Expenses for your Sailors

[MonaB55]

Hi.  I posted something yesterday regarding the issue of our Sailors having to pay for their food while on base and in training.  I had several responses saying that they get reimbursed for the $325 that is removed from their pay every month.

I asked my daughter again after getting the responses and I was assured that they DO NOT get reimbursements for food.  So they have to eat at the galley even though the food is horrible and very unhealthly.

She said that her classmates talk all the time about having that money at their disposal and would save money and eat so much better.

[NavyMum]

The Sailors receive an allowance (it'll show on their LES) for food (I think it's BAS). If they are living on base or on a ship, it'll be deducted back to cover their galley food. Same deal with their housing allowance - they receive it and it's deducted back to cover the barracks.

I've eaten military food before  - it's not home-cooking, it's not gourmet restaurant but it's not horrible and there are healthy options. It might not be to her liking -but it's plentiful and meets nutritional requirements.

[Anti M]

I was in the Navy, I know how it works.  Yes, if they are in the barracks, they eat at the galley.  It is partially cost efficiency for the Navy, and partially health and sanitation safety as the barracks does not have facilities for cooking or proper food storage.  The galley is not that bad, and I've eaten at plenty of them.  It is not to everyone's taste, I get that.  I preferred other food most of the time too, and I complained as a young sailor.  Still, the other prepared food on base is generally fast food, how is that a healthy option???   I take it she is still in A school?  Great Lakes?  They have seven different lines to choose from for meals.  You can freaking call and ask them about their menus

https://www.navymwrgreatlakes.com/programs/231434fd-321e-450a-afeb-...

Not Great Lakes?  You can google te contact information for each galley asn ASK them what they serve.

The Navy does do an accounting thing with the BAS, although it might not show on her leave and earning statement the way she thinks it does.  New sailors often make this mistake.  You're the one who said they pay for their food, which is why you were told how it works. They do not.  Can the galley please everyone?  No. 

[ellen0502]

To add to the conversation. They do get BAS every month in the amount of $369.39. Half of that is (or used to be) deposited on each of the two pay dates. It is deposited and taken out almost/if not immediately. That BAS deposit and withdrawal will show on their LES.

The BAS is money for galley food only. If the Sailor chooses to eat somewhere other than the galley, that cost is on them.

While the food from the galley (not the food court) may not suit all taste buds, there is a wide variety of choices, at least at Great Lakes. I can pretty much guarantee it is a better choice than McDonalds, Taco Bell or Panda Express. 

Navycs Military Pay and Allowances

Basic Allowance for Subsistence

Military Benefits

Military Pay @defense .org BAS