What is the best way to handle meal charges at NTC and JRTC rotations?

Sir, the bottom line is the fact that the regulation states that if you are provided with meals you will have your BAS deducted. Whether we go to the filed for a day and provide meals or 45 days, it is mandatory to submit the names of ALL (not just officers or enlisted) to the servicing finance to have those meals deducted. It has always been part of the regulation but during these war years, the Army stopped enforcing it because during deployments they continued to pay BAS to all Soldiers even though they were providing meals for them. Not precisely certain why that is, but the fact of the matter is they did it and now it seems to be an issue because the charging for meals during FTXs is new to many of the junior personnel (by junior I mean those that have only been in since OEF and OIF began). During these fiscally constrained time, we have to save costs wherever we can and enforcing this regulation is one way to help.

While it is a requirement to conduct BAS recoupment for anytime period where the Army provides food (regardless of rank), I'd say the "best method" I've seen is when it's briefed to the Soldiers and Family members ahead of time. This helps people know it's coming and plan appropriately.

Sir, I get charged as a junior enlisted Soldier, no matter whether I accept their powdered eggs or reject them in favor of my store-bought oatmeal. Why do you feel that officers ought to eat for free, when Soldiers like me have to pay for ours? Sometimes, it's easier to cope when we adopt an attitude of fairness in these matters, rather than one of entitlement.