11:57 am - February 24, 2025
The U.S. Army has been redirecting millions of dollars collected from the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) pay, which is intended to help soldiers living in barracks cover their food costs. According to an investigation by Military.com, out of the $225 million collected from enlisted soldiers’ BAS pay last year at 11 of the Army’s largest bases, $151 million was redirected elsewhere. This practice has raised serious concerns about how these funds are being used and whether they are being mismanaged or misappropriated. The BAS pay is a monthly stipend of around $465 given to enlisted soldiers to help them with food expenses. However, a portion of this money is deducted and redirected into the Army’s general funds, effectively functioning as a tax on troops.
The redirection of BAS funds has been described by an anonymous Army official as being returned to a “big pool of Army funds” and used elsewhere, though it remains unclear exactly where the money is being spent. The investigation found that at all but two of the bases examined—Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska and Fort Bliss in Texas—more than 50% of the BAS funds were diverted away from food services. This lack of transparency has sparked calls for accountability, with Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii) urging an immediate investigation into the matter. “Stealing food money from our soldiers is not how we achieve military readiness,” Tokuda said, emphasizing that the diversion of $151 million demands not only an investigation but also swift action to hold those responsible accountable.
The issue of BAS funds being misused is not new. In 2020, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) raised concerns about the Army’s handling of these funds during a budget hearing with then-Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy. Ryan questioned whether the Army was either wasting food or using the money for purposes other than feeding soldiers. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after this inquiry meant that the issue was not pursued further. The lack of follow-up has allowed the problem to persist, leaving soldiers and lawmakers alike wondering how funds intended for their meals are being utilized.
The Army has struggled in recent years to provide adequate meals for soldiers, a problem that appears to be worsening. At Fort Cavazos in Texas, the Army’s largest base, only two of its 10 dining halls were operational in the summer of 2023. Similarly, in November 2023, Fort Carson in Colorado was forced to serve soldiers meals consisting of just lima beans and toast due to resource constraints. Some bases have resorted to serving prepackaged meals from kiosks, which are often high in sugar and low in protein, as a cheaper alternative to traditional dining hall meals. These practices have drawn criticism, as they fail to provide soldiers with the nutritious food they need to maintain their health and performance.
Soldiers have also expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of food served in dining halls, citing issues such as undercooked meat, a lack of fresh ingredients, and unappetizing meals. These complaints have led to a decline in the use of dining facilities, which the Army has cited as justification for reducing the number of meals provided. However, this rationale rings hollow given the poor conditions and lack of quality in the meals that are available. As one official noted, the number of meals provided is based on past head counts, which do not reflect the current dissatisfaction among soldiers with the food being served.
The redirection of BAS funds and the poor state of food services in the Army have raised serious questions about accountability and transparency. While the Army has yet to provide a clear explanation for how the diverted funds are being used, the impact on soldiers is undeniable. Lawmakers like Rep. Jill Tokuda are calling for immediate action to address this issue, arguing that taking food money from soldiers undermines military readiness and morale. The situation highlights a systemic problem within the Army’s budgeting and resource allocation processes, which appears to prioritize other expenses over the basic needs of its personnel. Without swift accountability and a commitment to transparency, this issue is likely to persist, leaving soldiers to bear the consequences of a system that seems to be failing them.