Recent reports reveal that the US Army may not be using its food program funds as intended. Instead of providing meals for service members, a large portion of the money collected has been diverted to other projects. Military.com reports that the Army collected $225 million from junior enlisted soldiers through the basic allowance for subsistence (BAS) program, yet only about $74 million was actually spent on food.
The basic allowance for subsistence is deducted from soldiers’ paychecks, amounting to $460 a month. This deduction is supposed to help those living in barracks buy food. However, at 11 major military bases, records show that in 2024, $151 million of the $225 million collected went unused for food, and the total might be higher across all 104 army garrisons.
Take Fort Stewart in Georgia, for example. They gathered $17 million from soldiers but spent only $2.1 million on food. That means a staggering 87% of the funds earmarked for meals were redirected elsewhere. Furthermore, nearly all of the bases assessed spent less than half of their food funds on actual meals.
Rep. Jul Tokuda from Hawaii expressed concern, stating, “Stealing food money from our soldiers is not how we achieve military readiness.” She called for an investigation into the mishandling of funds, stressing that there’s an urgent need for accountability.
This issue comes at a tough time for soldiers, who are already facing shortages in their food supplies. At Fort Carson in Colorado, soldiers reported lacking access to basic food items, leading them to make do with less appetizing meals like lime beans and toast. Complaints have also grown regarding the quality of food served by the Army. Service members often describe it as undercooked, bland, and lacking fresh ingredients.
The need for a thorough review of how military food funds are allocated has never been clearer. Ensuring that service members receive the support they need, especially when it comes to nutritious meals, is crucial for maintaining morale and readiness.
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