Posted on Nov 29, 2020
Are there any regulations about soldiers' chow hours/rights?
11.8K
165
66
17
17
0
Example, certain amount of time between work, soldiers have rights to grab a food to eat
Posted in these groups: 
Food/Chow
Regulation
Food/Chow Regulation
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 30
20
20
0
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!
(20)
(0)
(2)
(0)
SGT Dan Wirtz
SGT (Join to see) - I have to disagree with you there SGT, but almost all the C-rats I had were from the Vietnam era and I was in 83-93. so we were eating 10-15 year old C-rats, they may have been better when they were fresher
(1)
(0)
SMSgt Lloyd Knopp
SGT Dan Wirtz - In Vietnam we had WWII / Korean leftovers, and some were pretty good. Others not so much, but did fill the void in the gut. I totally agree with Sgt Lisa Turner.
(1)
(0)
15
15
0
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.
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.
(15)
(0)
12
12
0
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.
(12)
(0)
SSG Laurie Mullen
One day while we were in the motorpool doing layouts or something I was getting ready to rotate the guys out for lunch. I told the first soldier that I was going to send to go to the chow hall, eat, and then come right back. He told me that he gets an hour and a half for chow. I told him and told him again to eat and come right back so someone else can eat. He again told me that he's authorized an hour and a half. I sent him to chow last.
(4)
(0)
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SSG Laurie Mullen - The right move however He is NOT authorized to an hour and one half, He is on Government time, NOT his own. In His case I would not have even let Him go but bring Him a box lunch or C Rations. While He gone that long someone else winds up doing His work, that isn't even reasonable. Its apparent He isn't part of the team, with Me that would not be tolerated. If He took that 1.5 hours it would be the last time He went anywhere for His food. At least He didn't prevent anyone else from eating but there is no reason You should have to put up with His poor attitude. Its a case of give them and inch beyond what others get and they try and take the entire yardstick and could care less about others.
(1)
(0)
SSG Laurie Mullen
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - SMSgt, he didn't take an hour and half and he learned his lesson after that. There were many times that we needed to rotate for chow due to inventories, inspections, and field recovery. He just got into his head that because we would normally take an hour to an hour and half for lunch on normal days, that it was that way ALL the time.
(3)
(0)
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
(9)
(0)
9
9
0
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.
(9)
(0)
SSG Laurie Mullen
CWO3 (Join to see) - I liked the MRE brownie. I became a "casualty" of them shortly after the Desert Storm cease fire. One day I notice a strange dark spot on my gums and became concerned enough to talk my team chief about it. The platoon leadership was able to find a dental team a few miles from us and one of the NCOs took me there. I go in to see the dentist and he takes one look at the spot and asks me if I had been eating the brownies. He said that he's been seeing quite a few soldiers with same issue. It turns out that brownies were causing bruises on the gums. I still miss those brownies.
(1)
(0)
SSG Laurie Mullen
CWO3 (Join to see) - I remember which ones you're talking about now. You could almost sharpen a knife with it.
(1)
(0)
8
8
0
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....
(8)
(0)
CWO3 (Join to see)
Exactly - pick me up a gag bag from DF. MRE's were often 3 meals a day, at least one or two in field ops. I've got the watch.
(6)
(0)
6
6
0
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.
(6)
(0)
6
6
0
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
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
(6)
(0)
CWO3 (Join to see)
SSG Robert Webster - We are all trainers here, by admission or not, and we need to train like we plan to fight. I'd not recommend at his maturity, but he should summarize the US Constitution and contrast it with a broad view of the UCMJ in the future. There seems to be question about "rights" in more recent times.
(1)
(0)
MAJ Ronnie Reams
I was never in a unit Stateside that had midnight chow, but if on CQ, fire watch, interior guard, etc. One could go to the company mess hall and the baker would give us bologna samiches and some coffee. Not sure if that would work today or if there is still a company baker. Might buy bread, cakes, etc off the shelf now days.
(1)
(0)
SFC Michael Hasbun
The 30-22 series is how to manage a DFAC (Food service program). It has nothing to do with minimum meal times allotted per Soldiers on an individual level. It explains how to schedule meal times for DFAC scheduling purposes.
(1)
(0)
SSG Robert Webster
Mr. Hasbun, I would suggest that you actually read the regulations and pamphlets, to include the part on responsibilities and then the Appendixes dealing with the other supporting or needed publications.
(0)
(0)
4
4
0
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.
(4)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Really. For years lunch was no less than 30 minutes away then a 30 minute return trip. Not like anyone would have allowed one to go eat chow then return.
(0)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) as long as you are given an mre or time to go to the chow hall during serving hours, you dont get bah (unless married or kids or other reasons of course). Reasons that you would miss 20% of meals could be like when I worked in the asp and our hours of operation was during the chow hall lunch hours, so we missed meals. Another reason was in korea where we worked at a location without a dfac, so we got bah. Another reason is for chaplain assistance as they are suppose to be on call at all hours of the day or night, so they get bah. There are many reasons why a soldier may not get to go to the dfac regularly.
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) to keep with the original question, if you're leadership gives you ample time to get chow, then it's not a missed meal i guess. Bas when not married is almost always a command interpretation of the rules.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
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.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google