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DFAC
BAS
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I've eaten in some great chow halls in my day. It was always easy to tell the best ones because they were always full. Soldiers wanted to eat there and they didn't mind paying for it because the food was worth the cost (and perhaps the hassle of traveling across the post). Now it seems that the food sucks and chow hall hours are such that it's a pain in the behind to eat there. With the meal deduction they have a guaranteed revenue stream. Why should chow hall managers care if Soldiers eat there or not?
Stop the meal deduction and and give Soldiers a reason to eat in the chow hall. Whether they charge per meal or a la carte, a well-run chow hall will be able to stand on its own.
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The Army assumes joe will spend all his money and starve if we don't provide him with a meal card.
In many cases Joe would do exactly that.
I agree but I don't see the system changing
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT Crowley, I get what you're saying. I didn't mean to imply that all single soldiers are irresponsible, or don't know how to manage their finances. I apologize for the misconception! Good post!
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SSG (Join to see)
Make it a part of their monthly counseling. Help them set all types of goals along with their professional goals. Ask him/her what their financial goals are along with their educational, fitness and professional development ones and get the necessary feedback necessary in order to determine if they need to attend a financial planning budgeting class or if they're good to continue their own affairs without outside interference. If they're always broke or inadequately spending money, then those a red flags or potential signs they will have financial issues in the future.
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SSG (Join to see)
The fact of the matter is that a lot of the junior enlisted are fresh out of high school/parent's house and have never budgeted, meal planned, or had a steady pay check.
Is it our job as NCO's to mentor and develop soldier's? Yes.
Is it our job as NCO's to babysit grown ass men/women? No.
It's important to know of your soldiers personal life, but our job is to prepare them to be soldiers. When we get into the realm of baby sitting we distract from our true purpose. Treat your soldiers like adults, if not you're setting them up for continuous failure through out their lives/careers.
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SFC Stephen P.
I could see a program where we issue BAS to all troops, but allow commanders to forcibly allot that portion to the local DFAC if justified.
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They will never shut them down, but it would be nice if they trained cooks how to cook as opposed to whatever they do now. Don't get me wrong, I love cooks more than any other MOS out there.
But I know they would like to have more options with their menu in regards to basically everything. The service, the food, the way it's cooked, portion sizes, etc. I swear all I ever see are items that are horrible for you. Even the fish, I was at a DFAC not too long ago and said I wanted the baked fish, I assumed they where out but alas.
It was under a pool of melted butter. I have spoke to MANY a cooks who flat out said they have zero leeway on what is and is not served. The reason these Soldiers don't go to the DFAC is because the guys running the show have their hands tied and are forced to serve what we see daily.
I'd love to see some test phases like several school districts have done over the past years where they serve fresh foods as opposed to prepacked goods from the 70's.
If any cooks read this, trust me I love you guys. But big Army Regulations should lighten up in this regard.
But I know they would like to have more options with their menu in regards to basically everything. The service, the food, the way it's cooked, portion sizes, etc. I swear all I ever see are items that are horrible for you. Even the fish, I was at a DFAC not too long ago and said I wanted the baked fish, I assumed they where out but alas.
It was under a pool of melted butter. I have spoke to MANY a cooks who flat out said they have zero leeway on what is and is not served. The reason these Soldiers don't go to the DFAC is because the guys running the show have their hands tied and are forced to serve what we see daily.
I'd love to see some test phases like several school districts have done over the past years where they serve fresh foods as opposed to prepacked goods from the 70's.
If any cooks read this, trust me I love you guys. But big Army Regulations should lighten up in this regard.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
I concur! People wonder why we have so many fat soldiers, it often has to do with the lack of healthy food served... I can always eat at the salad bar but, I'd like to have a warm healthy meal at least once a day!
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