National Guard Military Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Projects

FY2025 In Fiscal Year 2025, National Guard units across the United States executed a wide range of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) projects focused on modernizing facilities, addressing deferred maintenance, and enhancing operational readiness. These projects, often funded through a combination of federal and state appropriations, are critical for ensuring that National Guard members have safe and effective spaces for training and operations.

A significant portion of O&M efforts in FY25 were directed towards the sustainment, restoration, and modernization (SRM) of existing facilities. For example, the Oklahoma Military Department executed $7.8 million in FY24 on deferred maintenance projects, with the work continuing into FY25. These projects included the replacement and repair of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as roof and parking lot repairs.
Similarly, the Michigan Army National Guard entered a new phase of its capital outlay plan, focusing on sustaining the historic investments made in the previous years to modernize over 33 armories statewide. This phase prioritizes lifecycle maintenance and facility optimization.

New construction and major renovations also marked the accomplishments of FY25. The Oklahoma National Guard saw the continuation of several large-scale projects funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), including a new wellness center, a joint operations center, and barracks for the Thunderbird Challenge Program, with completion dates set for late 2025 and early 2026.
In Washington, the Military Department requested supplemental capital budget funding to begin the design of a new Field Maintenance Shop in Tumwater to replace an aging facility.

These projects underscore the National Guard's commitment to upgrading its infrastructure to meet modern military standards, improve energy efficiency, and provide service members with the facilities they need to train and respond to both federal and state missions. The blend of maintenance on existing structures and the construction of new, state-of-the-art facilities reflects a comprehensive approach to managing the National Guard's extensive real property inventory.

FY2026 Looking ahead to Fiscal Year 2026, the National Guard will continue its focus on modernizing and maintaining its facilities, with numerous projects planned and budgeted for across the country. The emphasis remains on ensuring the long-term viability of readiness centers, training sites, and support facilities.

Budget requests for FY26 highlight a continued investment in facility modernization. The Oklahoma Military Department's FY26 budget request includes plans to start the design-build process for a new Shawnee Readiness Center, estimated at $28 million in federal funding, and to modernize the Bartlesville legacy readiness center with a combined $8 million in federal and state funds.
The Michigan Army National Guard's five-year capital outlay plan for FY2027-2031, which informs FY26 planning, includes a significant focus on the sustainment of recently modernized armories and the strategic development of major training installations like Camp Grayling and Fort Custer.

Many projects initiated in prior fiscal years are scheduled for completion in FY26. For the Oklahoma National Guard, this includes the completion of a new housing and dining facility at the Thunderbird Challenge Program and the new Oklahoma National Guard museum.
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency's (DTRA) FY26 budget also outlines significant O&M projects, including facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization requirements to ensure safety and security controls across all DTRA facilities, with a notable increase for the expansion of Secure Compartment Information Facility (SCIF) capacity at its Fort Belvoir headquarters.

The overarching goal for FY26 is to continue to reduce the backlog of deferred maintenance, improve the energy efficiency of buildings, and ensure that National Guard facilities are resilient and capable of supporting the diverse missions of the organization, from federal deployments to state emergency response. These efforts are supported by a mix of federal and state funding, underscoring the partnership at the heart of the National Guard.