What is a surcharge?

A surcharge is best understood as a fee that is implemented to help offset the operation costs of a dining facility, such as the Dining Facility (DFAC) in a military context. This surcharge is typically added to the base meal prices to ensure that the facility can maintain its operations, providing food services to personnel on base. The funds collected from the surcharge help cover expenses related to food preparation, staff wages, facility maintenance, and other operational needs.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe a surcharge. For instance, a tax on all military meals refers to a government tax imposed on meals, which is different from a surcharge that serves a specific operational purpose. A donation for special meals is a voluntary contribution and does not function as an additional fee charged to customers. Similarly, a charge for non-military personnel, while it may occur in some contexts, is not specifically what is meant by a surcharge, which is more broadly focused on supporting operational costs rather than distinguishing between military and non-military users.