How are enlisted members receiving the meal portion of per diem authorized to use the dining facility?

The correct understanding of how enlisted members receiving the meal portion of per diem can use the dining facility is that they do so as cash-paying customers. This means that while they are eligible for a meal allowance as part of their per diem, they are not directly entitled to consume meals at the dining facility without paying for them.

This reflects the policy that enlisted personnel who receive this meal portion typically use it to cover their dining expenses, which indicates they can pay out-of-pocket rather than have their meals provided as part of their duty assignment. Therefore, they must effectively manage their per diem to cover these expenses, highlighting the importance of budgeting and financial planning for service members in relation to their meal allowances.

The other options suggest different contexts for using the dining facility that do not align with the per diem policy for enlisted members. The notion of being “authorized personnel” or requiring "prior authorization" would imply additional permissions that are not necessary for cash transactions. Additionally, using the dining facility as a “part of their duty assignment” suggests a direct entitlement rather than a financial responsibility, which is not the case in this context.