CS (Culinary Specialist) Moms

The heart and soul of the Navy-the cook! Let's swap stories and exchange info about our loved ones being a CS in the Navy!
Load Previous Comments
  • Bananamom

    Hello all. My son is running a galley on an FOB in Afghanistan. He was on the RR work as a CS in Cargo before this assignment as an individual augmentee. He liked the cargo work as opposed to the RR galley and he seems happy with the new gig. That being said I'm sure it's pretty monotonous out there. Hope everyone is having a great day.

  • Val-ACD-(ship 12 div 034)

    HI irshluc, 

    My son went to Fort Lee last year for culinary training and his time there was an excellent experience and preparation.   Of course we were spoiled as Fort Lee is only 45 minutes from home.   He learned quite a bit, had wonderful instructors, got to do some community seervice projects with his class and the graduation from there was very special.    He worked hard there, graduated top of his class, went on to sub school, and is now stationed out of Norfolk, VA (less than 2 hours from home).    I know how hard it is to let them go but other than the difficulty of scheduling anything (we still don't know if my son can be in his brother's wedding in a week or if he will be out to sea)  the NAVY and the culinary route has been a great experience.  

  • Val-ACD-(ship 12 div 034)

    Greetings Gina,

    If you would like free housing for NIco's graduation then you are most welcome to stay with us.  It is an easy drive from our house to Fort Lee.  I loved that graduation - especially the slide show they present of the class - it truly shows the comraderie.  We don't have a fancy place but love to show hospitality to travelers.    Feel free to contact me privately if you like.  

  • danagagirl

    welcome to new members.. my son is a CS on a sub, he is presently on his first deployment.. due home in a week or so..hopefully.. Everyone have a safe holiday 

  • Sharon ~ K's Mom

    Welcome to all new moms!! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Our Sailor has been in the rate for a year now, currently deployed.

     

    Johanna, sounds like Zach is busy, I remember the sea trials before the Big 'E' deployed. They were out more than than were in. This deployment is nearing the end, can't wait until we see all those manning the rails as she pulls in. What a moment that will be!

    Diego is doing well, ready to be home as everyone is. We hear from him as often as he can as he works long hours. He is no longer in the galley, he likes doing his job now. He does all the incoming, outgoing, chit requests, ordering for the department. The plus is that he does like it more. Kels will be heading back down to find them the perfect place and have it ready for them when deployment is over. They will still have things to do with the Big 'E' before they actually decomm her. I hear they have celebrations before they decomm a boat. Should be a great time and glad they will be part of this historic part in history.

  • daph

    my daughter is in boot camp in Great Lakes and is not sure where A school is. Does anyone know?

  • Diann CS Mom

    A school is in Ft Lee Virginia
  • snj1959

    My son graduated from CS "A" school today!  Now on to sub school!!

  • Diann CS Mom

    Congrats snj!
  • snj1959

    Thanks for the congrats!!  Questions for the veterans...  Does the CS learn with the other rates on a sub? Does he learn just the galley stuff or other jobs? And I think the last question, (for now) how many in a class?

  • ksjas

    My son graduates CS school in 2 weeks and we are planning to attend.  Does anyone have any info on the graduation?  Place and time?  

  • Sharon ~ K's Mom

    Congratulations snj!! How wonderful, good luck to your Sailor in Sub School! I am not sure what they do on a sub, our Sailor is deployed on the USS Enterprise CVN65. So, I can't help you with any answers to your questions. Sorry.

     

    Kudos to your Sailor, ksjas!! We didn't attend when our Sailor graduated, his wife went as she was closer. It wasn't a long ceremony, but anytime they can have family members attend, it a plus. Enjoy every minute!!

     

    Good News Report!! Our Sailor earned 'Sailor of the Day' as well as his 'Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist' (ESWS) Pin!! He has earned the right to add it to his rate and name - CS3 (SW) then his name. How exciting, we are so proud of him. He has worked so hard for this and he earned it within one year of being on this ship!! He has been in the Navy two years as of 22 September, so I think this is pretty quick! Not sure, but seems so. Happy and proud family on this end!!

     

    Hope all is well with your Sailors and families!!! How blessed we are!

  • Diann CS Mom

    Hi Robin! My son did the same thing, joined DEP before he started his senior year. He had about a 10 wait in Great Lakes before he shipped to A School. That is a good thing because we got to spend the weekend with him and see Chicago. If they go to other places right away, you only have that day after PIR to spend with them and maybe some time at the airport. Hubby and I split the graduations. I went to PIR and he went to A School. Graduation. Her recruiters will keep her busy this year and get used to the weekly meetings and phones calls to recruiters!

    Welcome to the gang!
  • Diann CS Mom

    Days. A school is no limit.
  • MIdgette Ship 2 DIV 951

    Hi everyone. My SR daughter is currently at GL for bootcamp. Her PIR is 11/2.

    Is all CS A school now located in GL. Any idea where they might go after A school, or is it just a toss up as to where they might get.

  • dtarmy06

    Welcome MIdgette - The A school in in Ft Lee, VA... as to were they get to go is totally a toss up.... My son was supposed to go to the USS Donald Cook... then was Swichted at the last min to a Fight Strike Squadron VFA-211i attached to the USS Enterprise, Norfolk,VA.... so it just depends on were she is needed.

  • MIdgette Ship 2 DIV 951

    Thanks for the info. Everything I had heard was different locations. It's kinda confusing. Ft Lee would be closer than GL, but now I wonder about after PIR will we still have the weekend with her or will she go straight to A school. Not sure what I will do if she's on a ship straight off. I have always known it was good possibility, but who knows where she will be. 

  • dtarmy06

    Your welcome MIdgette.... sometimes after BC they have to wait a few days for a class to fill up... my son was in GL after BC for a week. then went to Ft Lee. so you really never know....!!! Its the Navy  way!!! :)

  • MIdgette Ship 2 DIV 951

    Thank You Gina. Any information at this point is appreciated. I haven't received and mail from her yet, but hopefully will soon. Maybe she will be able to call again this weekend for more than 3 minutes. Makes me glad I remembered to send phone cards for her. Looking forward to graduation for PIR and A school. We are in GA, so it's a good drive either way. Hope to be able to go to both. Good luck to all of your families, and congratulations to all the graduates.

  • Cami - Chris' Mum

    Good afternoon all! My son is currently in BC...PIR 10-19-12!! He is doing is CS 'A' school in GL. I didn't know there was also CS 'A' school in VA. I know he will be so excited to get back to cooking again. He has already wrote to me that he misses the his old...LOL! He was a cook at a local restaurant near home. 

  • snj1959

    Chris'sMum... the school is in VA.  My son also had on his orders that the school was in GL but found out while there it was in VA.  He just graduated from CS school.  He was in GL for two weeks after PIR so you may want to stay the weekend with him.  Good luck!

     

  • snj1959

    Gina,

    Your son and mine were friends in CS school.  Mine was with Nico when he bought his car and drove it for him.  I am glad he is making lifelong friends!

  • NarMom

    oh wow, Dina VA trip was that bad? how was the area that they lived in? It's fairly new right? Did you go to graduation and how was it? Boot camp graduation was Awesome. Nar told me now to worry about coming to this one, hopefully she gets to come home for two weeks after A School

  • NarMom

    Hello All,

    My daughter graduated from BC on September 14th and was on hold at GL for a week and now she's on hold in Fort Lee VA hopefully for a week. is their anyone who son\daughter graduated on September 14th she was in Ship 12 Div 296.

  • Diann CS Mom

    Narmom, when she comes home for leave after A School, if she works with her recruiter for 5 days, she won't get charged for those 5 days of leave. Have her check into that. My son did that before he went to Japan.
  • NarMom

    Thanks Diann,

    This website has been really helpful to me.8-) I will ask her about the 5 days of leave. Her date has change from October 26th, she's on hold. She will start A School on Monday, so I guess 5 weeks from now. Hopefully around Thanksgiving.8-).  Wow she wants to go to Japan, did your son like it there?

  • Diann CS Mom

    Narmom, he loves it there. He's been out on a couple deployments already and has been to Tokyo quite a bit. My brother had to go to Tokyo on business and they were able to meet up. Sometimes he gets homesick but we swarm him with emails from the family and Skype calls and he gets better. he's on the USS Blue Ridge. I want to get over there to see him while he is in port.
  • michellelsp (Ship 12 Div 372)

    When did your sailors leave RTC GL for CS school? My SR graduates from RTC on 11/9 and we are wondering when he will be leaving GL for Ft Lee...any advice?

  • Diann CS Mom

    Michelle, they usually spend a week to 10 days at GL before going to Ft Lee.
  • e_moffit

    Hey everybody! My husbands PIR is on friday, he will than spend one week in GL than go to virginia, does anyone know if i will be able to spend time with him while hes still in GL? Thank you!

  • Sharon ~ K's Mom

    Welcome to all 'Newbies!' Congratulations to those PIR'ing tomorrow, enjoy every moment. It truly is unforgettable, enjoy your time with your Sailor as well. Take it all in, memories in the making!!!

    Our Sailor is serving in the USS Enterprise and is currently on her last and historic deployment. My husband and son will be going on the upcoming Tiger Cruise, which is so exciting. Son was added via a lottery due to having so many sign up. Being this is 'historic' everyone wanted to go. They had 2600 people sign up for 1500 slots. As time went on, they filled open slots with a lottery type drawing and our other son got to be one of the winners.

    It has been great to hear from our Sailor when he has been able to call while in port. He called us twice last week while in port, first time we got two calls in a matter of days. We will take them!!!! We will be traveling from MI to Norfolk, the guys will then travel to FL to board the ship, then travel back up to Norfolk, about 2 1/2 days total, but it will be a great time and awesome memories.

    While on deployment, our Sailor met all of his goals that he wanted to meet. He earned his Surface Warfare Specialist Pin and can now use (SW) as part of his rate, so he is now a CS3 (SW) which is pretty awesome. He is scheduled to take the Air Warfare test before they come back. These can only be earned while under a deployment, so it is pretty special as it is important. He also made 'Sailor of the Day' on 03 September and was quite honored. He was able to chat with the Captain of the ship for about 20 minutes. Want to know what they talked about????? Fishing!!! Yep, they talked about fishing and he said it was so cool just to be able to talk to him. He received a special coin, that makes two very special ones. He received one from the Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) a while back when he was aboard the ship. He gave that one to one of his Chief's though. He told me he 'collected' them, so he gave it to him. I just hope when he tells people about that one, he shares about the humble Sailor who gave it to him.

    Enough for now, if you have any questions, jump on in and ask away. We will do our best to get ya answers! Again, Welcome!!!!!
  • dtarmy06

    Yes Welcome all the newbies.....

    e moffit- Your sailor will have to "work " and stand duty while he is in GL.... but will have "some" free time if I remember correctly...!

    Like Sharon my son is on the Big E too! but he is attached to a Fight Squadron VFA-211 "The Flying Checkmates" he is one of 3 CS's for this squadron. He is working nights....but loves his job....

    If you have any ???? please feel free to ask.... I'm and ex Navy Brat, Mavy wife...and now a Navy Mom.

  • Sharon ~ K's Mom

    Welcome Brie, Your Sailor may or may not get leave. Our son graduated 'A' school from Ft. Lee and had to report to Norfolk by a certain day. He had to drive back down to South Carolina where they were, pack, and he and his wife had to move up to the Norfolk area. He reported to his ship right away once they were there. They aren't on 'hold' as they are done with their schooling. Hope this helps.
  • Sharon ~ K's Mom

    Thanks Johanna!!! We can't wait to see him, he is ready to get off the water. Six months is good, eight is too long. So, I guess he won't want to go on a cruise next year for our 25th. Lol

    I am sure it is quite a.site to be manning the rails!!! We aren't sure if ours will be doing it or not. He was supposed to when they shipped out, but last minute changes and he didn't. It would be cool if he was able with his dad and brother at his side.

    Yes, dt's Sailor and my Sailor went to 'A' school together and are friends on the ship. We just found out after all this time!!! It is always.cool when you know each other and find out our Sailor's also know each other.

    dt......I forgot to tell you, our Sailor is called 'Ski' by everyone. When he was in S.C. they called him, 'ChefSki.' Lol
  • e_moffit

    Hey ladies, PIR just concluded Around 10 and it is now almost 3, should it be taking this long?
  • snj1959

    emoffit.... It took till 5 for us to get to see our son after PIR.  But we got him all day Saturday and Sunday.

  • e_moffit

    Thank you! I'm on the main base, do you know if that where he will need picked up from?
  • snj1959

    We picked him up where the PIR was located and then when he transferred over they let us go to his barracks to pick up and drop off.  His PIR was July 20. He stayed in GL for two weeks before going to Ft Lee for CS school.  He did enjoy the school.

  • Sharon ~ K's Mom

    Hope all are doing well!! We are really on the down slope of having our Sailor back on our mainland. We have a bit to go with this deployment, but we are seeing the light!!! We are no longer counting 'months.' It is so exciting to know we will see him and all walk off the ship!!!
  • Cami - Chris' Mum

    Hi CS Mom's! My Sailor's PIR is this Friday, 10/19! YEAH! Leaving in the AM for GL! My Sailor tells us he will stay in GL for 1 wk before going to Culinary A school @ Fort Lee. Why are they @ GL for a wk before going? Is it 1 wk of actual schooling @ GL before going on to 5 wks of schooling @ Fort Lee?
  • Sharon ~ K's Mom

    WELCOME Chris' Mum! Congratulations on PIR, we know you had a great day today and hope you get to spend some wonderful time with your Sailor.

    The reason they may stay in GL for another week is to make sure they get a full class. If they send them down to VA and the class isn't full, they will just sit and end up doing alot of nothing. When our Sailor went down, he had a week of nothing until the class was full. No, he won't have schooling in GL for the week, but I am sure you are finding out all this information while you are there right now. Enjoy every moment, making memories and hanging with your Sailor!!!

  • snj1959

    My son stayed at GL for two weeks after PIR and then classed up at Fort Lee.  He is in CT now at school.  He got his orders yesterday and will be serving on the LaJolla.

  • NParis 4/304 - CS

    Thank you so much for accepting me as a member of this group!!!

    Just sharing: I was really surprised when i found out during PIR that my son is a CS! I thought he was the same son whom i cooked for and served 7-8 years ago. His dad and  grandma told me at PIR that my son is a good cook who 'invents' menus...lol...i could not believe my ears! Well, that was a sweet surprise... hopefully one day I would be able to taste his cooking when he comes over! After PIR on 09.21.12, he stayed in GL for a week and is currently in Ft Lee VA. Last night, i called him and he said that schooling will start on Monday 10.22.12 cos they are waiting for some more 'classmates'...he made more friends and is settling very well. 

  • mygirl_cvn77

    HELP!!  Sam is stuck at Fort Lee and waiting for Admin to call her in.  Her Bday is tomorrow, and I don't know how to find out how backed up admin is... can anyone help?

  • MistyMom

    Hello, Newbie to the group here.  My daughter is in the midst of A school at Ft Lee now.  She is set to graduated on the 11/16 (are graduations on a Thur or Fri?).  Wondering if there is anyone else out there with a sailor in her group?

     

  • NarMom

    Welcome MistyMom

    My daughter is in A school in Fort Lee and will be graduating on Friday.(Nov 2nd), From my undersanding all graduation on Friday and new classes begins on Monday.

  • NarMom

    Proud moment, my daughter is graduating from A School today. only sad part is I wasn't able to go, we thought she would be able to come home. But she said that she doesn't know when she'll be able to come home. It would be nice to be surprise for Thanksgiving..lol wishful thinking. She was excited to tell me that she will be station in San Diego CALI...Woo Hoo.she wil be working shore duty because she will be on a new ship and it's not commissioned yet. Miss my baby girl, but Proud and happy for her. Cali here I come...lol

  • awestb

    Congrats NarMom! My son went to the graduation this morning. Hehas been at Ft Lee since Saturday. I am in the DFW area. Would love to meet you at the next DFW Navy moms dinner!
  • NarMom

    Thanks awestb,

    How exciting to know that you're in DFW area, cant wait to meet you too. 

  • PattieO**(ship14.div344)

    Hello all, questions questions, questions. so my son is on his way to School and I'm working if he will be home for xmas least or turkey? how do they PR can they get D school as well?