Max Dreyer’s Post

“A new audit by the top government watchdog says some barracks, not just in the Army, are so bad that they degrade quality of life and military readiness. The report has drawn bipartisan, bicameral outrage and a blunt admission from the Pentagon. 
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit highlights three main points:

• Some military living quarters “are substandard” and “pose potentially serious health and safety risks,” a problem made worse because the Defense Department’s (DOD) “assessments of conditions are unreliable.” 
• Defense officials can’t make informed decisions because they lack complete information about military housing finances. For example: “DOD did not know how much it spent on housing allowances for service members who would normally be required to live in barracks, but did not because of insufficient space or poor living conditions.” 
• Authorities conduct “insufficient oversight” of military barracks and do not track information on the condition of barracks that’s needed to identify and address problems.”

🚧🛠️ The aftermath of the Baltimore bridge collapse has entered a critical phase. The Unified Command, which includes the U.S. Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other key agencies, is undertaking the challenging task of clearing the debris from the M/V Dali, the cargo ship impacted in the incident. The goal is to access and clear the part of the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed onto the ship. 🔗 Read more about the incident and ongoing efforts at ABC News: https://lnkd.in/eXUs6ErG 🧐 Our Perspective: This should motivate a comprehensive review and enhancement of infrastructure health across the nation. For those of us in logistics, it’s a reminder: our efficiency depends on the strength and reliability of every part of our infrastructure network. This event could be the push we need to shift our focus, prioritizing infrastructure integrity and safety in national logistics planning. #logisticsmanagement #infrastructuresafety #supplychainresilience #baltimorebridgecollapse #industryresponse

barracks / (ˈbærəks) / 1. a building or group of buildings used to accommodate military personnel 2. any large building used for housing people, esp temporarily 3. a large and bleak building https://lnkd.in/g_GKU4JU This is unfortunate but unsurprising. I’ve personally lived in barracks that were condemned and torn down when space was found for us to move. This is one reason why we have a recruitment/retention problem across the military services. When your office is nicer than where you live, there is a priority issue. When your seniors, including DOD civilians have nice homes on and off base, it creates animosity. When “barracks” are treated like a prison cell, unannounced inspections, inability to cook, and forced to live with roommates that fail to clean to any reasonable standard—it creates an issue. Related to this, is the treatment of “recruits” who are treated like adolescents with little freedom. Which is ironic considering that they signed up for an opportunity to serve their nation and protect our freedoms. *not all installations or organizations but my experience over 25 years, CONUS / OCONUS and multi-service led.

#USMC BRASS CANNOT EVEN PROVIDE SAFE DOMESTIC HOUSING FOR #Marines & #Families Do they acknowledge that #mold in #military barracks and #militaryFamily housing is cause grave & mystery illnesses? As a civilian, I know first hand that guerilla lawfare and failures to properly mitigate #waterdamage can cause what the doctors call terminal illnesses. #Facebook has many support groups for #mold & #mycotoxin survivors- and many of the groups are wailing walks of desperation pain and impending death. Mold sickness and excess deaths are a national health crisis that #Military #Insurance #contractors & #legislators #lawyers and other officers of the courts know about- and seem to profit by. Let’s fix that. US Congress U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division USMC Special Operations USMC War College (MCWAR) AMAC Foundation Newsmax Media, Inc. Restoration Industry Association National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) National Crime Agency careers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention SocialMedia.org Start with #WEF depop ops strategists? #CrisisOfAccountability & dereliction of duties …. #KidsMatter too

Remembering 9/11: Honoring Heroes and Resilience Today, we pause to remember and honor the lives lost and the heroes who emerged on that fateful day, September 11, 2001. The events of 9/11 left an indelible mark on our nation and the world, reminding us of the importance of unity, resilience, and the human spirit. At Litmos, we stand in solidarity with all those affected by the tragic events of 9/11. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones, and we pay tribute to the first responders, firefighters, police officers, and ordinary citizens who displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness in the face of adversity. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the values that unite us—compassion, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of community. In the face of challenges, we come together to support one another and build a brighter future. As we reflect on the past, let us also look forward to a future where we continue to promote unity, kindness, and understanding. Together, we can create a world where the lessons of 9/11 inspire us to make positive changes in our communities and workplaces. Let us honor the memory of those we lost by committing to a world filled with hope, empathy, and unity. 🌟 #NeverForget #September11 #UnityInAdversity

Intimate partner violence (IPV), often called domestic violence, is a serious, preventable public health problem affecting millions of Americans. IPV describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm or stalking by a current or former spouse or dating partner. It's essential that Navy and Marine Corps members gain understanding of this issue and prepare to support those at risk within our ranks. By recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps, we can help create a safer and more supportive environment for all. Navy Medicine’s Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Leadership Guide aims to promote leaders’ understanding of IPV by highlighting the prevalence of IPV and the affect it can have on the readiness of service members. Knowing how to respond appropriately and connect those at risk with available resources is essential. This resource is available on the Women’s Health Webpage under ‘Mental Health.’ https://lnkd.in/eiwE7_e8

Take Out The Trash Admiral McRaven used to talk about making your bed: "If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed." His point is you can get the mission done by doing one small task at a time. You can also argue that it points to getting the small things right helps to get the larger tasks done right as well. The dying days of black combat boots I would hear SNCOs say similar anecdotes about shining your boots. Those who could get a great shine on their boot could move mountains. That one is a stretch (though I agree with the intent) because I knew Airmen (big A) that could put a gloss on a boot so smooth you could floss your teeth with the reflection...but couldn't generate a sortie to save their soul. For me, it's taking out the trash. Now, in retrospect as I write this, I'm probably referring to a pet peeve more than an analogy of how to be a producer of something, but I think the paradigm parallels the parody. There are those who will take the trash out when they see it is full; there are those who will see the trash can is full but push it down just to keep the lid shut (see, plenty of room for more garbage!); then there are those who see it is full, and don't even make an attempt to push it down let alone take it out, placing their empty drink cup on the top like some form of Mt. St. Trash, and walk away. If you can't make the time to take out the trash when it is full, to keep the workplace from stinking, the flies and ants from forming a new stronghold, to keep the shared environment clean, then how do I know you'll do anything not half-assed? How can I trust that you're paying attention to detail? I have also had officers literally tell me to my face that officers don't take out trash, like we were in some Victorian Royal Regiment, and they couldn't be bothered to get their hands dirty before teatime. I won't even get started on the sense of entitlement there. The point being made by these various analogies is: if you can get the small things right, consistently, and without someone having to ask, to beg, or even to watch you and cheer you on; then you can do anything in your life and in your career. Happy Hump Day! #HardtoKeepHappy #smallthingsmatter #wednesdaywisdom