US Troops Living in Horrible Conditions, Face Risk of Diseases and Poor Mental Health: Watchdog

Service members were worried about contaminated drinking water, respiratory illnesses, personal safety, and the risk of sexual assault.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attends a press conference at Queensland Government House in Brisbane, Australia, on July 29, 2023. Pat Hoelscher/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of U.S. military personnel are residing in unclean conditions, exposed to sewage, toxic water, mold, and potential infections, according to a recent report by a governmental watchdog, blaming the Defense Department (DOD) for the poor situation.

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) officials visited 10 military installations in the country as part of their inspections. Some of the barracks were found to not meet even “minimum standards for assignment or occupancy” as outlined by the DOD, according to the report (pdf).