Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Tuesday a new task force to improve military barracks at a swearing-in ceremony for new recruits at Naval Air Station Oceana.
“Two years ago, the Government Accountability Office released a report that said ‘poor living conditions undermine quality of life and readiness,’” he told the class of recruits. “I’m signing tomorrow and announcing today a new barracks task force charged with developing a department-wide barracks investment plan in the next 30 days.”
Hegseth landed a few minutes before 8 a.m. and took the stage in the Globemasters squadron’s hangar to speak to about 60 recruits from across the branches. He then led them in their Oath of Enlistment.
“Every warfighter of our joint force deserves housing that is clean, comfortable and safe,” Hegseth told the recruits.
“The entire (defense) department has been mobilized by the urgency to make sure you have everything you need,” Hegseth said. “You deserve the best.”
The group being sworn in during Tuesday’s ceremony were from the Military Entrance Processing Station at Fort Lee near Petersburg. At Military Entrance Processing Stations, recruits go through medical evaluations, take an entrance examination and do physical fitness tests to be deemed eligible to enlist.
After swearing in the recruits, Hegseth also coined a group of Military Entrance Processing Station personnel and Oceana sailors for going above and beyond. U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, a Navy veteran, and Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer also attended Tuesday’s ceremony.
Military housing in Hampton Roads has been cited for inadequate and unsafe conditions in recent years. Reports have circulated of a number of persistent issues such as pests, structural failures and health hazards.
There are carveouts in this year’s proposed National Defense Authorization Act to address issues with unaccompanied housing locally through a $380 million public-private housing venture.
The rare visit by the defense secretary to an enlistment ceremony came two days after he spoke to a crowd of 10,000 sailors on the pier at Naval Station Norfolk for the Navy’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Hegseth told the recruits that Tuesday’s ceremony “rivals” Sunday’s sea power demonstration, which he said was “one of the most beautiful sights (he has) seen.”
“This will be one of the most transformative days of your life,” Hegseth told the recruits. “You will not regret this day.”
Jackson Sayles, a new Marine Corps recruit from Norfolk, called the experience of being sworn in by the defense secretary “euphoric.”
“It’s a momentous occasion,” said Sayles. “Being able to stand in front of him was just a crazy feeling.”
Sayles grew up tinkering with cars with his stepdad, a Navy veteran. He hopes to put those skills to work in aviation maintenance.
“Being under a hood and turning wrenches has always been something I wanted to do,” said Sayles. “So working on airplanes and helicopters is going to be really exciting for me.”
During a speech at the Navy’s 250th anniversary celebration in Norfolk on Sunday, President Donald Trump told the crowd that there was a “waiting list” to enlist in the military.
Major Roy C. Brown III, commander of the Fort Lee Military Entrance Processing Station, said recruitment has been increasing.
“Within the last year, all the services met their recruiting goals,” Brown said. “It keeps us busy at the MEPS, which we love.”
Emma Rose Brown, 757-805-2256, emma.brown@virginiamedia.com
https://www.dailypress.com/2025/10/07/hegseth-military-housing-oceana/