Photo By Spc. Daisy Zimmer | U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Jin Ong, Nutrition Care Specialist, 349th Combat Support...... read more read more
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif., June 18, 2016—The clock strikes 3:00 a.m. and U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Jin Ong, a 26-year-old resident of Los Angeles and Nutrition Care Specialist with the 349th Combat Support Hospital from Bell, California, emerges from his sleeping area and enters a small kitchen on wheels. He turns on the generators, switches on lights and double-checks every piece of equipment that is essential for keeping the kitchen running during his 20-hour shift.
Ong is the man responsible for organizing each element of the equation that feeds 800-1,100 Soldiers per day at Tactical Assembly Area (TAA) Schoonover during Combat Support Training Exercise 91-16-02, Fort Hunter Liggett, California. As the largest U.S. Army Reserve training exercise, CSTX 91-16-02 provides Soldiers with unique opportunities to sharpen their technical and tactical skills in combat-like conditions.
“He supervises the Soldiers who are kitchen helpers, and makes sure they're assigned to the appropriate works areas to assist the cooks,” said Staff Sgt. Bernice Tesei from Agana, Guam, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of TAA Schoonover culinary staff, 302nd Quartermaster Company.
Ong is also the Soldier in charge of supervising the sanitation center and food safety during his shift. This is not a task to take lightly, as he is responsible for being proactive about Soldiers' health at the most basic level by preventing contamination in the kitchen.
“I keep track of all the cleaning and hygiene procedures,” said Ong. “The equipment needs to be properly cleaned, or else it could grow bacteria that will contaminate the food. If the Soldiers are sick, they can't accomplish the mission.”
This team of Soldiers went through rigorous training to work in a U.S. Army kitchen. After ten weeks of Basic Combat Training where Soldiers learn their basic warrior tasks and combat skills, it takes another seven weeks of school for a Soldier to be qualified as a Nutrition Care Specialist, and nine weeks to be qualified as a Culinary Specialist. Ong has completed both schools and that makes him a valuable asset to the 349th and the team at TAA Schooner.
“It helps me be a better leader, and a better teacher,” said Ong.
Serving as a culinary and nutrition expert in the Army Reserve taught Ong values that molded and influenced his professional development in the civilian world.
“When I enlisted, I was nothing,” said Ong. “I was nobody.”
Ong was born in South Korea before his family moved to the U.S. He was raised in a low-income household where his father always went above and beyond by placing the needs and wants of the family before his own. But, even then, Ong did not earn his high school diploma until enlisting. The
U.S. Army Reserve provided Ong with the opportunity to earn his GED and pursue higher education—a dream that he never thought would be a reality.
“I have had the privilege of attending college after joining the Army Reserve,” said Ong. “I earned my bachelor's degree, and now I am earning my master's degree in management with a concentration in public policy.”
This dedication to furthering his education and being a leader has given Ong additional skills to manage the busy but capable team that operate these kitchens. It is comprised of 20 Soldiers from several different U.S. Army Reserve units who work 20-hour shifts as part of a one day on, one day off work-rest cycle. This collaboration among units and dependence on teamwork has given the Soldiers, including Ong, a chance to work and excel with other Culinary and Nutrition Care Specialists and noncommissioned officers from diverse backgrounds.
“With the different units and cultures working together, you learn about so many people and how they work,” said Tesei. “It's amazing to see Soldiers like Sgt. Ong doing a great job while getting along with everyone and making new friends.”
“I didn't know Sgt. Ong until we started cooking together here at the TAA,” she added. “I have enjoyed working with him these few weeks. He is a great noncommissioned officer.”
After the last Soldier has been served a hot meal, after every dish has been cleaned and stored, and after every appliance has been powered off, Ong unlaces his dust-covered boots and enjoys the simple pleasures of a cold drink, a hot shower and an interesting book.
Sometimes, he said, he thinks back on his accomplishments and everything still to come in his future. Whether it's completing more school, finding a dream job in his civilian life or starting a family, Ong approaches each possibility with unshakable confidence that he credits to the Army.
“I am so much better off now than I was before joining the Army eight years ago,” said Ong. “The Army has taught me so much morally and ethically. My dad taught me about work ethic, but the Army
built upon that even more.”
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2016 00:25 |
| Story ID: | 201860 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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