Why You Don’t Believe the Dems or the Media

Segment #815

Let’s call this what it is: a fraudulent, hypocritical attack. The Democratic party and their media allies are trying to rewrite history, pretending they care about spending while attacking the very people they neglected for years. They spent recklessly when it suited them, but now they want to pick fights over the basic needs of our soldiers? It’s a cowardly, partisan move, and it proves exactly where their priorities lie. They aren't interested in a budget; they are interested in undermining the mission and maintaining power regardless of the damage to the country and its citizens.

The tradition of serving steak and lobster (often called "Surf and Turf") to U.S. troops is a mixture of formal logistics, morale-boosting efforts, and dark military folklore. While there is no official "Steak and Lobster" policy, its presence has become a legendary signal across all branches.

The Symbolic Meaning

In military culture, steak and lobster is rarely just a meal. It is widely known as the "Deployment Meal" or the "Last Good Meal."

 * The Folklore: There is a long-standing belief that if steak and lobster appear in the dining facility (DFAC) or the ship's galley, "something big is coming." This usually implies an imminent deployment, a high-risk mission, or the extension of a current tour.

 * The Reality: While often tied to deployments, these meals are more frequently used as standard morale boosters for holidays (like Thanksgiving or Christmas), the service branch's birthday, or to celebrate the end of a long, difficult mission cycle.

History and Evolution

World War II Foundations: While lobster wasn't a standard ration, the idea of a "special" meal before a mission began here. Pilots were often given steak and eggs before high-risk missions because it was high in protein and "low residue" (less likely to cause bathroom issues during long flights).

 1970s & 80s – Naval Tradition: The tradition is perhaps strongest in the Navy. Submariners and sailors on long deployments began receiving "Surf and Turf" as a way to combat the psychological toll of being at sea for months. It was often served on "Friday Steak Night" to break the monotony of ship life.

 The Global Logistics (2000s–Present): During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the practice became more visible to the public. For example, in 2009, reports showed that Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan served lobster tails and Alaskan king crab legs once a week to thousands of troops to maintain psychological resilience.

 Modern Day: In 2025 and 2026, social media videos of soldiers eating lobster and steak went viral, reigniting the "last meal" myths during periods of geopolitical tension.

Economic Impact

The military spends significant amounts on these "high-end" rations to ensure troops feel a connection to home.

Recent Spending: In late 2025 and early 2026, reports indicated the Department of War spent over $6.9 million on lobster and $15 million on ribeye steaks in a single month.

 The "Budget Burn": Smaller units sometimes serve steak and lobster at the end of a fiscal period to use up their remaining food budget, ensuring they receive the same amount of funding the following year.

Why it's Served

Holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. |

Birthdays - The Army (June 14), Marine Corps (Nov 10), etc. |

Morale - Mid-deployment "slump" or after a difficult mission. |

Folklore - Pre-deployment or "bad news" signal. |