The Defense Department faces a $285 billion maintenance backlog for barracks and other facilities, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Aug. 21. The figure has more than doubled since fiscal year 2020, when deferred maintenance costs stood at $137 billion, as the Pentagon struggles to fund repairs and hire enough workers.
The GAO report faults the Pentagon for failing to request sufficient funding from Congress, noting that military services are covering only 80% of their maintenance needs—below the Defense Department’s 90% target. About one-third of U.S. base buildings are over 50 years old, with some structures at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms exceeding 80 years and showing signs of mold and asbestos.
Staffing shortages are compounding the problem, particularly at remote bases like Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam. Officials there rely on foreign workers via the H-2B visa program to fill gaps, but cite limited local talent pools and insufficient incentives.
The GAO recommends the Pentagon assess mission risks from deferred maintenance and improve oversight, though Defense officials rejected calls for annual progress reports. The Pentagon has requested $57 billion in next year’s budget to address these issues, a figure critics argue remains inadequate.
