Story by Molly Cooke, Frontline Staff
Big changes came to the Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield food service program last week with the implementation of the updated meal card system.
Soldiers would normally have to pay money or produce a Department of Defense Form 713 to get their omelets, bacon and coffee after a long morning workout. With the new system, Soldiers can now dine with one form of identification, the Common Access Card.
The universal meal card program was introduced to Stewart- Hunter Soldiers Oct 1. It combines the joint data module into the CAC allowing each service member to rapidly access their meal entitlements and help them pull up to the table quicker.
The new system has streamlined unit S-1 processes and has improved accountability thanks to a series of codes that can report elements such as entitlement status and number of visits made to the dining facility. The dining facility staff can address errors on the spot.
“There has been a good reception so far,” said Cornelius Williams, food service program manager for Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.
“With any new system there’s a little resistance. It’s important for our servicemembers to know that currently we are not able to go to finance and collect money. That will be part of the next phase of the program. In 2019 we’re hoping to have the system set up to deduct funds in addition to the ability to accept debit and credit cards.”
For more information about food services and the dining facilities, visit www.stewart.army.mil/my-fort/soldiers/DFACs.
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