Food Insecurity Among Members of the Armed Forces and Their Dependents

Abstract

directed the Secretary of Defense to report on food insecurity among service members and their dependents. The directive includes several different elements related to food insecurity, including an assessment of the current extent of food insecurity among members of the armed services and their dependents; participation in food assistance programs; an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of a basic needs allowance for low-income members; and recommendations for policies, programs, and activities to address food insecurity among military families. The Office of the Secretary of Defense asked the RAND National Defense Research Institute to provide analytic support to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as input for its report to Congress, and this report documents the RAND Corporation team's research. This report should be of interest to policymakers and researchers who are concerned about food insecurity, the quality of life for military families, and the adequacy of military compensation.