FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — For decades, they housed generations of Soldiers preparing for battle — a comprehensive infrastructure modernization project underway on Fort Leonard Wood’s Cold War-era barracks are priming them to support thousands more combat-ready Soldiers.
According to Chris Lloyd, Directorate of Public Works Master Planning Division chief, more than half of the 30 rolling-pin-style barracks on Fort Leonard Wood have undergone renovations so far.
“Buildings are being completely gutted and remodeled.We plan on doing three more in the next five years pending funding,” Lloyd said. “Currently, two of the rolling-pin-style basic training barracks are being remodeled.All 30 were built between 1964 and 1967.”
The barracks earned their distinct nickname because their aerial footprint resembles a kitchen rolling pin, featuring a wide central structure flanked by narrower wings at each end that mimic handles.
Fort Leonard Wood Resident Office Engineer Technician, Brad Slone, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District, expressed professional satisfaction in the project, highlighting how his organization successfully leveraged the facility's robust structural integrity while elevating its operational capabilities to current standards.
“We are taking a structure that is structurally sound but that has outlived current housing standards and bringing it up to today’s model,” Slone said. “You can’t be a better steward of taxpayers money than that.”
According to Slone, the buildings are being reconfigured to the U.S. Army’s current open-squad-bay configuration as opposed to the old four-man-room design.
He noted that alongside the open-concept living spaces, the modernized barracks integrate centralized climate control, an advanced digital infrastructure, storage areas, updated restroom suites, high-efficiency laundry facilities and robust physical security upgrades.
According to Lloyd, the buildings’ physical footprints are also being slightly expanded to integrate and centralize the company's headquarters.
“The layout will be more conducive to integrated training.In general, better living conditions for trainees,” Lloyd said.
According to Slone, the design-build plans also incorporate U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design criteria, significantly improving the facilities' energy efficiency and environmental performance.
Slone noted that although renovating these barracks is not the most glamorous project of his tenure at Fort Leonard Wood, it is deeply meaningful to him, because “these barracks are where it all begins.”
“These barracks are a new trainee’s first experience in the service,” he said, which gives him a sense of pride in knowing they will be “housed in a state-of-the-art building with modern amenities that will allow them to focus on their training and prepare them for the defense of our country.”
To view more before and after photos from the project, visit this Fort Leonard Wood photo album.
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