My daughter wants to be a baker (civilian career choice) and wants to enlist. Which branch offers better options for this role long term?

SSG Christopher Parrish — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 11:14:34 -0400

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Apr 6 at 2017 11:17 AM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 11:17:30 -0400

Not the Air Force. Almost all of our dining facilities are contractor. Probably the Navy, if I had to guess. Learning to improvise with ingredients and such.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 6 at 2017 11:18 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 11:18:05 -0400

I cant speak for the other services, but the army has CULINARY SPECIALIST (92G)..which in no way guaranteers she will be baking anything.
Food prep skills, food handling, storing heath related skills, sure.. But she could spend 4 years assembling breakfast line items, and never get near a oven..other then to scorch the bacon (see a pet peeve there do you)

Need a 92 G to get in here and give you the real deal from the other side of the serving line...I was only on the eating side.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2017 11:43 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 11:43:31 -0400

SSG Christopher Parrish Best wishes to your daughter. Here is some information that might help:
http://www.careersinthemilitary.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.careerdetail&mc_id=64#content

Careers in the Military ::

An overview of Military Careers information

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 6 at 2017 11:47 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 11:47:54 -0400

I think they all have great opportunities in culinary arts BUT they also all go to Fort Lee for their training? Just saying.

Much depends upon how much she wants to take away from her training because I had the opportunity to work with a Chef from the Army and he was truly World class...or she could be pouring out cans of corn into a pot?

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made Apr 6 at 2017 12:05 PM

SSG Christopher Parrish — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 12:05:50 -0400

Good info so far, thank you all. Obviously I would prefer she go to the Army, but I want her to have the best opportunity for her future (obviously) and I know some branches eat better than others and I want her to learn as much and have the exposure from end to end in her chosen career choice.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Apr 6 at 2017 12:11 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 12:11:23 -0400

I had a friend that started as a culinary specialist at the missile field and then he went on to be the pastry chef at the executive dining room at the pentagon. Before he was accepted to OCS he was offered to be a Flight Steward on Air Force one (Steward, aide, and chef).

http://www.afimsc.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/5171/Article/630999/air-force-chefs-learn-from-the-best.aspx

Air Force chefs learn from the best

Fourteen Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves chefs gained invaluable culinary training during the 2015 Armed Forces Forum for Culinary Excellence at the Culinary Institute of America

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 6 at 2017 1:53 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 13:53:35 -0400

Surprised not much Navy input yet. Here's the real skinny. Ships and submarines have people who bake. That's because you don't have contractors aboard and you can't store Wonder Bread in a freezer that would take up half the ship. The food has to be concentrated, which means flour. So a certain body count of people who bake must be maintained for the fleet. On shore rotations, you'll see them on land side galleys. It's probably why you see a mix of civilian and military mess types working together. Now for promotion in rate, you have to know more than baking. That doesn't mean you can't excel more in one area than another. If other services have units and mission that means you must have bakers, so be it. However, I think the Navy has the larger need for them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2017 3:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 15:31:38 -0400

I came in the Army as a 92G Food Service Specialist. All the branches with cooks go to the same school at Fort Lee, which is run by the Army. The Army also runs other specialty courses for cooks. This translates into more opportunities for Army cooks than other branches.

Response by SFC Michael Arabian made Apr 6 at 2017 5:21 PM

SFC Michael Arabian — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:21:59 -0400

Take a look at the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence (JCCoE) at Fort Lee, Virginia. If I'm right all the different branches of food service were bought together under this program

Response by SN Greg Wright made Apr 6 at 2017 6:08 PM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 18:08:35 -0400

Her best bet is the Navy. No contractors or civilians on any ships or subs. And they all bake stuff fresh. Pastries, bread, everything.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2017 11:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 23:17:36 -0400

SGT. Parrish, I have been a cook since I first enlisted (minus the yrs I spent on a HIMARS) the Army seems to offer the a widest range of culinary schools, not offered to NG. When I served in the U.S.Navy, cooks were able to choose the field of Mess Management in which they would like to specialize in. Of course, that was well over 20 yrs. ago

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2017 5:53 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 17:53:47 -0400

I am 92G30 in the Army and as for options, it's been great. Cooking in a dining facility or out in the field the challenges are there. There are ample courses available for individuals wanting a challenge. Its been mentioned that Ft. Lee has classes you can put in for. Best of luck to her and her endeavors.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Apr 8 at 2017 3:42 PM

PO1 John Meyer, CPC — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 15:42:32 -0400

I'd have to say the Navy because of the CS or Culinary Specialist rate (MOS for Army) because it's something she can start at right away; no need to enlist, then choose her MOS. The Navy will put it in her initial enlistment contract that she is going to CS school to learn to be a CS. In the Navy, you're your MOS first and a sailor second. Bassakwards, I know, but that's the nature of the Navy.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2017 10:00 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 10:00:03 -0400

I'd vote Navy. My stepfather was a Mess Specialist and could cook his butt off! Homemade Apple Turnovers, Biscuits, Cakes...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2017 5:54 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 17:54:30 -0400

I'm a food service specialist in the Army myself, and was a cook for years before I joined. To be honest it's nothing like what you do in the civilian world, but there are programs she could get into, like G20 or EA (enlisted aid) that deal with a higher level of culinary experience, or she could join the culinary arts team at her base, where they would teach her how to do more fine dining and competition style cooking, a division if she got good enough could be picked up to work for a general or Congress, as has happened to a few people I know. Honestly joining was worth it, but to get the best experience she would have to join the culinary team, which would teach her a lot more than the normal Army cooking programs would.

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made Apr 13 at 2017 2:50 PM

SSG Christopher Parrish — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 14:50:54 -0400

We're going to talk to an Army recruiter today, I figured we'd hit up Army, Air Force and then Navy and see what the recruiters say. Obviously we won't know what is available to her until after she takes the ASVAB and then look at the slots available.

In a sick sort of way I hope she goes Army and winds up at Ft. Leonard Wood, I haven't been back there since BCT in '92.

Response by SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales made Apr 13 at 2017 5:56 PM

SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 17:56:03 -0400

You can basically enter any of the forces food service programs and from theere you can express your interest in further pursuing advanced food service programs, and I don't know if any dNing facility who wants their military member to make them shine. I had a fellow soldier end up working at the Pentagon along with a Senior Noncom who used to be in our facility. From what I understand there may even be a selection to work in the White House..

Response by CPL William Harper made Apr 19 at 2017 3:45 PM

CPL William Harper — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 15:45:08 -0400

Go to a culinary school during and after her enlistment to become a pastry chef... More income if she truly enjoys it or open her own bakery!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2017 12:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 12:47:54 -0400

Coast Guard.
Do the research, and you'll see why as an Army 92G I am recommending this.
HUGE paid bonus if you have a degree, and they have one of the best training programs in the services and they DON'T train at Fort Lee, except for future Advanced Culinary courses.

Response by PFC Devale Diehl made Apr 23 at 2017 4:33 AM

PFC Devale Diehl — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 04:33:17 -0400

Army I was a cook as well

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 11:11 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 11:11:15 -0400

Army
I'm a 92G culinary specialist which trains in cooking and baking

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Apr 23 at 2017 11:31 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 11:31:05 -0400

Certainly not my area of expertise, but I'll comment simply because no one has mentioned the Coast Guard. I'm an avid Food Network fan and when they have military cooks on shows like Chopped, Cooks vs. Cons, etc. the ones from Coast Guard seem to do very well.

Response by GySgt Craig Jordan made May 3 at 2017 12:41 PM

GySgt Craig Jordan — Wed, 03 May 2017 12:41:41 -0400

Sorry at took so long , but the navy.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 11:57 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 May 2017 11:57:03 -0400

Army as long as she's motivated.

Response by PO2 Jessica Roberts made May 9 at 2017 3:04 PM

PO2 Jessica Roberts — Tue, 09 May 2017 15:04:22 -0400

I was a Food Service Specialist in the Coast Guard and advanced in rank very quickly. I pinned E5 at my 1 year mark. In the Coast Guard you can enlist with guaranteed rate of Culinary Specialist(there was a name change since I got out). There are also hefty enlistment bonuses for cooks. I was able to compete at the Army's annual culinary competition at Fort Lee and enjoyed my time in. I served as a baker on a ship and was able to attend a CG baking school as well as a baking course at the Culinary Institute of America. The opportunities are there you just have to ask about it and be proactive with your career. I got out and opened my own restaurant.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 8:29 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 May 2017 20:29:54 -0400

This may have already been stated below; however, the Coast Guard has an aggressive recruiting campaign to enlist those interested as a Culinary Specialist (CS). This enlisted specialty is always in high demand for passionate and talented members making them one of the fastest for advancement (promotion) opportunities in the Coast Guard (CG). In addition, the CG has the highest retention rate of any US military branch. This translates directly to high job satisfaction and quality of life. I’m sure this statement will cause a bit of dispute on RP but you can’t argue with the facts. More information including CS recruitment signing on bonus can be found: https://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/enlisted-opportunities/view-job-descriptions/fs

Culinary Specialist

Learn about the various aspects of the restaurant or catering industry while serving your country.

Response by SFC Susie Caraballo made May 11 at 2017 4:19 PM

SFC Susie Caraballo — Thu, 11 May 2017 16:19:51 -0400

The army offers more than any Branch.. they have a lot of baking skills and culinary schools . Although your daughter may want to do 1 enlistment , they will pay for her to get her degree once she completes her terms using the post 9-11

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made May 12 at 2017 9:16 AM

SSG Christopher Parrish — Fri, 12 May 2017 09:16:10 -0400

Thank you all for your input, I was hoping there would be a more clear cut answer but it is still just as confusing. It looks right now that the Navy is where she is leaning on going. We'll be going to talk to a CG recruiter in the next couple of days to see what they say.

Choosing my MOS and branch back in HS was so much easier, this is tough.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2017 12:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 May 2017 00:32:00 -0400

NAVY!! You will never eat dry turkey again if she learns the recipe right! My brother was in the NAVY and he was friends with someone in Culinary. And he gave him the recipe that makes your turkey literally melt in your mouth! OMG!!! Yea! Go NAVY....LOL...

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made May 22 at 2017 10:43 AM

SSG Christopher Parrish — Mon, 22 May 2017 10:43:57 -0400

Navy it is, we're going to start the actual paperwork soon. She graduates this Friday from our homeschool co-op.

Now the kicker is she's had someone who is trying to enter tell her not to go to the recruiter we have already spoken with. She was told he is not motivated and seems to drag his feet a lot and that she should go to the recruiter in Sherman, TX. We live in McKinney, so it is easy a 45 minute drive each way to go to Sherman.

Is there anyone here with experience with the recruiting station at University/I-75 in McKinney, TX? I know this is a long shot question, but doesn't hurt to ask.

Response by PO3 James Secore made May 29 at 2017 10:42 PM

PO3 James Secore — Mon, 29 May 2017 22:42:43 -0400

Coast Guard has a class A school that is taught by the best and offers more training after at places like the culinary institute of America

Response by SPC Bart Kassing made Jun 8 at 2017 8:12 AM

SPC Bart Kassing — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:12:26 -0400

Just go air force

Response by LCpl Carl Thompson made Jul 6 at 2017 2:21 AM

LCpl Carl Thompson — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 02:21:12 -0400

They were phasing out the Baker when I was in from 1983 to 86 actually was cross trained as a cook after I got out of Basic Baker school

Response by PO3 M Y made Aug 15 at 2017 1:04 AM

PO3 M Y — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 01:04:23 -0400

Having been in various competitions that included all branches as well as having the options and opportunities to attend top notch schools to further and better your skills I'd say the Coast Guard. I was lucky and thankful to have supervisors that required each of us to make almost everything from scratch. I started from baking (my specialty), went onto extensive cooking and more training while taking care of the crew, then later as the CO's cook and was tapped to work with the 3-4 star admiral's cooks on a regular basis to represent whenever we had dignitaries from local and abroad. Hope it helps, I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2017 3:41 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 03:41:09 -0400

Navy Reserve, Army or Air Reserve or national guard sounds like her kind of ticket. 92G for Army Culinary Specialist or CS for Navy don't know the Air force one.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2017 6:30 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 06:30:24 -0400

Air Force will not let her be strictly culinary arts, she would also have to do time at lodging or the fitness center. But if she walks into an AF recruiter and tells them she wants Services, they aren't likely to argue.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2017 1:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 01:23:37 -0400

Army......they do have a culinary team out of Ft. Lee, check the Ft. Lee quartermaster site in the 92 G section.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 3:53 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 15:53:27 -0400

The Coast Guard has tons of options open to your child there is even a secondary training school just for baking and we rank up fast and get a pretty fat bonus

Response by 1stSgt Mack Housman made Sep 6 at 2017 3:55 PM

1stSgt Mack Housman — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 15:55:06 -0400

Each of the services have enlisted aides to either General officers or Admirals. They go to some pretty awesome culinary schools. Might have your daughter ask questions regarding these opportunities.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2017 11:10 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 23:10:03 -0400

92G Culinary Specialist

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 9:59 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 21:59:09 -0400

Really any branch she joins is going to be the same. They'll all start learning the basics and then go from there.

Response by SSG James Harbison made Sep 22 at 2017 8:46 AM

SSG James Harbison — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 08:46:32 -0400

NAVY!! Hands down.

Response by SSG Carlos Ramos made Oct 19 at 2017 6:16 AM

SSG Carlos Ramos — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 06:16:34 -0400

Army

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2017 12:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 12:45:16 -0400

I was an Army Cook for 21 Years. You want Navy if you want to be a cook

Response by SSG Jason Richardson made Oct 27 at 2017 6:22 PM

SSG Jason Richardson — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 18:22:20 -0400

I would say Navy. I believe they make all their bread fresh. Plus they do all their pastries as well. I was a night baker in the Army. I baked all pastries. I did do dinner rolls on special occasions. I did continue to advance in baking cakes, cookies, and other pastries. I have taken a couple courses through wilton cake decorating. I used my skills in the Army as well as a civilian. I won awards for my culinary skill learned from Army experience and civilian experience.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2018 10:16 AM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 10:16:46 -0500

I’m at fort lee as we speak and the training here has taught me a lot about cooking and my battles as well even those who don’t know how. Army would be her best choice but she’d have to be up to the challenge.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 9 at 2018 2:35 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:35:10 -0500

Clearly Cav Scout is the way to go...

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made Feb 9 at 2018 8:33 AM

SSG Christopher Parrish — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:33:19 -0500

My Daughter had decided on Navy, but has since decided to not enlist for now. She has enrolled in the culinary arts program at Collin College here in McKinney and is working at a coffee shop/bakery in downtown McKinney to work her way in to the bakery there.

I'm hoping she learns the bigger picture and decides to enlist, if nothing else than the experience and the benefits she would get from it.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2018 9:58 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 09:58:33 -0400

Id say marine corps , I did 4yrs active and cont. as a reservist so i could stay in and go to collage im currently almost completed with my baking program. The reason why i say marine corps is because i made the birthday cake in 2016 for the near by bases in NC. We had bakers from all the chowhalls surrounding us and we were able to express our creativity of course we did the traditinal birthday cake that gets sent for the meal out in the chow halls. Honestly i dont think any other service has a baking mos like marine corps did at one point. I know chow halls need them she can fight for the position like i did.

Response by PO2 Robert Haltiwanger Sr. made Apr 15 at 2018 8:28 PM

PO2 Robert Haltiwanger Sr. — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 20:28:52 -0400

I say the Coast Guard i wascan FS there and learned alot

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 10:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 May 2018 22:08:31 -0400

Navy is the best way to go for this one. I am in the Guad now, and an actual Chef on the civilian side...I have a clue. Navy has a better culinary program. I had a blast at Ft. Lee though.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2018 3:35 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 03:35:49 -0400

Army all the way. We have the best Culinary program and opportunities. We even have a US Culinary Arts team that competes in the Culinary Olympics.

Response by SCPO George Velazquez made Dec 10 at 2020 8:09 AM

SCPO George Velazquez — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 08:09:51 -0500

I am unable to speak on behalf of the other services, but the Coast Guard spent a good deal of money sending us to the prestigious Culinary School of America for a two week immersion baking course with a real French Pastry Chef. Also, considering the CG generally cooks for much smaller crews, we are provided more menu flexibility. Again, I don't know how the other services do it but the CG purchases all provisions through civilian purveyors not government issue. Lastly, since Food Service work is generally not considered as prestigious as a boat coxswain, or an aviation rate - you will speed up the ranks quite fast. In the end, Good luck with anything you choose.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 10 at 2020 8:32 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 08:32:41 -0500

All of the services have “cooks.” Daughter should talk to Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, and Coast Gusrd recruiters. (Air Force is providing logistical support for Space Force.). The Services often contract out dining facility food service so opportunities to actually work as a cook may be limited to “field feeding”. The Navy and Coast Guard have cooks aboard ship. IMO that’s where military cooks do real baking. Best idea is to join the service that offers her the best deal in terms of accession date, training opportunities and bonuses. After training she should get the opportunity to apply her craft in direct support of other Service Members.