2025 BAS Rates Explained: What Military Families Need to Know About Food Allowances

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is included as part of the financial benefits in the military. It is the modern-day version of a ration payment for food and beverages for military members.

This extra entitlement can come in handy when conducting a PCS and moving to a new location. However, it also provides additional financial benefits for ongoing expenses once you arrive in your new home.

BAS helps cover food costs, whether dining at restaurants, shopping at the grocery store, or even growing your own food in a garden. The military does not require you to submit receipts for food to get BAS, and it is included in what you receive each pay period.

Some familiar places where BAS can come in handy include:

• Going out to eat at restaurants
• Paying for food during a TDY
• Increased food costs during a move
• Daily meals at home

Both officers and enlisted receive BAS but at different rates.

BAS helps cover the cost of food, but you decide how to spend it. If you go out to eat a lot, your BAS likely won’t go as far as if you cook at home.

A higher rate may be authorized for enlisted members living in government-provided quarters without a kitchen or other place to store and prepare food. This rate, called BAS II, is twice the normal enlisted BAS rate.

Officers are not eligible for BAS II, regardless of housing.

The exact rate of BAS is tied to the current cost of food in the United States, which the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) tracks. The rate is reviewed and updated annually. Here are the current BAS rates and how they have increased since 2020:

In 2025, enlisted members receive $465.77, and officers receive $320.78 each month, which is included in their standard paycheck, although listed in a separate line on the Leave and Earning Statement. BAS II is double the standard enlisted rate and provides $931.54 monthly.

This standard rate is provided regardless of your location and is separate from your housing allowance, regardless of whether you receive BAH or OHA. You will receive BAS whether stationed in the continental US or overseas. The higher cost of essentials, including food, at most overseas duty stations is accounted for in an additional cost-of-living allowance (COLA).

BAS increased 1.2% in 2025. In 2024, the increase was a bit higher at 1.7%, but the 2023 increase of 11% was the most substantial in recent years.

The average cost of food, as tracked by the USDA, determines these increases. So, as food prices increase, the annual review accounts for these increases and provides a percentage increase.

COLA and BAS are two different allowances to help cover military members’ daily living expenses. All military members receive BAS, but only those stationed in specific duty stations, typically overseas, receive COLA.

COLA covers the higher cost of food and daily essentials. It also has different rates for those with and without dependence listed in their official service record. BAS is a set rate regardless of how many family members you may have.

BAS is an allowance rather than pay, so it is tax-exempt. Other allowances provided to military members include Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and a cost-of-living allowance (COLA). These are also not included in taxable income.

It’s important to know and understand the financial benefits of a career in the military, including BAS. This allows you to stay on top of your pay and benefits and make the most of allowances and entitlements.

The AHRN PCS Toolkit is a helpful resource for learning even more about other allowances and benefits available to military members, whether you’re moving for the first or tenth time during your military career.