S-2453 : Still Just a Bill

The "Armed Forces Facility Conditions and Quality of Life Act" (S. 2453) mandates the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study on the impact of military construction and facility upgrades on the quality of life for service members and their families. Key aspects of the study include:

• Examining the correlation between construction projects and facility maintenance with the retention rates of active duty service members.
• Assessing the impact of facility conditions, including age and deferred maintenance of dormitories or barracks, on the physical health of service members and the frequency of sexual assaults and other crimes on military installations.
• Analyzing the connection between construction projects and facility maintenance with the mental health of service members.

The study will be conducted by an independent organization outside the Department of Defense to ensure objectivity. A report summarizing the findings must be submitted to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees within one year of the Act's enactment.