A report in Stars and Stripes has detailed truly miserable conditions for soldiers stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado. Multiple reports have said that the base has been facing air conditioning issues for weeks, which have sent temperatures inside the barracks skyrocketing.
The website “Hots and Cots” allows service members to rate and review accommodation and food on their bases, with Fort Carson’s page seeing soldiers posting images of thermostats showing that the temperature in their rooms range from around 80-90°F, with one image showing it hitting 120°F.
As such, those resident inside are reportedly giving up their rooms in favor of sleeping in their cars, or abandoning their barracks altogether. One is reported to have said, “I know of at least 3 soldiers who are sleeping in their cars because it’s colder outside than it is inside” and that “Several others have started staying with other people on/off post.”
“It’s physically impossible to try to sleep in your room with those temperatures”
The Stars and Stripes article was backed up by a report from local TV station KRDO. That outlet quotes a soldier as saying: “It’s ridiculous that it’s come down to sleeping in the parking lot. It’s physically impossible to try to sleep in your room with those temperatures. Everyone wants to be comfortable in their own home and you get back and it’s the most uncomfortable place you can be.”
Another detailed what sounds like a truly miserable experience: “I sweat going to sleep, sweat waking up, sweat getting changed. Go to work. Sweat. I’m back. Sweat. Go to the gym. Sweat. It’s a vicious cycle.”
They underline that they can only get 3-4 hours of sleep each night, which is apparently creating dangerous conditions to work in: “The majority of our soldiers, they drive military vehicles that you need to be awake for. You shoot weapons; you need to be awake for that, so there are dangers that come with a soldier who only got two hours of sleep because it’s 90 degrees in his room.”
Fort Carson leadership has acknowledged the problem, but says the air conditioning system is so old that “it’s slowed the ability to acquire and replace parts for the chiller systems in a timely manner” and that “We hear our Soldiers. We understand their frustration and are committed to rectifying all barracks A/C issues. At this moment, portable chiller units have been delivered.”
All of this comes against the backdrop of Pete Hegseth’s 2025 vow that it was “unacceptable” for America’s “warriors” to live in “substandard housing”. He insisted he was going to do something about it, but it seems that plans to monitor men’s testosterone levels and track women’s periods came first.
As he specifically promised, just under a year ago: “This isn’t just about creature comforts. This impacts morale, readiness and our ability to recruit and retain the best warriors. Quality of life for our warriors is a critical component of reviving the warrior ethos and rebuilding our military. Barracks are where warriors live, rest and recover. How can we expect them to be ready for anything on the battlefield when their own living space is a constant source of stress and frustration? That all ends now.” The situation in Fort Carson continues, we can only hope the portable chillers are effective.
Published: Sep 7, 2026 06:57 am