What supporting documents may I use to show that as a Meal Card Holder I'm allowed to go to the Dining Facility during normal meal hours?

2020-01-21T14:19:19-05:00

Issue is My current section is notable told and sometimes pressured/forced to start normal operations during Breakfast Hours, in of which isn't always "Mission Critical". As a Meal Card holder, What supporting documents may I use to show that as a Meal Card Holder I'm allowed to even go to the Dining Facility during such and such hours. (This isn't the first time this has occurred, nor do I think it'll be the last).

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2020 2:28 PM

2020-01-21T14:28:15-05:00

I am only partially understanding this statement/question.

From what i gather is your section is being to occasionally come into work earlier, and sometimes during chow hours?

Couple of questions to get more information:
1. Who is making you guys come in earlier?
2. What do YOU determine to be mission critical vs. what actually is mission critical?

Now to answer the question. The army will either supply you with time for the chow hall, or an MRE, as long as you get fed. So i would be careful with how you bring this up to your leadership. If they want to, they will just issue you out MREs.

It could/should be as simple as bring this up to your first line/PSG. State that you are missing chow during X hours. Ask to come in later, or show up to work and then break for chow and return. If they happen to deny that, then request an MRE. If thy deny that then you have a case to bring it further up the CoC.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jan 21 at 2020 2:42 PM

2020-01-21T14:42:10-05:00

I do not remember the form number but there is a "missed meal voucher" form. Sgart filling one out every single time you are forced to miss a meal. The CoC will get the hint pretty damned quick.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2020 2:56 PM

2020-01-21T14:56:41-05:00

Honestly, working in a small section, your NCOIC and staff are probably not thinking about chow hours like a line leader with multiple joes on meal cards. I would just say you're on a meal card and ask what is the plan for your morning meal. In line units this is stuff NCOs are all over. The choices are for you to file a missed meal / put you on separate rations and you get your own, they give you food / an MRE or release you during DFAC hours to eat... but it's not your choice to make.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 2:27 AM

2020-01-22T02:27:24-05:00

First you address it with your direct supervisor. If they don't give you a satisfactory answer, then you go up the next level. By the time it hits the 1SG someone should have fixed it and informed your section leadership that they are obligated to provide time for you to eat.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 22 at 2020 8:13 AM

2020-01-22T08:13:25-05:00

Either they afford you the opportunity to eat at the dining facility, or they provide you a reasonable alternative, (box meal, MRE, vat cans, or field kitchen). If they don't... keep bumping it up the chain of command, until you find a SNCO or officer that removes someone's head and craps in their chest cavity.

Can't tell you how much this pisses me off. How the hell does a leadership chain make this kind of basic failure?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 22 at 2020 11:51 AM

2020-01-22T11:51:28-05:00

How prevalent is this problem? Do you and your fellow soldiers have other issues with the chain of command?