Can I choose to get my own food during field training?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 09:09:17 -0400

This question is mostly for my knowledge, but as an AGR Soldier, I have to pay for rations whether at Battle Assembly or in the field, if I want Army provided food. With that said, while at Annual Training (ECT), it costs $15 per day, which equates to $210 deducted from my basic allowance for subsistence (BAS). If I don't want Army provided food, can I get my own food, or is it mandatory during field duty? I ask because $210 off my BAS is a lot of money for me with multiple dependents, and frankly, the Army's field rations aren't worth that amount. Additionally, if the Army is ordering me to mandatory field duty, I don't think Soldiers should be charged for food if the Army is forcing them to go. Any thoughts and/or guidance is appreciated. Thank you.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 5 at 2023 9:21 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 09:21:50 -0400

Thoughts?

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 5 at 2023 10:03 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 10:03:31 -0400

I don't see your CO caring one way or other. Bring some pogey bait or eat off the PX truck. That way you not go through chow line and not sign cash collection sheet and not pay for army chow. BTW, talk to the company mess sgt and tell him his cooks are not up to par. Good cooks make good chow.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jul 5 at 2023 10:38 AM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 10:38:29 -0400

If the government meals are provided, then Soldiers are charged for them regardless if they are consumed or not*. Commanders are required to submit a list of assigned personnel that the meals were made available to finance for a payroll deduction for field rations (meal cards are not affected of course).

There are a few exceptions ("$15/day is a lot" is not one of them), but this is the general rule.

IF the situation is setup as a cash collection because installation messing is available (instead of field rations), then obviously it will be your call if you want to go through the chow line or not.

While often treated that way, BAS is not a bonus pay given to Servicemembers during the month. BAS is authorized as a calculated subsistence allowance for Servicemembers (just them, not their families). If the government provides meals, then those meals are deducted from the BAS, regardless of the operating conditions of the mission.

So yes, even if the Army forces you to go to the field, if the government gives you an MRE, field rations or those shelf-stable meals (or some other type is provided to you), the deduction will occur.
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* DoD 7000.14-R, Vol 7A, Chap 25,
para 2.4.3.1 - https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/current/07a/07a_25.pdf
* 37 U.S. Code § 402 - https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title37-section402&num=0&edition=prelim

07a_25.pdf

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 5 at 2023 11:55 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 11:55:30 -0400

As you know BAS has nothing to do with dependants. If you are orovided meals, regardless of the type you must pay. Having said that, are they taking the BAS out automatically, or are you signing at each meal issue? If it is automatic then you cannot have them stop. If you sign each time then you may be able to get away with not eating meals available.

Having said that, any 1SG or more junior leader will likely get involved if it appears as if you are not accepting the rations.

The reason they would be interested is based on your health and welfare. I am not sure what type of pogi bait meats the nutrition and calories provided by Army meals. No one restricts pogi bate, but they may order you to pay and recieve in order to guarantee your good health.

Bottom line is, if it is auto you must pay. If it is a sign as you go, you may get away with it, unless a leader shows an interest and I would say they should.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2023 1:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 13:58:27 -0400

You don't have to eat field rations if you don't want to, but the fee will still be collected. That food has to be paid for. Now, if you bring your own food, fine. But now you're going to run into storage conditions....or lack thereof.

Response by PO1 Robert Ryan made Jul 5 at 2023 3:47 PM

PO1 Robert Ryan — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:47:55 -0400

Sorry for being a dinosaur here but, when I was doing filed training it was a case C-rations turned upside down and as the squad leader my troops got first pick. I don't understand having to pay for chow whiel in the field on combat ops or field training.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2023 3:56 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:56:13 -0400

Nope! There's no option to choose the kind of food you get, outside of dietary restrictions and religious needs.

I would argue that $15 a day is a great deal! Now a days, $15 is one meal on the streets. I also think that since I have been in (15 years now) MREs have come a long way. They're damn delicious compared to when we first started putting boots down in Iraq and Afghanistan. Remember the omelette?

Also, I would point out that comparatively, the U.S. military does a good job of feeding it's troops. We provide safe, nutritious, and relatively decent food consistently and at little cost to the Soldier, while also not focusing on the "creature-comforts" too much but keeping our business to war-fighting. Exceptions abound, but I believe it's overall proven. I was a cook for a few years, also worked in a field feeding company (FFC) recently.

Hunt the good stuff. Life in the U.S.. military has a lot of comfort that other militaries don't, while also being lethal and capable.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2023 2:15 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 02:15:01 -0400

Think of it as not a deduction, but you are not allocated the sustenance subsidy since you are literally being fed (as far as the Army sees it). Otherwise, if the Army doesn't feed you then you get the subsidy and fend for yourself based on that allocated amount.

I'm not aware of a clean way to not take the provided meals and still get your BAS. It's like my kids expecting me to give them more for their allowance if they choose not to eat the food I provide them.

It sucks, I know. Especially in AT's that are hit and miss with where Soldiers are placed in positions that may or may not be in the proximity of a chow hall with a duty day the lines up with chow hall hours.

The lower the rank you are, the better you are taken care of from a feeding standpoint.