Need info on applying for BAS...

[CTmomof3]

I'm a little concerned by what my son said he needed.  Here's the story. He called me today and said he needed me to get him the following.  His Credit Report, 6 months of all his bank account statements. 6 months of his credit card statements and any bills etc he has. When I asked what the heck he was doing he said he needed to apply for BAS..Basic Allowance Subsistence.  Here's where is gets hard to explain so hope this makes sense.  He only and E2 and lives on base. However, he works at an off base site that's about 30min away and can't get back to base to eat. Seems he's not allowed to eat at the cafeteria there so therefore has to spend his own money for lunch. It's very expensive like $10 for 2 pizza slices. If he were on base he'd use the Galley and that expense comes out of the normal food allowance  the military get.  But since this site doesn't have a...Galley...he needs to spend is "own" money.

My question/concern is why would he be required to submit all this personal information to get lunch money? Now that sounds dumb doesn't it... His superiors know where he works...he's not the only military person there..they know the cafeteria situation etc.  Does this seem legit?

I hope this makes sense.  I don't know when you eat at a Galley or whatever on base food facility they have  how that money comes out of your normal food allowance. Do they swipe there Id or something??  So I guess however one would...pay..for meals at a galley he can't use that same method at this off site facility. So he's asking for BAS to cover this expense.  

Doing my best to try and explain.  Just makes me upset that these guys don't automatically get assistance in situations like this. They don't have a choice where they work.  He as a food allowance he can't use..makes no sense.

Any light you can shed on this would be great.  Sorry for the confusion.

[CTmomof3]

Angie, I know they don't give part but that's the only way I could explain it as that's what the issue is. You were reading my mind last night.  I was just wondering if there was some way he could get something from the Galley the night before to bring for lunch.  This would be the best option.   Buying  $10 Pizza or the like every day adds up to a of ton of money on an E2 pay...talk about wasting his money..so to speak.    I just remember in college though there way no way they'd let you bring food out of the Dining Hall  so I didn't suggest it him but I will now.

 Who do I have him ask at the Galley?  He's young and on the quiet side..(but I see that's changing...thank god) so he's not 100% sure yet how things work or what he can and can't ask for.   I'm going to visit him this weekend...yipee... haven't seen him since Christmas. So, well talk about it in person..

[Anti M]

Ask if they have mid-rats (midnight rations)... a box or bag meal intended for those on night watch.  Don't know if they still do this or not.

[Angie]

When he goes in the galley, have him ask whomever is behind the line (where he gets his food) if they have a brown bag lunch he can get, and if they look at him like he is crazy...he needs to ask the Master at Arms in the galley.  They keep an eye on everything that goes on in the galley and will know the rules as to what goes on at the galley.

 

[CTmomof3]

Oh ok thanks.

[kwogan]

Hi, can someone help me clarify the pay deduction for galley food?  My daughter is at GL. She said that there is deduction from her check for food every month, and she can eat at the galley.  But she said that she is supposed to receive some sort of credit that helps offset the deduction.  She hasn't received the credit so she inquired and was told she should be getting it but her superiors haven't made it happen.  She receives just over $300 a paycheck now.  I don't know if she is right about it or not, and she keeps calling me to talk about what she should do.  I have no idea. 

Can anyone clarify for me if she should receive any kind of credit to her pay while living on base at GL and eating at the galley?

Thanks 

[Angie]

She needs to read her LES, as it shows a credit and than a deduction...so she isn't paying anything.  Also this credit is above and beyond her normal pay.  There is adequate food provided on the base, so she doesn't get the whole BAS.  Even if she decides she doesn't want to eat at the galley, she doesn't get money back for that, nor does she get extra money if she decides that she wants to eat at one of the fast food places on base.

 

In her LES it will say that she gets

Enlisted BAS (standard) – $348.44

 

But most of that will be taken out....per the instruction below

 

1. Members receiving BAS while in certain situations may have the payment for government-provided meals made by mandatory pay account collection. These are circumstances where it is not feasible to control dining access or collect cash due to operational constraints or where efficiency of operation requires collection for all meals. When a commander/commanding officer requires mandatory collection, the pay account collection will be made for all meals available, whether the meals are actually eaten or not. Mandatory collections are made day-for-actual-day, not a 30-day month basis. Unless the member is receiving a per diem for subsistence, the collection will be at the discount meal rate. Mandatory pay account collection may be required in the following situations:

a. Field duty.

b. Sea duty.

c. Members traveling together with limited or no per diem travel.

d. Accession Pipeline Military Training. (she falls under this one)

e. Essential unit messing.

f. Essential station messing.

http://comptroller.defense.gov/fmr/07a/07a_25.pdf

[Angie]

How going to the galley works"

NO BAS:

When someone lives on base and doesn't get BAS, they get to eat out of the galley for all three meals for no money.  What happens is the money is put on their LES and than taken out.  IT doesn't matter if they eat there all three meals or none...all the money is taken out 'cause they are supposted to eat at the galley for all there meals.  Now if they want to go to McD's for breakfest everday...they don't get some of that moeny for BAS just 'cause they decided to not eat at the galley. 

BAS: 

People who live off base normally get BAS.  If they decide to eat in the galley they have to pay a certain amount each time they eat in the galley.