92G Food Service Specialist - Join the Team!

The Army National Guard is a vital component of the United States Armed Forces, providing critical support both domestically and abroad while allowing its members to serve part-time. This unique military organization offers individuals the opportunity to balance a civilian career or education with military service. It is a respected institution focused on teamwork, discipline, and dedication to protecting the nation. The Army National Guard plays an instrumental role in national security and emergency response, providing assistance in times of natural disasters, homeland defense, and overseas missions. Within this respected establishment, the Food Service Specialist role is essential in sustaining the operational readiness of the Guard’s soldiers. This position is responsible for the preparation and delivery of nutritious meals to fellow soldiers, ensuring they have the energy needed to perform demanding physical and strategic tasks. Food Service Specialists are trained to manage both the dietary and nutritional needs of soldiers in a variety of settings, from fixed dining facilities to mobile field kitchens. This role requires not just culinary skills but also logistical planning, food safety knowledge, and the ability to adapt to different environments and group sizes, feeding anywhere from 25 to 2,500 personnel. As a Food Service Specialist, you will learn how to prepare a broad range of foods using methods such as baking, frying, braising, boiling, simmering, steaming, and sautéing according to established Army recipes. Beyond food preparation, this role requires the operation, maintenance, and sanitation of kitchen equipment, both in field and garrison environments. Preventive maintenance of all associated kitchen equipment ensures smooth operation and the continued availability of nutritious meals. Training for this position consists of 10 weeks of Basic Training and nine weeks of Advanced Individual Training, where you’ll acquire essential Soldiering fundamentals alongside specialized culinary and food service techniques. The comprehensive instruction takes place partly in classrooms and partly in field environments, providing both theory and hands-on experience. This dual approach prepares you not only for military service but also equips you with transferable skills for civilian culinary careers. Food Service Specialists gain expertise in managing standard and dietetic menus, ordering food and supplies, and the correct storage of meats, poultry, and other perishables, ensuring high standards of food safety and quality are maintained. Individuals with a background or interest in cooking, home economics, health, mathematics, accounting, or chemistry may find this role particularly rewarding. The skills developed can lead to various civilian career pathways such as cook, chef, meat cutter, butcher, or baker. Aside from professional development, the Army National Guard offers Food Service Specialists numerous financial and personal benefits. These include paid training while earning a regular paycheck, federal and state tuition assistance to support further education, and benefits such as a retirement plan designed for part-time service members. Life insurance coverage, a 401(k)-type savings plan, student loan repayment programs, health care benefits, VA home loan eligibility, and bonus opportunities further enhance the attractiveness of this career choice. Moreover, the pay typically ranges between $200 and $250 per drill weekend for non-prior service candidates, offering competitive compensation for part-time military service. This career opportunity is ideal for individuals ready to commit to military enlistment in the Army National Guard and capable of meeting the age, education, physical, legal, and citizenship requirements. It allows you to serve your country while gaining valuable skills, achieving financial benefits, and preparing for future career advancement both within and outside the military. If you are motivated by teamwork, discipline, and the desire to contribute to national defense through a vital support role, becoming a Food Service Specialist with the Army National Guard offers a rewarding and dynamic path.

• Military enlistment in the Army National Guard
• Must be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate
• Must be between the ages of 17 and 35
• Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards
• Must meet citizenship requirements