UNDERSTANDING BAS RATES IN 2025: WHAT SERVICE MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW

By Buddy Blouin

The military sets the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) annually to help service members cover meal costs at permanent duty stations, but it does not extend to their families. BAS rates fluctuate based on food costs, which can change due to inflation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides data to determine these rates, though they often increase differently from other military compensation.

BAS Rates in 2025

Need a meal? Here’s how much service members receive for food each month based on their rank and the BAS rates in 2025:

Enlisted: $465.77
Officers: $320.78
BAS II*: $931.54

*BAS II isn’t for everyone. If you’re an enlisted service member living in government quarters without proper access to "adequate food storage or preparation facilities,” you’ll qualify. Keep in mind your pay grade and dependent status aren’t factors. The compensation you receive isn’t taxable.

Is It Enough?

The 2025 BAS rates increased by 1.2% from 2024. That’s less than the 2.9% inflation rate the previous year. In fact, it’s less than half.

While the cost-of-living allowance (COLA) payment covers some of the rising expenses for those stationed in places with extra costly foods, not everyone receives this help.

Furthermore, even those in more affordable markets are still finding it difficult to afford the cost of food just to make ends meet.

The bottom line? Any increase is welcomed and it’s not like BAS payments aim to make you rich, but at the end of the day, military families don’t just need help—they deserve it.

Basic Allowance for Subsistence Misuse Exposed

Need a meal? That’s what BAS is for. Yet, troops and taxpayers may be surprised to learn that a lot of this funding isn’t going to fuel warfighters. To make matters even worse, the military isn’t even being straightforward about where these funds are being allocated.

The Army deducts about $460 monthly from junior enlisted Soldiers' pay for food, yet much of it isn’t spent on meals. In 2024, over $151 million of the $225 million collected from 11 major bases was diverted elsewhere.

At Fort Stewart, GA, only 87% of collected funds went unused, while Soldiers often struggle with food shortages. In many cases, warfighters end up eating low-quality meals or grab-and-go snacks. Officials blame low dining hall attendance, yet poor food quality discourages use.

In 2024, Army bases collected significant funds from Soldiers for food via BAS payments, but much of it went unspent:

Despite Fort Stewart collecting $17 million, only $2.1 million went towards food.
At Fort Drum, only $3.9 million of the $18.2 million collected was used for meals.
Fort Carson took in $22 million but only $5 million was allocated for meals.
Fort Riley spent $5.1 million on meals from troops, however, this is a far cry from the $19.1 million it collected.
Only half of the money collected by Fort Bliss, equating to $11 million, went to food.
Despite getting $42.5 million, Fort Cavazos only used $11.7 million of these funds for feeding the troops.
Fort Bragg collected $34.6 million but only $16.6 million was used appropriately.
A small percentage of the funds collected by Fort Campbell ($5.1 million) were used for food despite raising $18 million.
There was $14.5 million gathered at Schofield Barracks, but the base ended up only using $5.3 million.
Fort Wainwright only spent 33% of its $9 million collected, totaling $3 million.
Fort Richardson used over half of the $7.5 million, where $4 million of the funding went to food costs.

Lawmakers demand an investigation, calling it a misuse of Soldiers’ money. Meanwhile, the Army has yet to clarify where the unspent funds actually go.

Considering these discrepancies equate to several million dollars of unaccounted funds, this story feels far from over as new details become available.

2025 BAS Rates Eligibility Restrictions

While the 2025 BAS rates strive to help warfighters cover their meals, not everyone is entitled to this compensation. This includes those in basic or officer training, although, if you’ve already undergone continuous enlisted service, exceptions may be made for you.

Additionally, those absent without official leave (AWOL) will not receive compensation and will likely face additional consequences.

Furthermore, if you are a warfighter who leaves to study for education or is in need of an excess leave, exemptions may also be provided.

Sources:

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), DoD. Accessed February 2025. https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/Pay-Tables/bas/

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