked by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., about how […]
Here Are the First 14 Bases to Experience New Privatized Household Goods Moves
Service members and families at 14 stateside U.S. military installations will be the first to relocate under the Defense Department’s new privatized process, U.S. Transportation Command announced Tuesday. In the beginning, only moves picked up and delivered within about 50 miles of the same base will be carried out by HomeSafe Alliance, the entity formed […]
Army Eyes Privatized Barracks as It Struggles to Find a Solution to Poor Living Conditions for Soldiers
The Army is hoping privatization can fix the myriad quality-of-life issues facing its barracks, at least partly because it has few other ideas. In December, key service leaders had a barracks summit to draw up plans to get soldier housing back up to standards following months of media reports on rampant mold and other problems, […]