Most enlisted above the rank of E-5 found off-base quarters, and I sort of think that was expected.
That said, something needs to be done for these men and women.
Base/Post Commanders should be held responsible, and a good commander would kick some a$$ to get it done. That is the first responsibility of a commander. Take care of your troops, no matter where they are.
AR
FINALLY!
I've lived in crappy housing, but never, ever "substandard" housing.
First of all the commander at this base needs to explain if these are abandoned or shuttered barracks. If they actually had men living in them, then the company commander and senior NCO's should be sh#t-canned for letting the men live in a hole like that.
You buy paint,(or steal it), you fix up the place and you sure as heck never let your men have a sewer gas up your men.
Real leaders understand this most of all. You eat after your men, you make sure that they're housed and secure. Then you take care of yourself.
Will someone that's been around please tell me this is just a hit piece and that men weren't allowed by the Army to live in a dump. If they did live in a dump, why would they allow themselves to be put there, without policing up the area?
I've seen senior NCO's try to slide around padding their retirement funds but whenever anybody found out, it was Leavenworth or a good a##-whipping for stealing from supply or payroll.