If you’re heading to Randolph AFB for PIT, IFF, or the RPA syllabus, you’ve likely encountered the recent Randolph AFB Lodging Memo, which aims to "clarify" guidance (though it raises many questions) on procuring "non-conventional" lodging for medium- to long-term TDY assignments. This memo has left many members concerned about their lodging options at Randolph AFB during their extended TDYs.
The JTR mandates that military personnel use "adequate and available government quarters," but what happens when "adequate" quarters fail to meet the standards outlined in DoD 4165.63-M? Like many, I wasn’t familiar with this regulation until referencing it through the JTR, which explicitly defines what "adequate" means. For PIT, IFF, and RPA trainees, "adequate" government lodging generally refers to the Randolph Inn, but recent online reviews reveal troubling issues such as mold, HVAC failures, and poor maintenance. These conditions raise an important question: are trainees automatically entitled to a Certificate of Non-Availability (CNA) (commonly referred to as an LOA) or approval to secure alternative accommodations? On a personal note, when I came through PIT the first time, I received an official email warning me about the lead paint situation, strongly suggesting that alternative lodging might be worth considering.
This analysis of Randolph AFB lodging delves into these concerns and raises questions about the available lodging on base for an extended period of time. By securing accommodations that comply with adequacy requirements and do not exceed the local lodging rate, you can maintain mission readiness without compromising your comfort or safety. Before finalizing your plans, read this evaluation, the JTR and the DoD 4165.63 to understand your rights as a member of the DoD, and why Randolph Non-Conventional Lodging may be a justified and practical solution.
Analysis of Randolph AFB Lodging Reviews vs. Adequacy Standards in DoD 4165.63-M
The intent of this analysis is to determine whether the lodging at Randolph AFB meets the definition of "adequate housing" as outlined in DoDM 4165.63-M (DoD Housing Management) and prescribed by the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). Using specific criteria from the manual—including health, safety, utility, and structural standards—this analysis compares online reviews of the Randolph Inn with the requirements for adequate housing. The findings indicate significant deficiencies, particularly when considered in the context of long-term formal training courses that span at least 75 days and often exceed four months. These deficiencies include health hazards, poor temperature control, inadequate maintenance, unprofessional service, and substandard cleanliness—all of which severely undermine the suitability of the Randolph Inn for personnel requiring conducive conditions for rest, study, and sustained performance.
The JTR states: "A DoD Service member ordered to a U.S. installation must use adequate and available Government quarters. When adequate quarters are not available, a Certificate of Non-Availability (CNA) must be obtained to justify other lodging" (Chapter 2, Section 020303). This analysis examines public reviews by members who have stayed on base at Randolph to determine whether "adequate government quarters" are truly available. By presenting detailed comparisons and citing specific deficiencies, this analysis highlights the need for policy adjustments to ensure Air Force personnel are provided with lodging that supports their training objectives and overall readiness.
A note: To contextualize this issue, a comparison can be made with Columbus AFB, where the Magnolia Inn has been deemed "inadequate" for members on temporary duty (TDY) and Air Force Reserve members attending Annual Training (AT) or Inactive Duty for Training (IDT) days. Columbus AFB personnel are permitted to seek off-base lodging, even for shorter training periods averaging only six days per month. In contrast, Randolph AFB’s lodging serves as the primary option for long-term formal training courses (e.g., PIT, IFF, RPA training). These courses typically exceed the training-day threshold for the "Permanent Party" definition outlined in DoD 4165.63, requiring even higher levels of housing adequacy. The continuous and intensive nature of such training further underscores the necessity of meeting elevated housing standards.
1. Health and Safety Issues
Summary: Reviews reveal significant health and safety violations at Randolph AFB lodging, including the presence of black mold, lead-based paint hazards, pest infestations, and general unsanitary conditions. These issues directly contradict DoD standards, posing serious risks to tenants' well-being and readiness.
DoD 4165.63-M Guidance
Housing must "be well maintained and structurally sound (shall not pose a health, safety, or fire hazard)." (Enclosure 3, Section 1.c.(4)(c), p. 13).
Review Examples
"Filthy, black mold everywhere. Why am I forced to use my TLF days here versus off-base where I don’t risk my family’s health?"
“Now we feel sick and ended up checking out early and staying downtown in a real hotel that cares about their guest's welfare”
Violation: Black mold poses a significant health hazard, directly contravening the requirement that housing not pose "a health, safety, or fire hazard."
Impact on Tenants: Tennants are at risk of respiratory issues, which can severely impair rest, cognitive function, and overall readiness.
"Visible black mold on the ceiling, sheets smelled like old rags, and the dehumidifier was moldy."
“ DO NOT STAY HERE if you or your family have issues with mold! Visible black mold on the ceiling…”
Violation: Structural maintenance failures make the housing unsafe and unsuitable for use.
"I should have seen the red flags go off when they made me sign a lead paint paperwork at check-in."
Violation: Lead-based paint, without proper mitigation, fails to meet health and safety requirements and poses long-term health risks.
"Our room was full of mosquitos and little bugs…"
Violation: Pest infestations create unsanitary conditions that violate basic health standards.
2. Kitchen and Food Preparation Facilities
Summary: According to DoD 4165.63-M, adequate housing must include a kitchen with necessary utilities for food preparation and storage. The Randolph Inn fails to provide sufficient kitchen facilities in most rooms, offering only a microwave and refrigerator instead of a fully functional kitchen. This violates adequacy standards, especially for personnel in long-term training programs.
DoD 4165.63-M Guidance
Housing must be (for O-1 and above on extended TDY orders) "Private unit with living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom" (Enclosure 3, Table 2, p. 25).
Review Examples
" You have a microwave and a full-size fridge. The laundry mat and the workout room are a few rooms away. They both are small but it's free.”
Violation: The lack of essential kitchen utilities (range and adequate preparation space) contradicts adequacy standards for housing, which require fully functional kitchens.
Long-term occupants face significant challenges due to the absence of adequate food preparation facilities, which fails to meet the housing requirements for extended stays.
3. Temperature Control
Summary: Temperature control issues at Randolph AFB lodging include members unable to modulate a comfortable temperature, extreme temperature fluctuations, and poor management responses to complaints. These failures compromise tenant comfort, sleep quality, and safety, especially for effective rest before flight duties.
DoD 4165.63-M Guidance
"To be suitable for assignment or occupancy, it should also have...adequate utility systems and services (electrical, gas, potable water, sewer, trash collection, television, Internet, telephone, and where required by climate conditions, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning)." (Enclosure 3, Section 2.c.(4)(a), p. 25).
Review Examples
"Neither AC nor heat works, so you’ll either be sweating or freezing."
Violation: Temperature control is a basic utility service, and failure to provide functioning thermostat systems contradicts adequacy standards.
"So it's in the 30s outside, and the room is over 90 degrees with absolutely no way to control the temperature."
Violation: Lack of effective temperature regulation undermines both comfort and safety, particularly in extreme weather conditions.
"Rooms are super hot. The thermostat didn’t work, and I was informed the boiler wasn’t working."
Violation: Inadequate heating and cooling systems prevent safe and comfortable living conditions.
"When I got to the actual lodging, the heater blasted at 90 degrees with no air circulation."
Violation: The inability to regulate temperature in the lodging creates unsafe conditions for tenants.
4. Cleanliness and Maintenance
Summary: Reviews cite numerous instances of uncleanliness, including dirty toilets, brown tap water, and cross-contamination by cleaners. These conditions fall far short of the cleanliness required for adequate housing, presenting serious health hazards.
DoD 4165.63-M Guidance
"To be suitable for assignment or occupancy, [housing] should also...be furnished, have food service options, be structurally sound, and have adequate utility systems and services." (Enclosure 3, Section 2.c.(4)(a), p. 25).
Review Examples
"The toilet was dirty on arrival. Employees disregard ‘do not disturb’ signs and still knock."
Violation: Basic cleanliness was not maintained, undermining suitability for use. Crew rest also interrupted regularly
"The cleaner used the same rag she used to clean the toilet to clean the kitchen counters."
Violation: This raises significant hygiene concerns and fails to provide "safe and comfortable places for Service members to live."
"The water from the sink was brown. There was a cockroach in the bathtub."
Violation: These unsanitary conditions directly violate health and safety standards.
5. Structural Integrity
Summary: Structural deficiencies at Randolph AFB lodging include lead-based paint, inadequate window coverings, and outdated, creaky infrastructure. These issues fail to meet the standards for safe, comfortable housing, especially in those requiring facilities conducive to uninterrupted crew rest.
DoD 4165.63-M Guidance
Housing must "be well maintained and structurally sound (shall not pose a health, safety, or fire hazard)." (Enclosure 3, Section 1.c.(4)(c), p. 13).
Review Examples
“I cannot fall asleep. The curtains do not fully cover the windows. There are so many lights throughout."
Violation: Lack of privacy and light control affects sleep quality, undermining "comfortable" living conditions and effecting crew rest.
6. Tenant Experience
Summary: Poor management and unprofessional staff behavior are frequently reported, including unresolved complaints, relocation mishandling, and unresponsive service. These experiences undermine tenant trust and reflect a lack of effective facility management.
DoD 4165.63-M Guidance
"The housing program shall be evaluated by installation commanders to ensure that the operation, maintenance, and repair of DoD housing and major building components are being performed to provide excellent facilities in the most cost-effective manner." (Enclosure 3, Section 2.a., p. 17).
Review Examples
"We were forced to relocate from the pet-friendly unit to a non-pet-friendly unit despite having a service animal."
Violation: Mishandling of accommodations for tenants with service animals reflects inadequate management.
Conclusion
Based on the reviews, the lodging at Randolph AFB does not meet the intent of adequate housing as outlined in DoD 4165.63-M and specifically required by the JTR. Specific failures include health hazards (mold, pest infestations, and lead paint), lack of basic utilities (temperature control issues, etc), and poor tenant service (unresolved complaints, mishandling of accommodations). These inadequacies severely undermine the ability of Air Force personnel to rest and prepare for formal training effectively. Significant upgrades or alternative lodging options, such as CNAs, are warranted to align with DoD standards and support personnel readiness.
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