GAO: DOD maintenance backlog hits $285 bln, leaving military barracks chronically neglected

Published Aug 21, 07:05 PM UTC

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released on August 21, 2026, reveals that the Department of Defense (DOD) is not requesting sufficient funding for installation maintenance and major improvements, resulting in an estimated $285 billion maintenance backlog in fiscal year 2025. The DOD aimed to fund 90% of maintenance needs but services only requested about 80%, with the Marine Corps dropping to 40%. This shortfall has led to 'chronically neglected' barracks, with thousands of service members living in substandard conditions posing health and safety risks. The GAO found that the DOD has not fully assessed the risks to mission readiness and quality of life. Challenges include hiring and retaining maintenance workers, unreliable data systems, and lack of oversight. The GAO made 13 recommendations, with the DOD concurring with 12.