Is taking food out of a chow/mess hall (DFAC) still prohibited?

COL Thomas F. — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 10:01:20 -0400

I was eating at the Ft Leavenworth DFAC run by civilians. I was thinking about taking a snack back to my office, when the old rule of "don't take food out of the chow hall" popped into my head. So am curious if that rule is still in effect? Is is specific to military run vs civilian run? Is it for certain foods? Is it in a reg somewhere? --- hungry for answers

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Sep 2 at 2016 10:29 AM

TSgt Melissa Post — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 10:29:12 -0400

It isn't against the rules here in Minot. We just had a revamp on our DFAC and man it is amazing!! We have people getting food to-go all the time. Actually when they are making it, the chefs ask if it is "for here or to-go".

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2016 10:39 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 10:39:15 -0400

You can usually get a to-go box at the MCRD chow halls or at the very least take a piece of fruit. I haven't seen anyone do anything other than that. Our chow halls here are run by Sodexo. I'm not aware of any regulation currently in place.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2016 10:43 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 10:43:51 -0400

Just wanted to add, Colonel, that in my very early USCG days, we ate at the Fort Leavenworth Mess Hall. Absolutely, some great chow. Your posting caused a nostalgia mind trip!!!

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2016 10:55 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 10:55:39 -0400

At least on Ft Gordon, you can get a go-to box... You don't get as much, but you can take it out.

As far as hoarding like yogurt or something, I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate it

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Sep 2 at 2016 11:54 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 11:54:27 -0400

Not sure if it is now, but used to be. Reminds me of my tour in Korea 91-92. Signs in the DFAC everywhere that you couldn't take anything to go. You couldn't even go back for seconds! The Mess Sgt would watch you like a hawk to make sure you didn't take too much from the self serve area (salad, fruit, cereal, etc.), or try to sneak back in the main line for seconds. Yet after closing you would see the Korean Civilian kitchen workers taking home tons of leftovers out the back door and that was OK.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2016 12:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 12:11:00 -0400

Sir, just type up a MFR stating that you get to take an extra apple and cheese crackers from the DFAC everyday.... problem solved!

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2016 1:02 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 13:02:37 -0400

Well Sir, Since you are not in BCT im sure you can get away with taking a snack out of the dfac. It is mostly done to keep pest out of the barracks. To go plates are the thing now at the dfac.

"Don't let me catch you taking that fatty cake out of the chow hall private".......

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2016 6:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 18:06:05 -0400

The only civilian run DFAC I have been in allowed you to take a to go plate, but you had to leave the DFAC. You also were only allowed to take food for yourself, and they wouldn't accept payment for a second meal even if you were picking up food for a legitimate reason like grabbing something for someone on Staff Duty.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2016 7:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 19:24:19 -0400

Sir, Most DFACs around OCONUS and CONUS are allowing the SM to grab and go. A Sr.A that's works at a DFAC here at Hickam AFB in Hawaii, said SM that grab and go is a win for them. Less trash and less clean up. Also it opens up seats for people who really just want to take there lunch in somewhere away from work. So its a win for everyone.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2016 4:37 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 16:37:14 -0400

Depends. We had a "to-go" line at our School house. However, if you ate in the galley, you could not take food with you. I wish you could!

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made Sep 4 at 2016 3:48 PM

Sgt Christopher Wenzel — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 15:48:07 -0400

What? We grabbed two trays back to the office everyday! Never heard of that before.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Sep 5 at 2016 2:03 AM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 02:03:33 -0400

Jesus Colonel.... really?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2016 8:50 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 20:50:37 -0400

Pretty sure the prohibition of taking food out of mess halls and DFACs is only active and effective in entry level training. It has to do with a warrior ethos and maintaining a place where all are equal. Like the Spartan's mess hall, above the exit was a sign that read "through this door, nothing." Everyone eats and must eat here, forced commeraderie.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Sep 13 at 2018 6:23 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 18:23:42 -0400

I think the idea of sanitation.. somebody puts remainder of snaack in desk and gets busy and forgets it.. them little creatures come out and feed and multiply.. not. Right away but eventually there are 8 times as many...or more !... I’m not approaching selling a sandwich... maybe giving it away.. thinking of that hungry ol guy hanging by an alley .. someone can’t bear to see them digging in the dumpster ..

Response by SrA John Monette made Sep 13 at 2018 7:50 PM

SrA John Monette — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 19:50:56 -0400

I always thought it just applied to Basic Trainees.

Response by CPT Ronald Grossman made Jul 2 at 2021 9:59 AM

CPT Ronald Grossman — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 09:59:11 -0400

Just a consume it while there rule otherwise people would take full meals out when they left thereby avoiding the additional fee. If you want something to go then use the Grab and Go option and pay for it.