ESTABLISHMENT AND COMMUNICATION OF MARINE CORPS UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING QUALITY OF LIFE STANDARDS

R 041917Z NOV 26
MARADMIN 546/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC L LF WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ESTABLISHMENT AND COMMUNICATION OF MARINE CORPS UNACCOMPANIED
HOUSING QUALITY OF LIFE STANDARDS//
REF/A/DOC/MEMO/OSW-BTF/06OCT2026//
REF/B/DOC/MEMO/OSW-EI&E/12MAR2026//
REF/C/DOC/MCICOM POLICY LETTER 9-25/09OCT2025//
REF/D/DOC/USMC UH RESIDENT GUARANTEES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/-//
REF/E/DOC/MCO 11000.22/-//
REF/F/DOC/UFC 4-721-01/-//
REF/G/DOC/PL 118-31 SEC 2836/22DEC2023//
REF/H/DOC/MCO 1700.23/-//
REF/I/DOC/MCO 4400.201 V. 17/24 JUL 2018//
REF/J/DOC/MCICOM HANDBOOK-LEADING IN THE BARRACKS/2 NOV 2026//
NARR/REF A IS OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR (OSW) BARRACKS TASK
FORCE (BTF) MEMORANDUM, UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING LIVING CONDITION
STANDARDS AND WORK ORDER RESPONSE. REF B IS OSW CONFIRMATION OF
COMPLIANCE FOR U.S. MARINE CORPS 2+0 UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING DESIGN.
REF C IS MCICOM POLICY LETTER 9-25, MILITARY HOUSING OFFICE (MHO)
REALIGNMENT AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OVERSIGHT OF MARINE CORPS
UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING. REF D IS THE MARINE CORPS UNACCOMPANIED
HOUSING GUARANTEES AND RESIDENT RESPONSIBILITIES CHARTER. REF E IS
MARINE CORPS ORDER 11000.22, MARINE CORPS HOUSING MANAGEMENT. REF F
IS UNIFIED FACILITIES CRITERIA (UFC) 4-721-01, PERMANENT PARTY
UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING. REF G IS NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 REGARDING CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF MILITARY
UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING. REF H IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 1700.23, REQUEST
MAST PROCEDURES. REF I IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 4400.201 VOLUME 17,
MANAGEMENT OF PROPERTY IN THE POSSESSION OF THE MARINE CORPS -
FINANCIAL LIABILITY INVESTIGATION OF PROPERTY LOSS. REF J IS
MCICOM'S LEADER'S HANDBOOK FOR UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING.//
POC/B. SANDERS/CIV/MCICOM G-F HOUSING DIRECTOR/TEL: 571-256-2832/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/R. D. BOLEY/SGTMAJ/MCICOM CMD SENIOR ENLISTED LEADER/TEL:
703-695-6824/EMAIL:[email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Situation
1.A. The Service member is the Marine Corps' most lethal and valued
asset. Providing high-quality Unaccompanied Housing (UH) that
protects the health, safety, dignity, and readiness of every Marine
and Sailor is directly linked to operational lethality, recruitment,
and retention. In support of the Barracks 2030 strategic initiative
and per the direction of the Secretary of War's Barracks Task Force
(BTF) (reference (a)), the Marine Corps is instituting unified, non-
negotiable standards of livability, accountability, and maintenance
responsiveness across all installations.
1.B. Every Marine assigned to UH is guaranteed a safe, secure, and
reliable barracks room and living environment. Compromises in
habitability degrade warfighting capability and will not be
tolerated under any circumstance.
2. Mission. All Marine Corps installation commanders, unit
commanders, facilities directors, and Military Housing Office (MHO)
personnel will immediately implement and enforce the standards,
maintenance response timelines, governance structures, and
resource-allocation procedures promulgated in this MARADMIN to
guarantee safe, secure, and reliable unaccompanied housing across
the enterprise.
3. Execution
3.A. Commander's Intent
3.A.1. Purpose. To codify enterprise-wide Quality of Life (QOL)
standards for unaccompanied housing; mandate strict response and
resolution timelines for maintenance deficiencies; empower
commanders, housing personnel, and residents to aggressively
eliminate habitability gaps; institutionalize QSRmax as the primary
maintenance reporting and assessment standard; and realign barracks
management under professional civilian oversight.
3.A.2. End State. Every Marine residing in unaccompanied housing
occupies a clean, modern, fully functional, and well-maintained room;
maintenance requests are tracked transparently via QSRmax/USMCmax
and resolved within established timelines; Marines' statutory rights
to safe housing and procedural redress (including Request Mast) are
preserved without exception; and facilities investment decisions
are data-driven through integrated performance metrics.
3.B. Safe, Secure, and Reliable Barracks Operational Criteria
3.B.1. Safe Living Environment. Free of life, health, and safety
(LHS) hazards. Proactive environmental safety controls will mitigate
mold, asbestos hazards, lead-based paint hazards, and ensure healthy,
breathable air in barracks rooms. Fire safety systems (smoke
detectors, CO monitors, fire suppression systems, alarms, and
emergency illuminated egress paths) must maintain 100 percent
operational readiness.
3.B.2. Secure Barracks. Exterior security doors, electronic access
control systems, room entry locks, secondary deadbolts/latches, and
window locks must be fully functional. Individual residents must
have functional, locking wall lockers or closets capable of securing
personal gear and military issue.
3.B.3. Reliable Infrastructure and Utilities. Continuous delivery of
high-efficiency utility services, including potable domestic water,
reliable hot water (minimum 110 degrees F at fixtures), sanitary
sewer drainage, dependable electrical distribution, exterior/
interior lighting, and climate control (HVAC) operating within 70-74
degrees F. High-speed commercial or common-use Wi-Fi connectivity
must be supported throughout all living quarters and common spaces.
3.C. Standard Issue for Every UH Room (USMC 2+0 Module Standards)
3.C.1. Configuration. Per reference (b), the standard Marine Corps
2+0 room design complies with Department standards and UFC 4-721-01.
The baseline living module comprises a minimum 180 Net Square Feet
(NSF) living/sleeping area (maximum 2 occupants), individual lockable
closets (minimum 22 SF each with 5 built-in shelves), an integrated
private bathroom (wash basin/vanity, toilet, and 3-ft by 5-ft shower
enclosure), and a dedicated kitchenette service area (sink and
service counter) measuring 2-ft by 4-ft.
3.C.2. Required Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E). Prior to
room assignment, the following minimum requirements will be met:
3.C.2.A. Requirements per individual:
-One twin/full extra-long bed frame with clean, stain-free mattress
meeting commercial fire-retardant standards.
-One computer/study desk with ergonomic task chair.
-One nightstand.
-Dedicated, secured closet space with five interior shelves and
clothing rods.
3.C.2.B. Requirements per room:
-One functional refrigerator/freezer unit (minimum 2-ft by
2-ft-3-in footprint) and microwave oven.
-Window dressings (blackout blinds or fire-rated shades)
providing complete privacy and light control.
3.C.3. Physical Room Condition.
-Walls and Paint: Drywall intact without holes, dents, or gouges;
freshly painted or uniform paint free of peeling, chipping, scuffs,
or stains.
-Flooring: Clean, level, crack-free, and undamaged vinyl composition
tile, sealed concrete, or commercial carpet/plank flooring with zero
trip hazards.
-Windows and Doors: Solid-core entry doors with operational locks,
peepholes, and weatherstripping. Windows must open/close smoothly,
lock securely, and feature undamaged insect screens.
-HVAC: Individual Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) or
dedicated central fan-coil unit, providing operational heating and
cooling, augmented by a ceiling fan.
-Electrical/Lighting: Fully operational overhead fixtures, bathroom
vanity lighting, illuminated exterior entryways, and functional,
grounded 110V/208V electrical outlets with secure, undamaged
faceplates.
3.D. Room Turnover and Assignment Standards
3.D.1. Zero-Deficiency Handover. No Marine will be checked into a
barracks room that does not meet the baseline 2+0 standard or that
possesses open maintenance work orders.
3.D.2. Turnover Workflow (White Glove Standard). Before assignment
of any room, the MHO contracted building manager and civilian
housing staff must execute:
-Joint move-out inspection and damage assessment with any departing
resident. In the event a departing resident is unable to complete
the inspection a command representative will be coordinated by the
Government Services Barracks Manager.
-Comprehensive deep cleaning, including sanitization of the
bathroom, shower, vanity, kitchenette, microwave, refrigerator,
furniture, windows, and floors.
-Corrective maintenance addressing all aesthetic, mechanical,
plumbing, or electrical flaws (e.g., drywall patching, paint
touch-up, caulking/grout replacement, screen repairs).
-Verification of all standard issue FF&E against the room
inventory baseline.
-Formal turnover sign-off and documented certification in the
Enterprise Military Housing (eMH) authoritative database.
3.D.3. Un-inhabitable Definition. A room which meets any of the
following criteria is deemed as un-inhabitable and will not be
assigned to Marines.
-Visible presence of mold/mildew
-Visible evidence of pest infestation
-Inoperable HVAC
-Inoperable door/window locks
-Inoperable plumbing/sewage
-Inoperable hot water
3.D.4. Inhabitant Acceptance, Protections, and Right to Refusal.
Prior to signing the occupancy agreement, incoming Marines will
inspect the room alongside the building manager. Per reference (d),
Marines possess the right to refuse un-inhabitable quarters (as
defined in reference (e)) without fear of reprisal, retaliation,
harassment, infringement on privacy, or decreased service.
3.D.5. Right to Request Mast Regarding Substandard Housing. If a
Marine is ordered to occupy a room that fails to meet established
livability standards, or if habitability deficiencies are not
corrected prior to occupancy, the Marine has the right under
reference (h) to immediately Request Mast. Marines may seek an
audience with their commanding officer, starting with their company
commander, up to and including the commander exercising general
court-martial convening authority (GCMCA), to petition for redress
regarding substandard quarters or improper room assignments.
3.E. Maintenance Service Response and QSRmax Governance
3.E.1. Reporting Mechanism. Marines will initiate maintenance
requests directly using QSRmax from any internet-connected device
(smartphone, tablet, laptop) by scanning the building-specific QR
code posted on barracks portals, room doors, and common bulletin
boards.
3.E.2. Service Request Progression
-Step 1: Marine identifies deficiency.
-Step 2: Marine submits digital request via QSRmax link/QR code.
-Step 3: MHO Building Maintenance Officer / Contracted Building
Manager receives ticket in QSRmax portal.
-Step 4: MHO Building Maintenance Officer assesses ticket, assigns
direct action (skip to step 7), or generates a Service Request in
USMCmax.
-Step 5: Facilities Maintenance Service Desk dispatches a Work Order
to the designated public works shop or contractor.
-Step 6: Work is executed, inspected, and USMCmax ticket is closed
out.
-Step 7: Marine responds to QSRmax Quality Assurance/Quality Control
(QA/QC) prompt to confirm whether work has corrected identified
deficiency.
-Step 8: MHO Building Officer / Contracted Building Manager
validates work not responded to by Marine and conducts randomized
assessments of QA/QC responses from Marines.
3.E.3. Responsiveness Standards (per reference (a)). Response,
arrest, and completion timelines are strictly binding
enterprise standards:
3.E.3.A. Emergency Work Orders
-Initial Response: Within 1 hour.
-Arrest Deficiency: Within 24 hours ("Arrest" defines taking interim
action sufficient to eliminate or contain immediate life, health,
safety, property, or operational risk pending permanent resolution).
-Permanent Completion: Within 15 business days.
-Relocation Protocol: If an emergency condition cannot be arrested
within 24 hours, the Marine will be relocated immediately to
alternate lodging. Relocated Marines shall not return until the
emergency condition is arrested.
-Emergency Thresholds: Confirmed natural/propane/sewer gas leaks;
carbon monoxide accumulation which triggers a carbon monoxide alarm
or results in inhabitants displaying symptoms consistent with carbon
monoxide exposure; friable/disturbed asbestos; contiguous visible
mold growth equal to or exceeding 10 sq ft; active electrical
arcing/smoking/shock risks; complete building power outage;
inoperable fire alarm/smoke detectors; blocked emergency egress;
imminent structural/roof failure; missing/loose fall guardrails;
complete loss of heat when exterior temperature is below 50 degrees
F; complete loss of air conditioning when exterior temperature
exceeds 85 degrees F; failed refrigerator storing essential
medications/biologics; 30 percent or more of laundry appliances out
of service barracks-wide; uncontained water leaks causing property
damage; venomous pests/wild animals inside quarters; all toilets in
a facility inoperable; complete loss of domestic hot water.
3.E.3.B. Urgent Work Orders
-Initial Response: Within 8 hours.
-Arrest Deficiency: Within 72 hours.
-Permanent Completion: Within 15 business days.
-Urgent Thresholds: Partial electrical failure without bare wires;
damaged non-friable asbestos; contiguous visible mold growth less
than 10 sq ft; minor trip hazards on stairs/floors; compromised gear
locker locks; contained plumbing leaks (draining faucets,
continuously cycling toilet, slow appliance leaks contained by
buckets); non-extreme HVAC failure (outside temperatures between 50
and 85 degrees F); clogged AC condensate drain lines; domestic
refrigerator failure (loss of food storage); broken range burners;
20 percent or more laundry appliances out of service; missing/broken
exterior room entry door; inoperable single toilet or sink (where
another is accessible); active non-venomous vermin/insect
infestations (mice, roaches, ants).
3.E.3.C. Routine Work Orders
-Initial Response: Within 4 business days.
-Permanent Completion: Within 15 business days.
-Routine Thresholds: Replacement of standard lighting ballasts/
bulbs; loose outlet faceplates; inoperable bathroom exhaust fans;
slow sink drains; cracked caulking/grout lacking leaks or mold;
minor seasonal insect intrusion; damaged window screens; sticking
interior doors; broken blinds; damaged toilet seats; minor cosmetic
paint/drywall dings; minor carpet/flooring scuffs; 10 percent of
laundry appliances inoperative; exterior grounds/gutter repairs.
3.E.4. Verification Before Close-out. In accordance with reference
(a), no work order will be marked closed in QSRmax or USMCmax
without verified physical inspection and recording of specific
corrective actions taken. This verification is conducted through
the QSRmax QA/QC process.
3.E.5. Escalation Protocol and Failure to Remediate
3.E.5.A. If any work order exceeds the prescribed standard for
response, arrest, or completion by five (5) business days, or if an
emergency condition remains unarrested past 24 hours, the work
order must be escalated directly to the Installation Commander.
3.E.5.B. A biweekly delinquency report detailing all work orders
failing response, arrest, or completion timelines will be provided
to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (EI&E) and the DoW Barracks
Task Force (BTF).
3.E.5.C. Installation Commanders are authorized immediate discretion
to reprioritize base operations support contracts, redirect local
funds, or issue Certificates of Non-Availability (CNA) for
commercial off-base lodging when organic assets are exhausted.
Critical funding deficits will be elevated for emergency resource
support.
3.E.5.D. Right to Request Mast for Delinquent Maintenance: If
maintenance requests submitted via QSRmax or conventional channels
are ignored, systematically delayed, or not addressed within
established response and resolution timelines, affected Marines
possess the right to Request Mast per reference (h). Marines may seek
an audience with their commanding officer, starting with their
company commander, up to and including the commander exercising
GCMCA, to obtain resolution. Under no circumstances may any leader
impede, discourage, or retaliate against a Marine exercising this
right.
3.F. Roles and Responsibilities
3.F.1. Unaccompanied Housing Residents
-Adhere to the Resident Guarantees and Responsibilities Charter
(Reference (d)).
-Maintain clean, hygienic room conditions, appliances, and common
living spaces.
-Immediately report all maintenance, damage, and sanitation defects
via QSRmax.
-Facilitate access for authorized maintenance personnel, safety
inspectors, and building management.
-Complete post-maintenance QA/QC prompts within QSRmax for submitted
tickets.
-Secure issued property; avoid intentional damage, vandalism, or
unauthorized structural/electrical alterations.
-Comply with safety, destructive weather, and energy conservation
policies.
-Exercise appropriate command advocacy channels and Request Mast
rights when standard procedures fail to resolve living condition
deficiencies.
3.F.2. Military Housing Office (MHO)
-Per references (c) and (g), align all UH operations, civilian
personnel, and contracted building managers under the single
civilian Installation MHO Director.
-Execute the civilianization of barracks management: return tenant-
unit active duty barracks managers to active duty requirements.
-Onboard and manage professional contracted building managers
responsible for day-to-day facilities management, key control,
initial check-ins/check-outs, and work order processing.
-Provide dedicated government civilian housing managers (GS-1173
series) to oversee contractor performance, manage life-cycle
facility sustainment, and conduct quality assurance.
-Manage the enterprise QSRmax ticket portal, review incoming
maintenance requests, coordinate directly with Public Works/
Facilities Maintenance Service Desks, and ensure timely resolution.
-Maintain 100 percent accurate occupancy data in eMH.
3.F.3. Installation Public Works Departments/Facilities Directorates
-Perform all barracks maintenance in accordance with reference (a).
-Barracks maintenance will be performed before any other maintenance
at any other facility type.
-Identify a Barracks Maintenance Lead to serve as the central point
of contact for the Unaccompanied Housing (UH) staff.
-Establish a feedback process with their local Military Housing
Office on the status of all barracks maintenance work requests.
3.F.4. Tenant Unit Commanders (O-5 / O-6)
-Retain operational, disciplinary, and welfare command authority over
assigned Marines.
-Conduct regularly recurring health, safety, and field day
inspections per references (c) and (e) to enforce cleanliness, good
order, and discipline.
-Receive quarterly face-to-face barracks condition briefings from
Installation UH representatives.
-Remove active-duty Marines from any assigned UH management
activities, e.g. duties associated with the responsibilities of MHO
and Installation Facilities personnel.
-Ensure all Marines under their command are fully briefed on their
housing rights, including the non-retaliation protections guaranteed
under reference (d) and Request Mast procedures under reference (h).
-Support Marines facing habitability deficits; advocate for timely
maintenance remediation or prompt relocation.
3.G. Inspection, Accountability, and Performance Reporting
3.G.1. Comprehensive Inspection Framework
-Weekly: Unit-led field day and good-order inspections focusing on
resident sanitation, cleanliness, and unauthorized equipment.
-Monthly: MHO joint building manager facility surveys evaluating
shared spaces, laundry facilities, mechanical rooms, lighting,
exterior grounds, and security hardware.
-Quarterly: Formal, comprehensive technical joint inspections
conducted by civilian MHO staff, unit leadership, and installation
safety/environmental health representatives.
3.G.2. Accountability Framework. Any damage to UH facilities or FF&E
which exceeds normal wear and tear; e.g. damage which results in
replacement of FF&E before the applicable life cycle replacement
window, damage which would not reasonably occur during appropriate
utilization or occupation of the UH facility, or damage caused by
misuse of FF&E or facility component, will be processed according to
the requirements of reference (i). Any repair or replacement costs
associated with damage in which financial liability is not assessed
will be charged to the command determining liability.
3.G.3. Assessment Checklist. Barracks operational compliance, open
work order backlogs, and structural health metrics will be
incorporated into the Inspector General of the Marine Corps (IGMC)
functional assessment checklists no later than FY28.
3.G.4. Elevation of Non-Compliant Facilities. Barracks failing to
meet minimum habitability benchmarks, suffering chronic
environmental issues (e.g., pervasive systemic mold), or
experiencing unarrested emergencies will be classified as
Substandard/Uninhabitable. Commanders will initiate immediate room
decanting, CNA generation, and project consolidation for
restoration or demolition.
3.H. Resource Prioritization and Capital Investment Strategy
3.H.1. Data-Driven Capital Allocation. Analytics harvested from
QSRmax/USMCmax ticketing, work order frequencies, recurring failure
rates, and Building Condition Indices (BCI) will directly drive
Marine Corps barracks investment prioritization. Incorporation of
enterprise utilization studies will drive appropriate housing
requirements management.
3.H.2. Integration into FSRM and MILCON. Maintenance trends
generated via QSRmax/USMCmax and housing requirements generated via
enterprise utilization assessments will govern the four-pillar
infrastructure resourcing strategy:
-Facilities Sustainment: Immediate operating funds applied to high-
frequency routine repairs, appliance refresh cycles, and
preventative HVAC servicing.
-Facilities Restoration: Rapid deployment of specialized contracts
to correct acute deficiencies, remediate environmental hazards, or
repair major structural failures identified via escalated work
orders.
-Facilities Modernization: Mid-to-long term renovation initiatives
to convert legacy barracks footprint to the approved USMC 2+0 room
configuration with modern fixtures, PTAC systems, and high-
performance building envelopes.
-Military Construction (MILCON) Replacement: Replacement criteria
for obsolete, unrepairable facilities scoring chronically poor
condition indices, replacing deteriorated inventory with new 2+0
compliant complexes aligned with Barracks 2030 targets.
4. Administration and Logistics
4.A. Commanders and MHO directors will download and prominently
display the USMC UH Resident Guarantees and Resident
Responsibilities poster (reference (d)) alongside QSRmax QR access
codes in every barracks lobby, common passage, and the interior
face of every barracks room door.
4.B. Policy coordination, enterprise waivers, and interpretation
authority rest with Commander, MCICOM (G-F Housing).
4.C. Direct administrative inquiries regarding civilian personnel
realignment, Table of Organization and Equipment Change Requests
(TOECR), or building manager contracting to MCICOM G-F Housing.
5. Command and Signal
5.A. Command. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total
Force, all regional installation commands, tenant commands, and
Marine Corps activities worldwide.
5.B. Signal. This MARADMIN is effective immediately upon release.
Commanders shall ensure this MARADMIN and reference (j) is
disseminated widely to all levels within their command.
Reference (j) can be found at https:[Forward Slash][Forward Slash]
www.mcicom.marines.mil[Forward Slash]Portals[Forward Slash]57
[Forward Slash]GF-Housing[Forward Slash]USMC_Barracks_Leadership
_Handbook.pdf.
6. Release authorized by MajGen Brian N. Wolford, Assistant Deputy
Commandant, Installations and Logistics (Facilities).//