Posted on Jan 20, 2022
Why am I forced to spend money on food because my schedule doesn’t allow me to eat at the chow hall?
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I am a single soldier and have been on Gate Guard for about 1-2 months. Some of it being from 0300 to 1700 & some of it being from 0300 to 1300 5 Days of the week. When I got put on this detail we were promised to start receiving BAS because of the fact that I’d be missing 80% to 90% of my chances to eat at the chow hall. About a month in it became apparent that nothing was getting done to insure that single soldiers would indeed be getting BAS. So I took it apon myself and went to my organic unit and submitted a 4187 about 1 or 2 weeks ago. I texted the SSG that helped me write and submit the 4187. This is what he said “S1 is working it now, finance didn’t want to do anything about it until you miss 3 months worth of meals so that’s why BN is trying to fix the issue for you guys“ So I guess my question is, is there anything I can do to speed up this process? & is this a common practice? Just doesn’t seam right to me that I’ve had and still have to spend $100s of dollars on food each week while at the same time being charged $100s of dollars each week for food I can’t eat.
BAS
Finance
DA Form 4187
Career Counselor
Career Advice
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 11
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In my mind this is a leadership or Finance failure. You are an agent of the US government and denying your access to the DFAC and BAS means the government is ripping you off in regard to your legitimate entitlements. In the matter of Fiscal Law, I see this inaction as illegal. The concept is legitimate expenses must be covered by the government to prevent the government from abusing government agents. For example, if a mailman needed a horse, the government has to give relief to the mailman and procure a horse for the mailman for his official duties. This is the PURPOSE part of Fiscal Law.
The army is running afoul of another Fiscal Law of TIME. The government must be timely in their payments. Finance saying it will take 3 months blows me away because your STATUS is a soldier who can not eat at the DFAC. I am willing to call a Finance Unit on your behalf to find out what the regs say. Not paying you for 90 days does not seem reasonable to me. The Fiscal Law of TIME exists so the government can not abuse contractors and agents like you.
The army is running afoul of another Fiscal Law of TIME. The government must be timely in their payments. Finance saying it will take 3 months blows me away because your STATUS is a soldier who can not eat at the DFAC. I am willing to call a Finance Unit on your behalf to find out what the regs say. Not paying you for 90 days does not seem reasonable to me. The Fiscal Law of TIME exists so the government can not abuse contractors and agents like you.
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Evaluate your options in escalation. I can tell you, I've never met a CSM that wasn't pissed the absolute hell off that Soldiers weren't eating or being forced to spend money on something that's supposed to be provided.
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1SG (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - You have to give some processes time to work. Things work by pay cycle and sometimes it takes a few pay cycles. If you are in a financial hardship because of spending money out of pocket, talk to your leadership about that instead. You should ask follow up questions periodically if so desired
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SPC (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - In my personal opinion, the open door policy is frowned upon for one good reason and lots of bad reasons. The one good reason is you didn't give your chain an opportunity to try. If you have given them the opportunity and your efforts at following up lead to nothing then move forward.
The bad reasons all fall around leaders being inept, toxic, or cowards. If you fear an open door policy, you're probably already a screw up as an NCO or officer.
You're going to experience lots of bad leadership in the Army, but it only stands to make you better. You'll learn how to navigate the paperwork, how to communicate with higher rank, and then when you are in charge of some joe's you'll know better how to take care of them. That is the stewardship that you have when you wear stripes, not every Sergeant is capable of understanding that.
So keep submitting what you have to, communicate with your chain, and if it doesn't go forward then open door. Above all though, make sure you are accurate, organized, and respectful throughout the process.
The bad reasons all fall around leaders being inept, toxic, or cowards. If you fear an open door policy, you're probably already a screw up as an NCO or officer.
You're going to experience lots of bad leadership in the Army, but it only stands to make you better. You'll learn how to navigate the paperwork, how to communicate with higher rank, and then when you are in charge of some joe's you'll know better how to take care of them. That is the stewardship that you have when you wear stripes, not every Sergeant is capable of understanding that.
So keep submitting what you have to, communicate with your chain, and if it doesn't go forward then open door. Above all though, make sure you are accurate, organized, and respectful throughout the process.
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1SG (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - I always encouraged the use of the open door policy. However, I always asked questions prior to getting there. How long has the issue been going on? Who has knowledge of the issue and what steps have been taken? Has reasonable time been given to the process? How often has the leader who had knowledge followed up on the issue? Has the issue been escalated higher to apply some pressure?
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SFC Barbara Layman
Have you been to your unit clerk? There should be a personnel action submitted by thru the BN PAC initiating SEP RATS.
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You could always get some boxes of MREs to ensure government meals are provided (since you're a meal card holder and not on Sep Rats). This way, you're not spending your own money for meals. And, this will sustain you until such time as the Sep Rats kicks in
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