Getting Started
Becoming a National Guard chef begins with joining the National Guard. A successful candidate is between the ages of 17 and 42, has a high school diploma, or GED, and can meet legal standards. The new recruit will also have to pass severe physical conditioning and testing as well as passing health exams.
Basic training is the place where all National Guard recruits begin their Guard careers no matter what job they take on during their enlistment. During their nine week training, they will receive training in basic soldier skills, while also learning their job as guard chef. This training includes skills such as baking, roasting, grilling, and frying techniques. As well as menu planning, preparing meal ingredients, serving, sanitation, and managing a kitchen.
After Basic Training
With the exception of war time activities, the new cooking specialist will live his life like any other normal person. They will get up early in the morning to start the day and begin preparing for three meals for a large number of people. Depending on the size of the base they are stationed at, they could be preparing food for up to 3,000 people. This requires a lot of preparing and planning. Their day consists of preparing vegetables and other ingredients used in the meals. Deserts, bread, rolls, and other baked goods are made. Entrees are cooked, roasted, or fried. After three serving times, and keeping food hot during the day, the guard chef will then clean up the kitchen and dining area to be ready for the next day.
Unique and Creative
As mentioned, one of the often not talked about responsibilities of a National Guard chef is keeping up the morale of the soldiers. This is especially true if it is war time deployment. Morale can be kept up when the food is good, hot, and different. People can get tired of the same routine over and over again. This is very true for the food that they eat. The National Guard chef is given the job of being creative with their menus and food. At the disposal of the guard chef is the ability to use whatever they can to help keep soldiers happy. Spices, herbs, specialty plates, and even finding out favorite regional dishes that soldiers would eat in their hometowns are all ways that chefs can add variety to their menus. With up to 3,000 people to feed, three times a day, being a creative person is a great plus for a National Guard chef.
Joining the National Guard and training as a chef leads to great opportunity after your military obligation. Many resorts, hotels, and large companies will hire someone from the Guard because of the level of training they have gone through.
