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!
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  • Em's Mom

    Hi! I'm in OR, my daughter is CS on the Chafee in Pearl Harbor. She has excruciatingly long days-longer than she expected or was told by recruiters. She regularly has 16 hour days, when underway, it's been 20. They have had inspections, and she hardly sees a day off. Adjusting has been brutal.
  • SailorsWife07

    Hello all,

    My husband is a CS and has been a CS in the Navy for right at 10 years now! Deployments are rough for them that's for sure, they never get a day off and or much sleep at that. When my husband was on deployment last year I barely got to talk with him because, he was working 20 hours a day and then sometimes more if they needed to get stuff done! I know some people don't like being a CS, it's a love/hate relationship for most including my husband. He used to love being a CS, but not so much anymore! They have options if they don't like it :) which is a great thing. My husband is putting in his LDO package and is definitely exploring his options! I know some of y'all's children are coming right out of A school, but tell them to keep their chins up and it will get better :) in due time. Whenever my husband was down or wasn't happy at times in his command or on a ship I used to send him things he loves (mainly food or drawings from our daughter) to boost his moral! Believe it or not Swedish Fish always made him happy and or to get even the smallest things from loved ones. Hang in there y'all :)
  • roguevalgal

    We're also in Oregon. Our son is attending CS A School in VA and graduates 25 Apr.
    He got orders yesterday to a P3 squadron at Whidbey Island WA.
    We're all happy with his orders. I've been to Whidbey Island several times when I worked for the govt. and it's a beautiful area with lots to do on your off time. So glad he's not going to be too far from home for his first duty station.
    He'll be home on leave before reporting so really excited to see him.
    Would be interested to know if there are any NavyMoms with a CS sailor stationed at Whidbey now or previously, or with orders to Whidbey.
  • disneygirl64

    Hey Batmom I have sent my soon a care package already lol. He was very excited to get it. My son is loving it, he has wanted to be a chef like his Dad forever. He is doing great on his tests and can't wait till the cooking portion of school starts. For being 18 I think my son is adjusting very well to everything he has gone through.

  • MAMA_C

    Can anyone give me any information about A school in GL.  My son will attending there after BC.

  • Cheryl

    Yes the CS have crazy long hours and very few days off. Really true when deployed. My daughter is on the USS George Washington based in Japan. She's been there for 3 years now. We just went to visit her there and it was very interesting seeing the aircraft carrier. She is on the downside of her time now and is looking at school when she gets out. Good luck to all the new CS's! 

  • Kristi - Johnny's Mom in CA

    My son just arrived to A school in Virginia this morning.  Would love to hear more about what he will experience while he's there.  Trying to stay close as far away as we are.  :)

  • Pamyg

    Hi Kristi:
    What DIV was he in? Did he leave from Great Lakes?
  • Kristi - Johnny's Mom in CA

    He was in DIV 153 Ship 11 and he did leave from Great Lakes.

  • Pamyg

    Kristi: my SR is at GL and is in Div 170. He is also going to CS A school in Va. I was hoping he was one of those who arrived today. Thanks!
  • Momma Bear

    My SR is at GL and is in Ship 02 Div 935.  Anyone else have SR in that DIV right now? 

  • navywife36542

    Husband is going for CS.

  • Momma Bear

    Navywife36542... What division is your hubby in?
  • navywife36542

    @ Momma Bear he is  ship 13 div. 206

  • VC

    My son is going for CS. He is at GL right now waiting for A school.

  • Momma Bear

    VC.. What division is your son in and where are you from? Navywife36542..where are you all from and what is your hunby's name? I will pray for both of them ad I pray foru Brandon.
  • Momma Bear

    As i pray for my Brandon. Sorry.
  • VC

    My son was in Div 182. I just came home from Grate Lakes on Monday. We are from California, Los Angeles. We had a great weekend. I pray for all our kids too

  • VC

    Thank you Momma Bear

  • navywife36542

    Momma bear... we are from Gulf Shores, Al. SR Wiggins, thank you sooo much we he needs them

  • MissMaryE (ship03 DIV147)

    Hi VC,

    My SailorSon has been in Virginia for three weeks now, în the CS. He's loving it! When I spoke with him yesterday he told me they are learning to cook so many different kinds of food!
    He actually de-boned a chicken yesterday! :)
    I love it!

    So glad to meet you all!
  • VC

    Thank you so much MissMaryE for such a happy information and I am glad that your SailorSon is loved it.  My son will be in GL until June 14 before Virginia. Best wishes for your son new journey. 

  • Momma Bear

    Navywife36542...love Gulf Shores! We have been down there on mission trips with the youth from church. Wr always stayed at Romar Baptist Church on the beach. I love Lamberts!! Hope we get a phone call today. Keeping you and your hubby in my prayers. Have a great day!
  • navywife36542

    Thank you Momma... It has gotten crazy here. In the last 3 weeks there has been 2 shootings, I love Lamberts as well. yummm... When was the last time you were here?

  • Momma Bear

    Navywife36542...we were last there in 2011. We had been there the summers of 2008-2011. My husband and i would love to come again for a vacation. Did you hear from your hubby today. We didn't get a call! I miss my son so much. I know you miss your hubby too.
  • navywife36542

    No ma'am he has not called as of yet. Well it has built up big time around here and there are A LOT of  places that have opened up around here... With the traffic it so reminds me of a mini mobile. It's crazy here we only have MAYBE  a month of a break here. I live across the street from the 2 gas stations off of 59 right after target. Yes ma;am I DO miss my husband like crazy... LOL I have my suitcase just about packed I am so excited lol.

  • Momma Bear

    I am excited too!! My husband was in the Coast Guard for 23 years (4 active and 19 reserves). He was in the reserves when we married. I remember when he had to go away for his two duty every summer, how much i missed him. I can't imagine being in your shoes! Hang in there.
  • MAMA_C

    My son's ship out date is 7/7/2014 his job is CS.  He had mentioned there is a great big fireworks events at Great Lakes and has been for many years.   I thinking I need to get busy and plan a spectacular weekend.   We live here I never been to GL only to pass it going on the Metra to Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall.    Can any one give me some good tips?  Also I thinking instead of him leaving home to go to his DEP site we just drop him off on our way back home from that weekend event.  

  • MAMA_C

    Scrap the whole weekend, too much money.  I found the website.  We will just have to spend a day, probably July 3, 2014.

  • disneygirl64

    Hi Ladies, 

    My son is a CS and just Started at his first duty station. He is cooking in the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton. My son enjoyed his schooling and was one of the top 2 in his class. We are very proud of him.

  • Momma Bear

    Disneygirl64..congratulations to your son!! My son is at BC and will go to CS school.
  • disneygirl64

    Thank you Momma Bear and congrats to your son on BC and his CS field. My son has wanted to be a chef like his dad since he was old enough to walk and talk, so he is loving every minute of it.

  • Momma Bear

    navywife36542...hope you are doing okay.  I know you are missing your hubby.  Just wanted you to know that I am praying for you during this time.  I'm wearing my Gulf Shores shirt today, so I guess that made me think of you.  Sending hugs. Momma Bear

  • VC

    Good Afternoon Ladies,

    Please can anyone tell me how long is A school in For Lee? Thank you so much.

  • VC

    Sorry Fort Lee

  • Fritz

    Hi VC.  My son recently graduated from CS A school in Ft. Lee.  It was 5 weeks.

  • VC

    Thank you so much Fritz for the information. All the best to your son.

  • navywife36542

    VC that is where my husband is going. For CS.

  • navywife36542

    Momma... Thank you sooo much.. I have been very very ill this past week but i am getting back to myself now. I thought about you too I drove past Lamberts the other day lol...

  • VC

    Hello navywife36542,

    My son leaving this Friday. When is your husband going to Ft.Lee?

  • navywife36542

    He graduates next friday he was suppose to leave next saturday but there is a 9 day stay on him... he was told that he has 9 weeks there at ft. lee for a school? he is starting a scholl  at greatlakes then 52 days at ft lee

  • Momma Bear

    Glad you are feeling better!
  • TWeezy'sMOM

    My son graduated Friday. He told me he has a 9 day holdover and then he will go to ft. Lee for school. He will do something else until he heads to Ft. Lee. He is roommates with 3 other sailors who will go to Ft Lee when he does.
  • navywife36542

    tweezysmom.... my husband has a 9 day hold as well he graduates this friday and then off to Fort Lee as well for CS

  • navywife36542

    VC: he was suppose to leave the 21st but has a 9 day hold

  • VC

    Hello navywife36542, My son at Fort Lee right now. He left GL on Saturday, June 14. He was on hold for 3 weeks.He sounds good on Saturday. Hope everything will be well. 

  • Michiganbelle

    Just checking in, my daughter went to Fort Lee a year ago,and is "honing her skills" on the Oscar Auston Destroyer right now, I like hearing her stories about what it is like to make sure the sailors get their nutrition and enjoy the fare at the same time....It appears pizza is a giant favorite!
  • MAMA_C

    Time is ticking an my son is getting antsy!  His ship out date is 7/7/14 and A school for CS.  The only thing that seem to keep his cool is food.  No he isn't eating a lot he working out every day sometimes twice a day.  Last night I grilled Alaskan salmon and made beer-battered onions except I thought it was his usual 312 beer but I found after the fact it was Leinenkel's Summer Shandy beer.  My batter was a huge lump and I added water to smooth it out.  The onion rings texture was light and yummy perfect flavor with the salmon. This past weekend we gave him his Bon Voyage party and there I made a never before Chocolate Decadent Ice Cream cake.  Both recipes he wants me be sure I write the recipes down.  I'm excited he please with the food choices I made.  I just hope when he finish his term he will still be excited about cooking.  Recently, I had recorded a segmented of Chopped and it was a competition of one former Navy seaman and three former Army servicemen.  The seaman came in 2nd place to the retired Army serviceman.     I am hoping in the future my son participates in the Navy cooking competition.   I've seen of the Navy videos regarding this.     I read many post and learn the hours a long and grueling.  Are there any more stories where the seamen and women really enjoy what they are doing? 

  • navywife36542

    Ok so my husband failed a swimming test and will not be graduating. he has to pass that one test then do BS, wait for the next PIR and will be leaving that next day. Now my ? is does anyone know how long is CS A school? Plz fb me at nikki noyb... thnx

  • Momma Bear

    Navywife36542...so sorry about your hubby's test.  My son just sent a letter saying after PIR he would stay at Great Lakes for 9 days and then be at CS A school for 55 days.  Praying for your hubby.  Momma Bear