Dorm residents return to meal card status

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jeff Parkinson
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  More than half of the Airmen living in the dorms on the East side of the base returned to meal card status here, Oct. 1, after previously receiving basic allowance for subsistence to purchase food.

Since May 1, 2014, the Riptide Dining Facility was only open during breakfast and lunch hours which authorized those Airmen to receive BAS.

“The Riptide Dining Facility will now be open for dinner on weekdays, from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.,” said Tech Sgt. Timothy Mattson, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron dining facility NCO in-charge. “We will [still] be closed on holidays and down days.”

During weekends, holidays and down days, Airmen can get their meals from the Reef Dining Facility or the flight kitchen.

Of the 172 Airmen living in the dorms, 99 Airmen are affected by the change and were informed by their first sergeants. They will see the change take effect in their upcoming mid-month paycheck.

“Dining facilities provide the best nutritional value to Airmen, dorm members or TDY personnel staying in base lodging,” said Capt. Tyler Freeman, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight commander.

For some Airmen, their missions prevent them from going to the dining facility.

“If there is a reason Airmen wouldn't be able to get to the dining facility during the designated meal times, then they may be approved to receive BAS,” said Senior Master Sgt. Michelle Lange, 801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. “For instance, if you have personnel that can't leave during their shift to get a meal, then they would be approved.”