Originally Posted by rickair7777

In the Navy, officers had to basically return their BAS to the ship when at sea, to cover food.

If you had a house/condo/appt out in town you'd keep that and the housing allowances even if single. Same for married enlisted. Single personal living in base housing typically had to move out on long deployments.

The wardroom could, if it chose to, charge more than BAS so as to have better food, more ammeneties, etc.