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Over $151 Million Taken from Soldiers' Paychecks for Food Costs Spent Elsewhere by the Army
Military ^ | February 14, 2025 | Steve Beynon

Posted on 02/14/2025 1:31:19 PM PST by george76

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.

...

Fort Stewart, Georgia, 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.

...

pervasive food shortages at Fort Carson, Colorado. Soldiers were fed meals that were just a slice of toast and lima beans

...

The Army has a nutrition policy on what it is supposed to feed soldiers, though it's rarely followed and in some cases outright ignored. The service has invested in so-called kiosks, which are cheap alternatives to major dining facilities. Instead of cooked meals, soldiers have access to grab-and-go snacks and prepackaged sandwiches akin to the quality of prepared meals at a gas station.

Military.com reviewed the menus at those kiosks and found that it's virtually impossible for soldiers to stay within healthy nutrition guidelines, with most offerings being heavy in sugar and low in protein.

(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Alaska; US: Colorado; US: Georgia; US: Hawaii; US: Texas; War; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: army; fiduciarymalfeasance; fiduciarymisconduct; food; menus; military; misappropriation; paychecks; soldiers
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1 posted on 02/14/2025 1:31:19 PM PST by george76
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To: george76

2 posted on 02/14/2025 1:31:59 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: dragnet2

F’n MIC crooks!


3 posted on 02/14/2025 1:36:05 PM PST by hardspunned (Look for the“Putin Stooge” libel, news from Ukraine you’ve gradually grown to trust over 30 months )
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To: george76

More than 50 years ago the army food was terrible, there was definitely theft going on by some of the mess sergeants.


4 posted on 02/14/2025 1:36:30 PM PST by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: george76

When I lived on base the food was very good. We all preferred it to eating in town.


5 posted on 02/14/2025 1:37:37 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: george76

American soldiers should be given healthy, substantial, tasty food at no cost to them.


6 posted on 02/14/2025 1:38:07 PM PST by Arcadian Empire (The Baric-Daszak-Fauci spike protein, by itself, is deadly.)
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To: george76

I would love to find out where that money went and to whom and recover it. Then, take those funds and give them to the soldiers they stole from. There is nothing more egregious than stealing a soldier’s food.


7 posted on 02/14/2025 1:38:42 PM PST by Eli Kopter (Gentle elves set light to lead the Faroes on the starry way from age to age - U. of Faroe Islands)
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To: Arcadian Empire

“American soldiers should be given healthy, substantial, tasty food at no cost to them.”

Absolutely!


8 posted on 02/14/2025 1:39:03 PM PST by Macoozie (Roll MAGA, roll!)
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To: Mariner

Navy.

And you
it was even better on the shi

p.


9 posted on 02/14/2025 1:39:04 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: george76

At least they didn’t have to eat their lima beans from a can.


10 posted on 02/14/2025 1:39:24 PM PST by ComputerGuy ( )
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To: george76

I hope this outrages a lot of people. The soldiers are paying for decent meals, but instead they are getting nutritionally inadequate food, and the bulk of the money is set aside for what? I can’t believe all the stuff that is going on. It’s been long overdue for someone to look into how American citizens are being mistreated.


11 posted on 02/14/2025 1:39:29 PM PST by KittyKares
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To: george76

I have a great nephew that graduated from basic training about a year ago and this infuriates me.


12 posted on 02/14/2025 1:40:01 PM PST by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit.)
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To: dragnet2

And their judicial friends trying to cover it up.


13 posted on 02/14/2025 1:40:04 PM PST by Starboard
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To: george76

Meanwhile people who enter the country illegally are given a few thousand a month for living expenses and are put up in expensive hotels.


14 posted on 02/14/2025 1:42:00 PM PST by I want the USA back (America is once again GREAT!)
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To: Eli Kopter

“Then, take those funds and give them to the soldiers they stole from. There is nothing more egregious than stealing a soldier’s food.”

***********

Except sending them off to fight endless wars.


15 posted on 02/14/2025 1:42:35 PM PST by Starboard
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To: I want the USA back

A GREAT point!


16 posted on 02/14/2025 1:43:02 PM PST by Starboard
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To: george76

Illegals receive 5-star hotel stays, free health care, debit cards, jobs, and who knows what else. And, our military people have to pay for their food to keep down costs. We are getting a better picture of the gov’t people who are directing these immoral deeds. They will have the answer to God one day.


17 posted on 02/14/2025 1:45:49 PM PST by Son-Joshua ( )
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To: GOPJ; poconopundit; Jane Long; Diana in Wisconsin; Grampa Dave; Godzilla; Vaduz; null and void; ...

Call Congress: (202) 224-3121 U.S. House switchboard operator.

Shakeup Congress on social media.
copy to @realdonaldtrump @DonaldJTrumpJr @StevenCheung @TrumpWarRoom

Attach news clips, other relevant documents, links.


Message: Over $151 Million Taken from Soldiers’ Paychecks for Food Costs Spent Elsewhere by the Army. 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.


18 posted on 02/14/2025 1:47:50 PM PST by Liz
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To: I want the USA back

Illegals are more reliably Democrat voters than soldiers.


19 posted on 02/14/2025 1:48:35 PM PST by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit.)
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To: george76

I’ve read articles lately where the troops where complaining that they are not being properly fed. I couldn’t believe it but it must be true.


20 posted on 02/14/2025 1:49:30 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (The trouble with illegal aliens is that their own crappy countries don't even want them there.)
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