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More than a million meals are prepared every day in Army kitchens. As an important member of the food service team, the Food Service Specialist prepares all types of food according to standard and dietetic recipes, as well as ordering and inspecting food supplies and preparing meats for cooking. The Food Service Specialist is primarily responsible for the preparation and service of food in field or garrison food service operations. Some of your duties as a Food Service Specialist may include:
Bakes, fries, braises, boils, simmers, steams and Sauté as prescribed by Army recipes
Prepare serving lines, garnish food items, and apply food protection and sanitation measures in field and garrison
environments. Receive and store subsistence items, Perform general housekeeping duties, Operate, maintain, and clean
field kitchen equipment, Erect, strike, and store field kitchens, Perform preventive maintenance on garrison and field
kitchen equipment, Create Class I requirements using the Army Food Service Management Information System, Ensure
proper and complete Class I Operational Rations are assembled for distribution from the Subsistence Platoon to supported
Field Feeding Teams
Training
Job training for a Food Service Operations Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you’ll learn basic Soldiering skills, and nine weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice in food preparation. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
Standard and dietetic menus and recipes
Preparation and cooking of various foodstuffs and bakery products
Food and supply ordering
Storage of meats, poultry and other perishable items
Advanced Responsibilities
Advanced level Food Service Operations Specialist provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Food Service Operations Specialists, you may be involved in:
Direct safety, security and fire prevention procedures
Ensure proper procedure and food temperature guidelines are adhered to during food preparation
Perform shift supervision and inspection functions
Provide technical guidance to subordinate Soldiers in garrison and field kitchen operations
Related Civilian Jobs
The skills you learn as a Food Service Specialist will help prepare you for a future with civilian cafes, restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, hospitals, manufacturing plants, schools and other organizations that have their own dining facilities. Depending on which specialty you pursue, you’ll be able to pursue a career as a cook, chef, meat cutter, butcher or baker.
Related Army Positions
Nutrition Care Specialist (68M)
Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist (68R)