Is the DFAC worth the meal deductions?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 17:00:49 -0400

DFAC

Response by SSG Eric Eck made Jul 16 at 2015 5:29 PM

SSG Eric Eck — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 17:29:52 -0400

I ate a lot of fast food and microwavable food when I was active, I say no.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 16 at 2015 6:29 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 18:29:28 -0400

While I love the dedication of our cooks, I am compelled to part of a cadence:

They say that in the Army the coffee's mighty fine.
It looks like muddy water and taste like turpentine.

They say that in the Army the chow is mighty fine.
The chicken jumped off the table and started marking time.
They say that in the Army, the biscuits are mighty fine
One rolled off the table and killed a friend of mine

They say that in the Army, the meat is mighty fine
Last night we had ten puppies, this morning only nine

They say that in the Army, the pancakes are mighty fine
You can try to chew them, but you’re only wasting time

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 9:20 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 21:20:33 -0400

I for one try to use the DFAC when I get the chance, which isn't often. Several of the DFACs on FT Bragg are as good as any of the other food options on post and cheaper. At the end of the day though, I think it depends on the DFAC.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 9:40 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 21:40:03 -0400

That all depends on your mindset. I think that the diverse options are better than I can create on my own for what the army deducts. Based on this, I'm usually pretty happy going to the DFAC

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 17 at 2015 12:19 AM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 00:19:48 -0400

DFACS are awesome.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 12:21 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 00:21:07 -0400

HELL NO. But seeing that change wont happen in my lifetime.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 3:06 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 03:06:29 -0400

Not on the weekends, anyway. But I know they prepare for a relatively low turn out, and it can be reflected in the menu offered on those days

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jul 17 at 2015 2:43 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:43:27 -0400

When I had to eat at the DFAC everyday I would have said no. Now that I'm living in my own apartment, I realize how convenient DFACs were. As a barracks soldier, my options were eating out or eating at the DFAC. We were not authorized hot-plates in our rooms, and while we had community ovens it would take a week to sanitize that thing for use. Now a days, I wish there was a DFAC because I don't like to cook and the options for eating out tend to be less healthy. The DFAC, while not perfect, does offer healthier food options than what most soldiers seem to eat. I like having the choice to choose, but I can't fault the military for providing an acceptable meal source. If anything my complaints are with units who don't prioritize giving their soldiers time to eat at the DFAC and the limited DFAC hours (no DFACs are open on Ft. Bragg after 6pm).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 1:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 13:40:45 -0400

The dining facility is only worth it for breakfast...you cant beat the price for what you get. I have nothing but the utmost respect for our 92Gs, but I know that they have absolutely no choice in what or how they cook. Some try really hard to stay within regs, but make the food worth eating. Fort Lewis' Cannons and Castles seems to work on this the best, but there are times when you think "really? This is supposed to be food?" I won't pay for lunch or dinner but it is far better than any MRE. Sorry 92Gs I know you don't have a choice, but keep trying, the Army will get you less restrictions and better training soon enough.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 1:47 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 13:47:14 -0400

I am a barracks soldier, and I find myself making breakfast while changing after PT and doing meal prep or shopping on Sunday's for my lunch during the week. The dfac is right across the street but at 0730, the line is already 100 soldiers long, of the 5 or 6 dfacs on base it seems one is always closed and bussing soldiers to my dfac for chow. Dinner chow is unheard of at my dfac, no weekend chow schedule, they just open once in a while and when no one shows up they close and don't open on weekends for another month or 2. I don't even try to go to the dfac, the same with most other barracks soldiers I work with.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 1:58 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 13:58:02 -0400

No, during my time working for an S-1 I would often work through lunch, PT hours and well after COB doing whatever to accomplish a mission. One of my superiors noticed and granted me Separate rations, which worked out perfect for me. I packed breakfast, lunch and snacks the night before and I didn't feel obliged to eat at the DFAC, but when given the opportunity I would simply pay for a meal. Nearly a year later my Separate rations were revoked due to a budget issue and I has forced to eat at the DFAC once again. Being so fast paced, I often got to-go and fast food options, which were a scourge on my health. During the week Breakfast and Lunch meals were often an enjoyable and healthy, but for some Soldiers it doesn't make sense to sacrifice 30-45 minutes for each meal. This may be an isolated issue but for only a select group of Soldiers, but being able to cook my own meals was a huge boost to moral and allowed me to perform better at work.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 2:22 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:22:27 -0400

No it is not worth it. $380 is taken out for food a month. They only serve breakfast and lunch during the weekdays. The weekends, DFAC is closed. What ticks me off even worse is that the barracks rooms comes with a fully equip kitchen stove, oven, fridge and sink. I'm able to buy a months worth of food for $250. They will not let me opt out of the meal card it ticks me off so much.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 2:30 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:30:41 -0400

I was on my own long before I joined the Army, and now that I'm in the barracks here, I can't say I've ever eaten at the DFAC without essentially being forced to. Too many people. I just buy groceries and eat once or twice a day. I'd really rather that than have to deal with the noise, lines, majority of food I won't/can't eat, and unwanted conversation. That's IF we get to eat. If the BC has something planned she definitely doesn't take meal card holders into consideration, which the majority of people are. It was really fun trying to rearrange all my bills though with the extra deduction coming out.

Edit to add: And I don't eat dinner at 1700. My grandparents do that. It's weird. Almost two years and it still doesn't work for me.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 2:44 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:44:19 -0400

Not even close.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 3:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:07:20 -0400

No, but with the way soldiers spend paychecks and have to ration money for the remaining days... It is kinda necessary for them to have food to fall back on when they have to figure out how to get to work due to not having any money for gas.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 3:20 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:20:07 -0400

Not worth it, specially when they close on the weekends

Response by PO2 Kevin Peine made Jul 21 at 2015 3:56 PM

PO2 Kevin Peine — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:56:16 -0400

i know the galley at NATTC Pensacola was well worth it, every where else..........

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 4:24 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:24:27 -0400

Personally think that it isn't worth the money being taken out of troopers pay. Due to it always being closed or slop meals. The army would make more money if it granted BAS to all troops and slightly raised the prices not to exceed a McDonald's or Burger King meal. For the troops that doesn't know know how to cook, but will willingly go to the DFAC.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 5:10 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:10:29 -0400

The DFAC food is awful, I hated to eat there. I bought my own food on my base pay just so i didn’t have to eat there. Not only that but i don’t eat 357 dollars worth of food a month, thats a lot of food for one person.(just saying) the hours suck too. The DFAC is a waste of money.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 5:32 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:32:06 -0400

Absolutely not. It'd almost be worth it, if you could actually eat 3 meals per day. Not everyone is hungry at those exact specific 2 hour periods. The only time i want dinner at 1700, is if i missed lunch or something. It's basically a hassle, dealing with the huge lines, and then the quality of food. I think you should only be charged for what you get when you go.. Not the preset amount that gets taken out now.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 5:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:32:12 -0400

Not worth it. The food generally doesn't taste all that bad, but it's not great either. There are some things that are pretty good, others are just okay, but majority is completely bland (that is why so many Soldiers use tons of hot sauce). It also depends on the DFAC itself; some have better cooks than others (more precisely: ones that are willing to bend the rules to turn whatever the lowest bidder supplied into something edible).

The portions are a joke. The serving of meat is usually 5 or 6 ounces, which is suitable for a 4 year old child, but not a grown man. Many DFACs limit you to one side, which is also rather small. However, most chow halls are well stocked with fatty cakes, so you can stuff your face with sugar, instead of real food. The only good thing is the salad bar, because you can usually make a meal out of that stuff (ham, cheese, mushrooms, beans, olives and ranch dressing - my definition of a salad).

Time is another issue. Even though you save on actual cooking time, you have to get there (most likely drive your POV, because not all installations have DFACs near the barracks), wait in the line and then get back. That added time often exceeds 30 minutes, which is enough time to cook a simple meal. Or you can spend an hour or so and make more portions that will last you few days. Obviously, not everyone likes cooking, so that is not a universal thing, but for me it is a huge disadvantage of the DFAC.

DFAC hours are sometimes also an issue. A lot of people miss one or more meals because of their work schedule (just to clarify: I AM refering to single E1-E5), or, on weekends and holidays, are out of town on a pass and not using DFAC, but still are charged for it. It is also inconvenient to eat at set time. Some people eat 5-7 small meals a day instead of 3 major ones, while others (like me) like to eat later in the day. Either way, the schedule doesn't work for everybody.

So those are the main reasons why I don't think that DFAC is worth the meal deductions, and also why I barely ever go there anymore.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 5:39 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:39:12 -0400

Wow. Its really that bad?

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Jul 21 at 2015 5:40 PM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:40:54 -0400

Is college worth the degree?

Is taking a super model to dinner and a movie worth the rest of the night?

Is owning a V12 engine sports car worth the gas???

Yes. Yes. Yes. and to your question sir, Yes.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 5:42 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:42:27 -0400

Absolutely not. First off they take $380 out a month. Now that I'm out and living with my girlfriend and her two boys we spend just about the same amount on groceries to feed ourselves for a month. Not only that, but half the time if you didn't rush there right after we got done with the duty day you wouldn't even make it in time for chow, and if you did it was slim pickings. The weekends are a nightmare, especially when you first get to a new duty station. You never know which chow hall will be open that weekend. I don't know how many times I tried to go to the chow hall for lunch, and couldn't find the one that was open, so I would wind up getting KFC instead.
I know that the argument is that the food in the DFAC is healthier than what a single soldier would prepare in the barracks. But that is not always the case. I gained 40 pounds eating in the DFAC, and had to go on blood pressure medicine . I was having a lot of digestive issues so I started preparing my own food in my room for two months, documenting my diet, and subsisting on grilled fish, fresh grilled veggies, and occasionally lean grilled pork and beef I lost 20 pounds and got my cholesterol and blood pressure back under control without going on medication. When I presented this to my doctor and commander my PCM told me that if they gave me separate rations that I would just spend all of my money on McDonalds. It got to the point where I told my PCM he could come to my barracks room one day and I would make him lunch, and that I would put up what I could cook with a rice cooker/steamer, and a Cuisine Art Griller against anything his wife made at home.
For me I joined the Army later in life, I shipped off to boot camp at 29 years old. I have travelled the world working as both a teacher and a cook. In our house we take pride in the fact that both myself and my girlfriend can make very good dishes, and share cooking duties. We cook smart looking for lean meat, whatever is on sale, and either raw or grilled veggies. We also don't use any oil except for Olive Oil and Coconut oil. Very far from what you get in the DFAC. I can understand that it might be a good deal for young soldiers their first time away from home that don't know how to cook. But in my unit there were several of us that were a little older, we had done the cafeteria thing while in college, and we needed a different diet because we were older, and we also knew how to cook.
I had another buddy that was a body builder, and very particular about anything he put in his body. He would measure out all of his food on a small kitchen scale, and carefully dialed in his caloric intake, something he couldn't do in the DFAC. You can't plan meals there, many times its you take what you can get. Plus the meat is usually drenched in some sort of gravy or greasy something. Why would I want to put that into my body.

Response by SGT Matthew Reese made Jul 21 at 2015 5:47 PM

SGT Matthew Reese — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:47:02 -0400

It didn't work for me. I was eating in my Room most nights due to distance. It was a 20 minute walk so no good for breakfast or lunch and closed most nights before we were released from duty. I went into the training room and submitted for separate rations. Best day of my military career.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 5:56 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:56:18 -0400

Even though I'm not a meal card holder, I've been to the DEFAC a few times. I have to admit the breakfast is pretty good. You can get a bowl full of fruits. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for lunch and dinner. I you show up close to closing hours, the food is pretty much all gone.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 6:03 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 18:03:32 -0400

Not worth it. Quality and variety not worth it. Unfortunately I have to buy groceries so I can eat what I need and when the dfac isn't open.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 6:29 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 18:29:41 -0400

I have to say no most days. When the DFAC was open (currently down for renovations) I always went to the commissary and bought about 70$ worth of food. Store it in my closet since I do not trust my roommates and I'll be set for about 3 maybe 4 weeks. I have been to the DFAC a few times for lunch and dinner and just hated all their selections except for the day they had manicotti. There is also the problem that if you wanted food to go you had to be in uniform.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 7:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 19:28:00 -0400

Not at all, DEFAC food is disgusting and low quality, portions are so small too, in a sense, you can get a double cheeseburger with chili cheese fries and wings, but if I want two sides of veggies and a decent amount of chicken that's asking for too much. What I can't understand is why we are not given a choice, we are forced to eat there, I could save money and eat healthier if I just got BAS.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 7:33 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 19:33:01 -0400

The real question is why are the troops (airman perpective) limited to how much food they can get? If I am already getting over $300 taken out of my check per month....than I should be able to get more than 4 wings. I should be able to get 3 omelets with all the toppings. And if I want 4 drinks then I should be able with no questions asked.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 8:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:01:47 -0400

I have eaten at the defac and it is not worth the pay deduction. Soldiers should learn to cook and take care of themselves. Also the food is not always the best. And soldiers dont always have the time to eat at the defac.

Response by SSG Ray Strenkowski made Jul 21 at 2015 8:07 PM

SSG Ray Strenkowski — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:07:43 -0400

Why oh why do they put those stupid onions in the peas?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 8:26 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:26:14 -0400

No absolutely not.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 8:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:26:58 -0400

For me, the answer is no, most of the time.
I am a barracks soldier but I am currently at an assignment where I do not get meal deductions taken. The only meal that I pay for at the DFAC is breakfast. I shop at the commissary and prepare my own meals for lunch and dinner. I also find that I can eat healthier when I choose what goes on my plate as well as how much I put on my plate.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 8:47 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:47:40 -0400

To simply say no is being overly polite. I only eat there when I am broke or trying to save money since the funds are deducted regardless. The food choices are not options I would prepare myself and who eats dinner at 1630? If I want to hit the gym after work I have to go to the DFAC and get a to-go plate to keep in the fridge until I'm ready to eat it, if I decide to eat old DFAC food. I prepared and cooked my own food before I joined the army and was healthier and lighter.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 10:09 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 22:09:38 -0400

No. I'd cook something much better and healthier in my barracks for a cheaper price

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 10:15 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 22:15:34 -0400

Military wants to chapter Soldiers out for being overweight but has a DFAC that seldom provides healthy options. Fresh fruit or baked fish/chicken may as well be be the foods that unicorns dine upon.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 10:19 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 22:19:08 -0400

I refuse to eat at the dfac at ft bliss bc my health is more important than anything to me. I've had food poisoning twice before giving up eating there all together. Now I buy and cook all my own food and I have to pay for that garbage they try to force us to swallow.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 10:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 22:27:15 -0400

absolutely not. I spend 400 dollars a month out of my own pay check. I cook all my own meats, vegetables. I never go hungry. I have generous portions and a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables with out the load of salt and butter. Now is it good for some people who dont cook or who are incompetent with money and wouldnt leave themselves enough for food, yes. But for people like me who have a background in nutrition and health, I can do far more with my own money.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 12:43 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 00:43:02 -0400

Absolutely not!! I buy groceries out of my base pay for meal prepping because most things at the dfac i cant or absolutly will not eat. Mojority of the time i feel forced... But basically i am. If i had the option to receive my bas, I wouldnt think twice about the dfac... Ever again.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 4:47 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 04:47:44 -0400

Not. One. Bit. I am so glad to be out of the Barracks to have my BAS BAH again. With all of it taken you really do live month to month if you have bills, so you don't save when they finally let you go, but I'd kind of rather be homeless than being forced to eat burned tasteless food some A1C forgot about and live in a 12x18 mold infested, shared room for $1200 a month while being told by my base leadership, "You should be happy you are supplied with a place to live for free." But to get back on the point, the DFAC is also never open when convenient to all three shifts or even when my unit does 12 hour shifts. By ratio of how much I paid to how much I was actually able to eat, I've eaten the most expensive food at DFACs and lived on the most expensive land by square foot.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 4:48 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 04:48:20 -0400

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 4:56 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 04:56:55 -0400

I think us soldiers should have an option to eat there....because you have soldiers that would like to cook their own food

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 6:21 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 06:21:35 -0400

- Interupts work when several people need to eat, especially hard when you are out on the line to stop maintenance.
- hours are awful, especially for off shifts you're lucky to get 2 meals.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 9:27 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:27:25 -0400

The DFAC is worthless. I wish they would just let us choose to decide whether we want the DFAC or BAS honestly but we all know that won't happen because no one would want to eat at the DFAC.

Response by SPC Tony Bucaro made Jul 22 at 2015 11:28 AM

SPC Tony Bucaro — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:28:38 -0400

I used the DFAC back when I was active duty (89-97) and I even eat there now as a DoD Civilian. The food is good and a lot more healther then grabbing a burger out.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 11:37 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:37:19 -0400

No and yes. The reason why I say no because I am a cook and I see the type of quality of food we are forced to give the soldiers. I hate that everyone looks at us like we are the bad guys but in actuality we are being told to put out a product a certain way. If rations aren't doing their job well with the inventory than the food really sucks. Also, not every cook knows how to cook. Secondly, the reason why I say yes is because every soldier who lives in the barracks have had days were they spent all of their money and in the back of their head they were saying "Thank God, I can still go to the DFAC".

Response by SGT(P) Anthony Nestor made Jul 23 at 2015 12:12 AM

SGT(P) Anthony Nestor — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 00:12:52 -0400

Hell no it aint worth it

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 12:55 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 00:55:55 -0400

I love and miss the DFAC and I love the salads and fruit. The time it saves me to buy lettuce, tomatoes, olives, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, apples, milk ; cut them;and manage their expiration dates is worth the 5 bucks when on active duty, single, and have hour-long lunch breaks. As a reservist and an unemployed grad student, I truly miss the DFAC eating ramen and crap.

Breakfast is what I miss the most. Unlimited hard boiled eggs everyday , salsa, and sometimes steak and eggs. The ice cream machine was amazing too.

Although my DFAC experience is not typical. I went to Finance OBC and we ate at the Drill Sergeant DFAC on Fort Jackson. The drill sergeant and chaplain schools were there and it was fun to watch them. The hotel and classrooms were literally across the street and it was so convenient. The food tasted great and the lines never became too long.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 23 at 2015 1:05 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 01:05:30 -0400

If some of you think you are being ripped off of your BAS, maybe a professional survey needs to be conducted and the results need to be given to someone who had the authority and power to make things better.

On another note, some of my experiences using a DFAC were very negative dealing with DFAC employees including SMs. It was the rudeness I did not like. A civilian mocked the way I spoke one day at FLW when I was an insert. Normally, I request the termination of civilians employees if I make an ICE complaint but I let it go. On another time, a cook SM did not appreciate me saying, "I like to have that" and he told me to say the name of the food or I don't get to eat. I wasn't an NCO then. I won't take that treatment to day. On another time, a civilian food server was rude and told me to hurry up so I asked to see her manager, and I complained. That was before I knew about ICE. Far as the money, yes it is a rip off. The hours are terrible. And the service is worse than a Motel 6 staff.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 3:12 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 03:12:05 -0400

I sadly say no. Due to the cause of poor food quality and the fact that in my unit we usually work thru both lunch and dinner. I say I may get to eat there 20% of the time if that.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 6:11 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 18:11:36 -0400

Nope. Not worth it. Some DFaCs are better than others but I don't think the cooks have much pride in what they do because the food can be very tasteless and the fact that they have to try and please everyone (which they won't) that comes in the DFAC is unrealistic. Everybody doesn't like BurgerKing. Everyone doesn't like Applebee's. Everybody is definitely not going to like the DFAC! Just give these soldiers their rations and call it a day.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 24 at 2015 1:13 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 13:13:24 -0400

Well, going through the comments, I'd say it's unanimous..

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 2:57 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 14:57:45 -0400

Dang all these responses make me glad I joined the AF lol.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 8:08 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 20:08:39 -0400

I have been married the entire time I have been in the Army. I have eaten at the DFAC while in BCT, at 1st Replacement on Ft. Riley, and a hand full of times with friends just to be social. I will admit that sometimes the food is great but the majority of the time it is flawed, sometimes in a way that can cause health issues (ie: undercooked meat). Not having the option to provide for one's self is what I think is unacceptable. ESPECIALLY when money is deducted from your check and then you can't even decide what YOU want to eat, when YOU want to eat it. I joined when I was 27 and had been cooking and shopping for myself for over a decade so I would rather the BAS and fending for myself; however, there are some out there that can't or won't do the same and would rather spend their money on random other things than feeding themselves food that their body requires when engaging in the activities we do in the military. When it comes down to it, we're all adults and should be able to choose until we prove we are capable of taking care of ourselves. I vote NO they are NOT worth it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 1:15 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:15:38 -0400

Hell no, the fact that the food sucks and the soldiers don't get enough of what they want. I am a Married soldier so i eat my own food, but the times that i did eat at the dfac, well certain dfacs were great awesome food and I got whatever i wanted and how much i wanted, but others aren't so good. The one that caters to my unit charges almost $6 for lunch and dinner, serves food that isn't all that good and they give you enough to barely hold you over. I think soldiers with meal cards should have better choices at what they eat and how much they can get.

Response by PO2 Amanda Odegard made Jul 26 at 2015 4:22 AM

PO2 Amanda Odegard — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 04:22:38 -0400

Not worth it at all. When I was at Fort Sam for corpsman A school, we had to eat in the DFAC but when I graduated from that school and went to behavioral health C school located in the next building, I was allowed to get BAS and I never ate at the DFAC again. I'm glad that there are no DFACs for me to eat at here on Guam. I get BAS every month and can cook whatever I want, even though I still live in the barracks.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 4:24 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 04:24:19 -0400

Short and simple. No.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 3:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:01:39 -0400

330 bucks for a defac that isn't open half the time, is out of everything most of the time, and that has very limited hours of operation at times that im working and closes "dinner" at 1800? Most definatley not worth it. They also like to change there hours of operation and close and or switch defacs without notice. If all of that were not true, it still wouldn't be worth it becuase the FOOD SUCKS. Fort polk defacs are SO BAD! The one that is ok (tiger land) is half way into the box 15 miles away. Give us back our money

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 4:52 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:52:07 -0400

Thee DFAC meals are never worth the deductions at times i would go by a fast food resturant during chow time rather than eat what was served

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2015 3:38 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 15:38:13 -0400

It really only is if you consistently eat there. Truthfully what the military should do is allow soldiers living in the barracks to opt in to a meal plan sort of how it is done in colleges. You can either opt in for the max 3 meals a day. or for either 2, 1 or no meals each day. It doesn't make sense to force soldiers to pay for meals that they are not eating.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 2:18 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:18:37 -0400

I've been in the Army for five years now. I've been to two conus and one oconus. I've been a single soldier the whole time. And from the perspective of a single soldier, having a meal card and being foced to eat at the DFAC is a morale and bank killer. Lets forget about quality and selection for second, even though it is severely declined since I joined. It has become a hassle to eat at the DFAC to to population, low number of DFACS, driving distance, time constraints. This forces a lot of SS to buy groceries or shop at the shopette for meals. And if youre like me who has a car, insurance, cable, internet, phone bills, and preparing to ETS, this can cut deep into your budget. Some defaced have provided means of travel for SS w/o transportation but not all. Fort Riley. Rotates DFACS on the weekends and this becomes a big issue. And I f you do have a car, you could be wasting a lot of gas. Plus the health considerations aren't there. There is becoming more and more red foods and barely any green foods. Also when SGT Awesome uses his lunch to go to the gym, SPC Noflex is forced to go to the DFAC or dont eat when he/ she would like to work out. The only place dfacs and cooks are positive, productive and needed is down range. And as long as that reality remains, pvt Joe will continue to be screwed.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 6 at 2015 3:18 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:18:45 -0400

The contract DFACs had the best food and provided great value.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 2:59 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 14:59:29 -0400

From my personal experiences, being forced to eat the at DFAC is a joke. In tech school they would close with people still standing in line waiting to eat. It didn't matter that they had 100+ people who had been standing in line waiting to eat, and they still had a TON of food. It is 1800, we are closed. "Come earlier" was the answer we were given. However when mandatory PT goes till 1730, and you have to shower and change because you are not allowed in the DFAC in sweaty PT gear, "coming earlier" was not an option. This left most of us eating fast food from across the street and charging it to a credit card because we didn't have the funds to cover it.

Things we're not any better once I left Tech School and got to my first base. Again, mandatory DFAC use. Again, DFAC closed at 1800. I got off work at 1730, and was usually covered in oil, fuel, coolant, etc. from working all day. You can't go into the DFAC like that, so again have to go change and shower. Oh look... DFAC is closed. Guess I am getting fast food and charging it to my credit card.

It has been several years since I have been forced to use the DFAC due to my rank. I have not forgotten what it was like being a young Amn being forced into this situation. I do my best to ensure my Amn are able to get to the DFAC with plenty of time before it closes. However, this is not always possible with the mission, and when it is, it ALWAYS puts additional work on the people still at work. It creates hostility amongst the higher ranking Amn because the lower ranking ones get to go eat while they end up forced to cover their work.

We are expected to meet fitness standards and be financially responsible. "Mandatory" crap that takes our benefits from us forcing us to eat fast food makes both of these requirements difficult to meet. I really wish that the leaders who make these calls would bother to take things like this into consideration before making these policies.

Why not make the DFAC optional? Give all members BAS, and have the DFAC more like a restaurant that charges for what you get? You would be able to get what you wanted when you go, and not restricted to the "1 entrée" type rules? This would also force the DFAC to serve food that people want to eat, and increase their quality of it in order to get people to WANT to go there. It would also give the members an option to eat at other places, or at home, for those frequent times its impossible to get to the DFAC before its super early closing time.

I do realize that this post is 2 months old. This is the first time I have seen it and wanted to share, hoping that maybe someone in a position to be able to make changes to these policies will bother to read the complaints people have posted and do something about it.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Sep 24 at 2015 5:23 PM

SGT James Elphick — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 17:23:31 -0400

In 2004-2005 1st BDE, 82nd Airborne had a pretty good DFAC, especially for breakfast. Was it worth it though? Eh, probably not. I still made my own lunch/dinner and ate out quite a bit. However, the rule at our chow hall was 10 guys could go through as long as 1 person showed their meal card so I got a bunch of married guys free breakfast on the regular.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Sep 24 at 2015 5:24 PM

SPC George Rudenko — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 17:24:48 -0400

I have celiac and most likely had it during service but Dr and DFAC wouldn't profile me, so I vote a resounding no

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 5:39 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 17:39:05 -0400

Correct me if I am wrong, but soldiers serving active duty are entitled to BAS or allowed to subsist without charge. The meal deduction is just an accounting action to cover that amount. It is not actually coming out of your pay, but coming out of funds provided to you. In reality, you are not paying to eat at the DFAC (Yes there are some acceptations, such as Officers), but the Specialist that posted should be either on BAS or SIK, right?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2015 4:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 16:48:35 -0500

Absolutely yes, you do not even have to cook your own food. That is well worth $600 a month by itself

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 10 at 2015 5:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 17:29:28 -0500

I think their is value to the DFACs.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Dec 10 at 2015 6:35 PM

SrA David Steyer — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 18:35:59 -0500

When I lived in the dorms/barracks there was NO chow hall (yes I called it a chow hall) at my first base, so we got BAS and had to cook. Thank god we had kitchens. The chow hall closed because people kept eating off base. I heard it was awesome though.

Once I got to my second base I ate at the chow hall for lunch a few times and dinner once and thought it was a GREAT deal and food was good at first. Maybe breakfast now that I think about it... Anyway, Aramark took over and the food quality wasn't bad or horrible but the prices were high and portions small. I spent $8 on some food that wasn't really filling because it was a small portion. I could go off base eat at a restaurant or bring something back and be full enough that I wouldn't be hungry for dinner for the same price and still have time to spare on my lunch break.

If you have shared kitchens in your dorms/barracks etc then you should get BAS...because why are they even there?

Response by SGT Andrew Sherman made Nov 2 at 2016 4:15 PM

SGT Andrew Sherman — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:15:39 -0400

Warrior DFAC in Talil, Iraq, best food I ever had in the Army. It was a haul on the bus line, but worth it. We made a point to go whenever we passed through Talil. They served dinner and breakfast all night, you could make a bacon cheeseburger with a side of biscuits and gravy. Nothing quite like it after a long day on the road.

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Nov 2 at 2016 4:54 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:54:46 -0400

Supposedly SAC had the Best Chow Halls. When I was in SAC before we became ACC at Castle AFB, CA, I would be eating at the Chow hall 90% of the time. Of course I would get sick of seeing chicken every day. But having FRESH off the grill HAMBURGERS were great. Not those hockey pucks that are sitting in water (I called those grease burgers). After I got to Cannon AFB, NM I ate at the Chow Hall maybe a total of 15 times in my 4 years there. The rest was getting food from either Burger King or the food court. At Eglin AFB, didn't eat at the Chow Hall but at the food court. It was closer to where I worked anyways. Osan AB, ROK, I did not eat in the Chow Hall much. Even going to the flight line kitchen not that often too. Of course the Exercises were all about MRE's. Never touched the Chow Hall at Langley or Shaw. I miss the Castle AFB Chow Hall....

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2016 5:42 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 17:42:41 -0400

So it's funny to see all the negative responses; it's literally my wife's favorite place to eat ever. I mention DFAC and she's honking the horn in the car telling us to get going.
That being said....no, not it's not. Now, being married, I am obviously on BAS, but when I was on a meal card, I was a shift worker. I was at work before they started breakfast, and didn't leave work until after they had served dinner. And I sure as Hell was not gonna stay awake for mid-rats, so in essence I was having money taken from me for absolutely no reason. My group commander recognized this and was able to pull everyone on shift into BAS.
The DFAC on base here is laughable. You know how they got that red/yellow/green system for what it healthy, not so healthy, and just plain bad? Yeah, the one here is full of nothing but red items. And they expect people to eat here every day. And then the military complains of obesity. Went in one day; the salad bar was closed and the only things on the menu were the short-order stuff; nothing but fried, greasy, artery-clogging items. It's ridiculous.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2016 6:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 18:09:30 -0400

my first experience in the navy Portsmouth naval hosp, we still had ad cooks, no lines, food sucked, then the navy contracted the lines were long and as long as your plate was clean seconds but get there early, went to 2nd mar div ad cooks some of the best chow ever, went army not bad in the beginning but slowly declined from what I have read from the many posts all I can say is what the hell happened, sm's shouldn't be bying their own food when posted on base, civillians shouldn't be running the defacs, and if a server ever told me that I cant have an entre because its thiers, that person would definitely be unemployed, maybe its time to bring back old school military cooks and kp, there is always that one individual that needs motivation, peel a couple hundred pounds of potatoes, serve a couple hundred sm's, then clean up, then do it again lunch and dinner, then maybe sm's wont get charged because those that cook and serve are already getting paid to do the job, just my thoughts though

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2018 2:25 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 02:25:22 -0500

For the most part, hell no, ABSOLUTELY NOT worth the $397/month I could otherwise be using! The Army has terrible DFACs with low-quality food & very limited healthy options, long lines, odd hours & roaches to get started. And who eats dinner at 1630 anyways?
I shouldn't be forced eat somewhere where the health standards not enforced. NEVER on an Air Force or Navy base would they allow people to eat in dirty, sweaty, nasty PT's, unlike the Army. Overall, soldiers are getting screwed, especially on the weekends when they serve 2 meals a day & they rotate between DFACs, which is impolitic & inconvenient.
If I do decide to eat at the DFAC, I happily drive 35 minutes to Pearl Harbor or Hickam where the food is mostly on point & the DFAC is A LOT nicer. They open earlier & close later than the Army's DFAC. Best part is that I can still eat there for free because of meal deductions, but I can spend less money at the commissary & eat a lot healthier.
However, my go-to option is just to buy food from the commissary which costs me about $180/month. I have more energy, I am healthier & feel overall a lot better because I am in control of what I eat, not the Army. I hate that I cannot currently get separate rations or get rid of BAS completely.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Aug 29 at 2022 3:16 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 15:16:38 -0400

In the training and deployed environments yes...in the operational garrison...not so much.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2022 5:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 17:24:24 -0400

The DFACs in Kuwait had some of the best and most consistent meals.