Have the standards for unit footprints and post areas gone down?

1SG Alan Bailey — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:20:38 -0400

Is it just me or have the standards for unit footprints and post areas has gone down? It seems ever since the contracts to mow and up keep the areas there are places that look abandoned.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 25 at 2015 1:20 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:20:26 -0400

1SG Alan Bailey I guess we have to go back to the good old days when I was a private and I had to mow and clean up the company and battalion areas the old fashion way. I thought that built character and it didn't cost the taxpayers a contract. What have we come too!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 1:25 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:25:05 -0400

1SG Alan Bailey funny that as recent as yesterday I was weed picking in front of my unit...

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jun 25 at 2015 2:25 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 14:25:16 -0400

The appearance of most posts/camps/stations/bases have definitely taken a hit because of budget constraints. Most no longer use service member labor to "beautify" the common areas and, instead, use civilian employees or contractors to maintain the bases. With the limited funds available, this was one of the easy targets for cuts.

While civilians probably maintained portions of or all of "unit areas" in some places, and may have been cut, there is no good excuse for them not being kept to high standards, although I assume some may be wary of union complaints from civilian employee unions if they see it as soldiers doing their jobs.