FOOD INSECURITY IN THE AIR FORCE

Abstract

The problem of food insecurity among Air Force service members and their families is the main topic of this thesis. Food insecurity among U.S. veterans and military families is a national security concern: it multiplies stress on active-duty personnel, diminishes well-being among service members and their children and may hinder recruitment for the armed services. Additionally, food insecurity increases risk of health conditions that may decrease military readiness. The goal is to determine who is most at risk, determine whether food insecurity is a significant problem in the Air Force, and if additional entitlements can be provided to reduce those at risk. This study uses data from the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC), the Food Security Supplement (FSS), the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), annual data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Current Population Survey, as well as information from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). The study’s findings show that being married, having a college degree, and age all decrease the likelihood of being food insecure, while being divorced, increasing the number of people in the household, and being a military family are related to a lower chance of being food insecure. The thesis offers suggestions for further research and policy recommendations to address the issue of food insecurity in the Air Force.