Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Feb 16: A shocking report by Military.com has revealed that the majority of funds collected by the US Army for a food program were spent elsewhere, with less than half being used for actual meals.
According to the report, the Army deducted $225 million from junior enlisted soldiers through the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) programme, yet only $74 million went toward food expenses. The remaining $151 million was redirected to other Army expenditures, raising concerns over transparency and accountability.
“It’s just returned to the big pool of army funds, and it’s used someplace else,” an official told Military.com.
The BAS payment, set at $460 per month, is automatically deducted from service members living in barracks to cover meal costs. However, records from 11 major military bases indicate that much of the money never reached its intended purpose.
One of the most alarming cases was at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where only $2.1 million of the $17 million collected from soldiers was spent on food—meaning 87% of the funds were used elsewhere. Similar trends were observed at nearly all bases reviewed, with only two spending more than half of the collected money on food.
The revelation comes at a time when soldiers are already facing severe food shortages, with reports of bases like Fort Carson, Colorado, running low on basic supplies. Some soldiers have been forced to make do with meals like lima beans and toast due to dwindling options.
Lawmakers have condemned the mismanagement, with Rep Jul Tokuda (D-Hawaii) calling for an urgent investigation. “Stealing food money from our soldiers is not how we achieve military readiness,” she stated, demanding swift accountability.
Service members have also voiced growing frustration over the poor quality of food provided, citing issues such as undercooked meals, lack of fresh ingredients, and unhealthy options. The report has sparked outrage, prompting calls for immediate reforms to ensure soldiers receive the meals they are promised.