Photo By Elizabeth Phillips | A training instructor speaks to Soldiers about field feeding equipment, supplies, and...... read more read more
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San Luis Obispo, Calif. – As the coastal fog slowly lifted, morning sunshine rays broke through. A welcome sight to the mass of Soldiers gathered outside of Camp San Luis Obispo’s Pearley Theatre, on October 14, 2023.
This was the inaugural statewide muster of the California Army National Guards’ food occupation specialty Soldiers. The MOS, 92G, is officially known as culinary specialists but commonly known as Army cooks.
The statewide muster was part of a transition from unit-based to rapid response field feeding teams.
Cal Guard's cooks are among the first to make the transition across the National Guard.
“California is one of the first states to duplicate what the active component is already doing,” said 1st Sgt. Maurice Smith, 5002nd Field Feeding Company, Quartermaster Company.
Smith explained the reorganization copies the active component with large units, broken into roughly 15-person, rapid response teams to include support staff such as mechanics, fuelers, truck drivers, supply sergeants, and administrative personnel. The new company will fall under the 224th Sustainment Brigade.
Smith explained feeding the force will require the use of more Modern Mobile Kitchen Trailers, or MKTs, used frequently by active-duty Soldiers.
“Field Feeding Equipment requires periodic and refresher training by 92Gs,” said FFC's Chief Warrant Officer 2, Monica Giron. "Add operator and maintainer training such as today, and the FFC succeeds in raising their equipment readiness levels."
MKTs are the primary field feeding platform for this new company, Giron explained. "They can support up to 700 personnel at one site or can split the field feeding team to support 300. This is both more tactical in nature and aligns with the future of the battlefield," she said.
Units across the state that played vital roles in civil support missions during the COVID pandemic are already requesting this new rapid response capability.
"The 49th Military Police, 100th Troop Command and the 115th Regional Support Group are training for longer periods, presenting a demand for feeding the troops in the field,” said FFC's Company Commander, 1st Lt. William Cardona.
"I hope their experiences this weekend will open our Soldiers' eyes to how important cooks are to readiness," said Cardona.
While Cardona manages the company, he is supported by platoon sergeants who lead North, South and Central California platoons, which are strategically based across the state. Previously, cooks were embedded in various-sized units. Some had help with kitchen duties while others were spread thin to complete MOS and Army training.
“This new company is a new challenge, offering growth and coaching opportunities to those younger generation Soldiers coming into the 5002nd,” said Staff Sgt. Cesar Cisneros, the Southern Field Feeding Platoon's team leader.
“This new structure will allow cooks to cycle through half shifts to prevent burnout, provide training flexibility and offer much needed hot chow for those working on a variety of missions like fires, floods, or civil unrest," said Smith. "Even Soldiers on annual training or extended drill weekends will be happy to have a hot meal.”
“I would say no matter what job you’re doing in the Guard, whether you’re a cook, MP, or cyber security; you're not just that job; you know you are part of a larger family,” said Cisneros.
Hot food also provides a huge morale boost and builds comradery said 2nd Lt. Jenna Fernandez, southern platoon leader.
"It’s super important to be properly nourished with enough energy to do what the Army asks, which is a lot, depending on the mission, said Fernandez.”
"Good food brings people together and builds morale. Hot food allows people to enjoy eating, and to relax and rest while sharing a meal together. Think about how it is to have a family dinner, or dinner with friends. This is what can allow Soldiers to stay connected."
“Being a cook, you’re a part of something more and being a cook for us, we get to interact with everyone," said Cisneros.
"We get to feed them, and you know, ultimately some warm food with a smile from them is totally worth it. And in the end the Army doesn’t march on an empty stomach."
| Date Taken: | 10.14.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2023 12:39 |
| Story ID: | 459907 |
| Location: | SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 137 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Cooks Unite to Feed the Force, by MSG Salli Sablan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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