Recent reports show that the Army is spending a significant portion of the money collected from soldiers’ food allowances on things other than meals. In fact, nearly 70% of the funds are being allocated elsewhere, while many troops struggle to access nutritious food.
According to an article published by Military.com, the Army took a closer look at financial records from 11 of its biggest bases. Of the $225 million withheld from enlisted soldiers’ paychecks for fiscal year 2024, over $151 million went back into general Army funds instead of being spent on food.
This issue predominantly affects junior enlisted soldiers stationed at various bases. For instance, Fort Bragg in North Carolina gathered $34.6 million from soldiers but only spent $16.6 million on their meals. Similarly, at Fort Cavazos in Texas, $42.5 million was collected, but only $11.7 million was used for food.
Interestingly, just two out of the eleven bases managed to allocate more than 50% of their food allowances for actual meals. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska collected $7.5 million and spent $4 million, while Fort Bliss in Texas collected $22 million and spent $11 million.
This system has been in place since 2002 when enlisted personnel began to pay for their meals through a monthly allowance called the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). This allowance is based on the Department of Agriculture’s food cost index, not individual income. Presently, the monthly BAS stands at $466 for enlisted soldiers and $321 for commission officers. This allowance has gradually increased from $369 in 2019.
The situation has caught the attention of Congress. In July 2020, a subcommittee reported concerns about how the Defense Department was utilizing these funds, suggesting inefficiency and a lack of focus on providing meals. They pointed out that the current food system within the department is overly complicated, leading to higher costs and potential food waste.
Earlier, in March 2020, former Rep. Tim Ryan raised questions during a hearing about unspent funds, expressing confusion about whether the Army dining facilities were wasting food or misallocating the money.
As food prices in the U.S. are predicted to rise by 2.2% in 2025, the situation for soldiers trying to maintain a balanced diet may become even more challenging. With grocery store prices expected to climb and dining out becoming pricier, addressing these spending issues has never been more critical.
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