Posted on Nov 14, 2022
Can big Army force a National Guard Soldier to deploy without providing meals?
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My unit is scheduled for a deployment overseas to a not combat theater next year and last week at drill we were informed that we will be responsible for feeding ourselves. The nearest DFAC is 30 minutes away and we will not have transportation provided to us. The DFAC only serves breakfast and lunch and it is not open for meals on weekends or holidays. Big Army is stating because all NG units deploying to this region have orders stating "meals provided", they are not responsible for feeding us.
I have served on active duty and as a National Guard Soldier. I have multiple deployments and this is the first time I have heard of this. Due to the nature of this deployment, I will not reveal the location.
Thank you for any assistance with my question and concerns.
I have served on active duty and as a National Guard Soldier. I have multiple deployments and this is the first time I have heard of this. Due to the nature of this deployment, I will not reveal the location.
Thank you for any assistance with my question and concerns.
Posted in these groups: 
DFAC
Deployment
DFAC Deployment
Edited 2 y ago
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 9
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This is one of those things 1SG’s and Sergeants Major, deal with all the time. Usually it is correct before some Jr. leader tells the formation they won’t get trans to chow, or even get chow. Trust in your NCO support channel.
You may get a bus to take you to breakfast and lunch, and get an MRE for dinner. They may give you full per diem. They may get a hand full of vans and get the chow hall to serve dinner as well. Give it time, every once in a while drop a bug about it in your squad leaders ear and have them send it up to the 1SG and CSM. It will be taken care of.
You may get a bus to take you to breakfast and lunch, and get an MRE for dinner. They may give you full per diem. They may get a hand full of vans and get the chow hall to serve dinner as well. Give it time, every once in a while drop a bug about it in your squad leaders ear and have them send it up to the 1SG and CSM. It will be taken care of.
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COL Randall C.
Couldn't agree more CSM Eric Biggs. The meal plan may not be what you want MSG (Join to see), but there will be one.
Not feeding Soldiers is one of the cardinal sins for leadership and I've seen a couple taken to task by higher headquarters for screwing it up (to be fair, this mostly happened during field training exercises though).
Not feeding Soldiers is one of the cardinal sins for leadership and I've seen a couple taken to task by higher headquarters for screwing it up (to be fair, this mostly happened during field training exercises though).
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"Meals provided" means exactly that. Meals will be provided to you. They can give you MREs, T-Rats, Mermites, shoot a couple deer and give you a grill, get you to the DFAC, or send your unit 100 loaves of bread 25 cans of peanut butter and 25 cans of jelly. But they WILL provide meals.
If they put "Meals provided" and FAIL to provide meals it is a violation of the orders.
As CSM Eric Biggs and SFC (Join to see) said, this will be fixed by your leaders. (In this case most likely BN staff - S3 and/or S4 should be all over it.)
Either they will provide the meals they say they will OR you will get a per diem to feed yourself. But they won't leave you with no food and also paying for food out of pocket.
If they put "Meals provided" and FAIL to provide meals it is a violation of the orders.
As CSM Eric Biggs and SFC (Join to see) said, this will be fixed by your leaders. (In this case most likely BN staff - S3 and/or S4 should be all over it.)
Either they will provide the meals they say they will OR you will get a per diem to feed yourself. But they won't leave you with no food and also paying for food out of pocket.
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I wouldn't worry about it. The deployment is next year, there is plenty of time for ARNG Bureau to amend your units orders so you guys get food or at least per diem
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