Over $151 Million Taken from Soldiers' Paychecks for Food Costs Spent Elsewhere by the Army

[yidnar]

Over $151 Million Taken from Soldiers' Paychecks for Food Costs Spent Elsewhere by the Army​

The money is collected in what amounts to a tax on troops -- taken from their Basic Allowance for Subsistence payments, roughly $460 per month that is automatically deducted from the paychecks of service members​

Over $151 Million Taken from Soldiers' Paychecks for Food Costs Spent Elsewhere by the Army

The money is collected in what amounts to a tax on troops -- taken from their Basic Allowance for Subsistence payments, roughly $460 per month that is automatically deducted from the paychecks of service members.

www.military.com

14 Feb 2025 ~~ By Steve Beynon

The Army is repurposing more than half of the money it collects from junior enlisted soldiers for food, according to data reviewed by Military.com. The numbers suggest that a large portion of those funds are not going toward feeding soldiers, a diversion of resources coming at a time when troops increasingly struggle to find nutritious food on base.
The money is collected in what amounts to a tax on troops -- taken from their Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) payments, roughly $460 per month that is automatically deducted from the paychecks of service members who live in barracks and is intended to help cover food costs. For junior enlisted troops who earn about $30,000 annually, the cost can be consequential.
2024 financial records provided by the service from 11 of the Army's largest bases show that more than $151 million of $225 million collected from soldiers was not spent on food. Given that the Army operates 104 garrisons, the true amount of unspent funds is likely far higher.
~Snip~
At Fort Stewart, Georgia, for example, soldiers contributed $17 million, but the base spent just $2.1 million -- redirecting 87% of the funds. Schofield Barracks in Hawaii collected $14.5 million but used only $5.3 million, meaning 63% of the money was used elsewhere.
All but two bases left more than half of the money for food unspent. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska and Fort Bliss, Texas, left 41% and 49% of funds on the table, respectively.
It's unclear what specifically the additional funds taken from soldiers are being spent on, but they do not appear to be going toward feeding soldiers. Major expenses such as dining hall infrastructure and food service worker salaries come from separate funding sources and, when pressed repeatedly by Military.com, Army officials declined to provide additional financial data.
~Snip~
The following is data for the Army's 2024 fiscal year, which ran from October 1 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024. The rounded data shows the total amount of money collected for food from soldiers stationed at each installation against the money ultimately spent on food:

Fort Stewart, Georgia: ​

Money collected from soldiers: $17 million​

Money spent on food: $2.1 million​

​

Fort Drum, New York: ​

Money collected from soldiers: $18.2 million​

Money spent on food: $3.9 million​

​

Fort Carson, Colorado: ​

Money collected from soldiers: $22 million​

Money spent on food: $5 million​

​

Fort Riley, Kansas: ​

Money collected from soldiers: $19.1 million​

Money spent on food: $5.1 million​

​

Fort Bliss, Texas: ​

Money collected from soldiers: $22 million​

Money spent on food: $11 million​

​

Fort Cavazos, Texas: ​

Money collected from soldiers: $42.5 million​

Money spent on food: $11.7 million​

​

Fort Bragg, North Carolina:​

Money collected from soldiers: $34.6 million​

Money spent on food: $16.6 million​

​

Fort Campbell, Kentucky: ​

Money collected from soldiers: $18 million​

Money spent on food: $5.1 million​

​

Schofield Barracks, Hawaii:​

Money collected from soldiers: $14.5 million​

Money spent on food: $5.3 million​

​

Fort Wainwright, Alaska: ​

Money collected from soldiers: $9 million​

Money spent on food: $3 million​

​

Fort Richardson, Alaska: ​

Money collected from soldiers: $7.5 million​

Money spent on food: $4 million​

​

Commentary:
Neo-Marxist Democrats and their Quisling media will defend anything. Their media said that DOGE is lying about DOGE cutting funding for the VA and Social Security...
What really is eye opening is that as far back as the Clinton administration our troops were shorted the food they require. Obama had them on Food Stamps.
This is not something new. Congress sent worm filled bad and sometimes poisoned food and little clothing to our Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. See below..
Seems that 249 years later our troops are still being short change. Who is raking in the money? Generas in charge of procurement, or Congress?
I applaud Trump and Musk for the creation and application of DOGE But DOGE won't be a REAL success until it starts getting convictions.
Secy of Defense Hegseth has also promised to right this wrong in our military...



Read more:

Supply Problems Plagued the Continental Army from the Start

our active military are the most underpaid of all gov employees .. especially the enlisted ranks .. regardless of what people may think we don't have a huge number of soldiers .. there are around twice as many federal employees in the US as active military .. and their average starting salaries are nearly twice that as a new recruiter that could get injured or killed in battle or training ..

 

[Moonglow]

our active military are the most underpaid of all gov employees .. especially the enlisted ranks .. regardless of what people may think we don't have a huge number of soldiers .. there are around twice as many federal employees in the US as active military .. and their average starting salaries are nearly twice that as a new recruiter that could get injured or killed in battle or training ..

That's why we got medals and award letters, at least that is what they told us. I made $475.00 a month in 1982, no rats, just $475.00

 

[yidnar]

That's why we got medals and award letters, at least that is what they told us. I made $475.00 a month in 1982, no rats, just $475.00

I believe most Americans would have no problem with a massive pay raise for enlisted troops ..not 3 or 4 % but 30 or 40 % ! officers are paid pretty well .. the enlisted troops are paid below poverty wages .. in other words the 800 billion plus aint being spent on enlisted wages ..

 

[Moonglow]

I believe most Americans would have no problem with a massive pay raise for enlisted troops ..

The best benefit is VA for life.

 

[yidnar]

The best benefit is VA for life.

they've greatly improved in recent yrs .. but retired gov employees get great benefits also ..

 

[Moonglow]

they've greatly improved in recent yrs .. but retired gov employees get great benefits also ..

Yeah, my old man was an FAA retired in 1982, he just past away on the 15th of January and we had his services at the national cemetery in Fayetteville, Ar. My family are all veterans, even the females.

 

[Zavulon]

~~~~~~
Like I said, we got steak one a week and it was cooked to our preference, Rae, or well done.
Then again on regular duty I never ate from the segment steel trays. human bei

One steak a week? A soldier have to eat at least 250 grams (nearly half a pound) of meat per day. (1 egg, 120 g of cereals and the same amount of gutted fish, 250 g of meat, 350 g of wheat and 300 g of rye bread, 100 ml of juice, 150 ml of milk and 900 g of vegetables per day.)

It makes one pound steak in two days or one two-pound steak in four days. Or, he can eat them in soup, stew or other dishes.

 

[Doc7505]

One steak a week? A soldier have to eat at least 250 grams (nearly half a pound) of meat per day. (1 egg, 120 g of cereals and the same amount of gutted fish, 250 g of meat, 350 g of wheat and 300 g of rye bread, 100 ml of juice, 150 ml of milk and 900 g of vegetables per day.)

It makes one pound steak in two days or one two-pound steak in four days. Or, he can eat them in soup, stew or other dishes.

~~~~~~
I don't remember ever having fish while in the military and of course there was always the main dishes of meat worth vegetables served including SOS for breakfast and fresh fruit openly available.
I just remembered the fact that we got steak once a week in the USAF, that's because under Joey B I have not been able to afford to buy steak.

 

[Zavulon]

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)​

BAS is meant to offset the cost of food for service members. This allowance is based on the historic origins of the military in which the military provided room and board (or rations) as part of a member's pay. This allowance is not intended to offset the costs of meals for family members. Beginning on January 1, 2002, all enlisted members get full BAS, but pay for their meals (including those provided by the government). This is the culmination of the BAS Reform transition period.

Since BAS is intended to defray a portion of the cost of food for the service member, its level is linked to the USDA’s food cost index. Therefore, each year the BAS rate is adjusted based upon the percentage increase of the price of food as identified by the USDA. This is why the increase to BAS will not necessarily be the same percentage as that applied to the increase in the pay table, as annual pay raises are linked to the increase of private sector wages.

As far as I know, even American soldiers don't eat money. They have to eat actual meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, drink juice, milk, tea, coffee and so on... What was actual ration of the soldiers? And why money supposed to be used to feed soldiers were used for other purposes? How it inflicted the quality of the soldiers' food? Was it a stupidity or a treason?

 

[Zavulon]

~~~~~~
I don't remember ever having fish while in the military and of course there was always the main dishes of meat worth vegetables served including SOS for breakfast and fresh fruit openly available.

Soldiers must eat some fish. Its good for brains (especially sea fish). It doesn't make it tasty, of course. Actually, I hated puffed pollock.

I just remembered the fact that we got steak once a week in the USAF, that's because under Joey B I have not been able to afford to buy steak.

Really? A soldier can't afford to buy a steak? It means almost zero morale, I think. Why did you serve then?

 

[Zavulon]

It seems to me, that US government spent a lot of money to buy high quality (as they think) weapons, but they don't spend money to hire high quality people. Right? If so - why?

 

[Nuthin' Fancy]

Xiden and his demafasict fools stole from soldiers

Sad

So did Trump, Q-NUT.

Over $151 Million Taken from Soldiers' Paychecks for Food ...​

Military.com
https://www.military.com › daily-news › 2025/02/14 › o...
2 days ago — The Army is repurposing more than half of the money it collects from junior enlisted soldiers for food, according to data reviewed by Military. ...

The issue is not new. In 2020, Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, who has since left Congress, pressed then-Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy on the matter during a budget hearing, saying the Army is either "wasting half the food, or the money is not being spent on the soldiers' food and it's being spent on something it's not appropriated for." However, there was seemingly no follow-up to that inquiry, which came just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

SAD.

 

[Doc7505]

As far as I know, even American soldiers don't eat money. They have to eat actual meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, drink juice, milk, tea, coffee and so on... What was actual ration of the soldiers? And why money supposed to be used to feed soldiers were used for other purposes? How it inflicted the quality of the soldiers' food? Was it a stupidity or a treason?

~~~~~~
Well, I just pulled this up and I'm shocked to see fish on the menu,,, To my knowledge while Permanent Party we were never served fish.
Needless to say that I was discharged long before you were born.
Read more:

Loading…

quartermaster.army.mil

 

[Zavulon]

~~~~~~
Well, I just pulled this up and I'm shocked to see fish on the menu,,, To my knowledge while Permanent Party we were never served fish.

Fish is good for brain.

Needless to say that I was discharged long before you were born.
Read more:

Loading…

quartermaster.army.mil

Thank you, interesting reading.

I was impressed that you allow vegetarians in Army, use low fat milk and allow religion to inflict the diet. I mean vegetarians are at least as weird as transgenders, and all main religions declared that soldiers don't fast.

 

[Calypso Jones]

Damn demo'rats should be tarred and feathered.

 

[luiza]

Over $151 Million Taken from Soldiers' Paychecks for Food Costs Spent Elsewhere by the Army​

​

At least it gives some explanation why US military never win any conflicts and why it invariably leaves countries worse off than before the conflict -- invariably started by the US in the first place .

US troops were half starving .

 

[Foxfyre]

~~~~~~
Look to investigate the OIC of the Commissary for each Base from Fort Belvoir.
Question the efficiency of

LTG Mark Simerly, U.S. Army, Director Brad Bunn, Vice Director
Parent department	Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment

MSN

**********​

Pentagon increases 2023 food allowance for troops by largest amount in 2 decades

www.stripes.com

**********​

https://sgp.fas.org/crs/natsec/RS22190.pdf

Interesting. Even in these inflationary times, Hombre (my hubby) and I don't spend much over $425/month for the two of us buying retail at local grocery stores. We certainly don't eat lavishly--no steak, lobster, or other expensive cuts or products--but we can eat healthy and avoid most processed foods.

So the military food allowance for a soldier does look really generous to me but I could be missing something. Certainly for that amount of money, they should be able to get decent food at the chow hall and/or commissary.

I don't know why the military or any other should pay more for ANYTHING for the same products you and I buy. Certainly the military or any other government agencies should not order products with special specifications that cost more when that doesn't result in something substantially different or better than what the rank and file citizen buys.

The legendary $400 toilet seats should become a thing of the past.

I don't know if fraud or corruption is the problem or something else but certainly the DOGE auditors should be looking into that.

 

[daveman]

The military faced the same supply line issues and shortages as everybody else. Film at 11. In the meantime, thank W. He set it up this way. What people off base do with their BAS is up to them. It isn't like they give them an EBT card. You get a card for the chow hall if you live on base or you get it added into your deposit with your pay.

I know. I was in the Air Force for 20 years.

It's inexcusable that the military wastes money earmarked for feeding servicemen and -women.

 

[daveman]

I dont believe that

Even woke lib generals appointed by obama would not starve soldiers

Read the article.

2024 financial records provided by the service from 11 of the Army's largest bases show that more than $151 million of $225 million collected from soldiers was not spent on food. Given that the Army operates 104 garrisons, the true amount of unspent funds is likely far higher.

"It's just returned to the big pool of Army funds, and it's used someplace else," one service official with direct knowledge of the situation said during an interview that was arranged by the Army public affairs office, referring to redirected BAS money collected from soldiers.

Toast and lima beans. Do you think that's nutritious?

How to feed the force is an equation service planners continue to grapple with. In 2023, Military.com reported that Fort Cavazos, Texas -- the Army's most extensive base -- was barely able to keep its food services running for much of that summer, with only two of its 10 dining facilities open, leaving soldiers struggling to find meals.

In November last year, the publication reported pervasive food shortages at Fort Carson, Colorado. Soldiers were fed meals that were just a slice of toast and lima beans, troops told Military.com.

 

[daveman]

our active military are the most underpaid of all gov employees .. especially the enlisted ranks .. regardless of what people may think we don't have a huge number of soldiers .. there are around twice as many federal employees in the US as active military .. and their average starting salaries are nearly twice that as a new recruiter that could get injured or killed in battle or training ..

In 1996, between the time our first daughter was born in April and I sewed on SSgt E-5 in July, we qualified for food stamps.