Fail: More Moldy Barracks for Wounded Soldiers

by: Brandon Friedman

Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 12:55:05 PM EDT


More problems with shitty barracks for wounded soldiers:

LAWTON, Okla. - Mold infests the barracks that were set up here a year ago for wounded soldiers after poor conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center triggered a systemwide overhaul, soldiers say.

Twenty soldiers, who spoke to USA TODAY early last week, said their complaints about mold and other problems went unheeded for months. They also said they had been ordered not speak about the conditions at Fort Sill.

Officers at the Army base last week ordered that ventilation ducts in two barracks be replaced and soldiers be surveyed, anonymously if they wished, about any concerns. Maj. Gen. Peter Vangjel, the commanding officer, said it was "inappropriate" for soldiers to be ordered not to talk about the mold.

Is it really that hard to square away barracks for the wounded?  Given this latest eruption of maintenance incompetence and failure in leadership, I'd just like to direct everyone's attention back to a statement made in April by Brigadier General Dennis Rogers--Director of Operations and Facilities for Installation Management Command--in regard to the Fort Bragg barracks situation:

"I'll tell you right now before we even start: I assume responsibility for the shortfalls in barracks maintenance which were referenced in the video by Mr. Frawley.  We let our soldiers down.  And I note that a number of you are veterans, or most of you are veterans, and you served.  So you know that there is no excuse for that.  We let our soldiers down."

Of course, this statement was made after the much-hyped "nationwide walk-through."  

So what's the deal now?  Can we meet the standard, or what?  This is pathetic.  What incentive do you give people to enlist when this is what you offer them?
Brandon Friedman :: Fail: More Moldy Barracks for Wounded Soldiers
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Fail: More Moldy Barracks for Wounded Soldiers | 5 comments
This is indefensible (4.00 / 2)
Mold infests the barracks that were set up here a year ago for wounded soldiers

The barracks were only setup a year ago, and already we have problems?  This is failure defined.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

Not making excuses for piss poor management... (0.00 / 0)
maintenance, but I'm in NW AR and have watched the huge amount of rain come across OK toward me. They've had flooding in OK this year.

Mold is totally a health risk and needs to be cleaned. [have a kid who is fighting the mold battle post devastating floods in IA]

Found this rec for Borax used on cement block. Probably not part of the cleaning process at these barracks. You put a solution of Borax on and let it dry. It then kills beyond the initial 'surface' contact.

http://www.thegreenguide.com/d...

The "shshsshsshhhhh' shit needs to stop.

Who was that jerk that was in charge of the wounded barracks being built across the street from an artillery range? Seem to recall that that Gen. said something like 'duh, we didn't think it would be a problem' to house vets with PTSD there.

[ Parent ]
Brig. Gen. Gary Cheek is the star in charge of 'transitional barracks' (0.00 / 0)
[ Parent ]
No excuse (0.00 / 0)
for this. This is a clear case of neglect and/or simply not giving a fuck. Nough said.
Saw vid of the mold at Ft. Sill on CNN... (0.00 / 0)
It was more than a little mold. It was every where in the walls and the ceilings.

Noted in the comments that the air conditioner was NOT working and not repaired.

If that nurse that said it wasn't 'dangerous mold' because it had been tested is any example of the 'brains' in the care giving staff, the wounded have much to complain about. See some of the comments about the 'medical' and info relayed to the wounded at Ft. Sill. "WET FLOORS" was a real winner.

Fail: More Moldy Barracks for Wounded Soldiers | 5 comments
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