Posted on Aug 27, 2016
SGT Senior Scout
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This isn't meant as a complaint or a soldier whining, but I feel it is a legitimate argument. In my current barracks I have a pretty decent kitchenette, 4 burner stove and a microwave, along with electrical sockets for other cooking items. Although we are given these appliances, we are still paying our full BAS towards meal deductions. So if we want to use the amenities in the room we must pay extra money out of pocket. I just feel that if we are deemed responsible enough by our COC that we should be able to apply for BAS and cook Our own meals. Even if it is a reduced rate, say half towards meal cards and half to the soldier to grocery shop, it would make more sense than spending money to build a kitchen in the barracks but not provide compensation to actually utilize that kitchen.
Posted in these groups: House money 428x285 BAS
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CPL Randy Bautista
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As much as you want to make it a case by case... In all honesty the army won't let it fly... Reason being its just normal for lower enlisted to be wasteful spender that being also the case with the small pay... I think it's a good idea but practically I'm almost sure it is a bad idea out of 100 maybe 5 would be responsible enough to actually be able to budget... But with that being sad BAS isn't really considered pay BAS is the army's way of saying we don't pay you enough so he is some money for food
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CPL Randy Bautista
CPL Randy Bautista
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SGT (Join to see) - i will have to disagree sorry... Remember BAS isn't pay and is t considered at all part of pay considering that all people are trying to do is get a little extra in there pocket... Which I can't argue with that who wouldn't try, but if I'm hearing you right making more money and having BAS and BAH and you still can't budget then that proves my case
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SGT Senior Scout
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>1 y
more money in my pocket isn't my concern, it's having money (that I am already technically entitled to in the form of BAS) to use for groceries since my barracks has a kitchen in every room. I don't see how that's asking a whole lot. I don't even need the full BAS, just partial and I would still use the DFAC sometimes. I would like to be an adult and be responsible for my own health and nutrition. CPL Randy Bautista -
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SGT Cannon Crewmember
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If they troopies had the food allowance they would not properly budget. That's why there is a mess hall. Paid in the 1st broke on the 5th.
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CPL Randy Bautista
CPL Randy Bautista
>1 y
SGT (Join to see) - Your not entitled to BAS is a ration your only intitlement is your base pay
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SSG Public Affairs Ncoic
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This is a very tough spot because I can understand why single soldier get meal deductions. The army is worried about soldiers not having money to eat plus they need jobs for the cooks in the army.

When I went to college we had meal plans. You were required to have the 7 day 3 meals a day plan. After your first year you could choose your plan.

I believe the army could have a very similar plan that would work.

You could also have the BAS deduction be taken out based on how often you ate at the dinning hall. You would not receive BAS until next months psyche like with the deductions applied.
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SGT Senior Scout
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>1 y
I agree completely SGT, after 4 years in the army, and reenlisting to give 4 more, is just like the freedom to be an adult and cook my own meals. I feel soldiers will continue to be immature because they can be, everyone says how single soldiers in the barracks have less responsibilities and while that's true, it causes many to not grow up because they don't have to. which in turn causes problems when they do get married and have a family. They are ill prepared to handle those responsibilities
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SSG Public Affairs Ncoic
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>1 y
I agree. I believe that if someone took the time to create several options for soldiers in regards to BAS and crunched the numbers then we can find a solution to this issue. In a down sizing army this may be a way to cut back on spending. Of course I also believe that most dining halls do not have and/or do not serve enough healthy foods. When I say healthy I don't just mean low fat. What I mean is healthy food that gives our soldier a meal that is more nutritious and feeds their bodies after extreme physical stress.
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SGT Senior Scout
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Absolutely, I eat relatively clean and track both calories and Macronutrients throughout the day, and not knowing exactly what they are doing to the food and not controlling my
Servings makes that difficult when eating at the DFAC.
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SSG Public Affairs Ncoic
SSG (Join to see)
>1 y
I understand your concern I really do. Do I believe the system needs to be overhauled? No. Should it be reworked? Yes. The program is successful. It feeds soldiers. Is it flawed? Yes. I believe the army should approach PT and nutrition like a professional sports team does. With a downsizing army, we can't afford to loose soldiers to preventable injuries and illnesses. Everyone needs to be fit and healthy. We need to give soldiers the tools to be successful. I look at it from a pro athlete prospective. A pro athlete's job is to be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. I believe every soldier should do the same. A pro athlete doesn't just do the work during the season and then stop when it's the off-season. They do it year round. That is their job. It's the same in the army. We need to start acting like it. And from top down we need to start implementing policies that allow soldier to take more responsibility in their actions and health. While still providing the tools they need to do it.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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Your argument is that since you're fortunate enough to have a kitchenette, you should have more? This sounds like an argument my 11 year old daughter would make.
BAS doesn't begin to cover the amount of food a normal person consumes in a month. It comes out to around $11-12 a day. If you're an experienced cook, meal planner, and prepped who loses no food to rot or waste, you might be able to match that. BAS is offered to people who aren't able to use the dining facility, not taken away from people who do use it.
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SGT Senior Scout
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>1 y
SFC I'm not sure why you are assuming that I'm just complaining......but logically why are we spending money building barracks with kitchen appliances but not giving soldiers the money to use them? I lived on Torii Station for 2 years, in those old building with no usable kitchen, and no cooking appliances in the rooms. But we were paid BAS, and I'd be willing to say 85% of people I knew were able to purchase hot plates, crockpots, or other simple plug in appliances and feed themselves adequately, but in a building where I am given much better facilities I have to eat at a DFAC. I fed myself for 2 years on BAS, and not once did I feel I was spending too much on meals, unless I was treating myself to a steak or something similar
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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You receive BAS at Torii because there is no available DFAC to provide 3 meals a day, every day. When I worked at RTB our guys received BAS because training often went through meal times.
I didn't say you're complaining, I said the logic of your statement is faulty. In fact, your statement suggests that it's a waste to build kitchenettes, the logical conclusion is that you shouldn't have that amenity since the Army is not giving you more money to utilize it.
Throwing good money after bad is never an effective argument.
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