AR 600-38 — index record
| Number | AR 600-38 |
|---|---|
| Title | THE MEAL ENTITLEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM |
| Published | November 1, 2023 |
| Latest change | Change 001, August 5, 2026 |
| Office of primary responsibility | G-1 |
| Issued by | Headquarters, Department of the Army |
| Status on the index | Active |
| Unit of issue | PDF P |
| Source index | Army Publishing Directorate |
| Index last read | October 20, 2026 |
Copied from Army Publishing Directorate (index). The publication itself is the authority; this page does not summarize or interpret it. Verify the current edition on the index before acting.
From the publication itself
Text below is lifted mechanically from the official PDF (17 pages, read October 20, 2026) with no editing or interpretation. Quote the document, not this page.
Purpose, in the publication’s words
The purpose of this regulation is to define the requirements for the authorization, access, and control of the automated Meal Entitlement Code (MEC) on the Common Access Card (CAC). This regulation estab- lishes policies for the authorization and accountability of MECs using the CAC at all levels, for authorizing and withdrawing meal entitlements, and for identifying and reimbursing field meals. It also establishes pol- icies for identification and reimbursement for field meals, guidance to verify meal entitlement, and annual reviews of the Meal Entitlement Maintenance (MEM) system with the Army Decision Support System. It further provides guidance for the Institutional Training Directed Lodging and Meal (ITDLM) program and point-of-sale and scan-and-go transactions.
Summary of changes, as printed
The Meal Entitlement Management System This administrative revision, dated 05 August 2026— • Changes proponency from Deputy Chief of Staff, G –4 to Deputy Chief of Staff G – 1 (throughout). This major revision, dated 1 November 2023— • Establishes the requirements for the authorization, access, and control of the automated Meal Entitlement Code on the Common Access Card (chapter 3). • Details the required authorizations for meal entitlements (para 3 –3). • Details identification and payment for meals made available for field training (chapter 4). • Incorporates into Army policy the Meal Card Management System Annual Review (chapter 7). • No longer applicable to this revision are Army Directives 2018 – 07 –2, Prioritizing Efforts-Readiness and Lethality (Update 2) and 2018 – 07 – 16, Prioritizing Efforts-Readiness and Lethality (Update 16).
Contents
- Chapter 1 Meal Entitlement Management Systemp. 1
- Chapter 2 Responsibilitiesp. 2
- Chapter 3 Authorization, Controlling, and Accounting Meal Entitlementsp. 3
- Chapter 4 Identification and Payment for Meals Made Available for Field Dutyp. 6
- Chapter 5 Meal Entitlement Verification and Reportingp. 8
- Chapter 6 Institutional Training Directed Lodging and Mealsp. 9
- Chapter 7 Annual Review of the Meal Entitlement Maintenance Systemp. 9
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