Memory Hole: Phat Troops

(Update; originally posted July 13, 2007)

Please note that just outside the bases, Iraqis are starving.

And consider the food prices you are seeing now, Americans; how much more are you paying KBR to feed our troops?

"Soldiers in Iraq pack on pounds; Available fare and stress lead to overeating" by Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times | July 13, 2007

BAGHDAD -- The Army has loaded the menu at the 70 chow halls, run by contractor KBR, with a buffet of fattening fare, from cheesesteaks to tacos and ice cream. Many soldiers gain more than 15 pounds on a deployment, military dietitians say. They are also seeing soldiers return from Iraq with higher cholesterol, mostly due to their eating habits.

You might want to check on that chow, fellas! See: Iraq for Sale

Many of the 400,000 meals served daily at chow halls in Iraq are consumed by soldiers who spend most of their time on base or at desk jobs. Some soldiers load up on high-calorie meat to avoid perceived protein deficiencies. They guzzle sugary sodas, energy drinks, and fruit juice to avoid dehydration when they're better off with water.

A sample meal of fried chicken, two cheese sandwiches, chili, cheesecake, Gatorade, and orange soda racked up 2,395 calories. Soldiers also snack between meals, on care packages full of cookies, candy from the post exchange, or fries, pizza, and Frappuccinos ("liquid sugar" to military dietitians) from fast food purveyors. There are 73 such outlets on US bases in Iraq, according to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, which operates them. They include Burger King, Pizza Hut, and KFC.

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Somebody is making $$$ of this damn occcupation, and it sure as hell ain't me!