JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Due to a recent policy change effective March 8, all military retirees and their immediate family members are authorized use of the Gaylor Dining Facility at Joint Base Charleston during all meals.
The new policy change was enacted by 628th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Martha Meeker, who has made increased meal support for the retired JB CHS community a priority - and Charleston is not alone. According to Air Mobility Command officials, wing leadership across the command has begun to re-evaluate which customers base dining facilities are able to support.
"I think it's a good thing. It kind of lets the retirees know the active force is still there to support them," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Charles Short, Retiree Activities Office director and 30-year veteran. "I think it's very positive. We see so many things get whittled away over the years, but it's good to see something like this."
Having been stationed at Charleston for 21 years of his enlisted career, Chief Short said dining on base was a little different in his day. During that time, he said the base boasted three dining facilities. Since his retirement in 1985, the retired chief master sergeant said he has seen and heard several varying policies concerning DFAC privileges.
By mandate, the Air Force operates enlisted dining facilities in order to provide subsistence entitlements to enlisted members who reside in dormitories, to provide a training environment for food service personnel to meet the war fighting mission, and to provide flight meal service in support of daily operations.
Generally, the use of dining facilities is restricted to enlisted members and those individuals authorized by the installation commander to meet mission requirements. Additionally, Air Force Instruction 34-239, Food Service Management Program, allows military retirees and immediate family members to subsist when the installation commander has determined the service will not affect essential station messing members and temporary duty travelers.
Armed with the instruction, the 628th Force Support Squadron Sustainment Services Flight was able to pursue the prospect of retiree dining during all meals. After analyzing capabilities, the conclusion was that the service could be offered, but should be approached with consideration to DFAC operating requirements.
Stringent guidelines govern the dining facility's operation, which essentially limit the amount of food the facility can responsibly prepare each day. Because the facility does not operate to generate a profit, it must maintain revenues within a three-percent margin above or below a set target.
Maintaining compliance within the narrow window is always a challenge, said 628 FSS Food Service Officer 1st. Lt. Julie Teffeteller. Due to the unpredictability of customer flow, the dining facility works diligently to keep accurate estimates of how much food to prepare so customers can have the best selection possible. Trends are tracked by factors such as pay dates, holidays and Reserve training weekends.
Despite the obvious challenge of taking on more customers and planning for the ebb and flow, the food service officer said the challenge would be met by a capable team of Airmen.
"It's definitely a positive to be able to provide a service to people who have served in the military before," said the lieutenant. "They served our country too, and so, we have great respect for them, and we want to be able to serve them."
Under the current policy, retirees need only to present their retiree identification card at the dining facility register before paying. The facility does not currently accept credit or debit payments. For cash withdraw, an automated teller machine is available in the dining facility's rear entrance.
Meals served include breakfast, lunch, dinner and a midnight meal. The hours are:
Breakfast: 5:30 to 8 a.m.
Lunch: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dinner: 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Midnight: 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.