Is BAS intended to offset costs for the member's meals and their family members' meals?

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is provided to service members to help cover the costs of their meals. However, it is intended specifically for the member alone and is not designed to offset costs for the meals of family members. This allowance is meant to supplement the member's food expenses, acknowledging that service members are expected to procure their own meals while on duty.

Because BAS is structured this way, it does not extend to family members, which ensures that the allowance serves its primary purpose of supporting the service member’s dietary needs. Understanding this context clarifies why the correct answer is that BAS does not offset the costs for family members' meals.