Soldiers Barracks Room covered in mold, course of action?

2015-09-08T12:17:59-04:00

One of my Soldiers came to me this morning with complaints of mold in his room upon inspection there was mild EVERYWHERE.

I know first course of action is to inform CoC and let it work itself out but his clothes military/civilian are all ruined including shoes. CoC will take time and this quality of life is unacceptable in my opinion!

What options are available to get this Soldier reimbursed and his room cleaned to a standard we would all live in?

Congressman, GCSM, General???

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Sep 8 at 2015 12:22 PM

2015-09-08T12:22:09-04:00

how far up in the COC did you go? I am befuddled that the 1SG or CSM is not addressing this....

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 12:32 PM

2015-09-08T12:32:54-04:00

Since the CoC has been notified, another course of action is to get the local Preventive Medicine unit to come and do a courtesy inspection to get an evaluation done. Once their evaluation/inspection is done, they can get a Memo for record written up and given to the CoC, which will add weight to the corrective actions that need to be taken.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Sep 8 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-09-08T12:44:28-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member offers a great place to start. However, I have a question regarding any history of this room: In most climates, mold doesn't advance this problematically. Is there any history of mold in adjacent rooms? My concern is that there is a bigger health issue in the rest of the building. Your trooper may not be the only one at risk.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Sep 8 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-09-08T13:46:39-04:00

My first question - Why did it take so long for the soldier to notify you?
My understanding of the current reality is that NCO's no longer do a regular Health and Welfare Inspections of soldier quarters. To me this is an indicator that this type of policy is not well thought out. Regular health and welfare inspections would have precluded so much damage to military and personal property. Stuff like this does not happen overnight. Has your unit recently returned from an off post deployment or other long exercise, those are the only mitigating circumstances that I can think of that the soldier and yourself as the soldiers direct leader would have going for you.

There is a bit of information missing from the story that you present.
As others have stated, what about other soldiers in the same building, etc?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 8 at 2015 2:00 PM

2015-09-08T14:00:51-04:00

Allow the CoC to do it's job before trying to take it higher. All you'll do starting high is wait for that "high" to come down, and when it does, the low will really be "LOW" if you know what I mean.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Sep 8 at 2015 2:09 PM

2015-09-08T14:09:30-04:00

Not surprised. I was assigned a room, no inspection was every done when the room was assigned to me, just to find out the room was filthy and full of mold. I didn't sleep one night in that room, and when I went to sign out of it the housing office claimed I was responsible for cleaning up the mold. My command was so livid, one of the officers came down to help clean it and yell at the housing office for being disrespectful. I hope you have better luck than I did. The NCOIC at the housing office was married to the CSM, so there wasn't much we could do without making a huge stink about it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 2:18 PM

2015-09-08T14:18:59-04:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member I believe that is a health code violation. If they're in military housing they should be reassigned to different quarters. I was assigned a room which was full of mold, I immediately went back to housing and told them about it and was given different quarters, after they sent someone to verify what I said.

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According to a recent report from the Defense Department Inspector General’s office, U.S. military housing in South Korea has been cited for hundreds of code violations, 11 of which posed serious dangers to residents. The Oct. 28 report reviewed 12% of the buildings occupied by military families and unaccompanied service members stationed in South Korea’s …

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 8 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-09-08T14:59:28-04:00

Contact the hospital environmental health folks and the IG. The medical folks can determine how toxic the mold is

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 8 at 2015 3:00 PM

2015-09-08T15:00:41-04:00

Call Directorate of Engineering and Housing. He can go to JAG to file a claim against the government or get an Investigating Officer. Why did he take so long to report this problem?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 6:32 PM

2015-09-08T18:32:34-04:00

It happened over the four day weekend! Room was last inspected previous Monday and the an OCIE layout conducted on Wednesday. SM stayed at gf house for weekend and came back this morning and his room and 8 others covered in mold. My Soldier is my only Soldier in this part of the barracks. By covered I mean shoes and clothes ruined it looks kinda like cobwebs it's almost like u can watch it grow!

NCO Support a Channel and CoC is aware of issue a dim being told it will be handled tomorrow for now the Soldier is bunking with a battle buddy.

I appreciate all of your input and advice at least I know where to start if issue isn't resolved quickly thanks to all of you!

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 8 at 2015 10:00 PM

2015-09-08T22:00:41-04:00

In the Navy we call it field day. But now we call our Union rep.

Response by GySgt Moses Lozano made Sep 8 at 2015 10:52 PM

2015-09-08T22:52:57-04:00

Inform your NCO then your senior elisted. If still no response request to see your commander officer.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 2:44 PM

2016-03-01T14:44:34-05:00

was this soldier deployed? extended FTX? mold just doesn't spring up over night.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 1 at 2016 4:32 PM

2016-03-01T16:32:48-05:00

This was first posted 6 mos or so ago. Have there been any positive results to the reports of mold in the barracks, and has it been taken care of, and what was it that got the response and action from higher-ups?? Was there any retaliation against the SM or yrself for reporting this??

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 1 at 2016 4:46 PM

2016-03-01T16:46:07-05:00

At the risk of being considered a wise ass, what would you do if you had been deployed for an extended period and found that situation in your home or apartment. Unless it is black mold (that is a particularly bad thing, and doesn't merely mean black as most mold is), You get a bucket of water and bleach and clean it up. Good grief, folks, I used to make the junior enlisteds clean up their barracks on a regular basis, back in the old days.

Response by SSG Wilson Lucero made Jan 21 at 2018 10:31 AM

2018-01-21T10:31:47-05:00

First of all, this Soldier need to contact the units facility manager. He should take pictures of the mold and damages on his uniforms. I recommend this Soldier to inform his chain of command and Housing ASAP. I'm not sure how they're going to reimburse for the damages. I would make an appointment with JAG to see what can be done about the financial liabilities and reimbursement.

Response by CPT Mike Sims made Jun 12 at 2018 9:40 PM

2018-06-12T21:40:36-04:00

This is a serious health issue! Bring over the Medical Officer and call the EPA (if in the U.S.)... do not wait. Mold can lead to mold spores in one's lungs causing permanent pulmonary dysfunction, lung disease and even death! Move this Soldier to another barracks room, shut down the current room and cordon it off until it has been cleared by medical personnel, and have the Commander at the O-3 level sign a memorandum to have the Soldier's uniforms and gear replaced, and any personal items reimbursed. Document everything! I once had to get EPA involved and condemned and tore down an entire building for asbestos that was out of control at Fort Huachuca, and years later called in favor from a 2 star Commanding General at a base in Korea at the DMZ to see the living conditions of troops in barracks forced to shower in feces because of one working toilet for an entire floor and only two working showerheads for all 3 floors.... the troops said the Captain / 1SG / LTC / CSM and COL knew about it. I didn't believe it. So later that day, I asked the COL and he said he was working on it (for 2 months)! I had better living conditions in the middle of the desert in Iraq! So, the General - who I used to work for when he was a Colonel went with me to the barracks... he moved in the entire command team of that unit and those barracks got squared away a week later, and the General popped in for surprise inspections after that. Moms and Dads don't give us their sons and daughters to live in shit - especially in a non-combat environment. We all experience hell in war - and think we live in hell when we are training in the field... but the barracks should be a place where troops can relax after a hard days work - not a place that even rats run from.

Response by MSgt Jerry Lillie made Jul 2 at 2018 5:51 PM

2018-07-02T17:51:30-04:00

Report it so that it can be taken care of

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 2 at 2018 10:31 PM

2018-07-02T22:31:56-04:00

f you have a death wish by all means use the 3 courses you suggested. 1st you have to use the CoC, you can also use the Unit's Medical folks. You or your COC can immediately move the SM- you need to find the source as this can affect many SM in adjoining rooms

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 2 at 2018 10:58 PM

2018-07-02T22:58:48-04:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member so this is a new problem, not a reoccurring issue? For the love of all that is general issue, give the guy responsible a chance to fix it. That would be the DPW Director. The soldiers need to be moved to temp rooms. The Public Works Maintenance team will either have to abate or get a contractor in. They will need to test the mold with an IH or other mold specialist . Not all mold is the same. They may (may) clean ducts and other HVAC. They might not. Depends on IH testing.

Was there a dehumidifier in any of the spaces? Did it get turned off/unplugged?

Check with the Legal Assistance office to see if they can file a damage claim.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Sep 3 at 2018 6:58 PM

2018-09-03T18:58:21-04:00

As I recall, clothing is issued to enlisted soldiers where as officers must purchase their uniforms. Have post clothing issue new uniforms. Have the barracks inspected for contamination and effect cause and action to remedy it

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Sep 17 at 2018 11:53 AM

2018-09-17T11:53:58-04:00

Regardless of if you think the time frame that the CoC will take to address the issue you owe them the opportunity to address the situation before engaging the Garrison CSM. You cant fix things if you don't know, and you don't know if no one tells you or you don't check.
Remember it's your Soldier and their stuff didn't grow mold and get spoiled over night; so what's your reply going to be when the GCSM asks "when' s the last time you were in, or around your Soldiers hootch?"

While you are notifying the Coc, put a work order in with DPW, they should have contractors or personnel that are trained to perform mold remediation up to a certain number of square feet (cant remember the authorized amount for small clean up). Also contact the environmental section at the post hospital, they will determine what kind of mold is present. My experience is that folks respond quickly to mold issues.

If there is that much mold there is an issue with the ventilation and humidity control in the barracks space. We encountered this at fort Sill and again at Ft Hood, the vents from the latrine had become blocked and the moisture from the showers wasn't being vented outside.

Response by Cpl Douglas Loven made Sep 29 at 2018 4:50 AM

2018-09-29T04:50:32-04:00

I lived in a barracks that had asbestos insulation for 2 years.

Response by Cpl Douglas Loven made Jun 30 at 2019 11:15 PM

2019-06-30T23:15:15-04:00

When I was at MCAS Yuma they had us living in a barracks with asbestos.

Response by SFC Daniel Eliseuson made May 3 at 2020 5:01 PM

2020-05-03T17:01:45-04:00

Contact IG

Response by SFC Howard Holmes made Sep 7 at 2020 1:53 AM

2020-09-07T01:53:15-04:00

SMs need to ensure they receive verification of these issues so that if health issues arise, they get covered by the VA, and you get appropriate compensation. That is such horse crap to have living conditions like that, and they can't understand the issues with reenlisting. I remember when each company area had it's own mess hall. Now my nephew, stationed at Ft. Wainwright, AK tells me the chow hall is more than a mile away, and he doesn't have a car. My son was stationed at Riley, and he was in the same situation, he had to find a ride to get to the chow hall. Since when do soldiers have to go miles to get their meals. I am so glad that I served in a time when the military and the leaders took care of the soldiers. When my nephew returned from Iraq to Wainwright, he didn't even have his barracks, they had to put him and most of his unit in a holding area where they stayed for at least a month before getting back to being reassigned to a barracks room, and his barracks room isn't even near his unit. WTF is going on with the Army, barracks, and living conditions? Again, I can see why nobody wants to stay.

Response by PO1 Alyssa Storm made Sep 10 at 2020 6:36 PM

2020-09-10T18:36:15-04:00

Gee, I'd at least have his uniform replaced & have him moved to a safer room where there isn't such health hazards for one thing.

Response by 1SG Leroy Lucero made Feb 24 at 2021 11:14 PM

2021-02-24T23:14:15-05:00

Was the Soldier deployed? Or was the soldier living there while all this happened?

Response by SFC James Welch made May 3 at 2021 3:56 PM

2021-05-03T15:56:46-04:00

How did it get that way if he was keeping it clean?

Response by PO3 Pamala McBrayer made Jul 30 at 2023 3:00 PM

2023-07-30T15:00:56-04:00

How long was the member absent from his barracks??? Mold doesn’t cover surfaces without time and moisture. Most mold comes from improper ventilation, resulting in humidity buildup and condensation, and WATER LEAKS/plumbing issues.

Mold remediation of clothing may be as simple as a wash in hot water with fungicide or chlorine bleach. From what you are indicating, you are saying the mold is fully infiltrated throughout all surfaces/room. Air too.

First and foremost, that barracks should not be housing anyone until the problem is fixed and contaminated surfaces are removed (sheetrock) or cleaned. That air isn’t safe to breathe (toxic) and respirators (not masks, even N-95) are needed.

Response by PO3 Pamala McBrayer made Jul 30 at 2023 3:05 PM

2023-07-30T15:05:00-04:00

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd1842.pdf
This form might be helpful???

dd1842.pdf