FORMC – Summer CS State of the Rating Review and Quarterly CS Leadership Departments Updates

Culinary Specialists,

Good morning from Alaska. I love traveling to CS units to hear your stories, visit your cutters, and throw down some chow with you. The Chiefs who make these symposiums happen have no idea how helpful these are to the CS Senior Leadership and how much impact it has on everyone who is involved.

The Quarterly CS leadership department August updates have been released:

AO Update: https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/07/25/august-2024-update-assignment-officers-aos/
CS School House Update: https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/07/25/july-2024-update-a-school-c-school-rkm/
COSL/CSB: Update: https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/08/18/august-2024-update-culinary-operations-service-line-csb-cosl-fincen-dla/
Culinary Program Update: https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/02/06/feb-2024-update-culinary-program/

We held our first ever State of the Rating Review earlier this month, we steamed it on Facebook live for transparency and recorded the Teams Video so you can play it back on YouTube. Click here for the video: https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/08/18/video-summer-cs-state-of-the-rating-review-and-quarterly-cs-leadership-departments-update/ Going forward, every 3 months we will be providing CS Leadership Departments Fleet Updates and a CS State of the Rating Quarterly Review.

Talking points for this quarters State of the Rating Review included:
• Recruiting is working
• Quality VS Quantity (New CS’s)
• Most billets are filled but many may not be truly “filled”
• 1 more year of Bonus Support/Vested Crew Members
• Operational Analysis – In progress
• MCAP – CS Leadership is functioning well
• CS support is at an all-time high
• Billet Banding E4/E5
• Advanced Ed applications
• ACF National Champs
• Leadership Meeting Sept 15th

What the FORMC main priorities are currently:
• Test Run “CSA TRACEN Petaluma” Separating the galley from A School
• Operational Analysis – Coming to you soon
• Realigning Sea-Time requirements for the CS Rating
• Create CS Pay Grade Progression system to include Competencies/Certifications/Qualifications

What does FORMC need from the fleet:
• Fueling the fire of our new Chefs types – Stepping it up
• Mentoring our new disgruntled CSs types – We are great Leaders
• Provide feedback on Vested and Lateral Entry CSs
• Take the OA Survey
• Chiefs: Base and Sector Chiefs Supporting the Fleet
• Senior Chiefs, Master Chief’s: MCAP Guidance

Please see the list at the end of this message for the State of the Rating Culinary Specialist Leadership Department/FORMC Collaboration topics list.

The Culinary Specialist Operational Analysis is almost complete and ready to send to the fleet! Thank you to the CS Master Chiefs, Subject Matter Experts/Task List Content Leaders, and Accomplished Performers! 7 CS Master Chiefs traveled to the Rednour Awards show in Chicago to support our award winners and to put together a list of passionate, vocal, and, most importantly, intelligent group of SMEs and Accomplished Performers. These Accomplished Performers travel to TRACEN Petaluma to tackle an extensive task list and narrowing it down from over 1,000 tasks to the 300 most important tasks we perform as CSs. It was wonderful to see, talk with and work with all of them.

Also, thank you to the CS Master Chiefs, SMEs/Task List Content Leaders for creating the preliminary task list that overwhelmingly encompasses all possible aspects of food service and our rating. It was the largest preliminary task list FORCECOM has ever seen.

Be on the lookout for an email with the Survey soon. This is how we shape the rating going forward. We also added over 20 questions allowing you to really speak your mind about our Rating, Supervisors, Commands and peers. If you want senior leadership to hear about something, take the survey and we will see and read it. It’s all anonymous so go right ahead, be a leader, and use your voice to make this rating better.

CS Rating important new information links:

Link ACF Nationals – We now have two American Culinary Federation (ACF) National Chef of the Years. CSC Danielle Hughes 2022 and John Toman 2024 competed against the best civilian Chefs in America, in the most prestigious culinary competition in America, and won! https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/08/18/unimaginable-the-coast-guard-now-has-two-american-culinary-federation-national-chef-of-the-years/

We have received many questions regarding the delay in bonus payments. Some answers here: https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/07/25/cs-bonus-payment-status-info/

A group of Master Chiefs and Senior Chiefs worked with the CS FORMC on this document requested by Boards and Panel Master Chief, CSCM Nick Write: The following is provided by the respective FORMC to assist the MCAP Board in better understanding the rating being reviewed. https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/03/11/mcap-rfmc-career-guide-highlights-culinary-specialist/

As technology and policies change, we must revise our manuals to help support our CS workforce. On behalf of the RFMC, CG-1K13, COSL/CSB, we would like to provide all the opportunity to make suggestions for the upcoming Annual Culinary Operations Management update. https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/07/29/culinary-manual-feedback-link-message-from-csb-master-chief-vernon-joiner/

The first ever CS “Live” Shopping List. A Power BI tool that will track rotation dates for positions, much like ePAL does in CGBI. EPIC. https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/07/26/cs-live-shopping-list-test-message-from-cwo-nicholas-wernicke-ao/

We have heard your requests for guidance and support regarding best practices with your Vested Crew Members (VCMs). We are excited to share our progress and introduce a pilot system developed by A School and the RKM. https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/08/19/vested-crew-member-guidance/

Only two months left of the Butter Book! Train up soon before it is gone. https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/01/29/check-you-emails-rkm-master-chief-justin-reed-gets-us-the-butter-book/

Congratulations to the four CSs who will be going to college next year, full time, Full CG pay, with tuition paid by the Coast Guard. Message here: https://coastguardculinary.com/2024/08/19/subj-enlisted-postgraduate-and-advanced-education-managementsub%e2%80%90panel-results-for-assignment-year-2025/

Upcoming FORMC Schedule of Travel/Events:

AUG 19th – Alaska Bouy Tender Roundup – AK
AUG 26th – 28th CS Sisters FSO Relive on Sailfish, CSA, FINCEN, COSL Visits
SEP 9th – SHFM National Conference – MD
SEP 16th – CS Senior Leadership Meeting TRACEN Petaluma – CA
SEP 16th – 20th New Orleans CS Symposium – LA
OCT 21st – D5 CS Symposium – VA
NOV 1st – 3rd – Kansas City BBQ Competition Recruiting Event – KC
NOV 8th – 13th – World Food Show Competition Recruiting Event – AR
JAN 13th – 17th – D11 Culinary Symposium – CALI CS Rating

Leadership Departments FORMC Collaborations:

RTAC/FORMC Collaborations (The Rating Training Advisory Counsil – FORMC, RKM and A School Chief):

1. CS Carrer Path Restructure: Draft a CS Pay Grade Progression White Paper to include Competencies, Sea time Requirements and Certifications. Once complete implement into the RKM CS Career Guide (Needs an update anyway), Reduce SWE Point values and add Certification/Competency Point Values to the CS Advancement process. This is going to be presented to all Ratings, for action, from TMX shortly.
   • Step 1 – Fully implement the JOD Competency into all Coast Guard Systems (Program)
   • Step 2 – Create a Memo (off season) requesting SDP for JOD (program)
   • Step 3 – C School develop a Galley Management Course mirroring the JOD format
   • Step 4 – Create Memo to Change the Seatime for CS advancement (Program)
   • Step 5 – Meet with Mike Reynolds (Credentialing Assistance) and see if he can fund CIA ProChef
   • Step 6 – Create a list of potential CS competencies and draft the way forward on implementation
   • Step 7 – Create a White Paper on ACF Certification Levels, ProChef Certification Levels and CS Competencies (Current and Future) of how many points they should account for on advancement according to certification and pay grade.
   • Step 8 – Create memo requesting reduction in SWE Point values and add Certification/Competency Point Values to Advancement Criteria
   • Step 9 – C School develop a Course for each rank mirroring the JOD format
   • Step 10 – Implement these new Courses, Competencies, Certifications into the RKM CS Carrer Guide.
   
2. Restructure Lateral Entry/LOIs with colleges.
   • New updated the Lateral Entry Requirements Memo
   • LOIs – Culinary College Letter of Intent Requirements
   • Agile A School – A School Assessment
   • Fleet Feedback has been good overall.
   • CSA/Large Units is turning out to be the best spot for these grads
   
3. Polish up the Advanced Ed Program:
   • Dietician to the Cape May Future Sentinel Preparatory Course (FSPC)
   • Revamp CS Advanced Ed Program Guidance and Objectives
   • Draft Policy on the Duties and Responsibilities of the incoming Dietician and Nutritionist
   • Find better School Recommendations

Program/FORMC Collaborations:

1. Create a Timeline/info flyer for the fleet and program Chain of Command on the progress of the ACF/CS Integration effort to include:
   • Implementation of the ACF A School Accreditation
   • Implementation of the ACF Apprenticeship Program
   • Amount of proctors Qualified.
   • Amount of Certifications Achieved when and where
   • Testing Centers Created
   • 2024 ACF Competition Awards – Medals, Rank, Categories
   • Point of Contacts
   
2. Create a Flow Chart flyer for the fleet and program Chain of Command on the end goals of the ACF/CS Integration to include:
   • Status and End Goals of the Culinarian Certification at A School
   • Status and End Goals of the E5 Certification Program
   • Implementation Process for ACF Textbooks replacing Professional Chef
   • Way Forward on implementation of programs for any other potential ACF Certification levels
   • Way Forward on adding ACF Certification to CS Advancement Processes.
   • Adding Potential Testing Centers
   • Integrating ACF requirements to our RPQs
   • Culinary Team Progress
   • Point of contacts
   
3. Draft Trip Report on all 2024 Recruiting Efforts
   • Skills USA
   • ProStart
   • ACF
   • School Visits
   • Events
   
4. Support RTACs CS Carrer Path Restructure:
   • Memo to Realigning Sea-Time requirements for the CS Rating
   • Fully implement the JOD Competency into all Coast Guard Systems
   • Create a memo (off season) requesting SDP for JOD
   • Jack of the Dust (JOD) Name change – Purchasing and Inventory Manager
   • Create a Memo Requesting a School work on a Galley Management Course mirroring the to the JOD format
   • Meet with Credentialing Assistance to see if there is possible CIA ProChef Funding
   
5. Work Force Management RPs/PRS/Billets
   • Draft Memo for Eagle/Program to submit for billets to replace Eagle Terbs beta test.
   • Draft Memo for Moving Master Chiefs Academy/SCA
   • Draft Memo for Moving Master Chiefs COSL/FINCEN
   • Draft Memo for Moving Master Chiefs Hawaii/Program – Contracting/MWR Program Manager
   • Draft Memo Test Run “CSA TRACEN Petaluma” Separating the galley from A School
   • Draft Memo Addressing Small Boat Station Manning.
   
6. Fleet Updates
   • Progress on the Culinary Manual
   • Progress on the Galley APP/new Paperwork system project
   • Draft Schedule of Forecasted Symposium to send to the fleet.
   • Progress on TDY Recognition and Benefits
   • Progress on the Culinary Support Activity that will be located in Charleston on the new campus.

A School/FORMC Collaborations:

• Remove the Operational Requirement – Test Run “CSA TRACEN Petaluma” Separating the galley from A School
• Evaluating and implementing new Vested Crew Member Processes to reduce A School timelines and increase A School outputs (A School)
• Prepare for Operational Analysis Changes – 1500 new SWE questions, new RPQs, TPOs
• Telesupport/video training qual sign off started for independent duty CS
• Grow our ACF Instructor Certifications
• Fully implement the Butter Book
• Support RTACs CS Carrer Path Restructure: Push to start work on a Galley Management Course mirroring the to the JOD format
• Lead the CSs rating in creating a new culinary standard for fully staffed galleys

CSB/FORMC Collaborations:
• OPC Galley Design Input
• SDP/Competency Guidance Restructure
• COSL/Fleet Culinary Manual Update Tracking
• Payment solutions for meals/food for Cutter international ComRel events (COSL)
• AMIO Guidance, Tools, Methods
• OMR for OPC staffing models – 7 CS is the latest (FORMC)
• Researching the possibility of FRC Stores Hub/Support Center/CSA concept galley that SPL/Program would like to initiate as a test (Boston) for implementation LA/LB, PR, Key West, Miami, Boston, San Diego (COSL)
• Menu Advisory Board Form
• SOP Templates
• Creating a Contracting Program Manager
• Creating an MWR Program Manager

AO’s/FORMC Collaborations
• Add E4/E5 to the billet banding beta test.
• New Live shopping list Add E4/E5 to the billet banding beta test.
• Support the Test Run “CSA TRACEN Petaluma” Separating the galley from A School
• Possible FAI Billet excess solutions

Thank you for everything. I’m surrounded by so many amazing CSs. It really makes my job easy. The inspiration we feel from the Junior Petty Officers is overwhelming. Many E4s, with less than a year in, are doing 1st Class level work on their own. I’m so grateful to all our CSs on how you can handle the BS we put up with every day. Your resiliency and work ethic are unheard of in in our current culture. CS Senior leadership understands this is and trying to lessen the expectation and work loads our CSs are faced with each and every day. It is an amazing time to be a CS but there is a lot more work to be done to support our people and create a Rating that is treated fairly and responsibly.

Thanks again and I’m looking forward to three months from now for the CS Leadership Departments Fall Fleet Updates and CS State of the Rating Quarterly Review.

-CSCM James Swenson
860-389-4470