Are there any regulations about soldiers' chow hours/rights?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 13:30:16 -0500

Example, certain amount of time between work, soldiers have rights to grab a food to eat

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Nov 29 at 2020 1:33 PM

GySgt Gary Cordeiro — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 13:33:48 -0500

When I enlisted all that was guaranteed was one meal and 2 hours sleep. I have not seen the text but that’s what the DIs said. Must be gospel truth.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 29 at 2020 1:40 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 13:40:51 -0500

Are you missing meals? I must confess as a commander I never did look up regulations for meals because it was very important to me that soldiers would not miss meals. I was angry if soldiers missed meals. There was no compromise in regards to the topic.

The responsibility of the soldier is to bring up this issue. The responsibility of the leaders is to find a work around. You are considered a Government Agent due to your employment. It is illegal to charge you for things you don't receive. That is theft. The impetus of these dynamics is to prevent the government from gaining resources or services without paying for them. There is also a Prompt Payment Act. If an entity is supposed to receive funds from the government then the government must do it promptly. This is where Trump went afoul. The rational is the entity receiving funds should not have to wait for extended periods of time for remuneration. The entities are counting having the funds because they have a need for it. I am done pontificating on Fiscal Law.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2020 1:46 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 13:46:05 -0500

I've never looked up the regulation, but my unit has "working lunches". You either go grab something and get your booty right back within 15 min or you grab yourself an MRE....

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2020 2:50 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 14:50:01 -0500

3 hots and a cot. If you're lucky. As long as you're in formation after chow, your chow time is on you. Except in the field, and in other cases. Look at the tent cities in garrison 100 years ago, and you might realize progress since then. We never screwed with a Marine's chow, mail, pay, or liberty except for hard cases. Bread and water in the brig, and pay is screwed due to legal actions, but they still rated mail and Command visitation. Even religious services and medical were off-limits in garrison while on restriction.

Edit: Did you ever eat duck? When you're told chow will be quick, so you hopefully keep your mouth shut, eat what you can until time runs out, and head for the scullery on command. If you're the "hatch body" you might get a wish sandwich, depending on how quick the line moves. Not the rule though, and it's all for a purpose. If someone is screwing with your chow time, use your Chain of Command, unless you are to blame.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2020 3:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 15:07:34 -0500

There’s no set regulation. It’s unit discretion, but all they have to do is offer you 10 minutes to grab food or take an MRE. The 1 hour lunch is just being nice

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Nov 29 at 2020 4:14 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 16:14:58 -0500

I believe that what you are looking for are the following:
AR 30-22 and DA Pam 30-22

From AR 30-22, and note that it references DA Pam 30-22.
3–20. Meal service schedule
a. The serving period for each meal will be a minimum of 90 minutes. The senior commander in conjunction with the LRC will approve or disapprove all requests to deviate from the 90–minute serving period.
b. The senior commander in conjunction with the LRC may authorize the serving of brunch and supper meals on weekends and holidays. Additional guidance for brunch and supper meals is in DA Pam 30–22.
c. The senior commander in conjunction with the LRC may authorize the serving of a midnight meal. This meal is only for personnel who, because of mission, are unable to attend the normal breakfast or dinner meal. DA Pam 30–22 contains further guidance for midnight meals. A cost and benefit analysis must be completed to validate the establishment of the midnight meal.

NOTE that this is to primarily support the soldiers that are using SIK (subsistence in kind) as well as those using BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) on an as needed basis.

https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN7458_R30_22_FINAL.pdf
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN18456_P30_22_FINAL.pdf

ARN7458_R30_22_FINAL.pdf

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Nov 29 at 2020 4:34 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 16:34:36 -0500

When u signed up you signed up to eat, sleep, walk, talk, shoot and shit like a US Soldier...that means you do all the above when you are told to do so....NOW...having been a commander I always allowed my troops to eat when it was chow time with a reasonable time to choke it down and get back on the mission...they eat, then ops o, then top then me! This ain't a four star restaurant for you to sit and enjoy a meal with a glass of wine...that is on your time...when you are on the job, eat and move out!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2020 5:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:52:54 -0500

Reg states that you need 3 meals a day, it does not state how those meals are provided or when. If a soldier misses dfac hours and is not given bas, then they will be given a meal voucher or mre. If a soldier misses 20% or more of their meals without alternative, and the soldier can prove it, then they are authorized bas.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Nov 29 at 2020 7:14 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 19:14:12 -0500

You have to be fed but it doesn't have to be a prepared meal, I always tried to make sure everyone did get something. We usually relieve people on post to go to the Mess hall to eat but they had to eat and get right back so others didn't miss their hot meal. I had a couple guys that took their time and I informed them, We may have to feed You but it doesn't have to be in the Mess Hall, You waste time and prevent others from eating You will NOT be relieved and be eating boxed lunches on Your post ! Never had a problem with them after that but they also knew I didn't say anything I didn't mean and wasn't going to do. I was not going to allow anyone to be so inconsiderate it deprived others, its a team and requires everyone cooperation ! There were times on alerts and exercises that Box meals were the only option but everyone still got to eat.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 29 at 2020 7:18 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 19:18:28 -0500

You are entitled to eat. You are not entitled to an hour lunch. Mission comes first. There aren't a lot of details to your inquiry. If you feel you have a valid complaint feel free to use the appropriate channels. I would just get an outside opinion who knows the details of your situation. There is most likely a little more to it then we have been told on this forum.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2020 11:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 23:16:00 -0500

If you are missing meals due to work and are being charged meal deductions you have the right to request a missed meal voucher. That bing said if MREs are being provided you are SOL. One of my old companies PSGs made a PL do them because he was bad at time management and forced us to stay late and work through lunch and we missed chow lunch and dinner for a week straight. If mission dictates the command can also request separate rations. Long story short make sure you’re bringing it up. Leaders have a lot going on and most of the times I’ve dealt with it they were just so busy they didn’t realize what time it was. Give them a chance to fix the issue.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 29 at 2020 11:58 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 23:58:30 -0500

Rights to grab from where- think you are going down to the food court, or Burger King? Think again. You have time to visit the DFAS, they can tell you 15,30,45,minutes or even an hour. They don't have to give you from the time DFAS opens, till it closes.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 30 at 2020 4:55 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 04:55:07 -0500

What’s your rant about SPC Private RallyPoint Member ?

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Dec 2 at 2020 10:39 AM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 10:39:06 -0500

Yes, there are. Your immediate supervisor has likely already explained them to you. If you miss a meal or two due to your work schedule, it is unfortunate, but you will live. If you are being denied subsistence on a regular basis you need to work the problem through your chain.

Response by SR Jack Miles made Dec 3 at 2020 10:21 AM

SR Jack Miles — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 10:21:24 -0500

I served in the Navy, and we had 4 chow times whenever we were underway. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and MidRats. (Midnight chow) for those on night duty rotations. Otherwise, 3 set times, never changed or messed with.

Response by SGT Brad Baier made Dec 15 at 2020 8:54 AM

SGT Brad Baier — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 08:54:45 -0500

I hated Sundays at Fort Leonard Wood during Basic and AIT. They fed us between 0500 to 0600 and at 1100 to 1200 and at 1500 to 1600. That seemed like a long time from from the evening meal to the morning meal on Monday. It was nice once we got off some privileges and could get some food from the Gut Truck or PX. I was a damn candy junky when I first got there. I'd kill for a chocolate candy bar.

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made Dec 16 at 2020 12:40 AM

SSG Gregg Mourizen — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 00:40:07 -0500

I don't know what the regulations actually are, but here is my story...
I was doing training evaluations once, where my entire platoon decided to stop eating food from the battalion kitchens. Were were there for three weeks. The first week, while we were preping and training up, the food being provided to us in the field was quarter rations, at best. A small piece of meat a leaf or two of lettus, or salad dressing (not both) and maybe a teaspoon of rice or mashed potatoes. About day four we decided as a platoon to screw them and we brought our money together and provided our own food, and we were eating well. This action was ignored for about three or four days, but when our evaluation started, they noticed we weren't eating. They actually brought real food to the evaluation lane, plenty to eat. We as a platoon told them we didn't want it, to send it to the guys in the staging area, since they were getting enough to eat.

We didn't hide we had food. We didn't deny eating, but when word got out we were refusing to eat... a possible "hunger strike"... the proverbial excrement hit the spinning turbine.

The CO and First Sargent came out wanting to know what was going on, we told him. Then the Battalion Commander and CSM came out. Then the Brigade, and then the base commander and CSM. They even sent out the chaplains. We told them all the why. We told them all we were eating better on pogey bait then what we were getting from the mess.

The mess sections started telling everyone we were pigging out and then dumping the left overs, and that was why there wasn't enough food.
Of course anyone there, saw we weren't.

In the end, only one soldier broke ranks and ate the issued food.
We agreed to eat the last meal that was to be sent out. It of course, did not show, and we ordered Dominoes on the range.
I took great pleasure reading an article 6 months later about how the Battalion Kitchen Stuart was being charged with hoarding. He was apparently pulling funds from the training exercises, to have extra money for the Battalion Christmas Party. Our stand, brought attention to a real crime.
Apparently there are some really important standards that must be met.

Response by TSgt Ken Vandevoort made Jan 2 at 2021 1:32 PM

TSgt Ken Vandevoort — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 13:32:24 -0500

I worked at a site off a base in Turkey, but lived in a barracks on the main base. We had to feed ourselves while at work as there was no other place to eat. They moved us to another building on the site and also moved our stove. It was never hooked up even though it was noted daily on the report. On top of this, there was a strike by the Turkish civilian workers in the country. We had to scrounge to find food to buy on base to take to work and I learned to cook what I could in a hot pot. Water was not potable at the site, so we drank Tom Collins mixer - only thing we could find. At the chow hall on base, only vegetable for a month was brussel sprouts. I still like them. Bread and milk at the chow hall were limited. Letters to the editor in Stars and Stripes from people stationed in Germany complained about choices of dog food at the commissary. We were thankful to the C-130 crews that flew in what food they could to keep us alive.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2021 4:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 16:16:57 -0500

If you're missing meals, have you brought it up to your leadership? You can fill out missed meal vouchers but your 1SG is gonna wanna know why.

If we got busy and there wasn't time for a lunch break I would tell my soldiers on meal card go get a to go plate and come back so they weren't missing meals.

I don't think regulation says a specific time. This is a month old so hopefully figured it out.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 4 at 2021 4:28 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 16:28:00 -0500

If a Marine is not drawing BAS, and I am requiring him to perform duties that preclude him eating in the Chow Hall, it is my responsibility to provide a box lunch or MRE.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Jan 10 at 2021 12:52 PM

1SG James Kelly — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 12:52:53 -0500

When I was a 1SG in the field I ate last.

Response by CPL Barrie D Davey made Jan 12 at 2021 5:47 PM

CPL Barrie D Davey — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 17:47:05 -0500

I threatened to eat the Cook once.

Response by Sgt Daniel Garner made Jan 21 at 2021 11:57 AM

Sgt Daniel Garner — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 11:57:39 -0500

It seems many leaders have lost sight of the question here and just started a rebuttal about how they see it. The answer is short and simple; Yes, they have a right to grab food and eat between work. When I search duckduckgo (don't support google anymore) for regulations, several articles come up stating people in service get three quality meals a day. Certain situations would probably dictate how long you get to eat and what it is you're going to be fed. Just be happy you get to eat!

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2021 9:58 AM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 09:58:34 -0500

I don't believe that most commanders know if there are specific regulations regarding amount of time required for personnel to eat. As a small unit commander, I just made sure that the operational schedule gave everyone the opportunity to eat (It was up to the service member to take advantage of that opportunity.). When the situation did not allow for standard meal opportunities, we just flexed and worked as a team to ensure that everyone was taken care of.

As a former Base Commanding Officer, I did receive comments via unit commanders and suggestion boxes with regard to scheduled meal times at the base galley. In following up on those comments/suggestions, I do not recall one instance where a soldier/sailor/airman/marine missed a meal for anything other than their own personal choice.

As you may read in the comments from various leaders below, I do believe that as a general rule unit leadership places a high priority in ensuring that their people are fed. If you are not getting the opportunity to eat (or the food sucks), I am fairly sure that your leadership wants to know about it (just do it tactfully).

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jan 24 at 2021 3:30 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 15:30:18 -0500

Technically, you don't have any "rights" but common sense dictates soldiers should be allowed to have up to three meals a day. Work schedules should be arranged so that soldiers can eat before, during or after work hours. Take it up your chain of command if you are missing any meals.

Response by SGT Randall Matson made Feb 18 at 2021 10:27 PM

SGT Randall Matson — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 22:27:05 -0500

Back in my day, they'd throw a case of c-rations at you!

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Dec 1 at 2021 6:04 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 18:04:52 -0500

I was never hungry. Ever, didn’t matter where we were.

Response by A1C Pamela G Russell made Jun 12 at 2022 2:08 PM

A1C Pamela G Russell — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 14:08:33 -0400

I was given a chow break, but as soon as I arrived at chow hall and set my food on the table, my dispatch Sgt would radio me and say I needed to return to gate duty ASAP. They did this. on a regular basis. They also denied my latrine breaks!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 12 at 2022 6:18 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 18:18:14 -0400

AR 30-22 sets a requirement for three 90 min servicing periods and allows for exceptions at a commander's discretion.
No set time in the 24 hour period, that is a commander's call.
So, in general, and likely in-unit or post-policy there will be a requirement for commanders to make food service available to their unit members receiving rations in kind during those posted 90 min dining periods OR provide those SM not allowed to go to the DFAC some sort of replacement rations, normally an MRE,, but some times a sack meal, or the like.

As a senior leader, it was always in the back of my mind when considering a plan ... Dont screw up or screw with the Soldier's Family, Pay, Food, or Mail.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jun 13 at 2022 9:19 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 09:19:03 -0400

If you're on a post, how much time elapses between midday mess call and work call? That will tell you.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Jun 13 at 2022 2:06 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 14:06:31 -0400

Well. Rallypoint has decided to recycle another old E4 rant for new comments. Nothing new about RP recycling old discussions and pretending they are "Recent"

This thread seems a bit usual in that I don't see any post where the original poster came back to explain what he was actually complaining about. Perhaps I missed it but I don't see any further explanation from SPC Li, and computer search didn't find any additional post from him in this thread. I did note at least one comment specifically asking him to explain what he was asking about - but there was no response to that comment.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Jun 13 at 2022 4:22 PM

1SG James Kelly — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:22:25 -0400

As a 1SG I ate last if there was anything left.