AIR FORCE SERVICES ESSENTIAL STATION MESSING (ESM)

What is the Air Force Food Service Essential Station Messing (ESM)?  Department of Defense Food Service Program (DFSP), states Enlisted Service members are entitled to a ration for each day on active duty, except when they are entitled to a basic allowance for subsistence (BAS) or per diem. A military member receiving rations in lieu of BAS is considered assigned to ESM.  Department of Defense Food Service Program (DFSP) and AF Food & Beverage (F&B), a “ration” is the quantity of nutritionally adequate food required to subsist one person for one day (a ration equates to 3 meals per day).  ESM customers are authorized 3 meals per day at the Dining Facility (DFAC) or Campus Dining; a meal is considered a reasonable amount of food that can typically be consumed in one sitting/meal (sit down or grab-n-go).  Airmen may eat a meal in any designated activity within the Food program to include Pecos Trail Dining Facility (DFAC) and High Plains Café, The Lift at the SE Side Kiosk, Flight Kitchen as well as designated NAF Food & Beverage activities such as the Landing Zone, Tailgate Sports Lounge, Cannon Lanes Snack Bar and Chip Shot Dining Room located at Whispering Winds Golf Course.