I fed my family when I joined in 1980 as an E3. I didn’t need SNAP or handouts. Wasn’t prime rib or lobster but we did ok till I got out in 1990. Then I did significantly better.
VA disability payments will continue to be processed and delivered during a government shutdown.
I got married in 72 and qualified for food stamps but wouldn’t take them, but I did collect C-rations from when we went out in the field, some intact boxes but mostly what the other guys wouldn’t eat, ny teen wife was not impressed and I couldn’t help but notice that while C-rations were OK when one is living outdoors and working hard and eating out of the can, they taste pretty bad when sitting in a carpeted living room and put on a plate.