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Chowhall Overhaul
Pg 22 of this weeks Army Times.
Out with the bad - in with the good.
Goodby Fried French Fries, Fried Chicken, Cakes & pastries, Traditional Pasta & white bread, wide open short order line and Junk food filled vending machines.
Hello Baked French Fries, Baked Chicken, Low-fat yogurt, milk & electrolyte drinks, whole grain pasta & bread, limited short order and healthy snack foods.
It all started when they took cigarettes out of C-Rations. Next then ya' know, they'll be after breakfast gravy, eggs, etc, etc, etc
The Reaper
09-20-2010, 17:00
I predict declining mess hall use, and more money going to the fast food restaurants in and near post.
Soldiers who have a choice (money and access) will vote with their feet.
TR
NoRoadtrippin
09-20-2010, 17:28
Healthy food can be good food. Yes, I think there will be some Soldiers that will flock to the fast food restaurant, but I think to assume that as the outcome also puts little faith in the desire a Soldier has to be healthy.
For me, I took the direct opposite path at Benning this past summer. I tried to make the DFAC work for the first week or so of my course but finally resorted to the commissary and keeping food in my room because I just couldn't take random slop, burgers, and pizza everyday. A larger selection of healthier foods would have been much appreciated.
drymartini66
09-20-2010, 17:40
Chowhall Overhaul
Pg 22 of this weeks Army Times.
Out with the bad - in with the good.
Goodby Fried French Fries, Fried Chicken, Cakes & pastries, Traditional Pasta & white bread, wide open short order line and Junk food filled vending machines.
Hello Baked French Fries, Baked Chicken, Low-fat yogurt, milk & electrolyte drinks, whole grain pasta & bread, limited short order and healthy snack foods.
It all started when they took cigarettes out of C-Rations. Next then ya' know, they'll be after breakfast gravy, eggs, etc, etc, etc
Then they took the little bottle of Tabasco out of the MREs. Didn't they know that's what made the veggie omelet "palatable"?:D
drymartini66
09-20-2010, 17:41
I predict declining mess hall use, and more money going to the fast food restaurants in and near post.
Soldiers who have a choice (money and access) will vote with their feet.
TR
Agreed. The all you can eat pizza and pasta buffet at Godfather's on FT. Lewis is always packed.:munchin
The problem with chow hall is that they automatically take away money from privates for a meal card. Sometimes new soldiers can't go to the chow hall on time and their monthly cost still being taken away as if they consumed the meal. The civilian who serves at the chow hall also doesn't care about their serving portions to soldiers.
The food is not important because soldiers will get proper PT to compensate the junk food. The problem is soldiers are turning away from chow hall for better service & food choices that is worth their time to get those food.
Dozer523
09-21-2010, 06:42
The problem is soldiers are turning away from chow hall for better service & food choices that is worth their time to get those food. What service are you looking for? You don't need a reservation, the hostess (head count) points, make your own reservation, portions are managed by the size of the ladle; the cubic volume of your plate and -- on rare occasions (Steak night) -- how many times you sign in.
No bus boys? Eat in a Navy mess.
Missing a meal is a self-inflicted wound. I remember in the foggy recesses of my watercolor memory going in and realizing it must be Sunday cuz it was "eggs to order" morning.
Sitting with your teammates that makes it the best. Want special services? Be regular enough so the Civ on the serving line gets to know you as "Darlin". Be regular enough that you have a stamtish.
ZonieDiver
09-21-2010, 07:53
The problem with chow hall is that they automatically take away money from privates for a meal card. Sometimes new soldiers can't go to the chow hall on time and their monthly cost still being taken away as if they consumed the meal. The civilian who serves at the chow hall also doesn't care about their serving portions to soldiers.
The food is not important because soldiers will get proper PT to compensate the junk food. The problem is soldiers are turning away from chow hall for better service & food choices that is worth their time to get those food.
Privates have to BUY 'meal cards'!?!? All I ever needed to do was stand in an often long line and sign my name. Want more? Go get more.
Of course, I was 'served' by some troop on KP, not a civilian - so I guessI am just a FOG!
Dozer523
09-21-2010, 09:09
never trust a skinny Mess Sgt.
The problem with chow hall is that they automatically take away money from privates for a meal card.
You sure that's correct? Or do they "give" extra money to people without meal cards? Thats the way I remember it.
greenberetTFS
09-21-2010, 13:40
Privates have to BUY 'meal cards'!?!? All I ever needed to do was stand in an often long line and sign my name. Want more? Go get more.
Of course, I was 'served' by some troop on KP, not a civilian - so I guessI am just a FOG!
I'm with Zonie!........ ;) Meal Cards,we don't need no stinken meal cards!........:mad: When did they(meal cards) come out?............:confused:
Big Teddy :munchin
kawaishi
09-21-2010, 13:59
The food is not important because soldiers will get proper PT to compensate the junk food. .
That's not accurate at all. What you eat makes a huge difference in athletic performance, and the more intense the PT then the more important what you eat becomes for recovery & health. If you eat well you can PT to gain fitness rather than PT just to compensate for your eating choices.
However, individual eating habits are incredibly difficult to change especially if it wasn't that persons idea in the first place. Soldiers are not going to eat whatever is in the trough if they don't like it.
I bet fast food franchise owners around these Forts are seeing some "economic stimulus" eating coming their way.
When did they(meal cards) come out?............:confused:
Big Teddy :munchin
I got mine issued at my first unit in late 1985. Although in basic/AIT I think you just signed in and it was tracked by SSN. I guess this was so guys that were on seperate rats couldn't just sign in at the chow hall and eat for free. Meal cards were awesome. I could blow every red cent of my pay on payday weekend...and still eat good for the next two weeks!! After I got seperate rats...there were several days straight of Ramen noodles before payday.
ZonieDiver
09-21-2010, 14:29
I got mine issued at my first unit in late 1985. Although in basic/AIT I think you just signed in and it was tracked by SSN. I guess this was so guys that were on seperate rats couldn't just sign in at the chow hall and eat for free. Meal cards were awesome. I could blow every red cent of my pay on payday weekend...and still eat good for the next two weeks!! After I got seperate rats...there were several days straight of Ramen noodles before payday.
Gotcha...so a troop living on base would be issued a meal card, and if you were drawing separate rations, you had to pay for one? That makes sense.
Meal Cards,we don't need no stinken meal cards!........:mad: When did they(meal cards) come out?............:We had 'em in the 82nd in 1972...still had 'em in 1987 when I commanded an Infantry company...had to sign damn near 120 of the damn things...along with weapons cards, bayonet cards, protective mask cards....
As I recall, everyone on a team in SF was entitled to separate rations...support pogues had meal cards, I believe...we had meal cards in training group, too, as I recall...ate at the 4th POG DF...
mojaveman
09-21-2010, 15:31
I guess I was fortunate in that I didn't have to eat in the chow halls (gag) to often. When I was in the MPs we were eligable for seperate rations because of the hours that we worked. When I got to Group it was seperate rations again. I did eat a lot of fast food back in the day.
Is the Burger King on Bragg still opened? :D
The best military chow hall that I ever ate in was the USAF one at Rhein-Main.
craigepo
09-21-2010, 15:41
The best military chow hall that I ever ate in was the USAF one at Rhein-Main.
Dahlonega.
Blueberry pancakes.
Gotcha...so a troop living on base would be issued a meal card, and if you were drawing separate rations, you had to pay for one? That makes sense.
Yeah...you would have to pay for meals in the chow hall. That was the point. If you had duty that didn't allow you to eat in the chow hall (I was an MP) I would have to buy my own chow. The up side was...I could blow my separate rats on lap-dances and tequila shots if I wanted...see how far you get showing your meal card at the "shoe-show".:D:D:D
The best military chow hall that I ever ate in was the USAF one at Rhein-Main.
Sunday steaks on the grill at Nong Takoo (when we were in camp) and Navy Mess at Truman Annex, Key West. ;)
Richard :munchin
The Reaper
09-21-2010, 17:33
The meal card is issued to be presented in DFACs for no-cost meals in lieu of Seperate Rations.
Separate rations are intended to offset the cost of food for those not on meal cards. Note that you cannot buy a month's worth of breakfast, lunch and dinner for the Seperate Rats/Basic Allowance for Subsistance.
By the intent of the reg, you should lose BAS every time you are deployed and are provided meals by the government, since they are giving you your chow. In practice, most units ignore the regs and do not do this for short deployments because of its adverse effect on morale and finances.
Today's DFACs are fewer, but serve a more diverse menu. In addition to the standard main menu items, there is a short order line and a salad bar, etc. The food items usually have a card in front listing the calories, fat content, etc. Most portions are controlled by the civilian contractors who work there, though you could in theory, eat several self-service items like desserts, bread items, salads with dressings, etc. There are very few Army MOS cooks left in the system. You can eat relatively healthy in a DFAC if you choose to do so. Most junior soldiers, eat like, well, teenagers.
TR
taskforceiron
09-21-2010, 17:55
I thought you QPs only ate insects and things like that? :D