CS - Culinary Specialist

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Note: The Navy officially changed the name of "Mess Management Specialists" (MS) to "Culinary Specialist" (CS) in Jan 2004.

General Info:

Culinary specialists are cooks, bakers, dining area and living quarters managers in the Navy. It is commonly accepted that the "mess decks," or dining areas, aboard ship are the "heart of the ship," and the role they play in the morale of the ship is very important. CSs are needed on every ship in the Navy and at every shore base. Navy mess management specialists provide food services for admirals and senior government executives and run the White House Mess for the president of the United States.

What They Do:The duties performed by CSs include: preparing menus and ordering the quantities and types of food items to prepare the food; operating kitchen and dining facilities; keeping records for food supplies and financial budgets; serving as flight attendant aircrewmen; serving as personal food service specialists on admirals' staffs and for the commanding officer aboard ship or at shore bases; operating and managing living quarters aboard ship and at shore based motel/hotel type quarters.

Detailed List of Required Duties

ASVAB Score:

VE+AR=88

Enlistees are taught the fundamentals of this rating through on-the-job training or formal Navy


Great Lakes, IL -- 4 weeks

Food preparation, nutrition, dining service Group instruction and practical application

After "A" school, culinary specialists may be assigned to all types of ships and small craft and to shore facilities in the United States and overseas. During a 20-year period in the Navy, CSs spend about 60 percent of their time assigned to fleet units and 40 percent to shore stations.

Working Environment:

Culinary specialists work in kitchens, dining areas, living quarters and storerooms where food supplies are kept. The work is primarily physical and involves working as part of a team.

[Rhonda]

My daughter wanted to be a CS, because culinary arts are her passion. The guy who sat down with her told her that her ASVAB scores were awesome, and actually told her that she would not be doing any real cooking in the Navy if she took this job, she would actually only be preparing microwave stuff, or one thing at a time, as others would be preparing things as well, so it would seem more like McDonalds than actually a good working kitchen. So, they asked her about being a MA, which is a Master at Arms, and when she said "that might be okay", they placed her in that job. As parents of her, we are very disheartened by this. Can anyone tell me what it is like to be a CS when you first start out, and is it really a bad job???? How do others with children that are CS's actually feel about this job? Please help out, she does not leave until August 24, 2009, and can she change her job?

[Becky L]

jessi
great to hear Kyle is doing so well. cooking in the Ward Room is quite an honor! I'm sure you are missing him terribly have a (((hug)))!!!
take care
Becky

[Becky L]

My daughter was a CS also. (actually on the same ship as jessiloo's husband) she just signed off the ship this week since her time active is done. unlike him though, Kas got the duty of cleaning quarters. if you read the job discription this is actually listed as a CS "job". before being assigned to this she was dissapointed that most of the cooking is "heat and serve". so I guess it just depends on where and what they need them for when they are stationed. her ship had a fully staffed kitchen when she arrived.
Becky
PNM of Kas

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

That's fun information - thanks for sharing.

[jesse'smom]

My son is a CS and he told me that once on the ship he will be working 7 days a week with only four hours of sleep each night. Does anyone know if that is true or has someone been giving him the business.

He is new there.

[jesse'smom]

Thanks for the response to my question. one other question...does your husband finds that when they are underway he is working all meals with no break? I would assume there would be some sort of shift work.