Posted on Jul 25, 2016
The Pentagon Isn’t Tracking How Many Military Families Go Hungry
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For ANY military family to go hungry is a disgrace. For the DOD, NOT keeping records up to date for families having to use food stamps, and how many are going hungry, is a crime. It's rediculous. Grrrr! It makes me angry. If this doesn't make you angry, nothing will.
Defense Department officials have incomplete information on how many military families are using food assistance programs because the department doesn’t completely track the data or work with other departments to do so, a new report from the Government Accountability Office finds.
While some data exist on how many service members use programs such as food stamps, known as SNAP, or the Women and Infant Children (WIC) program, which are both controlled by the Department of Agriculture, the Pentagon only loosely tracks the programs it administers, the report says. Additionally, no single office at the DoD is in charge of food assistance tracking, it says.
Defense Department officials have incomplete information on how many military families are using food assistance programs because the department doesn’t completely track the data or work with other departments to do so, a new report from the Government Accountability Office finds.
While some data exist on how many service members use programs such as food stamps, known as SNAP, or the Women and Infant Children (WIC) program, which are both controlled by the Department of Agriculture, the Pentagon only loosely tracks the programs it administers, the report says. Additionally, no single office at the DoD is in charge of food assistance tracking, it says.
The Pentagon Isn’t Tracking How Many Military Families Go Hungry
Posted from taskandpurpose.com
Pentagon
Food/Chow
Military Industry
Military Family
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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Keith...I was a young enlisted guy at one time myself before I became an officer so let me pontificate... I wanted the new car, motorcycle, apartment in a high rent district, guns, boat etc...as my father said, I had champagne taste on an Old Milwaukee pocketbook. I almost got into financial trouble but I woke up. I learned to live within my means and make it work. Most of these kids these days have to have the latest IPhone, the nicest car or motorcycle, since they are now "working" right out of high school. Have a baby immediately and don't know how to manage money and all of these credit card companies throw these "opportunities" at them with cards and high interest rates and before you know it, they are in debt up to their eyeballs and can't take care of their families. I am for supporting those who truly are trying to make it...example.
I had a guy in recruiting who was turned into me for using the Government Vehicle for personal business. Directly against regulations. I was ready to throw the book at him when he came to see me until I found out the entire story. His wife, lost her job, and they were on the verge of losing their home and had already lost their car, thus the reason for using the Govie to take care of their family (groceries, doctor, school)…even with BAH where they were living it barely covered the small home they were in. They weren’t flashy, no boats, motorcycles, jet skis etc…just living. Once we found all of this out, I took a stripe and suspended it which basically means I slapped his wrist and told him to come to us sooner next time so we could help. The First Sergeant helped them find a beater car that was reliable and cheap, the “snackbar” fund bought them groceries, got them on assistance until they could get back on their feet and they were successful in the end. I don’t mind helping those. I have a problem helping those who have the flashy stuff and still want assistance. Those that put stuff above family and try to live like the Kardashians when they are really the Clampetts. I had one the recently worked for me that would spend their money on Gaming stuff, big TV’s, new cars and one day I saw them at the Commissary deciding which groceries to put back…that pisses me off.
If folks in the military truly need assistance, and they shouldn’t, then let’s give it to them. I think the military pays a fair wage for the job and various skillsets they have…a kid right out of high school has no real skillset until we train them and they progress…when you learn more you earn more, just like in life.
Maj Marty Hogan Lt Col Charlie Brown 1stSgt Glenn Brackin
Cpl Craig Morton SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth COL Mikel J. Burroughs
LTC Stephen C. CPL Dave Hoover PO3 Bob McCord
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Sgt Wayne Wood PVT James Strait
SFC Jack Champion MSgt David Hoffman MSgt Stephen Council
PO1 H Gene Lawrence 1SG Steven Imerman SGT Steve McFarland SSgt Terry P. SGM Erik Marquez
I had a guy in recruiting who was turned into me for using the Government Vehicle for personal business. Directly against regulations. I was ready to throw the book at him when he came to see me until I found out the entire story. His wife, lost her job, and they were on the verge of losing their home and had already lost their car, thus the reason for using the Govie to take care of their family (groceries, doctor, school)…even with BAH where they were living it barely covered the small home they were in. They weren’t flashy, no boats, motorcycles, jet skis etc…just living. Once we found all of this out, I took a stripe and suspended it which basically means I slapped his wrist and told him to come to us sooner next time so we could help. The First Sergeant helped them find a beater car that was reliable and cheap, the “snackbar” fund bought them groceries, got them on assistance until they could get back on their feet and they were successful in the end. I don’t mind helping those. I have a problem helping those who have the flashy stuff and still want assistance. Those that put stuff above family and try to live like the Kardashians when they are really the Clampetts. I had one the recently worked for me that would spend their money on Gaming stuff, big TV’s, new cars and one day I saw them at the Commissary deciding which groceries to put back…that pisses me off.
If folks in the military truly need assistance, and they shouldn’t, then let’s give it to them. I think the military pays a fair wage for the job and various skillsets they have…a kid right out of high school has no real skillset until we train them and they progress…when you learn more you earn more, just like in life.
Maj Marty Hogan Lt Col Charlie Brown 1stSgt Glenn Brackin
Cpl Craig Morton SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth COL Mikel J. Burroughs
LTC Stephen C. CPL Dave Hoover PO3 Bob McCord
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Sgt Wayne Wood PVT James Strait
SFC Jack Champion MSgt David Hoffman MSgt Stephen Council
PO1 H Gene Lawrence 1SG Steven Imerman SGT Steve McFarland SSgt Terry P. SGM Erik Marquez
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Good comments but some of what you say is more our generation not the current. Both of my oldest grandkids, both in their 20s, have no desire to have babies however their careers are the most important thing because the want all the other things you mention.
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Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen - That's fine but if they want those things sacrifices come with them. If you are willing to sacrifice your families food for a jet ski then I have no sympathy. Your grandkids obviously understand and have been taught that...others haven't...I am referring to the E-1/2 with a family, motorcycle, Lexus SUV, and a 2000 SqFt home
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I remember the first time I knew a SM was getting food stamps. I was dumb founded.
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SGT (Join to see)
I was dumbfounded when I learned the military members had to resort to food stamps. This was a long while back, but I was appalled they had to get by on food stamps, PO2 Kevin LaCroix.
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You and I see Eye to eye more times than not so hang with me here to the end.
Personal responsibility
Obligations incurred separate from the military
Selfless service
In my time that ended less than three years ago I saw a significant number of soldiers living outside their means knowingly purposely and without regard to the personal responsibility and obligations of taking care of that family
When you have a PFC specialist Sgt EE five staff Sergeant Sergeant first class or any rank officer or enlisted that spends money on unneeded things, wants not needs and then they throw down the hungry family no military member should ever card
I call BS
Sell your Cadillac and buy a Nissan
Get rid of the ski boat the two Jetske's and the RV and buy food
Stop eating out at restaurants five nights a week and learn to cook
I have zero good feelings for those types regardless of rank
The PFC with the new wife that didn't understand finances well The couple that became pregnant as unplanned and need to take care of the baby sharing one car living in an apartment cooking every meal at home wife has health issues that keep her from working physically absolutely should not go hungry let's take care of them until they can take care of themselves
But when you're making your payment on your 22's your new kickomg stereo system, cigarettes and 4 bottles of gentlemen jack a month then complaining you can't feed your family and you deserve help ....no way, not happening
Personal responsibility
Obligations incurred separate from the military
Selfless service
In my time that ended less than three years ago I saw a significant number of soldiers living outside their means knowingly purposely and without regard to the personal responsibility and obligations of taking care of that family
When you have a PFC specialist Sgt EE five staff Sergeant Sergeant first class or any rank officer or enlisted that spends money on unneeded things, wants not needs and then they throw down the hungry family no military member should ever card
I call BS
Sell your Cadillac and buy a Nissan
Get rid of the ski boat the two Jetske's and the RV and buy food
Stop eating out at restaurants five nights a week and learn to cook
I have zero good feelings for those types regardless of rank
The PFC with the new wife that didn't understand finances well The couple that became pregnant as unplanned and need to take care of the baby sharing one car living in an apartment cooking every meal at home wife has health issues that keep her from working physically absolutely should not go hungry let's take care of them until they can take care of themselves
But when you're making your payment on your 22's your new kickomg stereo system, cigarettes and 4 bottles of gentlemen jack a month then complaining you can't feed your family and you deserve help ....no way, not happening
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SGT (Join to see)
I agree 100%. If that's a lot of what's going on, with these service members using food stamps, that's probably why the divorce rate is high in the military. You know as well as I do, when you're starting out a newly wed couple, you can't buy all of those toys. I have a nephew that had a wreck on his $20,000 motorcycle, which left him almost crippled. He is married to my blood niece and they are on food stamps and have been before he had the wreck. They're poor as church mice, and he buys that Harley. They have two boys and he can't work because of his disabilities. His wife has to take care of the boys, do the wash, fix supper, clean up, and her day is finally over, while he sits on his ass watching. Yet, he still rides the Harley every now and then. My brother and I have had discussions about Richard still having that motorcycle. He pays their bills every month. That really pisses me off. He's enabling them. I told my nephew, Richard if he will sell that motorcycle, $20,000 can go a long way unless he farts it off. I know where you're coming from. I'll only help those that help themselves. When I see a guy begging for money and he has a pack of cigarettes in his pocket, he's not getting my money.
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