In late December, the Army Sustainment Command announced that deployed U.S. troops would no longer have access to free storage for their personal items while deployed away from home.
According to coverage of the situation, the command responsible for providing logistical support to Army units has decided to end funds to hold troops’ cars and other belongings during extended periods of absence. The notification did not specify whether it applies to every deployment type or is limited to personnel on temporary duty.
According to the source, the military and the journalists were not apprised of the order to halt the storage program until October 2023.
Sgt. Pablo Saez, a spokesperson for the army, said that HQDA G-1 is now working on a policy allowing for such storage, adding that they are aware of the possible strain this may impose on troops. The timing and structure of the future policies are uncertain.
According to reports, the Army was notified of the new policy only after news outlets contacted them in early December over the matter.
In an internal letter, the Army Sustainment Command director for operations support, Col. Heather Carlisle, said that the service is exempt from providing troops with storage options. No Army policy authorizes storage to assist troops deployed for contingency operations; hence, HQDA G1, the proponent of storage entitlements, recently decided that the Army will discontinue support storage entitlements.
While this is happening, troops are allowed to leave their cars in motor pools. However, these pools are usually filled with tactical vehicles, lack proper temperature control, and are not environmentally protected.
According to a report, many questions remain as the United States Army attempts to understand how this significant policy shift will play out. The Army claims it is taking steps to address these increasing concerns by developing a new policy, although the specifics are still unclear.
