Meals

[Andrea]

Hello this is my first post. Thank you for accepting me. My son is in Coronado waiting for his transfer assignment since he will be leaving Buds.  All of a sudden his card for meals has been declined. Yes he has asked twice and had been told he is on a better situation than others regarding his card. Since he is between assignments does he not get his meals paid for?  He has been there a under 2 months and this happened last week for the first time. Will it activate again when he gets to his new assignment?  Has this happened to anyone else?  Again he has gone to the office twice about his CAC card.  

Thank you in advance 

[Chipmunk]

Andrea - Not many people reply to the discussions posted in the general discussions, especially if they don't see them, since these don't necessarily come into their email feed. I am going to send you a link to another group on this site that might be helpful. Check out your profile page. 

I honestly do not know how to reply, except that if he does have to pay for his own meals, tell him to make sure that he keeps track of all of his receipts so that he can turn in a reimbursement form. I know during COVID when many sailors were having to do ROM - (restriction of movement) and quarantine prior to moving to their next duty station, many sailors were having to buy their own food and then I believe they were waiting for a long time to get reimbursed. 

[Andrea]

Thank you. I appreciate the reply.  

[belovedbyHim]

Yes, Sometimes one side is quicker than the other.  He should get all this paid back but it may take a bit.  He needs to eat.  He should have funds of his own available  and he needs to keep track of all meals he pays for that should have been on his CAC.  Once he gets settled at his new command, he can submit for reimbursement.  It's a pain but as long as he documents everything, every step of the way that's what will help in the long run.  The Government runs on paper.... Better that your sailor learn that now!

And Welcome!!

[Andrea]

Thank you!  I appreciate the reply.  I guess I am trying to figure out why his meals are not paid for at this time. He is still active and gets a paycheck.  He will have his bank statements to show his transactions. 

[Chipmunk]

Andrea, he really needs to keep copies of his receipts to show the actual food that was purchased. I don't know that bank statements will be enough to get reimbursed. I did not see this reply of yours before I posted a comment on the other group, but you are dealing with the government, and they expect receipts. {At least with everything that I know about reimbursements for such.}

As for why his CAC is not working, I can't answer that. If he still has a chief or LPO that he is under command with, then he needs to speak to them or to the HR person. Transitions can be difficult, but he should still have someone over him, or like BelovedbyHim said, someone that he will be reporting to. 

[belovedbyHim]

Yes... Have him ask for the ACTUAL Receipts.  (As Chipmunk said... It is the government after all) Ban statements may not be sufficient. For example they show that he bought something at The NEX but not what was bought. (They don't pay for beer for example so they can try and not pay on that basis!)
As for the Why... Government!! Likely his BUDs Command processed him out and took him off their rolls before his next command processed him in and got him activated on their rolls.  He should go to his Chain of Command and let them know about this issue ASAP (As in Yesterday!!). They will be best able to assist and get him going in the right direction and also tell him EXACTLY what he needs to provide to get paid back and to get his CAC working.  It's time to Advocate for himself!  It's tricky for these kids! They have been told for months exactly what to do and when right down to the toilet, so knowing when to speak up and when to just deal can be hard!

[Proud AG Mama]

Hi! Chipmunk suggested I contact you. My AG Sailor is actually home and helping me answer your question. He is a little confused by a meal card and then your reference to CAC card. Those are different cards. He had two thoughts. Your Sailor may need to be more firm with the facility he has gone to visit, even if it means speaking to a supervisor. If that doesn't work he should have someone that he talks to regarding travel costs. He could go see them. They should either reactivate his meal card or get his BAS going. I assume your Sailor has kept his receipts. If they activate BAS, they should back date it to the end of the meal card. My Sailor will be here for a few more weeks. Feel free to update us or ask more questions. My Sailor has been in for 8 years and is currently an E6. Thus, he is quite familiar with the Navy way of doing things. Have a great night and I hope this all works for you guys.

[Andrea]

Thank you.  It is really strange what they have told my son. He is going to see what happens tomorrow when he should receive his paycheck deposit. I assume they do not stop paying because he is in a holding stage.  If he needs to go ask about that than he will also again ask about his meals. I appreciate you sending me a message. I hope your son has enjoyed AG.  From the choices he was given an advisor and officer recommended he go AG. They said it is not offered often at all. 

[Cassy0110]

It's not fair, they have to activate his card

[Chipmunk]

Andrea, do you have any update on your son to share here. I see we have some recent comments and I thought it would be good to see how things are going for your sailor. 

[Andrea]

Thank you for asking.  No change but when he loges there should not be reason his card does not work properly.

I have seen some recent posts. 

Again thank you for thinking of my son. 

[Chipmunk]

There should be someone for him to go talk to, his SLPO, or his Chief. Even an HR person. Has he gone to Pass and ID to see if there is an issue with his card? Even tell him to go talk to a chaplain. Someone that can help him figure this out. I am sorry to hear that the issue has not been resolved yet.