The analysis in this report is in response to a request from the 14th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation 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.

Military Compensation and Food Insecurity

Analysis in Support of the Fourteenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation

Patricia K. Tong, Beth J. Asch, Stephanie Rennane

ResearchPublished Feb 25, 2025

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.

Key Findings

  • Increasing the level of monthly cash compensation is associated with a statistically significant reduction in the likelihood of food insecurity among active-duty respondents, but the estimated effect is small.
  • An increase in pay variability is associated with an increase in the likelihood of food insecurity among active duty respondents.
  • There was no statistically significant association between level or variation of pay and propensity to be food insecure when only junior enlisted respondents were considered; the demographic more likely to be food insecure.
  • Differences in demographic characteristics and differences in the way surveys screen the food insecurity questionnaire did not explain the higher reported food insecurity rates among military personnel versus civilians.
  • Large shares of food insecure respondents also reported being in good financial condition, saving and investing, and having emergency savings in the SOFS-A.

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Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 2025
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 124
  • Paperback Price: $37.00
  • Paperback ISBN/EAN: 1-9774-1431-1
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7249/RRA2923-1
  • Document Number: RR-A2923-1

Citation

RAND Style Manual

Tong, Patricia K., Beth J. Asch, and Stephanie Rennane, Military Compensation and Food Insecurity: Analysis in Support of the Fourteenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, RAND Corporation, RR-A2923-1, 2025. As of April 30, 2025: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2923-1.html

Chicago Manual of Style

Tong, Patricia K., Beth J. Asch, and Stephanie Rennane, Military Compensation and Food Insecurity: Analysis in Support of the Fourteenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2025. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2923-1.html. Also available in print form.
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This research was sponsored by the 14th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation and conducted within the Personnel, Readiness, and Health Program of the RAND National Security Research Division (NSRD).

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