Senators Press Navy on Barracks, Privatized Housing and Medical Staff Shortages

Multiple senators raised longstanding quality‑of‑life issues for sailors, marines and their families — from substandard barracks to hiring delays for civilian shipyard and base workers and medical staffing gaps at Bremerton’s naval hospital.

Why it matters: Quality of life affects retention, readiness and morale. Senators said poor housing or insufficient medical care undermines recruiting and retention at a time when the services are trying to expand end strength and increase readiness.

Senator Patty Murray told the panel Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Naval Base Kitsap face workforce and medical access problems, and she called attention to nearly 2,000 shipyard workers who had taken deferred resignations amid slow civilian approvals. Secretary Phelan said the department is using existing appointment affidavits and awaiting DoD guidance on any changes to hiring processes. He did not commit to reversing OPM practices but said he would review guidance and work to address hiring delays.

On military housing and barracks, Phelan described inspections and immediate moves where necessary. He said some sailors were moved from uninhabitable barracks to newly available facilities and that the department is conducting a room‑by‑room review. Admiral Kilby said approximately 3% of barracks rooms tested were substandard and those sailors were being moved while refurbishments proceed.

Senators also raised medical staffing at Naval Hospital Bremerton, where the internal medicine department had no physicians for about 2,000 patients; Phelan said he would get details and follow up with concrete steps to fill vacancies.

Ending: The secretary pledged follow‑up briefings and said correcting substandard housing, streamlining civilian hiring and restoring medical staff are departmental priorities tied to retention and readiness.