Barracks are specialized housing units designed to accommodate military personnel. Intended for the temporary residence of cohesive units, they are not known for their comfort or amenities. But they do provide the highest levels of safety and sanitation a government or military could provide. They are often adapted for their environment, protecting the soldiers within from the local climate and ensuring they are fighting fit around the clock. While they are typically built within fortified locations and are thus not armed themselves, barracks structures are reinforced and usually contain stores of armor and weapons for soldiers to defend themselves or deploy at a moment's notice. Barracks usually neighbor hangars or landing pads, as they do not have facilities to store or dock ships or vehicles themselves for deployment.

One major function of military barracks is to turn raw recruits into highly trained and effecfive soldiers. For this purpose, barracks will usually also include classrooms and simulators, gymnasiums and other amenities designed to increase the physical fitness, mental toughness and bonding between recruits. Exercise and instructional rooms keep the billeted unit at the peak of performance while also ensuring that newly arrived replacements are taught their outfit's unique protocols.