Life in the barracks blows. You’re crammed into as tight of a space as possible so your superiors can keep an eye on you. There’s always something going on so you never get sleep. And you often have to share a tiny room with someone.
But never underestimate the power of a bored private. If you can think of it, it’s probably going down in the barracks at this moment. While most of the shenanigans aren’t against any rules, they definitely make the lack of BAH worth it.
1. TVs as big as the wall
There are plenty of terrible purchases made by boots when they get their first paycheck. And it’s no different when the boot comes back from deployment with plenty of spending money.
The average barracks room is barely large enough to have a massive 90-inch widescreen 3D TV but that won’t stop most troops who just got back stateside.
2. Pets
The barracks is usually a pretty disgusting place as it is. The moment the NCOs leave, it goes back to the same filthy condition that it was in the day before.
Pets are already unclean creatures that require constant maintenance…but troops don’t care!
Technically, some do allow you to have fish or lizards. All depends on the specific command.
(Photo by Tech Sgt. Michael Holzworth)
3. Nearly an entire kitchen
There’s always one person in every barracks that knows how to and will cook for everyone. Sometimes they’re not even an actual chef — doesn’t matter.
Being the barracks chef takes a lot more appliances than just a hot pad and coffee pot. These guys do it all in style.
If you’re cool with them, they’ll share.
(Photo by Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbrough)
4. Enough alcohol to cause liver failure in a lesser man
There’s nothing wrong with someone over the age of 21 drinking alcohol on their time off, as long as they do it responsibly.
On average, a single barracks has more alcohol in it than any bar off-installation.
If they’re drinking in the barracks, it means they’re not driving back home. No DUIs! Everyone wins!
(Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy)
5. Firearms
It’s your god-given right as an American to keep and bear arms. Only problem is that many units have a “no firearms in the barracks” policy.
That’s not to say that troops living in the barracks can’t own firearms. They just need to store them in the arms room.
And we all know how well that usually goes.
(U.S. Army Photo)
6. Unauthorized guests
The barracks room isn’t exactly prime real estate for a single person, let alone multiple troops living in a room similar to a studio sized apartment.
And yet, troops will occasionally keep a local they got a thing for in there with them.
Good luck not getting caught during a “random” inspection.
(Photo by Senior Airman Christian Thomas)
This article originally appeared on We Are The Mighty
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