© Gerald Givens Jr, USAF Retired.Pictures of food shared from on board the USS "Abraham Lincoln" are seen. |
Gerald D. Givens Jr. is a retired member of the U.S. Air Force and the founder and CEO of Raleigh Boots On The Ground, a nonprofit that supports military families. Givens has been vocal about his disapproval of President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In the past week, he received the pictures from a friend of his, whose son is currently serving on board the ship in the Middle East.
"[My friend] told me her son has lost 17 pounds," Givens told Newsweek. "Her husband, also a close friend and a retired veteran, shared that a care package they sent in December still has not arrived."
The serving officer sent multiple photographs of food trays containing what appear to be minimal portions of food, including a single meat patty, a small serving of shredded meat, and sparse side items.
"My immediate reaction was shock. Food service and mail are essential to combat support. Both directly impact morale," Givens said. At the start of his career in the Air Force, he was himself a Food Service Specialist. "My first deployment was in the middle of the desert with nothing but a runway, sand, and sun. Within days, we built a functioning tent city with water, power, and a feeding operation. I know the full progression...The meals in those photos are below standard. Period," he added.
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