Why are 92Gs classified as "DUMB" when alot of food operations specialist have high GT scores?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:03:29 -0400

92g

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 12:07 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:07:22 -0400

Is it a low score required to become one? Cuz I know in the Navy, our Aviation Ordinancemen are typically cracked on and made fun of, simply because they require a low ASVAB score to be an AO. But I've known one or two to be pretty smart.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 25 at 2015 12:17 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:17:03 -0400

Rule 1. Never mess with mess or the people that prepare it.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 25 at 2015 12:27 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:27:00 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I don't feel that way and I'm sure there are many others that don't feel that way as well. As a Company Commander my mess team competed for the Army's Philip A. Connelly Award For Excellence and they won it twice. I supported my companies and encouraged that same competitive spirit at the Battalion Level and Brigade Level. Any if anyone knows about the award and competition in the field environment then they know that are cooks (92Gs) are very motivated, competent, and intelligent.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 12:45 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:45:34 -0400

I think it takes considerable skill and knowledge to cook and prepare food. It has nothing to do with IQ or ASAVB scores.

In fact, cooking is as much an art as it is science. There is a science in putting certain ingredients together to have them create something like a souffle.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jun 25 at 2015 12:55 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:55:28 -0400

Inter-MOS rivalry and the low (but not lowest!) score requirements. 11 series catches the same hell, but some of the smartest guys I served with were grunts. Hell, my old roommate teaches Artificial Intelligence at Harvard.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 25 at 2015 1:11 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:11:12 -0400

As a one-time recruiter, it is due mostly to the low ASVAB line scores required for the job, and as someone who served for 26 years, some of it comes from the fact that when they do perform the jobs they enlisted into a lot of them "bitch and moan" about the treatment they receive yet fail to realize a lot of that treatment comes from the lousy service they provide and the low-quality product they turn out.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Jun 25 at 2015 1:14 PM

MAJ Jim Steven — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:14:33 -0400

ya know...what job in the Army actually requires you to be a freaking genius???
Unless your are pilot, hold a scalpel in your hand, or are representing me as the accused...
I am a logistics officer, currently I am an aviation exercise planner.
I come in, I read emails, I go to meetings and talk about those emails, and then I leave those meetings and send/receive emails about the meeting I just attended.
I peddle information.

Response by Jordan Gaudard made Jun 25 at 2015 1:22 PM

Jordan Gaudard — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:22:07 -0400

On the flip side of this, everyone assumes you are smart because you are a 35 series, "Military Intelligence" and because you have a 140 GT score you are smart. There is a difference between book smart and street smart. I have friends who are 92Gs, besides that I wouldn't ever degrade someone in the service. However, to answer your question based on my best guess, when someone fails out of a school they get needs of the Army at least they did when I joined; 92G and 88M were two MOS that everyone qualified for. You don't need a clearance, you don't need a high GT Score, if you were able to join the Army, you can be a 92G. So human nature says, if you failed X and you get Y, then X must be a greater accomplishment than Y.

Response by SPC Negel Mohammed made Jun 25 at 2015 1:32 PM

SPC Negel Mohammed — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:32:31 -0400

This have to be a new saying.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 1:33 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:33:57 -0400

Not dumb at all! You bring me delicious food!! You're my best friends.
:)

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jun 25 at 2015 1:35 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:35:58 -0400

I've never heard anyone say that about that particular MOS.

When I hear people make those kind of remarks, they're usually masking their own insecurities. I suppose they feel the need to bash others as a way of feeling better about themselves.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jun 25 at 2015 1:44 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:44:42 -0400

Anybody who thinks or says Food Service Specialists (FSS) are dumb are just plain, well, dumb.
As a unit commander, I always went out of my way to ensure my FSS knew how much I appreciated them and how instrumental they were to the morale and mission success of the unit.

I used to tell my FSS folks that they were very much like the MPs in that it was very rare for anyone to tell them they were doing a good job, but the complaints were always plentiful (warranted or not)... and that they were "double-screwed", as they were "cooks assigned to an MP unit"... " :-)

Anyway, SPC Upshaw, thank you for your service. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you are dumb or that you are not absolutely essential to the morale and mission accomplishment of your unit and the Army. You folks are heroes... !!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 2:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 14:46:47 -0400

Having been a previous MOS, I think it was more of the "Aside from Weapons Quals, those Cooks don't do shit!" Unfortunately, some Cooks assigned to the Units I were in, couldn't qualify by themselves.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jun 25 at 2015 3:41 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:41:25 -0400

I owe a lot to the 92Gs they always made sure we had hot descent chow.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 25 at 2015 3:47 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:47:00 -0400

Some people are 'haters'. There are good and bad in all MOSs.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Jun 25 at 2015 4:24 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 16:24:25 -0400

You're mistaken SPC Private RallyPoint Member. First and foremost, a high GT score means you can perform well on a high school-level "academic" test, not that you're smart.

Secondly, I don't know many people who think cooks are "dumb". Now infantrymen on the other hand...
;)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 5:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 17:41:05 -0400

I'll say this, during operation United assistance in Liberia, there was NOBODY I was happier to see than our cooks setting up the MKT, the morale skyrocketed overnight once we got that tasty chow in our stomachs! Always have and always will love the cooks! Keep up the good work yall!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 25 at 2015 6:02 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 18:02:03 -0400

Another job that gets made fun of but the Army can't do without. Grandpa taught me something from his experience from WWII that remains timeless.....Don't mess with anyone who gets you paid, fed, ammo, and mail.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jun 25 at 2015 7:03 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 19:03:05 -0400

It's a lot like people's perception of Infantry, I suppose. Some people think we do it because it's all we CAN do, which couldn't be much further from the truth for most. I guess it takes one to understand one.

Response by SGT John W Lugo made Jun 25 at 2015 7:19 PM

SGT John W Lugo — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 19:19:34 -0400

My first MOS was being a food specialist and know that doing it for 6 out of 12 years you have to do a job that requires getting up early and going to bed late. I did the ration control of all bulk orders and had to know how much food was needed to feed the unit. Be proud of your own MOS, without Medics,Motor pool,Food service,and other key jobs the Military won't function effectively.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 7:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 19:32:20 -0400

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 25 at 2015 7:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 19:49:02 -0400

Many soldiers do not appreciate the other soldiers that help them. They are selfish in their outlook.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 10:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 22:37:59 -0400

Mess Cooks, I can understand your frustration. Many Combat Arms Soldiers are tagged as being "dumb". I think we do the jobs many are afraid to do themselves when they are critical. Personally, I think it takes dedication to go into a hot kitchen day in and day out at crazy hours all throughout the week to serve chow to many that are steeped in criticism. I don't know many Soldiers that would do it. My hat is off to you.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Jun 25 at 2015 10:42 PM

SPC George Rudenko — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 22:42:31 -0400

Never! Anyone who feeds the troops and gives them a smile after a day of .... is all great in my book!

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Jun 25 at 2015 10:44 PM

SSG Keven Lahde — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 22:44:18 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member SPC I am a 92G and could careless what others think. I love my job and love cooking for my troops. Trust me if they have MRE's for 2 days, they will change their tune and fast!!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 25 at 2015 10:47 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 22:47:09 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, I don't think that cooks are "dumb" at all. Also, test taking skills or a GT score of 90 or 130 has nothing to do with how smart someone is. I acquired my bachelor's degree in CJ from a non online source while my GT score was below a hundred while my peers with GT scores far above mine lacked any education.

Response by PFC Andrew Coon made Jun 25 at 2015 11:30 PM

PFC Andrew Coon — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 23:30:17 -0400

I don't know. Without cooks 11Bs couldnt do their job as efficiently. Not to mention 92Gs go outside the FOB sometimes. Every 92G has fired an M4 at least. Most even know about the MK 19 and Ma Duece. So, why people talk smack meh... They always will regardless. Most infantry guys belong to a different breed of man. Nothing personal. They are alphas. But, they respect cooks. All the grunts I know anyway.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 26 at 2015 7:17 AM

SFC Stephen King — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 07:17:25 -0400

In my career I have always appreciated culinary specialists. Thank you for what you do. That being said you will run into those who don't understand remember you can only control your thoughts which are what drive your emotions and reactions. Don't let others be your drive.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Jun 26 at 2015 7:38 AM

SSG Steven Borders — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 07:38:56 -0400

Who classifies them as dumb? I have never heard of this. It takes a lot of skill to be a cook. So whoever is saying that sort of thing is not that bright themselves.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 26 at 2015 7:48 AM

SFC Stephen King — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 07:48:29 -0400

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 2 at 2015 4:05 PM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:05:03 -0400

While I may not have always liked the food in the Navy and even complained about it, I never complained directly to the Mess Management Specialists/Culinary Specialists! As others have already said, "Don't piss off the people who cook your food!"

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 5:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 17:52:30 -0400

Just a stigma. It is worse in the infantry.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Jul 2 at 2015 5:55 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 17:55:45 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member your job is one of the most important jobs in the service. Nothing is enjoyed more than a hot meal coming out of a FTX.
Never mess with the supply or the food SGT you will regret it

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 6:49 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 18:49:54 -0400

I hate that people do that. The military has Master Chefs and I think you have to be really smart for that. Plus we do not place one job over another.. People get hungry.

Response by 1SG Robert B. made Jul 3 at 2015 12:42 PM

1SG Robert B. — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:42:12 -0400

Grunts have the same stereotype, but I would say that it is far from the truth.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 1:18 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 01:18:05 -0400

Never heard this one before. I know it requires a lower GT score to enlist, but that certainly does not mean that all cooks have lower scores. I know we army engineers call ourselves "fumb combat engineers". Not 100% sure why, but as a whole I've heard that society and some politicians think the military is full of people who couldn't get into college and those given a choice by a judge to go to war or go to jail. I hope that went away for the most part, but quite honestly I do not carr what others think and say, they have the right to think that just as much as we do to know the truth.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 3:00 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 03:00:26 -0400

It's all in perception. Soldiers typically only interact with Food Specialists 2-3 times / day. During that interaction, they see a person with a spoon or ladle dishing out food onto a plate. "How hard can that be?" might be running through their mind, almost subconsciously.

*Note..not MY Perception. I have been a professional cook for over 20 years. It is a typical mentality we seem to foster in our country. Servant class = dumb. They are perceived as not requiring an education and doing minimum wage work. Cooks, mechanics, gas attendants, grounds keepers, and so forth all have this stigma because of the wrong "dumb" perception. This stigma has become so ingrained in our societal consciousness, that it flows into the military aspect of our country as well.

Response by SPC Eric Vojtasek made Jul 14 at 2015 11:23 PM

SPC Eric Vojtasek — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 23:23:32 -0400

I was a 92G also but we come in early and leave late not everyone can understand that but the ones that do appreciate what we do. We are not dumb at all.

Response by SPC Kevin Campbell Lopez made Aug 23 at 2015 1:52 PM

SPC Kevin Campbell Lopez — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 13:52:54 -0400

I always treat the cooks with respect. Always. Once in a while, I mess with them while they serve my food. I can tell they get bored. So I catch them off guard "Hi! :) Can you serve me the Army chicken and Hooah fries? I want the military veggies too. Thank you! :)" They always look at me and laugh, they never forget me. One time I was pouring water from the soda fountain and one cook said to me "Getting that HOOOAH water?!" and he walked off. I laughed so hard.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 23 at 2015 2:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 14:27:54 -0400

The killers often don't have the understanding of appreciating what others do for them.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 7:53 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 07:53:19 -0400

Perhaps the Navy sees this differently; six months out at sea, there are few people as prized/applauded then those who prepare the food.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 27 at 2015 8:05 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:05:21 -0400

I certainly dont. The guys that picked "cool" MOS's that don't translate to the real world? Those guys are dumb. Humans always have to eat. You guys are guaranteed work. I'd say you're smarter than the bulk of us...

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Aug 27 at 2015 12:27 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 12:27:52 -0400

Just ask any grunt or gun-bunny: Chow is Morale!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2015 3:46 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 15:46:30 -0400

Some of the hardest workers in the Army, working the worst hours. Thanks for all that you do.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 1:14 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 01:14:03 -0400

On any field mission or even in garrison I've noticed the cooks are some of the hardest working folks. I can't speak for all, but the cooks I've been around were actually pretty sharp, and patient. Maybe TOO patient..

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 12:05 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 12:05:18 -0400

I have alot of respect for 92G's. They come to work early and leave late. If you think outside the box, running a DFAC is like running a buisness with managing the money, attracting customers (alot of lower enlisted dont like to go unless it's exceptional),keeping the place clean,passing inspections etc. They could use this to run their own buisness one day. For anyone who classifies them as "dumb" they are ignorant to what a 92G is all about, and cooking is only half the job. Theres more than what meets the eye.

Response by SPC Greg Osler made Sep 23 at 2015 2:47 PM

SPC Greg Osler — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 14:47:23 -0400

The thing I always got told is that there is 3 people in the service that you don't want to piss off and that is beans(cooks) bullets( supply) bandages(medics). I love to cook and enjoyed my time. People ask me how I went to school full time and commuted 50 miles each way and worked full time when I got out. I get asked how I did it and I always said force of habit. Cooks are dedicated and hardworking, but some of the hardest working people that I know were my fellow cooks. We did have one stupid cook but he was a hard worker.

Response by SGT Michael Swaggerty made Oct 9 at 2015 10:40 PM

SGT Michael Swaggerty — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 22:40:48 -0400

Just remember this, If you are good at your craft and have good management skills you won't be looking for a job long if you get out. Everything you do as a cook is directly transferable to civilian sector. Many MOS aren't

Response by Sgt Peter Bowers made Sep 5 at 2016 8:45 PM

Sgt Peter Bowers — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 20:45:18 -0400

Not a dumb job at all! Being a FSS in the Army guard and Air Guard takes skill, I loved being a Cook when I was in. Up before dawn and last to leave at night! FSS is a definite Morale booster for soldiers and airman alike. I was proud and honored to serve the troops in such an important position. Thank You! 1985-1991

Response by SGT La'Mont Johnson made Apr 23 at 2017 2:50 PM

SGT La'Mont Johnson — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 14:50:33 -0400

See how that changes when you go to the field! Some of the most intelligent individuals EVER are Chefs however, recruiters navigate half truths upon enlistment and function on sheer numbers. Soldiers/People who have that mentality are nieve. Chefs,Supply, and Medics...try running the U.S. Army OR any branch w/o them.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 3:51 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 15:51:17 -0400

I respect you and your what you do. You are really heroes. People starve w/o you. But I am a Meterologist and so I know your field does not routinely score higher than ATC or the weather field.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 5:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 05:56:07 -0400

As a 92g30, in a 92g40 position, I encourage ANYONE that believes that being a cook is easy or just for "dumb" people to come to a CK and work along side of my section for a field exercise where we may average 3 to 4 hours of sleep a day. Then, only then, express how lazy or dumb cooks are, if you think we are! I know what my section is made of. I have some of the most motivated warriors I have ever had the privilege of serving with in this section.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Dec 6 at 2017 6:38 AM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 06:38:48 -0500

I scored high and my recruiter asked why I didn’t pick s’thing higher than being a 622(AF) Cook. I told him that since I was little I went to work with mom on weekends to her job and I did little jobs.. stock shelves, peeled carrots, and as I got older I was doing more responsible jobs(the owner was also my great Aunt on dad’s side). I cooked in the grlll, put the Roasts in the oven,(ready-done Roasts were expensive and Auntie had a ranch with a lot of beeves[plural of beef].. and hogs.. a cousin of ours was a Veterinarian and could inspect the animals. Another older cousin was a butcher/processor.. So cost of beef was minimal)
I knew cook, baking, was good at it, participated
In Vo-tech with my job at Auntie’s Restsurant.
Enough said he replied... I went Reserve. I had one more year of HS to go. I’d been nurturing this idea a long time. When I completed a year in Reserve and things were looking right.I’d make the Switch to Regular Active duty AF. I also was in
AFJRROTC . Had completed basic Cadet program, had gotten to Cadet Officer grade.. Full
Scholarships for JRROTC just we’re not happening
(‘71)So I was going to get in, get G.I. Bill.. and go to college when I could . Reserves is like a part time job. That was my key. Some of my teachers
Didn’t like it, voiced their displeasure. The Principal and Superintendent had my ‘6’. I took the by-pass for a 3 skill lvl cook.. that gave me a one-up.. when I got to my unit, my 5 lvl CDCs were waiting for me. I ignore them guys and women when they say I’m dumb. Sure I’m not
A wrench-turner.. I got a different grease under my nails is all!... I appreciate your positive re-Enforcement if The Cooks Specialist, I really do!
I also have an Assoc. in Applied Science degree
In Culinary Arts/Restaurant MGT. There are more of us than some people say out there in the Military that are not “Just Dumb Cooks”... I’m retired now, worked in the industry.. had hired former Military Cooks mainly because they are dependable and financially trustworthy.. That’s my Spiel in response.. have anAwesome day!
and God less America and All our troops whatever Service branch they may be or have been in !

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2018 3:30 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 03:30:20 -0400

This has been a issue since the Army cooks joined the fight. We have a lot of brilliant Soldiers in the Army. I will tell you in my experience I have met a lot of 92Gs with bachelor's and master's degrees because they had time for self development. This includes promotion. I'm proud to be a Army cook, greatest job in the Army!

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Oct 3 at 2018 11:42 AM

1SG Frank Boynton — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 11:42:15 -0400

Back in the early ‘70’s the mess hall had to serve liver 3 time a week. There is no one better than an Army cook when it comes to cooking liver and onions. I don’t see dumb. I see dedication and professionalism. You got to admire cook who are up even before the infantry, cooking bread, pastries, coffee, so I can get there at 5am for my morning cup of joe. Ir come into base camp at 3am from an 18 hour patrol and cook has something warm for you. No sir, I never considered them dumb.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 3 at 2018 1:36 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 13:36:15 -0400

Support soldiers are rarely recognized for their hard work.

Response by SFC Andrew Ormiston made Oct 19 at 2018 12:47 AM

SFC Andrew Ormiston — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 00:47:02 -0400

Because they’re ignorant.
Let ‘m think it.
Sometimes the best compliment is no complaint. The best way to montitor if your success is by monitoring the trash can.
If all that is coming back is mostly empty plates, you’re doing well.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Oct 19 at 2018 1:13 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 01:13:53 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, many years ago I was HHC Commander for the 15th Psychological Operations Battalion. Naturally, we had a mess section and the mess sergeant (SFC) was a culinary genius in my opinion. He was even a finalist for USAR Philip A. Connelly Award one year!
No one that ever had chow with us thought that anyone in our mess section was dumb!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 19 at 2018 6:24 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 06:24:40 -0400

Some think that being in mess is a low man on the totem pole MOS, but they don't complain when their mouths are full.

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Oct 19 at 2018 9:04 AM

MSgt Stephen Council — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 09:04:54 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member If we all do a little deep thought, we find that our trust in the people who prepare our food is an absolute trust. We are going to EAT what they prepare. High or low score? I don't really care. They are going to take basic ingredients and make them something more than they began. I find that the creativity and intelligence it takes to cook well, is very high. The problem is the association with any score. I began my life at 17 years old as an Air Force POL specialist. One of the lowest ASVAB requirements in the USAF. I never allowed that to define me. I married the most beautiful Airman that ever joined, I re-trained into Intelligence, I got a bachelors degree and two associates. I retired as a MSgt after a 24 year distinguished career, and I am now a Government civilian in the Missile Defense Agency and the equivalent of a GS13. Clearly my first job did not bound my future. However, I met some of the most intelligent people of my career in POL. The fact that they remained in that career field simply meant to me that they enjoyed their career path and wished to continue doing something that they found fulfilling and worthwhile. One of those people almost got eliminated from the USAF for failure to get promoted. Why? He couldn't read. That in no way defined his intelligence. He was the go to guy for difficult problem solving by the SNCOs and officers. NO ONE knew the career field as well as he did! It took far too long and far too many useless supervisors before one of the greatest acts of leadership I witnessed in my early career happened. A young E6 asked him what the problem was. He said he couldn't finish the tests because "I don't read too well TSgt Rudd"! That TSgt asked him to read a regulation and was astonished. He could not read any words with more than two syllables and not a lot of the ones that were two syllables. He took the guy to the education center, got him MONTHS of reading classes and he made rank the next two tests. Not stupid, just not cared about until almost too late. There are NO stupid people! There are however small minded people who only think of themselves and try to put others down! I just chose to never listen to them.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Oct 19 at 2018 10:54 AM

SGT Patrick Reno — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 10:54:42 -0400

There is nothing better for the Infantry to look forward to than a hot meal when out in the field. Thank you to all you 92G's.

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 19 at 2018 3:35 PM

SrA John Monette — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 15:35:57 -0400

I sure wouldn't want to piss off someone who is making my food or has access to all those knives and heavy pots

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Oct 21 at 2018 1:11 PM

SSG Keven Lahde — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 13:11:38 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member A lot of soldiers really don't know what our job entails. They only see us either serving or just doing Head Count. They don't see the prep, set-up, cooking, cleaning ect that goes with the job.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2018 9:36 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 21:36:20 -0400

While many do have high GT, there are an overwhelming number with a 31 on the ASVAB. I remember at the recruiting station how many waivers would be granted and the folks were sent to food service. It just goes to show that each person is capable of performing a function and that function can be very important. One should not look down upon their brethren or exalt others for their score on a test. In fact, medical school graduates that do well are the ones with better work ethic, not necessarily the smartest ones.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2018 10:05 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 10:05:39 -0400

Being a 92G is a choosing for a lot of people. Then they realize how daunting of a task it can be. I chose this position and would never want to go to anything else. There is a lot of self satisfaction and pride that goes into it and not to mention you get about as much PME and promoted faster then anyone else. Ultimately, most of us want to retire and this will get you there at the highest rank. Quartermasters are detrimental to the Armys readiness and we are there to sustain the warfighter. Without us they are nothing and without them we are nothing. We all need each other so there is no reason to call anyone "dumb"... Take pride in what you do and everything else will come and go (and you won't be tore up when you retire because rucking at 20k for fun is not cool at all, lol)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2018 10:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 10:50:23 -0500

Because they aren't trained to capacity, performance standards aren't high enough, the chemistry and physics involved in cooking aren't taught, and independent critical thinking is discouraged.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2018 6:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 18:02:38 -0500

I see this post is old but I just wanted to chime in lol anytime someone talks shot about me being a cook my main response is “but can you whoop my ass?” I have yet run into someone who challenged my response. Most of my cooks get the highest pt scores in the comapanies I’ve been in, could out shoot most soldiers, and would never complain. Calls us dumb cooks but I gaurentee you no one will ever have the balls to say it to my face lol

Response by SPC Steve Coppard made Apr 15 at 2020 12:07 PM

SPC Steve Coppard — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 12:07:43 -0400

Definitely a leftover from the past. Lots of pre-Viet Nam jokes and stereotypes. When I told the recruiter I wanted to be a cook he paused for a second, said "Really?" then shook his head and wrote it into my file.... Ha! At the time I had planned to go into hotel & restaurant management.

Regardless, it got me to the 25th Infantry in Hawaii.

Response by SPC Dwight Turner made Apr 23 at 2020 1:21 AM

SPC Dwight Turner — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 01:21:21 -0400

hey cooks t times can be your best friend !!!1 or worse nightmare !!!!!
cook or finance or supply never mess with !!!!

Response by SSG Dean Long made Apr 24 at 2020 1:40 PM

SSG Dean Long — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 13:40:17 -0400

I actually had a 1SG ask me “What’s the deal with Cooks and low GT scores?” I told him that he had better recheck his stats as I had the highest GT score in the Brigade and never attended any type of GT improvement! He apologized a week later!

Response by SFC Brian Death from Within made Jul 7 at 2020 8:21 AM

SFC Brian Death from Within — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 08:21:57 -0400

Because they think it is a position that needs no intellegience. They do not realise that one mistake and you can make many people sick or die. I loved all the time I had as a 94B / 92G. I had more respect for me and my fellow Food Service Personel than any other position within the Army.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 3:58 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 03:58:18 -0400

If you research history you will find that the military was only letting poc (people of color) become "cooks" when they first joined. Aside from infantry, i think its just a bad stigma and people automatically think that they can cook. Cooking is seen as a woman's job so it seems lesser and isn't taking serious.

Response by SPC David Young made Apr 12 at 2021 10:15 PM

SPC David Young — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 22:15:53 -0400

No, cooks are not dumb. I spent almost 7 years active-duty Army as a 92G. Four of those years were in a Field Artillery battalion at Fort Riley. I saw so many acts of stupidity and heard enough dumb questions from 13 series types to make me question their intelligence.. I once got a counseling statement for telling a young 2nd Lieutenant that beating up the bread dispenser would not make it work better. I fought that one and it was thrown out but really? These were the ones calling me a "dumbass cook?" Just consider the source next time someone says something like that. Do your job and take pride in your work. I hope this helps and I wish you the best!

Response by CPL William Harper made Aug 1 at 2021 10:01 PM

CPL William Harper — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 22:01:26 -0400

Historically most who did the job were those who were former “blank” MOS or those not considered qualified because of false ideological beliefs(color,gender,etc) Now as I can speak from experience as 92G/ USAF EQUIVALENT in my 18 1/2 yrs of service. Hope this helps!!!

Response by SFC Joshua Murtha made Dec 12 at 2022 5:31 PM

SFC Joshua Murtha — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:31:55 -0500

That's the same crap I put up with for 20yrs as a cook. It was usually because they came across one cook like that and stereotyped the rest. Just like others have done with infantrymen before. Most cooks I knew where extremely smart and business savvy.