Military compensation and food insecurity: Analysis in support of the fourteenth quadrennial review of military compensation

Abstract: With an estimated military food insecurity rate of 25 percent, according to 2018 and 2020 survey data, policymakers are interested in whether levels and components of military compensation affect food insecurity. The analysis in this report is in response to a request from the 14th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC) to (1) provide an assessment of whether and to what degree military compensation explains military food insecurity and (2) analyze why food insecurity rates are higher among military personnel than among civilians. The White House charter for the 14th QRMC includes a mandate to consider military compensation from the standpoint of strengthening members' economic security.

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