How and why are soldiers that are deployed having to pay for their meals?

2021-12-25T00:05:17-05:00

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

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2021 12:46 AM

2021-12-25T00:46:38-05:00

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.)

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Dec 25 at 2021 4:21 AM

2021-12-25T04:21:19-05:00

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 Private RallyPoint Member! He definitely knows the Army regulations!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2021 6:01 AM

2021-12-25T06:01:26-05:00

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

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Dec 25 at 2021 4:18 PM

2021-12-25T16:18:37-05:00

Ok, first of all, is this a REAL deployment or is he merely at an installation (ie: Ft Polk, Ramstein AB, Ft Hood, etc) for temporary duty/training?

Secondly, assuming he is at an established installation (such as the aforementioned Ft Polk, et al), then he is most likely receiving BAS instead of Rations in Kind (RIK). If he is receiving BAS, he will be required to purchase any meals obtained at the DFAC.

Third, IF he is actually forward deployed, receiving RIK, and is still having to pay for meals, he needs to contact his S1 immediately to get this fixed ASAP. His orders should contain the necessary language to determine whether he is authorized BAS or RIK.

Response by SPC Dawn Appelberg (Johnson) made Dec 25 at 2021 10:42 PM

2021-12-25T22:42:29-05:00

If the soldier is on sperate rations then yes he has to pay for his meals - even at the chow hall. He gets a ration for meals as they are saying his schedule is not conducive for regular dining facility hours.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2021 12:37 AM

2021-12-26T00:37:01-05:00

Where is your son deployed to?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2021 9:34 AM

2021-12-27T09:34:17-05:00

In Kuwait the soldiers orders determine if they pay for meals or not. Deployed troops do not pay, soldiers who are assigned as permanent party do pay.
It's not the best system, but it's the system we have. Your son is surrounded by Soldiers who do not have to pay.

Response by SFC Nelson Munford made Dec 27 at 2021 12:19 PM

2021-12-27T12:19:53-05:00

Because they are being fed at government expense! BAS is provided in lieu of meals, so if you get fed by Uncle Sugar you don't get paid to buy food. BAS is NOT to feed your dependents!

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 27 at 2021 1:05 PM

2021-12-27T13:05:08-05:00

If your Son is receiving BAS and isn't on a meal card that could explain it. If he feels he is being mistreated or is the only one paying he needs to address it with his leadership but I'm guessing Kuwait transitioned to functioning just like another Army post but he can always run it up the chain.

Not sure what the static is about uniforms but outside of initial issue it's on the individual to keep up of with their stuff.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 28 at 2021 9:42 AM

2021-12-28T09:42:00-05:00

Deployed? Or "deployed". I'm assuming they're just on orders somewhere in the states?

Response by SPC Robert Styers made Dec 28 at 2021 1:13 PM

2021-12-28T13:13:33-05:00

When deployed we received our meals free and still received BAS if I remember correctly, if he’s on a temporary duty station or stationed overseas he may be paying for meals if he is a soldier who receives BAS.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Dec 28 at 2021 4:18 PM

2021-12-28T16:18:30-05:00

Sounds as if your son is assigned as permanent party rather than being deployed..my last overseas assignment was in 2010 as the ASG-Kuwait S-3 NCOIC and I was permanent party as opposed to the units that were deployed in support of either operations in Iraq or Afghanistan. I had to pay for my meals if I used the DFAC, whereas those Soldiers "deployed" did not,

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 29 at 2021 10:05 AM

2021-12-29T10:05:03-05:00

It dePends on how his orders were written. I don’t recall the exact wording, but if he’s TDY and normally receives subsistence allowance aka separate rats, then the unit has to provide a fund cite the DFAC can use for reimbursement. Additionaly the finance folks may claw back some subsistence pay for the time he was getting government meals. Alternatively may reduce daily per diem due to govt meals. If he normally eats in DFAC at home station, then his orders should allow him to eat free in DFAC while TDY.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Dec 30 at 2021 1:07 AM

2021-12-30T01:07:50-05:00

Hah! Could it be because they are paying you a ration allowance?