For 40 odd years I have had to pay for the 'privilege' of spending nights/weeks away from my home base and family. On the odd occasion I spent a longer time away in some far flung foreign clime (Falklands etc) then I was lucky enough to receive some additional allowances etc. Vary rarely, if ever, was I in pocket except when single and on detachment with an imprest to cover all expenses.
I am now a civilian contractor doing exactly the same job (and at the same desk) as my last tour. Yes, I get paid less - no x factor - and there is no such thing as home to duty, but the company at least recognises that when I go away overnight (or longer) on landaways etc then some recompense is due to cover additional expenses, such as eating!