Courtesy Photo | FORT BRAGG, N.C.--Sgt. Marcus Culver (left), and Spc. Heather E. Krigbaum, both food...... read more read more
By Capt. Sonise Lumbaca, 1st COSCOM PAO
Each year members of the Army's food service community take the skills and experience that they have developed over the years and put it to the test through a variety of Army competitions.
One competition, in particular, that many units strive to achieve the ultimate title of is the Philip A. Connelly Awards for Excellence in Army Food Service.
The 1st Corps Support Command, a combat service support unit who had taken many titles in the past, continued with their winning streak after it was announced Mar. 14 that they had won in both categories they competed in.
The Philip A. Connelly competition is competition for food service specialists to participate in. The objective of the competition is to: improve the professionalism of food service personnel; provide recognition for excellence in preparation and serving food in dining facilities and field kitchens; and provide added incentive to competitive programs of installation and major Army commands by adding a higher level of competition and appropriate recognition.
The 1st COSCOM competed in two of the five categories the competition offers: active duty large garrison dining facility (which offers food service to 401 or more patrons), held Feb. 22, and field kitchen service category, held Mar. 8. Field kitchen service is an operation that allows food service specialist to provide food service to Soldiers while operating in an organic environment that includes areas that do not have hard buildings in place.
A conglomerate of 1st COSCOM Soldiers operated the BlackJack dining facility, while Soldiers of the 8th Ordnance Company, 1st Provisional Battalion, 507th Corps Support Group specifically operated the field kitchen with COSCOM G4 providing oversight and guidance during the competition.
In competing, this year was different and a little difficult for the 1st COSCOM because they had to not only work with a staff where nearly 50 percent of the personnel were new, but also continue to conduct operations while the command underwent transformation.
The 1st COSCOM is currently transforming into a theater sustainment command in order to get in line with the Army transformation to a modular force. This transformation, coupled with daily operation and competition prep seemed "a bridge too far".
Warrant Officer Henry E. McNeily, the new command food service tech for the 1st COSCOM understood the obstacles ahead of his teams and was ready to take them on.
"It's a lot of hard work and the days are currently jammed pack between working on the transformation of the unit and participating in the competition," McNeily said. "But, I love the fact that I am always kept busy."
With the 1st COSCOM's transformation into the 1st Theater Sustainment Command and the Connelly competition occurring simultaneously, McNeily had to hit the ground running when he took over the position in January.
As the command food service tech, which is operated at the brigade level or higher, the position is normally held by a senior warrant officer and involves advising the command on food service matters.
"Normally a Soldier with my rank wouldn't be placed in this position, so I am honored and feel blessed," McNeily said. "I have nothing but support from the Soldiers around me."
"This is a good experience for a new chief," said Harry Ruckel, competition judge and food program manager for the Fort Bragg Installation Food Management Office. "He is stepping into a winning team."
Since the Connelly competition and transformation was upon them, members of the 1st COSCOM food service staff had planned and prepped for the competition since November after winning the Installation Thanksgiving Culinary Competition.
SFC Anthony W. Morris, dining facility manager for the 1st COSCOM, and Sgt. 1st Class Lena Williams, food operations sergeant for the 8th Ord. Co., orchestrated and ensured that the competition ran smoothly for their units.
After returning from Iraq in June 2005, Morris volunteered for the dining facility position. Although new to the position, Morris has been in the COSCOM for nearly four years.
"This is my first Connelly competition at this level with the unit, but it isn't my first," Morris said.
Morris has competed in three Connelly competition while serving with the COSCOM and more than 12 others during his Army career.
Morris discovered that the key to wining the food service competitions is teamwork.
"Taking Soldiers" knowledge, knowing how to work well with them and understanding them; everyone has different personalities and experiences," Morris said. "Knowing how to manage all of them and knowing where they are coming from is the key that makes all the difference."
Pvt. Daniel L. McMenomy, food service specialist for the 1st COSCOM, is excited to be a part of the winning team and was ready to meet the challenge.
"This was the first (competition) for me, so this is kind of a big deal for me," McMenomy said. "There are big shoes to fill and so much pressure especially since the unit is (transforming), but I think that I am up for the challenge."
McMenomy, arrived to COSCOM about six months ago after attending the Advances Individual Training at Fort Lee, Va.
McMenomy said that since his arrival to the 1st COSCOM, everyone has treated him as a member of the team.
"One thing that I personally look at [in judging] is how the cooks work as a team, because that is what's going to take them to the next level," said Willie Meeks, competition judge and assistant food program manager for the Installation Food Management Office here.
This was the first time that the COSCOM has won both field and garrison competitions simultaneously. The 1st COSCOM competed against members of the 82nd Airborne Division and other Corps separate brigades. In winning the installation level Philip A. Connelly food service competition, the 1st COSCOM now has the opportunity to compete at Forces Command and eventually Department of the Army level.
| Date Taken: | 03.15.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.15.2006 15:18 |
| Story ID: | 5744 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 180 |
| Downloads: | 25 |
This work, COSCOM teams wins installation level field and garrison Connelly, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
