Payment of Basic Allowance for Subsistence to All Enlisted Members at Three Military Installations Should Be Discontinued

The administration of basic allowance for subsistence (BAS) by the Department of Defense (DOD) was reviewed. Recently actions were taken by DOD and the military services to improve food services and the administration of BAS. These actions, stemming from recent studies and tests, gave rise to concern over the continuing BAS expenses incurred at three military installations after the tests were completed. Normally, enlisted military members receive BAS only when they do not eat in Government dining facilities for certain authorized reasons. At the three test installations all enlisted personnel were paid BAS and required to purchase their meals. Dining facilities were converted to a-la-carte style with individual item pricing.