I am changing my MOS in July. How bad is being a cook?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 14:11:15 -0400

I wanted out of combat arms. It's just not a good fit for me in general. The only way out of combat arms while staying in was to 1) get promoted to SGT, and 2) extend. I did both. unfortunately, I was told there are only two options for non-combat arms: 88M(I'm not a good driver) or Cook. I chose to cook. But I have to wait until July (I re-enlisted in AUG2020) to go the school. My question is 2 fold. 1) were those really my only 2 options. I have a GT of 109. and 2) Are cooks dumb? I know it is a dramatization but, everyone says you get sent to infantry or cook if you are too low of scores.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2020 2:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 14:20:58 -0400

I think 11B requires higher line scores than 92G. I may be wrong, but most of the smart cooks that I've ever met were 18X guys who didn't make it and went to needs of the Army

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2020 2:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 14:30:19 -0400

People say that’s where you get sent because neither require particularly high ASVAB scores and have a high number for needs of the army.

I can’t tell you what it’s like to be a cook, but I can tell you I doubt those are your only options. Check a look at the in-out call MILPER message and see what’s available for your rank and current MOS.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Oct 11 at 2020 3:03 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 15:03:33 -0400

GT doesn't play into 92G.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2020 3:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 15:40:55 -0400

If 92G and 88M were what you were offered then that’s what had class seats at the time. I’m sure you met the requirements for a dozen or more jobs based on your grade, clearance, and other line scores at the time of reenlistment. But you can only reclass into a job that has an open class seat.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Oct 11 at 2020 7:14 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 19:14:28 -0400

A cook is a respectiful MOS. The carreer offers many schools once you gather experience. Cooks have a high promotion rate for a non combat arms MOS. Howver, it can be demanding and requires a great amount of attention to details. Driver MOS is dead end job. You'd be lucky to make E-6 after 20 years. I have known a few that retired as SGTs while waiting to to make a cut off scorre on the E-6 list.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 11 at 2020 8:26 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 20:26:41 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member if you think 92G will suck, it will be a self fulfilling prophecy. SFC Private RallyPoint Member answered the question on availability. You'll likely start with being a First Cook or Shift Leader.

As you advance, there are positions in the BDE S4, Support Operations, and Sustainment Brigades where you'll be asked to bring your on the ground field feeding and Garrison operations to help food service operations, train junior NCOs, and go fix broken DFACs, which directly makes soldier's lives better. I will forever be thankful for CW4 Nate Barley, SFC Jim Dennett, MSG Boyd Bentley, MSG Ricky Smith, and the entire 1994 11th ACR Connelly Field Feeding Competition Team. They have taught me volumes on sustaining soldiers and did the heavy lifting.

If you ever looked at a DFaC and thought, man this sucks. This is your chance to make a difference at the BN or BDE level.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2020 11:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 23:28:04 -0400

There is no specific MOS that’s dumb in the Military. Each MOS has a vital role to play and the majority of the MOSs take their job serious so they put their all into it. Any MOS will be what YOU make of it and how YOU apply yourself to be the best in whatever MOS you chose. Good luck to you.

Response by SPC Kenneth James made Oct 11 at 2020 11:48 PM

SPC Kenneth James — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 23:48:26 -0400

Well personally I remember signing up in 1980 with one helluva score and I was told by my Recruiter that I was only qualified for three jobs inf parachute rigging or field artillery and me never researching or talking to anyone I just went field artillery but later I found it had nothing to do with my scores it was what the Army was pushing at the time but either way it turned me into a pretty good man so I just did it but I'm glad you are asking good luck soldier on what ever you decide

Response by SPC Kenneth James made Oct 11 at 2020 11:53 PM

SPC Kenneth James — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 23:53:54 -0400

Ps haven't you ever heard the saying the army marches on its stomachs even in the field we loved every single green eggs and rubber bacon you guys fixed us because the next meal that day was going to be C-rations lol

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Oct 12 at 2020 4:24 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 04:24:37 -0400

You may not be a good cook now, but you can always improve. A good cook is worth their weight in gold to the troops. One of the best cooks that I remember from my career was in the 143rd Signal Battalion, 3rd AD during Desert Shield. That man had people lining up for his powdered eggs. After the cease fire he assigned to work on one of the Wolf Burger trucks. I was always happy to see him when we could break away from our site and grab a burger. He was popular not only because of his skills, but because he cared about what he was serving to the troops. Good luck and I hope you are very successful in your new job.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cichelli made Oct 12 at 2020 8:04 AM

CPT Lawrence Cichelli — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 08:04:07 -0400

Being a cook is one of the toughest jobs in the Army. You have to make food is prepared properly as well as on time. This is not easy, your supervising others to if you're in garrison Soldiers as well as civilians. Ser4ving breakfast at 0500, this means you're at the job at 0300. And no, cooks aren't stupid! judging by your GT score, that is hardly the case. There's a lot you have to get right, cooking temperatures, planning menus etc. It will be a challenge. If you're up to the mark, my hats off to you and all the best Sergeant!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2020 1:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 13:52:31 -0400

Many end up in their MOS because of place and time. I personally wanted to be an Armorer and ended up Military Intelligence. Now I'm Quartermaster (half my company were cooks).

Every MOS has it's perks and in the field Cooks are hard working, but on par with medical staff when it comes to cleanliness. Cooks get showers. No matter what. If the field prevents it, then basically everyone gets MRE's.

A Jr NCO E5 in the field as a cook is going to have a lot of E1-E4 to task out. The work might suck, but you won't be doing most the heavy lifting.

The job is mostly keeping things clean and managing your equipment and food consumption. The actual part of applying heat in the correct amount and time to prevent sickness without destroying taste is only a small part of the job.

Response by SGT Michael Hearn made Oct 12 at 2020 10:33 PM

SGT Michael Hearn — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 22:33:23 -0400

Hello, soldier Troops have to eat, Do you light setting up a mess tent at
3 am in the morning when it's 20 degrees with 30 mph winds. If you have the intellect
use it to your fullest potential

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2020 2:12 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 02:12:32 -0400

Being a cook is honestly not too bad. True, the hours suck sometimes, and some people don’t execute common sense at times, but as long as you got the heart and the resilience to be not just a soldier but as a cook as well, you’re gonna be okay!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 13 at 2020 8:49 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 08:49:32 -0400

Look up Hennessy Trophy on Google. No dumb cooks winning that award. Try to get stationed somewhere you want to go in exchange for being a cook. Also with many mess halls being contracted out you may end up closer to a contracting officer than a chef. Speaking of chefs. The good ones in civilian life make big bucks.

Response by SSG Gertrude Pecnik made Oct 13 at 2020 9:00 AM

SSG Gertrude Pecnik — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 09:00:11 -0400

I was a cook and my GT was 117 so no cooks are not dumb. As for being a cook it has a lot of downs but the ups make up for it. Good luck ,stay motivated, you got this

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2020 11:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 11:15:08 -0400

It's all about timing, I don't know your ETS or if you could of waited until the fiscal year to renew but it's not about your GT when the Army is trying to fill it's needs. If you could of waited you possibly could of came out on top with a way better job. That's something your retention NCO should of expressed.

Response by SSG Rajeev Kirpalani made Oct 13 at 2020 11:18 AM

SSG Rajeev Kirpalani — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 11:18:53 -0400

Try looking at the In/ Out Calls, if you picked a combat arms MOS I don’t think you should rush to be a cook take it slow more option will open.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Oct 14 at 2020 1:07 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 13:07:31 -0400

Just me I didn’t suffer PI to make jelly Doughnuts, or shit on a shingle. If there was some real culinary skills involved and you loved to cook that might be different, but I doubts that the case. Besides the hours probably suck ass. Like the Dunkin Doughnuts commercial “ gotta make the Doughnuts” at 3:30 in the morning. But to each his own, I thought this kinda stuff went over to civilian contracts.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Oct 15 at 2020 12:32 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 12:32:39 -0400

I was surprised how many 03 I knew that had college educations to some degree. Don’t forget they’re also giving that ASVAB test to HS Seniors where the military isn’t even a glimmer in their eye. Depends how seriously you took it, I didn’t knowing me at that time and scored a 122. Depends on branch too, my original choice was AF, but all they offered me was Police or Firefighter, neither interested me. Then I met the Gunny...... and I got a telecommunications MOS. Could be some branches have more choices in recruits than others, but I don’t know that to be fact.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2020 5:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 05:28:18 -0400

Well, I'm a cook with a GT of 132, and 99 on the ASVB. That said, the Army will slap rank on a can opener. To truly excell at taking of your soldiers will require intelligence and education equal to or greater then the average O-6. You education and skill development are your responsibility, the Army will only train you to low-grade mediocrity. Oh, buy your own chef knife, a good one can be had for $120+, I highly recommend Wustoff.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2020 8:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 08:07:47 -0400

first of all, 92g is not "dumb cooks" on the civilian side I hold a journeyman electrician. A 92g MOS can be math heavy as you have to be able to break down recipes for any number of soldiers from 10 to 1000. Hours really stink but come with a few perks... one being you don't really stand any other type of watch, while others are humping and packing loads you and your team get a break in the day to rest. as previously mentioned by LTC Jason Mackay, it'll be what you make of it! I challenge my section to strive for better each and every time we set up and prepare a meal. The soldiers and leadership of my unit are pleased and grateful for a good meal whether in field or garrison. Field is where you can shine and really be the hero!! If your chow is outstanding in the field leadership will love that morale is high and your unit will accomplish more. To me, it is a very fulfilling job and is very important as a army moves on it's stomach. make it what you want it to be.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2020 8:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 08:35:02 -0400

SGT Jim Miller, First of all, Cooks are not dumb. On the civilian side of the house I am a journeyman electrician. 92g is a tough MOS mentally for the math that is used when ordering, prepping or preparing rations. I challenge my section to strive for a better meal each and every time we set and prepare for either garrison or field feeding. Speaking of field feeding,You and your team have a chance to "shine". The cooks can either boost morale or tear it apart just by the way chow is prepared as well as presented and be recognized by all in each of the same manner. As LTC Jason Mackay stated " If you think 92G suck, it will be a self fulfilling prophecy. I really believe being a cook is one of the MOST important jobs in the military today after all, an army moves on it's stomach! I have always enjoyed this MOS. You get out what you put in. Best to you and remember this is where YOU can really make a difference!!

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2020 4:31 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 04:31:50 -0500

I had high scores in everything, I came into the army reserves with a bachelors degree. I’m currently a 92G because I chose to be. I love cooking, I love creating art as a member of the culinary arts team, and I enjoy being able to provide diverse meals for my battalion during battle assemblies. I think if you enjoy cooking you’ll do fine. I’ve met brilliant 92Gs so that’s definitely a bad stereotype.

Response by PV2 James Johnson made Dec 3 at 2020 8:01 AM

PV2 James Johnson — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 08:01:01 -0500

In response to the question/statement are cooks dumb. Having been a cook in the late 60's nope my IQ is pegged at 140 I was sent to cook school in 1969 for refusing to be a signal guy, a punishment for not doing what I was told. when I finished I needed 6 hours to be a Chief. Now you tell me if we're dumb. Buy the way I served in Viet Nam and being in combat, we all fight in a war.

Response by SSG James Stodola made Dec 3 at 2020 11:06 AM

SSG James Stodola — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 11:06:54 -0500

Boiling down what LTC Jason Mackay said, is, this job as with all MOS's, will be what you make it. It does sometimes suck that you are limited in your choices, but it is what it is in the military. You have to also make another choice or decision and that is are you going to make this a career option or are there plans to exit the military down the road? Either way it would be in your best interests to do the best that you can and achieve the maximum learning opportunities that you can, i.e. additional classes to move up in position and rank of course, also consider what the LTC stated that at some point you can take your skills to other parts of the Headquarters section and move up that way. If you look at this in a positive light, you will see many opportunities here. Don't get bogged down in negative thinking or a "what if I don't like this MOS" sort of thing. You made it to NCO status, keep going whether to stay in or not, your skills will follow you and if played correctly will benefit you greatly. Never give up, ever.

Response by SCPO Frank Alvar made Dec 4 at 2020 6:02 PM

SCPO Frank Alvar — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 18:02:48 -0500

As the cook you have the keys to the kingdom. It's a very nice position to be in. Everyone wants to be your friend.
BTW my ASVAB is 92. Maybe I guess the right choices that day.

Response by SGT Steven Wade made Dec 5 at 2020 12:08 AM

SGT Steven Wade — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 00:08:52 -0500

109 isn't all that low and gt isn't IQ testing. I got 110 can was boats or land mines

Response by SSG Joseph Robinson made Dec 6 at 2020 11:04 AM

SSG Joseph Robinson — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 11:04:13 -0500

You would be coming in as a Cook Supervisor with no experience. This field will give you the knowledge to operate a food service operation after you leave the military. Also, you will need to additional supervisor training after AIT to excel in your career. Not everyone can manage a good food service operation or lead their cooks to put out the best food while maintaining excellent sanitation.

Response by MSG Scott Johnson made Dec 7 at 2020 12:34 AM

MSG Scott Johnson — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 00:34:33 -0500

1. All MOS have thier ups and downs
2. Cooks are not dumb. It takes a lot of moxie to prepare a halfway decent meal in a mkt, or field kitchen unit.
3. Sanitation in a field environment is huge.

It will not be easy, but if you do a good job and put your best efforts in, you will be rewarded.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2020 12:48 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 00:48:12 -0500

As with everything in the military - it is what you make it. And, it is what leadership makes it. In my previous unit we did not have openings for cooks, because they loved their jobs and we had great retention rates. Set a standard and maintain it, take care of your soldiers, and work with your command. It is a vital function for any unit. Be proud of what you do.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 7 at 2020 1:06 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 01:06:20 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Years ago, a Bn consolidated mess was in trouble with
inept cooks and supervisors.

SGM Andy Grey asked me, a line company 1SG for help. I let him have two, Control Group,
Infantry, SGT-5s on their compulsory annual training that been assigned to my letter company.

I had instantly identified those two SGTs as outstanding Soldiers upon their arrival at my company.

They assumed control of that consolidated mess and everything ran like a clock!

Good, skilled Soldiers can have a rewarding, affirmative effect in any assignment, if they are competent and Care!

How did things turnout for you?

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2020 6:33 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 06:33:46 -0500

Long hours but rewarding work. Some Marines got training outside the norm from hospitality industry. Many went on to work for them if they stayed in awhile.

Response by SPC Albert Schafer made Dec 7 at 2020 4:45 PM

SPC Albert Schafer — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 16:45:25 -0500

Bring me up to speed... What is a "GT of 109"?
Do the Marines have a "signal corp"? The Marines fly and maintain their own aircraft. how about something there? Got to be something better than cooking... It's an honorable occupation but you need the go to the CIA for formal training and it's a grueling life..

Response by SSG Ronald Rollins made Dec 7 at 2020 5:47 PM

SSG Ronald Rollins — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 17:47:46 -0500

I respect anyone that can do the job of a cook. Feeding that many soldiers and civilians 3 times a day? And hear them complain. No thanks. I got a buddy who was a cook. He would have cookouts on the weekends and try new recipes out on us. We all put money In to help get the supplies. The BN and BDE CSMs would show up even. They wanted to try the food also. Even brought the COL once. He helped make lots of changes for the better in the chow hall. And he was a Specialist!! Think what you could do if you apply yourself. Don't forget your team. Mentor them, listen to them. Guide them to be the best they can be. Remember if they do great they will remember you. If they do poorly it is your fault.

Response by SGT David Baker made Dec 8 at 2020 2:16 PM

SGT David Baker — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 14:16:02 -0500

Emeril Lagasse and teh Iron Chef started somewhere, they are not doing to bad off. Consider chasing the career through Johnsoin and Wales (RI).

Response by SGT David Baker made Dec 8 at 2020 2:22 PM

SGT David Baker — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 14:22:21 -0500

Emeril Lagasse and the Iron Chef had to start somewhere, stick to it. My daughter went to Johnson and wales, is a sports nutrition specialist and worked for Clemson and Alabama as their Sports Nutritionist. David Baker U.S. Army Ret.

Response by SGT Barbara Wilt made Dec 13 at 2020 11:50 AM

SGT Barbara Wilt — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 11:50:11 -0500

Former 91C here. In the field hands down you WANT infantry and cooks. Grunts know how to take the basics to comfortable. Their packing skills are a big plus. And a cook? Needed in every unit.

Response by SPC Charles Aguero made Dec 14 at 2020 5:58 PM

SPC Charles Aguero — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 17:58:36 -0500

Cooking can be very fulfilling. It is what you make enjoy what you are doing.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Dec 15 at 2020 6:51 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 18:51:50 -0500

First of all, good job in recognizing the issue and taking steps to fix it. Most troops (regardless of rank and branch of service) don't do that. Secondly, THERE ARE NO DUMB MOSs IN THE MILITARY! There are simply individuals who either don't possess the mental capacity to handle "this job" over "that job" and/or individuals who are lazy and not motivated enough to do their best! There are some cases in which you're sent to certain jobs where all you have to do is listen to your leaders and execute the mission they give you, which can be used as a training point to jump-start (if you will) a trooper's mental processes. I've met infantry soldiers, artillery soldiers, scouts, and cooks who had advanced certifications or Bachelor's degrees in this field or that field before enlisting in the military, as well as Intelligence Specialists who are about as smart as Forrest Gump was. Most everyone else has answered your question properly, though. Regardless of rank, pay grade, duty position, branch of service, or career field, a good portion of it is what YOU make of it! So I say "control what YOU can control" in your sphere of influence and keep moving forward. Best of luck to you.

Response by 1SG Jack Crutcher made Dec 17 at 2020 6:57 PM

1SG Jack Crutcher — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 18:57:44 -0500

I don't understand the question is a cook dumb. I was infantry from start to finish and as a 1SGT I had a lot of respect for cooks as I got a close look at what they really did. I will say they are one of the hardest working MOS. While you are in the bed sleeping at 3am a cook is already at work baking or preparing to cook and serve a BN or BDE 3 meals a day in most cases 24x7. While the Div is off on donsas or holidays the DEFAC is still serving 3 meals a day. When you get off work at 16 or 1700hrs the DEFAC is still open and when they close they still are working with the civilian KPs preparing for the next day. If a PT test, Wpns qual or any other mandatory training fell on their day off, training took priority. That is just some of the tasks that cooks does. I feel that cooks do not get the respect and merits they deserve.

Response by MSG William Wold made Dec 17 at 2020 9:40 PM

MSG William Wold — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 21:40:46 -0500

I worked at a summer camp in high school in the late 60’s. When I graduated I went in the Army. During AIT there were several phases and depending on your status on your grades, you either went to your duty station, or were held over to the next level. But that could be a couple weeks, in which you got put on the KP list, and post details.
My first KP, I had to assist pealing potatoes and make gravy. It came out silky smooth, even the head cook was impressed. I was offered OJT cook status. Exempt from any details, or weekend duty, I would go in to do breakfast, and prepare lunch, then off. Next day I went in to serve lunch and prepare supper. No weekend duty and no one messed with me. I could be off by noon on Friday and disappear till noon on Monday. I offered eggs anyway you wanted them, before all they offered was rancid scrambled eggs; and I doubled the headcount for breakfast. Also made a mean SOS to die for.
Then my next class started. Was runner up honor graduate, promoted to SP4. Then I had a 4 week wait for advanced MOS. Back to the mess hall. Was actually fun. Better than stocking shelves at the commissary or mowing grass. Then at graduation I went in to work my MOS.

Response by Capt Kellogg Patton, PhD made Dec 26 at 2020 2:50 PM

Capt Kellogg Patton, PhD — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 14:50:54 -0500

The army offered my son, a sort order cook at a biker bar in Hampton, VA a spot at some fancy culinary school I cannot spell Cordon Blue? when he inquired about career opportunities in 2001. Now he is an exective chef at Hyatt Regency. DO IT.

Response by PV2 Glen Lewis made Dec 28 at 2020 2:11 PM

PV2 Glen Lewis — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 14:11:30 -0500

To start with; if you didn't consider yourself able for combat you shouldn't have joined at all. Secondly, everyone has to eat so just fix the food and get on with it. You're a sergeant and you should long ago have figured out that the service needs supporting roles.

Response by SPC George Hughes made Dec 29 at 2020 12:29 AM

SPC George Hughes — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 00:29:12 -0500

I never went hungry and nobody messes with the cooks

Response by Jerry Swetlow made Dec 29 at 2020 10:42 PM

Jerry Swetlow — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 22:42:00 -0500

once you get out what will count is what skills you bring and no one on the outside needs an m60 set up or a m240 but everyone on earth needs to eat ! Cooking is a place you can be creative and learn management skills ( over both civilians an military personnel ) , contracting , nutrition , planning, budgeting, contracting and so so much more .
Want to help out the army? look at how many problems there are because of diet like diabetes heart disease and obesity. Those medical conditions cost the military big every year and not just money but people that large amounts of resources have been invested in to.
Being a cook is where You and other cooks can make a difference in this and no one lese can make that kind of difference like a cook can !
Cooks are not dumb they know there getting valuable skills in the military they can get no were else and would have to pay huge amounts to even come close to getting on civy street , many have given up other opportunities so they can be cooks make a difference and be a vital part of the big team !
IMHO

Response by PO2 Brian Hoadley made Dec 31 at 2020 12:55 PM

PO2 Brian Hoadley — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 12:55:27 -0500

Don't know about Army but Navy cooks seem to have it made in the shade. When I was a seaman I got scullery duty and all the crap jobs that cooks didn't want to do for my 1st 90 days of sea duty. We all do it basically (all rates) but once that was over, I went back to my real job and cooks did what they do, cook and boss around the non-cook guys to do crap work and working parties.

Response by SGT George Duncan made Jan 2 at 2021 1:45 PM

SGT George Duncan — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 13:45:14 -0500

how good do you cook?

Response by SP5 Chet Scheel made Jan 19 at 2021 1:57 PM

SP5 Chet Scheel — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 13:57:04 -0500

Back in the old days I trained as 94B (Cook). It, like anything else, has it's positives and negatives. The duty hours suck, and the kitchen is always hot, but the time off is good and... if you are doing your job right, the troops appreciate your work.

Response by SSG Martin Fruchtl made Jan 28 at 2021 10:49 AM

SSG Martin Fruchtl — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 10:49:36 -0500

I cooked in the Army Reserve and the Guard. Did it at AT and during an extended AT in Africa. A good hot meal is well appreciated by everyone. And, no, cooks are not dumb. My average score was @140. If a cook does it wrong, people can get sick and die. One bad meal can put a unit out of action.

Remember the old adage: bullets, blankets and beans....

Response by SGT Kenneth Cook made Mar 2 at 2021 11:26 AM

SGT Kenneth Cook — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 11:26:42 -0500

Don't do it. It makes you drink...a lot more than you are now. There is no such thing as 4days. The most you get is two. The hours are terrible and the soldiers don't appreciate the food. Going to the field? Forget it. You get no sleep. The only positive thing is you don't pull CQ...ever. And when you deploy you don't have to burn shit. I got out of burning shit in Iraq. Don't do it!!!

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made Mar 5 at 2021 2:11 PM

SSG Gregg Mourizen — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 14:11:28 -0500

1) If you are a reservist or National guard? Yeah maybe, but what about admin, supply, medic? Regular army? There are a whole slew of options.
Though your GT might be too high (lol), you could always go Military police.
Needs of the Army was always a good threat.

2) One thing everyone knows about Cook, you work very long hours. Food prep, cooking, serving, cleanup, repeat.
Dumb? Like every MOS, you have your idiots, and you have your geniuses.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2021 5:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 17:33:33 -0400

Every MOS has people who you wonder how they get out of bed in the morning or tie their own shoes. I'm in intel and there are some people who I'm amazed are the same MOS as me.

Some MOSs do have a lower minimum GT score than others; however, that doesn't mean everyone who chooses those MOSs has that low of a GT score either.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Sep 26 at 2021 1:20 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sun, 26 Sep 2021 13:20:38 -0400

This is a very personal thing, but for me I’d never joined the Marines to slave weird hours in a mess hall. Fuck that not my thing not at all. But no MOS is dumb, it depends where your heads at, everyone is necessary.

Response by LCpl Joe Thomas made Sep 26 at 2021 3:21 PM

LCpl Joe Thomas — Sun, 26 Sep 2021 15:21:40 -0400

Response by SFC Joshua Murtha made Dec 12 at 2022 5:28 PM

SFC Joshua Murtha — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:28:50 -0500

As an NCO it will be a bit different because its it's dif mindset, but I've been retired for 9 years now, so things could be better now. If you were a private it'd be prob better than how an 11B put gets treated.