Marine Corps
Marine Corps launches surveys to identify problems in barracks, housing
Stars and Stripes
March 21, 2024
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos A. Ruiz tours the barracks room of Lance Cpl. Steven Hernandez, a supply clerk with Marine Forces Special Operations Command, during a visit to MARSOC at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 21, 2024. (Henry Rodriguez/U.S. Marine Corps)
Housing is among the priorities for the Marine Corps this year.
As part of an effort to get an idea of what and where the problems might be, the Corps will conduct two surveys:
The first is the Resident Quality Assessment, for Marines living in barracks.
The second is the Tenant Satisfaction Survey, for Marines living in public-private venture and government-owned family housing.
The surveys, which began Monday and run through April 18, are designed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse perspectives of all who live in Marine Corps housing.
“Every contribution is vital in helping the Marine Corps progress and provide quality and affordable housing and housing services,” said Major Gen. David W. Maxwell, commander of Marine Corps Installation Command (MCICOM).
The surveys will be conducted by independent third-party Robert D. Niehaus Inc. (RDN); are expected to take less than 10 minutes; and they will be anonymous. Tenants should expect to receive the survey link via email or text, which will be resourced from the contact information on file with local Military Housing Offices (MHO), as this year’s surveys will be exclusively digital.
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz, testifying Wednesday at a House Appropriations Committee hearing, emphasized the issues surrounding housing.
“There is certainly a correlation between the quality of our Marines’ lives and the quality of their barracks,” Ruiz said. “The Commandant of the Marine Corps directed the force to develop recommendations to improve barracks management, improve quality of life and provide better-maintained living quarters.”
A 2023 survey showed an overall satisfaction score of 79, a property satisfaction score of 78, and a service satisfaction score of 81. But many areas in need of improvement were identified, including pest control, interior lighting, and bathroom and kitchen amenities.
Funding — about $274 million, an increase of $65 million — for the restoration and maintenance of barracks, family housing and child development centers is part of the Marines’ recent $53.7 billion budget request.
“As we looked [at the budget], we said the first thing and most important is just to make sure that our sailors and Marines are safe and they have a good place to live,” said Rear Adm. Ben Reynolds, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for budget.
