American Soldiers on Food Stamps? What You Need To Know

One of the issues close to the heart and mission of the American Center for Law and Justice is supporting the members of the United States military.  We represent individual service members.  We advocate for policies that benefit uniformed service members, including—but not limited to—their rights to free speech and the free exercise of religion.  We work to support legislation that helps members of the Armed Forces as well as that of military veterans.  Obviously, for me personally as a retired Army officer, these are matters close to my own heart.

However, supporting members of the U.S. military is also something close to the heart of the American people.  While some parts of the federal government are often looked on with suspicion and polls indicate their unpopularity, such as Members of Congress, the U.S. Armed Forces are generally admired and respected by most Americans. While only a fraction of U.S. citizens actually serve in the military, an overwhelming majority of people truly respect our service members and are grateful for their service.

This is why the Army releasing guidance this week to Soldiers on how to apply for food stamps is so shocking and troubling.  The Pentagon, recognizing rampant inflation, suggested that service members should take advantage of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.  SNAP is one of several options the military leaders suggest as part of the Army’s Financial Readiness Program. 

On the one hand, it is good that the Pentagon recognizes the struggles Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen are facing and Pentagon leadership is trying to help.  On the other hand, it is insulting that junior members of the military are paid so meagerly that they would have to reach out to state-administered food programs (and other programs like food banks and soup kitchens) in order to feed their families.  But it is happening.  It is a blow to their dignity that men and women who protect our nation—and frequently die defending the United States—have to resort to such measures simply to feed their families. According to the Pentagon, 24% of enlisted military personnel are food-insecure.

This is why—among other reasons—the party on the White House lawn a few days ago, where the Administration celebrated how its policies have improved the economy and benefited the American people, was so incredibly tone deaf and insulting.  The American people are truly struggling, including members of the military.  Inflation is the highest in 40 years.  While gasoline prices have moderated some, it is still one to two dollars a gallon higher than when President Biden took office and began attacking the fossil fuel industry. Grocery prices in some cases have almost doubled.  Rent and utilities are unbelievably high.  People have cut back on eating out, on unnecessary travel, and on their grocery budget in order to make ends meet.  Yet political leaders in D.C. had a party to tout their mistitled Inflation Reduction Act and to champion how their policies have improved the economy. They should tell that to the young Soldier who is filling out paperwork for food stamps or standing in line at a church food pantry.

The Administration has recommended a 4.6% pay increase for members of the military.  With inflation hovering between 8 and 9%, these young service members are basically receiving a 4 to 5% decrease in pay—a decrease in pay as everything from food to fuel to clothes to school supplies continues to increase in cost. Since January 2021, military members have received a 3% pay raise (2021), a 2.7% pay raise (2022) and the projected 4.6% raise for next year.  None of these increases match inflation rates over the same time period.  Over the last three years, members of our military have faced a real pay cut of 12.5%.

The average E-4 (a Specialist or Corporal) with a spouse and two children makes approximately $2,400 a month before taxes.  If they do not live on a military installation (and most do not live there as there are not enough housing units), they might receive an additional $900 for rent and utilities, the amount varying depending on the geographic area in which they are stationed. It is virtually impossible to find safe and suitable housing for that amount of money.  Consequently, many members of the military live in undesirable and high crime neighborhoods.

This is wrong.  It should not be this way.  With all of the Biden Administration’s free-wheeling federal spending, there must be a way to immediately address the financial crisis in which military service members find themselves.  Certainly, the suggested raise in military pay needs to be much higher.  Congress, working with the Pentagon, could also find a way to give immediate and temporary assistance to lower-ranking service members so they can keep their dignity, support their families, and not resort to charity or applying for food stamps.

I recently pointed out why all branches of the U.S. military are falling short of their recruiting goals—some 40,000 recruits short this year.  There are numerous reasons for this.  However, members of the military being paid so meagerly they must rely on food stamps does not bode well for recruiting and is one of those reasons.  It also does not help the military retain people who already joined.

This is a problem.  But this problem can be solved.  It is also an embarrassment.  Perhaps there will be enough embarrassment and political humiliation that our political leaders will do something about this.  I am not a fan of President Biden using his pen and Executive orders to enact policy that he cannot get passed through Congress.  However, if he is going to rule by decree at times, this is an area that the Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful military in the world should consider.  After all, he is at the top of their chain of command.