When I was an E-2 and living in the barracks, the only Chow Hall on base was closed for renovations for 9 months.
They decided to give us partial rations at $4.50 per day. We had no refrigerators and one microwave for 80 people on our barracks floor.
Most of us had no car (early 80s military norm), so we were left eating at the bowling alley or rec center.
I still can’t believe leadership let that happen.
They’re too busy making certain that trans sailors have an equal number of housing slots.
Back in the 70's I was an E2/3 living in the barracks. Because I was on missile crew and my duty was underground out in some Kansas farm field we had Separate Rations/In Kind (lower rate).
At the beginning our Separate Rations was enough to cover three meals when we were not out on Alert then my base became a test facility for an Ala Carte payment plan. The Air force raised the prices and charged for each item ordered. If we ate one meal it would wipe out all of the rations for that day. We were told we got separate rations so we should be eating off base.
What a kick in the butt for the enlisted troops who actually had access to the keys and were part of the crews responsible for the monitoring, maintenance, and launch of a nine megaton thermonuclear warhead.