Who are considered cash paying customers in this context?

In the context of military services, cash paying customers typically refers to individuals or groups who are responsible for directly handling monetary transactions in a service setting. This includes individuals who are not in a position where their services are fully covered by the military or government means.

BAS, which stands for Basic Allowance for Subsistence, is provided to military members to help cover the cost of meals, making these individuals financially responsible for their food purchases, thus qualifying them as cash paying customers. Civilians, who are not military personnel, also fall into this category since they pay for services directly without any military subsidization. Officers, as members of the military, also utilize these services but often at costs that are not fully subsidized.

Choosing this answer reflects an understanding that cash paying customers include a mix of both military personnel (who may still have financial responsibilities for certain services) and civilians who operate outside the military's funding structure.