May 7,2008:
The U.S. military has undergone
many changes since it went all-volunteer in the 1970s. A major one has to do
with food. Although in theory commanders always realized that quality chow was
good for morale, during the draftee period (1940-73), the food was often pretty
dreary. At least in the army. That's because nearly all the draftees went to
the army. Just the existence of the draft was sufficient to send plenty of
volunteers to do their military service in the air force and navy. The army was
dirty and dusty, while the airmen and sailors were all about clean sheets and
good chow. And both of these services paid attention to food quality, knowing
that the volunteers expected it.
With the
elimination of the draft in the 1970s, the "mess hall" evolved into the "dining
facility." Army food got better, but all the services began to notice another
trend. Fewer troops were eating the better chow. The problem was that over half
the troops were now married, and living with their wives. Many single troops
(especially NCOs and officers) were also allowed to live off post. And many of
the single troops living in the barracks often went to fast food operations (on
the base, or off), for most of their meals. As a result, many dining halls are
operating at less than half capacity.
Looking
for a solution, the military is examining how universities handle their food
services. One interesting idea, which is being tested in the military, is to
turn the "meal card" (a special ID currently used to get free food in the
dining facility) into something of a credit card. The new meal card could be
used at any restaurant on base. Moreover, the dining facilities would be open
to civilians working on the base. In effect, the dining facility would become
another restaurant on the base, one with
more colorful origins than the Burger Kings and fried chicken joints. The
dining facility could not be eliminated, because it is partly staffed by troops
assigned to the unit it serves. When deployed overseas, these food service
troops set up dining facilities there, and get the troops fed.
With this,
military bases continue the decades old trend of increasingly resembling
university campuses, although with more weapons, discipline, purpose and
intellectual freedom.