2. (U) THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON AND
CLARIFYING GUIDANCE FOR THE ARMY’S BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR
SUBSISTENCE (BAS) AS WELL AS ESSENTIAL STATION MESSING (ESM).
3. (U) RECENT NEWS REPORTS HAVE ADVANCED MISLEADING INFORMATION
ABOUT THE ARMY’S BAS PROGRAM. THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED TO BE BOTH
TRANSPARENT AND BETTER EXPLAIN HOW THESE ENTITLEMENTS WORK.
4. (U) WHAT MANY SOLDIERS KNOW AS THE MEAL CARD PLAN IS OFFICIALLY
CALLED ESSENTIAL STATION MESSING. ESM IS A DOD-WIDE PROGRAM THAT
PROVIDES DINING FACILITY MEAL PLANS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS LIVING IN
BARRACKS OR SIMILAR GOVERNMENT QUARTERS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO
MEALS AT DINING FACILITIES (DFACS). SERVICEMEMBERS ON ESM HAVE A
PORTION OF THEIR BAS ENTITLEMENT REDUCED FOR ACCESS TO MEAL
PLANS.
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN43216-ALARACT_0212025-000-WEB-1.pdf
