Upcharging on Food, Selling Booze: The Army's Plan to Privatize Dining

The Army is preparing to overhaul its food service system in a move that could strip away government-run dining facilities and hand operations to private, for-profit companies.

Framed as a modernization effort, the plan could saddle enlisted soldiers, many of whom already struggle with low pay, with even greater costs for meals they are effectively required to buy.

So-called "campus-style dining" has been pitched to lawmakers as a way to incentivize private vendors to create Army dining spaces where soldiers want to eat, with longer hours, a better atmosphere, and additional menu variety.

But documents reviewed by Military.com show a system light on guardrails, nutrition standards and financial transparency -- and heavy on opportunities for contractors to upsell alcohol and high-priced extras to a population that has little choice to opt out.