The 100-Hour Work Week: Understanding Military Family Food Insecurity

By Tony Grayson Tech Executive (ex-SVP Oracle, AWS, Meta) & Former Nuclear Submarine Commander

Despite serving their country, many junior enlisted families face food insecurity, relying on commissaries and assistance programs like SNAP to make ends meet.

I want you to consider a job offer.

The position requires you to work 100-hour weeks. Sometimes more. You'll be away from your family for 6-9 months at a time. No weekends home, no quick visits when your kids are sick, or your spouse needs you.

The pay? Well below minimum wage when you do the math. Your family? They might qualify for SNAP benefits (food stamps) while you're gone.

This isn't just a hypothetical scenario; it is the root cause of military family food insecurity, a growing crisis affecting those who serve our country.

Would you take that job? Most of us wouldn't even finish reading the job description. Yet hundreds of thousands of Americans are living this reality right now.

The Math: What Causes Military Family Food Insecurity?

Let's be honest about the financial reality. A junior enlisted service member—the backbone of our military—earns roughly $25,000 a year in base pay.

Now, factor in the actual hours worked:

• Underway on a ship or submarine: Operational realities often demand 18+ hour workdays filled with drills, maintenance, and study.

• Deployed to a combat zone: You are on 24/7 alert status.

• Field exercises: Days blend into nights, weeks into months.

When you calculate the true hourly rate against these hours, it falls well below federal minimum wage. This pay gap is the primary driver of military family food insecurity, forcing spouses to stretch a limited budget just to put dinner on the table.

The Hidden Struggle: Unemployment and the "Spouse Tax"

It is not just about low base pay; it is about household income. Recent data confirms that one in five military families experiences food insecurity, a rate that rises to one in four for active duty families.

Two main factors exacerbate this:

1. Military Spouse Unemployment: Spouses face an unemployment rate of over 21% (nearly five times the national average) due to frequent moves and licensure hurdles.

2. Solo Parenting: Managing household emergencies alone prevents many spouses from holding steady jobs.

Watch: The Reality of Service

If you have a hard time believing that full-time service members are queuing up at food banks, you are not alone. Watch this report to see what "service" looks like for thousands of military families right now.

CBS reports on the growing number of active duty military families turning to food banks to survive.

Leadership Lesson: Team Over Self

Here's what makes military service different from any corporate job description: it's not a transaction. It's a selfless commitment rooted in values. In the military, I learned that some things matter more than personal gain:

• Mission over comfort.

• Team over self.

• Service over security.

This is distinct from the popular corporate idea of "servant leadership." As I’ve written before, Contextual Intelligence matters more than generic leadership advice because sometimes the mission requires decisions that don't fit a comfortable narrative.

A Note for Veterans in Transition

Sometimes, we stray from the virtues that made us join the military when we enter civilian jobs. Transition is difficult, and the fear of the unknown can be paralyzing.

If you are struggling with that shift, read my thoughts on The Math on Regret. Be honest with yourself and get back to center. The workforce needs your true north.

Solutions: The Military Food Security Act of 2025

The stories of struggle aren't isolated incidents; they are systemic failures. However, there is a path forward.

Legislation like the Military Food Security Act of 2025 is critical. It seeks to exclude the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from income calculations for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA). Currently, this bureaucratic technicality disqualifies many struggling military families from the very safety net their taxes pay for.

The Business Case for Resilience

This Veterans Day, we owe veterans more than a day of remembrance. But for business leaders, I am asking for something else: Recognition of value.

If a candidate told you they successfully managed multi-million dollar assets while earning $4 an hour, working 100-hour weeks, and worrying about their next meal, you wouldn't just pity them. You would realize they possess a level of grit, resilience, and operational focus that cannot be taught in business school.

Don't just help them because it's charity. Hire them because it's smart business.

• Hire Military Spouses: Visit Hiring Our Heroes to find talent that is resilient and adaptable.

• Support Policy Change: Advocate for the Military Food Security Act and the No Veteran Should Go Hungry Act.

• Donate to the Frontline: Support Feeding America and Blue Star Families which run specific programs to combat military family food insecurity.

The Question Remains

So I'll ask again: Would you work 100-hour weeks for less than minimum wage, away from everyone you love, for months at a time?

Veterans did. Many are still doing it right now, today.

That's worth more than a single day of remembrance. That's worth our lasting commitment to ensure their sacrifice wasn't in vain.

To all who served and are serving: Thank you. Your commitment to team over self sets an example we should all aspire to follow.

FAQ:

What is Military Family Food Insecurity?

Military family food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods for households with an active service member or veteran. Studies indicate that one in five military families—and as high as one in four active duty families—experience this struggle, meaning they lack consistent access to the food they need to thrive.

Why is Military Pay Equivalent to Less Than Minimum Wage?

The comparison highlights the pay gap created by the mandatory hours of service. A junior enlisted service member's base pay, when divided by the actual 100+ hour workweeks required during deployments or operational periods, often results in an effective hourly rate that falls below the federal minimum wage.

What is the biggest financial barrier for military families?

The primary financial barrier is the combination of low base pay and the high rate of military spouse unemployment (over 21%—nearly five times the national average). Frequent relocations (PCS moves) and state-specific occupational licensing challenges make it extremely difficult for spouses to maintain stable, career-level employment.

How does the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) affect food assistance?

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is the stipend paid to service members who live off-base. Under current federal guidelines, the BAH is counted as income when determining eligibility for federal programs like SNAP (food stamps). This bureaucratic technicality often disqualifies struggling military families, despite their low actual take-home pay, preventing them from accessing crucial food assistance.

What does the Military Food Security Act of 2025 propose?

The Military Food Security Act of 2025 seeks to alleviate the BAH barrier. It proposes to exclude the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from income calculations for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA). This change would allow more low-income, junior enlisted families to qualify for the BNA and other essential food and financial support programs.

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Tony Grayson is a recognized Top 10 Data Center Influencer, a successful entrepreneur, and the President & General Manager of Northstar Enterprise + Defense.

A former U.S. Navy Submarine Commander and recipient of the prestigious VADM Stockdale Award, Tony is a leading authority on the convergence of nuclear energy, AI infrastructure, and national defense. His career is defined by building at scale: he led global infrastructure strategy as a Senior Vice President for AWS, Meta, and Oracle before founding and selling a top-10 modular data center company.

Today, he leads strategy and execution for critical defense programs and AI infrastructure, building AI factories and cloud regions that survive contact with reality.