Remembering Chow Halls And Embracing Dining Upgrades

I’m going to be honest, reading about this new FEED program makes me miss the chow hall more than I thought I would.

Chow Hall Nostalgia

Back in my days with the Marine Corps, the dining facility was the place where everything went down. You ate, but you also swapped stories, talked trash, and maybe even attempted to flirt with someone while eating powdered eggs. While it was far from five-star cuisine, it had character.

The New Options

Now soldiers get to swipe a card and go to Burger King, Qdoba, and maybe even Starbucks. I’m not knocking a caramel macchiato, but there was something about waiting in line for a meatloaf that had been on the heat lamp for 6 hours that built character. These kids are getting burritos while I got a side of “just eat it and shut up” with my mystery meat.

Convenience vs Tradition

I understand. If you have a limited amount of time, and the DFAC is miles away, going two minutes down the road for a quick bite is a lifesaver. Convenience is king especially when you are managing work, managing PT, and managing whatever else they throw your way. But I still think part of getting to the chow hall before it closed was built into the whole experience.

A Step Forward

At the end of the day, soldiers are satisfied with the program, and that’s all that matters. More options, better hours, and the ability to eat on the weekends without having to beg the duty NCO for a ride? That is a win.

I’m not going to lie; I do not miss the chow hall...but I guess I can admit this does sound like a pretty good upgrade.