Millions of dollars meant for U.S. Army soldiers’ food are missing. A shocking report reveals that only a small fraction of the money collected from soldiers for their meals actually reached their plates. Where did the rest of it go?
$225 Million collected, only $74 Million spent on food
The United States Army pulled in a massive $225 million from junior enlisted soldiers through the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) program. But, only $74 million of that was spent on food. The rest? Spent on something else.
A source told Military.com, “It’s just returned to the big pool of army funds, and it’s used someplace else.” In other words, your food money is being redirected.
The hidden “tax” on soldiers
The money is taken directly from soldiers’ paychecks. Each month, $460 is deducted from the paychecks of service members living in barracks. It’s meant to cover food costs, but records show that much of it never reaches the dining hall.
In 2024, a jaw-dropping $151 million of the $225 million collected from soldiers was spent elsewhere, according to the report. And that’s just from 11 of the largest military bases. With 104 Army garrisons, this number could be much higher.
Fort Stewart: A terrible example
One base stands out for its staggering misuse of funds. At Fort Stewart in Georgia, soldiers contributed $17 million, but only $2.1 million went to food. That’s just 12% of the money that was supposed to cover meals. The rest? Redirected elsewhere.
In fact, most bases seem to be doing the same thing. All but two bases in the report spent less than half of the money they collected on food. Soldiers are paying the price.
Political outrage
The scandal has caught the attention of lawmakers. Rep. Jul Tokuda (D-Hawaii) was outraged, saying, “Stealing food money from our soldiers is not how we achieve military readiness.” She called for an investigation and swift action. The Army must be held accountable.
While the Army is pocketing food funds, soldiers are struggling with food shortages. At Fort Carson, Colorado, soldiers are surviving on lima beans and toast due to severe food shortages.
Army’s shocking food quality
To make matters worse, soldiers report terrible food quality. Army meals are often undercooked, lack seasoning, and are made with unappetizing ingredients. Fresh produce is hard to come by, and many meals are unhealthy.
The investigation reveals a dire situation. Soldiers are not only being overcharged for food, but they’re also being served subpar meals. The Army’s handling of food money is leaving soldiers hungry and frustrated.
The Army’s response to the scandal has been less than reassuring. Officials have yet to offer a solid explanation for why food funds are being misused. But the pressure is mounting. Military personnel deserve better.
