Eight Pentagon groups working to protect service members and families are investigating unsanitary and unsafe living conditions at U.S. bases around the world, including mold, bad weather, polluted waterlead paint and roaches and other pests.
The effort, led by an organization called Hots&Cots, is to push the military to address these problems now, rather than waiting for whatever overhaul the Pentagon has planned, as advocates argue.
“The Department of Defense must act sooner rather than later to address the quality of life challenges facing our military,” Hots&Cots founder Rob Evans said in a statement Tuesday. “Every day that these issues go unaddressed is another day that the well-being and morale of those who serve are compromised.”
Photographs collected by Hots&Cots and released exclusively to NBC News show the group: mold covering the ceiling of an army canteen in Korea, cockroaches on a counter at a Texas Air Force base, dark brown water flowing from a new faucet. Form base and more.
NBC News has not independently verified the photos, but Evans said he and a group of volunteers are reviewing and evaluating the photos to ensure they are legitimate.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In September 2023, the Government Accountability Office released a report highlighting poor living conditions in government-owned barracks and military housing owned and operated by private companies. It included examples of homes with mold and mildew, broken windows and overflowing sewers, and recommended that the Department of Defense conduct more inspections of apartments. Among the problems identified in the report was the DOD’s failure to set clear inspection standards or provide guidance on how to address the problems.
Evans created the Hots&Cots app, where service members can anonymously upload photos and reviews of lodging and dining facilities after reading the GAO report. Since launching the app, users have uploaded almost 8,000 images and nearly 400 positive and negative reviews.
Evans, who served 12 years in the Army Reserves and Army National Guard, said he wanted to give men and women a way to break through barriers to help when faced with poor living conditions. Although he told NBC News that he did not experience unsafe living conditions while in uniform, the barracks had “less than ideal” accommodations.
“This stuff is important,” he said. “If we’re asking someone to enlist and serve their country, that’s important.”
He said it was “very disappointing” that the military had yet to address some of the known issues, but said there were leaders in the military who genuinely wanted to help and make a difference.
Evans said he allows people to report anonymously because it removes the barrier or fear of telling the truth, especially for enlisted troops. Hots&Cots said it does not collect personal or demographic information about users.
Rep. Richard Hudson, RN.C., on Tuesday supported the effort led by Evans. “Every year the Army allocates money to improve the housing conditions of our soldiers,” said Hudson, whose North Carolina area includes Fort Liberty, formerly known as Fort Bragg. “The problem is that these funds are not used effectively to ensure the necessary living conditions of our soldiers.”
“The Army must get serious about addressing the terrible conditions our Soldiers are living in at bases like Fort Bragg/Fort Liberty,” Hudson said. “As a representative of the world’s largest military base, I will continue to serve as Secretary of the Army.” [Christine] “The worm is in charge until our troops get the high quality housing they deserve.”