I am currently attending culinary school. We often get e-mails from an army recruiter, with pretty vague statements abouts paying off our (extremely expensive) tuition by joining the military.
But... would it be worth my time to join and be a CHEF? I don't know anyone that's gone into the military and just been a chef... I don't want to end up being the burger girl at the chow hall with a $50,000 culinary degree.
I've toyed with the idea of joining for a long time... both of my grandfathers, my dad, his 3 brothers and 2 sisters, and my mom's brother were all in the military (all 4 branches) so I'm not opposed to the idea at all. I grew up a military brat.
If anyone has any experience with anything like this, I'd love to see your answers! Thanks in advance!
2007-09-01 19:26:16 · 10 answers · asked by Chef J 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It's not only about money for me, though. The military has the best benefits I've ever seen. My dad (retired after 20 years) was in the hospital for over a year and his medical bills were over 3/4 of a MILLION and my parents didn't have to pay anything more than their usual payment.
2007-09-01 20:33:06 · update #1
Wow with your culinary degree the Navy would definitely use you.
The Navy has the best program (equal, but different) from the Coast Guard (CG). Food is really important for them, because, basically, food is a high morale booster for the crews member on ship that set sail over six months ago.
Of all the branch of services, the Navy are the only chefs for the White House. So top chefs, get to get stationed and cook at the White House Mess for the President of the United States. (In addition, Navy chefs are the most prestigious of all the branches.)
As for the CG, top graduates of training school, receives two weeks of training at a prestigious culinary arts school, which could be applied toward a certified executive chef credentials.
Just FYI...Just a couple of years ago, CG won a gold medal in the Annual Military Culinary Competition. (That was the first time the CG participated in the competition.)
Depending on your degree and which branch of service, you could be a commissioned officer (and not be the burger flipping girl). As an officer, you'd make the menus and manage the team both on the floor and in the kitchen, possibly the other scenes as well, like the logistics, health, and other aspects of the food service industry.
2007-09-01 23:36:48 · answer #1 · answered by bhadams1 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hey Burger Girl, Look its like this they are going to give some choice duty over some one who was paid there dues and have experience in the Army, You going have pay your dues just like everyone else does now about the other services I was in the Navy and I did 20yrs so there you would not have to worry about cooking in the Field but you still have to pay your dues and Yea you would have to be a BURGER Girl some times but there are lots of good opportunities for you. Once you prove your self and get some rank you can get some pretty choice duty stations as Culinary Specialist but 1st you have to have a open mind so if this is not something that you are truly serious about doing then please do not waste the recruiters time and most important YOUR time.
2007-09-02 08:42:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a 92g a Food Service Specialist.. I will say this it wasnt an MOS I really wanted , but my husband and Recruiter felt it was something I already knew how to do .. cook.. but let the truth be known once I got to AIT and we began classes and listening to others that were in my class ,I knew being a cook was NOT for me. These kids have a passion for cooking and wanting to be a Chief yes, you can conti nue with other training in this field and compete with other cooks from all over the become the best of the best. Cooks work very long hrs , and really get no respect ,my suggestion to you is to continue going to look up duties of a 92g on goarmy.com, military.com and then speak to an actual cook.
Cooking for the Army is done by the Army's way . I have since changed my MOS into something I should have picked the first time around.... Please dont get me wrong I love to cook , but I didnt like Cooking for the Army.. yes when I went in they gave a 20,000.00 Bouns but I wanted a job I would be happy with , money comes and goes happiness is what I really wanted. Good Luck to you as I am an Armywife (over 10 yrs), My dad was in the AirForce for over 23 yrs , I am a ANG soldier going Active duty. Good luck!
2007-09-02 09:06:46 · answer #3 · answered by Justice35 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow, had no idea how much a culinary degree would set you back. Yeah, I don't blame you for thinking the burger girl thing, but, how about becoming a personal chef for officers or THE highest officials?
Could do Army, but the Navy and Air Force would be my choice if I had a skill like yours. Good luck, all recruiters keep things vague enough, but hit a couple of keyspots to whet your whistle.
2007-09-02 02:36:16 · answer #4 · answered by Yankee Micmac 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If I were you, I would not join the military with an education like yours. I believe you can get a better job that pays more aboutsid e of the military.
2007-09-02 03:25:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree with a_wood80. You don't need education in culinary arts to be a chef, and you won't be a chef even, you will be a cook. It will hardly be worth it unless you pursue a different MOS.
2007-09-02 02:51:13 · answer #6 · answered by St. Bastard 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You wouldn't be a chef by a long shot. You would be a cook, and they're phasing those out. If you choose to join the Army, I strongly suggest you consider a different MOS.
2007-09-02 02:37:29 · answer #7 · answered by DOOM 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
No matter what your education is if you join the mess manage specialist school you will sling eggs egs for about 400 per week in the military. They will treat you like dirt.
2007-09-02 02:36:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SERVICES FOR REAL CHEFING...NOT MANY BUT MORE THAN ONE MIGHT THINK...MY ADVICE---DON'T TALK TO RECRUITERS....VISIT A BASE NEAR YOU AND TALK TO THE MILITARY FOOD SPECIALISTS DIRECTLY...THEY WILL GIVE YOU THE BEST INFO. CAN TELL YOU THIS--IT CAN BE A GREAT EXPERIENCE....(PS THERE IS ALSO THE COAST GUARD)
2007-09-02 03:04:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Does the military actually have chefs anymore? I thought the Bush Crime family made the Pentagon contract all of that out to private contracters....
2007-09-02 02:35:14 · answer #10 · answered by sheik_sebir 4 · 5⤊ 4⤋