At Fort Carson, troops have been raising concerns about the quality and nutritional value of the dining facilities. Posts on the Hots & Cots app have shed light on issues such as small portions, food shortages, and poor food quality dating back to March. While officials aim to improve, the situation remains a cause for concern.

Uncovering the Truth about Fort Carson's Dining Facilities

Section 1: The Impact of Poor Food Quality

Troops at Fort Carson have been facing a significant issue with the quality of the food served. As evidenced by the posts on Hots & Cots, meals often lack substance. For example, a thermometer at a sushi station read 50 degrees Fahrenheit on September 28, well above the recommended 41 degrees for raw fish. Another post on November 19 showed a pile of dry lima beans and a piece of garlic toast as dinner. The lack of protein and the overcooked or hard nature of the food is a cause for worry. As one poster said on November 22, "The amount of protein you get is terrible. The food is: small corn barely bigger than my pinkie, rice – overcooked, bread – hard. Terrible vegetable spread but don't worry they have chopped olives and jalapeños."This poor food quality is not an isolated incident. The 2023 GAO report also highlighted that service members often rely on microwaveable meals or fast food due to food challenges at various military installations, leading to health problems. With most new recruits living in barracks and having limited access to kitchen equipment, the dining facilities play a crucial role in their diet.

Section 2: Nutritional Standards and the Reality

The Army has set nutrition standards for enlisted members based on their level of activity. Men are supposed to get 3,400 calories per day, and women 2,300 calories. However, the images posted on Hots & Cots show a clear disparity between these standards and the actual meals being served. This raises questions about whether the troops are getting the proper nutrition they need to maintain their health and perform their duties.Basic Subsistence Allowance deductions are taken out of a troop's paycheck to pay for their access to dining facilities. Each enlisted service member at Fort Carson has a BAS deduction of $460.25 per month. But the quality of the food does not seem to justify this expense.

Section 3: Efforts to Improve and the Need for Consistency

Lt. Col. Joey Payton, a spokesperson for Fort Carson, has acknowledged the challenges and is taking steps to improve. The dining facility council is being reinvigorated to bring together brigade-level leadership and ensure leader emphasis across food service facilities. There have also been some improvements seen in the Thanksgiving holiday meal, as shown in late November posts on Hots & Cots.However, Evans emphasizes the need for consistency across branches and facilities. "Are we going to continue the consistency of providing these high-quality meals to our service members who are essentially forced to eat in these dining facilities? They sign a contract, they put their lives on the line. I think we owe it to them to make sure that they're getting the proper nutrition," he said.In conclusion, the dining facilities at Fort Carson face significant challenges in terms of food quality and nutritional value. While efforts are being made to improve, there is a long way to go to ensure that troops are getting the meals they deserve. The consistency across branches and facilities is crucial to address this issue and provide the best possible support to the troops.