Pub. L. 89-687, tit. VI, sec. 609

Sec. 609. No appropriation contained in this Act shall be available for expenses of operation of messes (other than organized messes the operating expenses of which are financed principally from nonappropriated funds) at which meals are sold to officers or civilians except under regulations approved by the Secretary of Defense, which shall (except under unusual or extraordinary circumstances) establish rates for such meals sufficient to provide reimbursement of operating expenses and food costs to the appropriations concerned: Provided, That officers and civilians in a travel status receiving a per diem allowance in lieu of subsistence shall be charged at the rate of not less than $2.50 per day: Provided further, That for the purposes of this section payments for meals at the rates established hereunder may be made in cash or by deduction from the pay of civilian employees: Provided further, That members of organized nonprofit youth groups sponsored at either the national or local level, when extended the privilege of visiting a military installation and permitted to eat in the general mess by the commanding officer of the installation, shall pay the commuted ration cost of such meal or meals.