Two U.S. senators introduced bipartisan legislation this week to launch a pilot program that would give service members monthly coupons to spend at on‑base commissaries, a step they say will encourage healthier eating and help curb rising obesity rates that officials say threaten military readiness.
The Commissary Healthy Options and Servicemember Wellness (CHOW) Act, sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R‑Kan.) and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D‑Ga.), would require the Department of War to run a trial at two military installations in which personnel receive a monthly credit for use at base grocery stores. The credits could not be used to buy alcohol or tobacco, and the department would be directed to report on how the program affects servicemembers’ access to nutritious food.
Marshall, an Army veteran and physician, and Warnock argued the measure is intended to steer troops away from fast food and delivery services and toward groceries and ready‑to‑eat meals that can be consumed when dining facilities are closed. Marshall cited recent data he and others have highlighted showing about 20% of servicemembers are obese and roughly 70% are overweight, factors he said contribute to separations when troops cannot meet physical fitness standards.
"Healthy troops are ready troops," Marshall said, adding that commissaries typically offer healthy choices and that targeted incentives could reinforce better eating habits. Warnock said the pilot would give servicemembers "commissary credits to help soldiers put healthy, tasty, and quality meals on the table, so they can stay focused on the hard work of keeping our country safe." The lawmakers said they expect the CHOW Act to be included in the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual legislative vehicle that authorizes military spending.
Supporters of the measure point to operational and cultural factors that have pushed some troops toward processed and convenience foods: dining facilities are sometimes criticized as unappealing, meals may be unavailable outside limited hours, and many service members have turned to fast food and food‑delivery apps as alternatives. The CHOW Act would aim to expand practical options for troops who live in barracks or who work hours that do not coincide with mess hall schedules.
The bill also comes amid broader concern in and outside the Pentagon about fitness and weight. Military leaders have emphasized physical readiness as a priority; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has pledged to address obesity and promote higher fitness standards. Warnock cited a Military.com report that raised questions about food quality and how funds collected from soldiers for food were used, saying the lack of reliable access to nutritious options has been a long‑standing issue.
If enacted and found effective in the pilot phase, Marshall and Warnock said Congress should consider expanding the program nationwide. The CHOW Act requires a formal evaluation from the department, and lawmakers will use that assessment to weigh further action. The bill does not specify an implementation timeline beyond its placement in the coming NDAA.
The proposal follows earlier federal attention to obesity in the armed forces, including initiatives across past administrations to improve nutrition and sustain fitness standards. Lawmakers and defense officials will next consider budget negotiations and legislative scheduling that will determine whether the pilot is authorized and funded as part of the annual defense authorization process.