Top Military Enlisted Say Housing and Pay Issues Hurt Recruitment, Retention

According to the military’s top enlisted personnel, poor housing, childcare and pay issues are detrimental to retention and recruitment.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D. Fla.) stated that a plan proposed by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R.Calif.) for a freeze on discretionary spending at FY 2022 levels will only make things worse

“We can’t take a giant leap backward,” Wasserman Schultz said.

On February 28, the highest ranking enlisted personnel for each service gave evidence in an oversight hearing by the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies. They stated that the Department of Defense must address quality of lives issues.

Sgt. Maj. of Army Michael Grinston explained to the subcommittee how the problem affects more than just soldiers’ morale. It could also impact national security.

“This is an American problem,” He said.

Grinston claimed that approximately $1.5 million had been allocated by the Army to family housing, soldier’s barracks and childcare facilities at Army posts around the world. Grinston stated that these problems are aggravating issues due to increased demands on enlisted personnel and pay issues.

James Honea, Master Chief of Petty Officer in the Navy, agreed. He stated that the Navy’s Pacific Northwest hospital had recently been closed, causing personnel to have to drive further from their bases in order for them to receive medical care. This only increases the pressure felt by many enlisted ranks.

“We will begin losing employees that are mission critical,” Honea stated.

Housing was first raised in the middle of the 1990s when military budgets were cut following the Cold War.

According to the Military Housing Association (MHA), approximately 180,000 housing units were in need of renovation or replacement.

Congress authorized the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, (MHPI) in 1996. The MHPI allowed each branch to contract with wi