has anyone really looked very closely at their LES?

Since BAS is around 324, and you figure 90 meals a month... about $3.60 a meal. Still cheaper than a whopper at BK!

I remember growing up and going to the chow hall for Thanksgiving.... used to cost dad about $3 for all 5 of us!

@? ... some folks were authorized BAS even though they lived in the dorm, due to work schedules. So, they would get BAS, but when they ate in the DFAC the money was just deducted from their LES.

Never said my time as a spouse counted for more than yours and would NEVER claim that. Just stating how the AF plays it's game, since it is different than the Army. You were the one who said you didn't know what he was talking about ... I was just clarifying. Especially since I have seen it on hubby's LES' pre-marriage.

Please don't assume that I claim to know more than active duty. I'm actually one of those spouses who would never wear their hubby's rank.

FY 12 SIK rates are $11.61 per day.

I subsited in the chow hall for the first 6 years in the Army (89-95) and never once did they take anything out for meals. so I have no idea what you are talking about. I still have all my old LESs also.

Edit:

@USAF brat..yeah..I know..my 23 years has nothing on your experience asa dependent..nor that fact that I now am responsible for 4 battalion chow halls...but anyways...

Very few people in the Army get Seperate Rats because of work schedules. I know the USAF was always VERY liberal with this. The Army isn't nor where they ever. About the ONLY folks I have ever seen get it in the Army were medics who worked at the hospital and cooks who worked night.

Even then they paid cash in the DFAC. It was the days before swiping the ID card and automatic deductions.

Last time I ate at the chow hall I think it was 3.60ish for breakfast and 4.25ish for lunch. Not sure on the exact numbers but I remember thinking it was pretty cheap compared eating on the economy, especially since I was TDY collecting per diem.