Posted on Dec 25, 2021
How and why are soldiers that are deployed having to pay for their meals?
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I received a text from one of my sons deployed where the mess hall is charging them 9.95 for a meal. How are soldiers expected to have to spend holidays away from their family and maintain their home back home while paying for meals that should be free. I kinda seen it coming when they started have to buy own uniforms
Deployment
DFAC
Money
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 14
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I would guess that your son is not deployed, or at least not in the sense you're thinking of. That sounds about the normal price for a holiday meal at the DFAC, the price is higher than normal because so much expensive food is bought and served for the meal, the same thing happens at Thanksgiving at every DFAC as well.
Soldiers have been buying their own uniforms for decades. We only get our initial issue and when they wear out you buy more. That's why we get an annual clothing allowance
Soldiers have been buying their own uniforms for decades. We only get our initial issue and when they wear out you buy more. That's why we get an annual clothing allowance
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SGT Bruce Chapman
I was given my uniforms and dress uniforms when I got in and a new set two years later and being in Kuwait I believe is deployed I failed to mention that and apologise for that
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SGT Bruce Chapman - The only time I have seen new uniforms issues not charged to the soldier after initial issue is if lost or damaged during operations or transport. I believe it is referred to as Gratuitous Issue. It's just a way of replacing some of the issue lost to no fault of the soldiers.
Soldiers have been either issued a meal card or paid Basic Allowance Subsistence since I was in, and I left in 1995. The move was to Central Dining Facilities and at large joint bases at the time, they charged the standard meal rates to everyone. The question I would ask is he getting paid BAS? If he is, then he is supposed to pay for meals. If not and he has been paying for meals, the Army owes him BAS money. If that is the case, he needs to talk to finance.
Soldiers have been either issued a meal card or paid Basic Allowance Subsistence since I was in, and I left in 1995. The move was to Central Dining Facilities and at large joint bases at the time, they charged the standard meal rates to everyone. The question I would ask is he getting paid BAS? If he is, then he is supposed to pay for meals. If not and he has been paying for meals, the Army owes him BAS money. If that is the case, he needs to talk to finance.
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Interesting question SGT Bruce Chapman... I haven’t heard of this before when meds halls are available. However, he should be receiving BAS for food. My ‘go to’ expert is SFC (Join to see)! He definitely knows the Army regulations!
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If I’m not mistaken, he should be given an additional allowance that equates to the meals he’s having to purchase while deployed. This is commonly referred to as BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence.)
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SFC Nelson Munford
That's a No-go Ghostrider! BAS is paid when meals are NOT provided at government expense. If for some reason meals aren't/ can't be provided there is a category termed "rations not available " which depending on location additional payment above the BAS rate may be paid. I recall losing my BAS for the days we were in the
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