Over 5,200 enlisted medical students to be relocated as Texas base barracks face demolition due to structural flaws

Published Jul 24, 07:12 PM UTC

Over 5,200 Army, Navy, and Air Force enlisted medical students at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston are being relocated due to systemic infrastructure failures in their barracks. The facilities, built in 2014 using modular construction methods at a cost of $140 million per dormitory, have persistent issues with climate control systems and structural flaws that cannot be permanently repaired. The barracks will be demolished and reconstructed, with demolition slated for September 2026 and construction beginning by end of 2026. The project is expected to cost over $1.4 billion in fiscal years 2027-2028. Approximately 2,000 students have already been moved since July 11, 2026, into on-base temporary housing. The relocation follows the October 2025 creation of the Barracks Task Force by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to improve military living conditions. Rep. Joaquin Castro emphasized the need to avoid repeating construction mistakes.