Culinary Specialist,

Good afternoon. There’s a lot to discuss so here’s a table of contents:

– INVENTORY SYSTEM FEEDBACK
– NO ONE GETS THESE EMAILS. https://coastguardculinary.com/2023/01/10/no-emails-message-from-rfmc-select/
– PORTAL IS GOING AWAY https://coastguardculinary.com/2023/01/10/portal-is-a-dead-man-walking-message-from-the-rfmc-select/
– JOD PILOT IN PROGRESS https://coastguardculinary.com/2023/01/10/jod-email-question-for-the-rkm-rfmc-select/
– LARGE CUTTER INPORT CLOSURE PILOT
– PATROL BOAT INPORT CLOSURE PILOT AND BASE/SECTOR SUPPORT
– SANITATION GMT/LEARNING PORTAL
– CGDF CHECKLIST NEW CS Paperwork Command Checklists
– EMAIL ABOUT COOL/HCCAP/CAREER GUIDE https://coastguardculinary.com/2023/01/04/haccp-email-question-for-the-rkm-rfmc-select/
– WE ARE LITERALLY THE BEST IN THE NATION  https://coastguardculinary.com/2023/01/10/we-are-literally-the-best-in-the-nation/
– ACF TRANSITION
– EAGLE 2023 – EUROPE ANYONE (POSSIBLY NORWAY ohhhh) Europe?? (Possibly Norway ohhh) Message from Chief Billow on CGC EAGLE
– CULINARY SPECIALIST RECRUITING FLYER UPDATES https://coastguardculinary.com/cs-recruiting-flyers/
– RFMC (Select) REACT VIDEO #2 TFFY Part 1 – my cringe  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEFgO7Ht3iY

——- INVENTORY SYSTEM FEEDBACK
We have a proposal for a new paperwork system that states “The current capability for culinary service management includes updating Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and the excessively time-consuming effort of manually making changes before routing to the next member of the chain for approval. This current state of routing financial reports exceeds the allotted time requirements to capture and transmit financial information. As a result, discrepancies are typically caught significantly after they are made which complicates the process by yielding incomplete and untimely reports. The underway mobile computing environment, which suffers from connectivity issues, further hinders the timely submission of documents. Such incomplete and untimely information is unusable for managing the subsistence program. It is apparent that a central solution tailored for the afloat domain is necessary with a capability to operate offline and sync quickly after reconnection.”

We have a solution that works great and has been tested (underway). Please help by replying to this email stating how our current paperwork system affects your ability to do your job effectively (ie. Spending 4 hours looking for $5 instead of in the galley is not effective). We have been told, deck plate-level feedback on the current paperwork system may help push it over the hump for funding.

Also, from someone smarter than me: “We are funneling money into units to correct issues such as poor load outs, improper handling of stores, loss due to mechanical failure, etc. If we can show case this, on top of getting comments from CS and the commands on how the current inventory system is impacting their unit readiness and success, then they should not be able to deny the proposal.”

Thank you for any help you can provide!

——- NO ONE GETS THESE EMAILS.
The last email I sent to CS Petty Officers had 338 cooks on it. This means over 500 cooks do not receive these bang list emails. Right now, anyone whose title is not their rating (CS3, CS2, CS1) is NOT getting emails sent VIA distribution group (HQS-DG-ALL-CS1 for example).

THERE IS A FIX… each member must update their title (it changes every time someone transfers/advances ect and there is not an enterprise easy “create some code” fix to this.)

Can we please make sure your fellow Culinary Specialists have their titles updated in MilConnect. If it is not updated please send them this fix: https://coastguardculinary.com/2023/01/10/no-emails-message-from-rfmc-select/

With the transition to SharePoint from portal (next subject) this is the only official means of communication currently for our members to receive information from AOs, CS Program, CS RFMC, FINCEN, CPL, etc. Thanks for your help with this.

 —— PORTAL IS GOING AWAY
In the next few months, Portal is going away and being replaced with SharePoint. We have everything backed up on a hard drive and transferred over to SharePoint at https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/erats_spo/CS/SitePages/Home.aspx. We have high hopes for SharePoint but it is not up to par currently in regards to accessibility/communication/messaging/useful search capabilities. It will be fine for an official location to house all CS rating knowledge/material and we will work on cleaning it up to make it more user-friendly (the old portal is still accessible for a few months as well). As far as CS communications, we will use other resources (these emails/www.coastguardculinary.com) until SharePoint is fully functional. 

 ——- JOD PILOT IN PROGRESS
An Email I Received “It has been a while since we have met/talked, last I saw you was at the NY Symposium three or four years ago. I was just reaching out in regards to developments for the JOD pracs. It was a project I was especially excited about participating in, along with one I thought was solely needed. Especially as the CS2 list becomes supplemental, I look around and see a lot of E5 and E4’s that don’t have a grasp on the paperwork, and some are able to slide through the cracks by having people around them do it for them. Is there any chance you have any news on this idea, or any recent development. I love the paperwork side of the job, and I think it is slept on a little when it comes to the RPQ’s for it just because at times FSO’s are so concerned about their third class or second class messing up the books, they don’t give them the due amount of responsibility and chance to learn it. Thanks for letting me know what you think Master Chief! I appreciate what you’re doing.”

Here is an update from CSCS Stephen Lyons C School/TRACEN and his team on the JOD Course: “Currently, we have one unit completed for the JOD Structured On-the-Job Training (SOJT). Unit 3 CGDF Workbooks is finished and we are currently running it through a dev test with CGC BERTHOLF and CG Sector NY. Unit 2 Procurement Documents is almost finished. The goal is to get as much finished before my retirement ceremony on April 21st. We are aiming to have the course completed by June 2023 and start dev testing it. I have attached the JOD Course Map for your convenience. Let me know if you have any other questions.”

This is very exciting. Thank You C School! Sector NY (Chief Joey Antonaccio and CS Crew) and BERTHOLF (Senior Chief Ivana Ford CWO Matt Wernicke and CS crew).

In regards to the Supplemental list and quick CS2 Advancements Issues https://coastguardculinary.com/2022/12/07/subj-active-duty-supplemental-advancement-eligibility-announcement-andprocedures-for-cs2/ We are due for a 2023 RPQs Rating Review/Operational Analysis https://coastguardculinary.com/2022/12/14/what-are-the-most-up-to-date-cs-rpqs/. Not only are we changing the RPQs, we will also be looking at how we can require Chiefs at FINCEN/SPL/C School to sign select RPQs to ensure CS2s are ready for the next step.

——- LARGE CUTTER INPORT CLOSURE PILOT
As per my last email, we are testing the benefits of closing our large cutters dinning facilities inport to better run our galleys and give the crews BAS. The BEAR – Chief Michael Franklin and his CS Crew – did a test pilot (with no supporting land galley****) and reported back no significant issues (270). Also, BERTHOLF – Senior Chief Ivana Ford, CWO Matt Wernicke and the CS crew – are currently running a pilot test for inport WMSLs. Thank you Pilot Program Testers! More to come.

 ——- PATROL BOAT INPORT CLOSURE PILOT AND BASE/SECTOR CS CHIEF SUPPORT
We are looking into ways the Sector/Base galley can support the local cutters. We have been brain storming a few ideas to help with the patrol boat inport workload.  One idea that we are planning on test piloting with Chief Houston Hoyle when he arrives as FSO at Key West is a blended ration concept to give cutter CSs breaks or needed time for loading out. Additionally, they are hoping to use the Sector Galley as an emergency and after hours store where afloat units can resupply the cutter without the need for grocery store runs.

 ——- SANITATION GMT/LEARNING PORTAL
FROM TRACEN! “CS School proposed a need for our four-hour annual sanitation refresher training to be standardized for the fleet use. This training would be part of the CCG’s RW30 line of effort to modernize training systems and delivery through Modern Ready Learning. This project will create on-demand CS training for fleet use regardless of connectivity.”

We are happy to report the CS Annual Sanitation eLearning Project Kick Off meeting was held Jan 3^rd. Great Work Master Chief Ball, Chief Lisa Densmore, Chief Jeffrey Thompson and the A School Crew! Please provide us feed back on what you would like to see included in this training. It’s about TIME!

 ——- CGDF CHECKLIST
While traveling to Symposiums we hear cooks requesting more simple/current guidance. One example was the CS Report Command Review Checklist they pass out at OINC/XPO school. SPL and C- School updated the checklist and created a PVA Command checklist on as well. They are uploaded here: https://coastguardculinary.com/2023/01/10/new-cs-paperwork-command-checklists/ (and attached). Please distribute to your Commands and use for your galley as you see fit.

 ——- EMAIL ABOUT HACCP/COOL/CS CARRER GUIDE
“With the CS Career Guide, I see “Certified Food Safety HACCP Manager” as a credential worth obtaining. I can’t seem to locate it on CG Cool or locate the site that the credential is associated with. Do you happen to know where I would find it or who I should reach out to for information in locating that credential? V/r, CS2” See the response here: https://coastguardculinary.com/2023/01/04/haccp-email-question-for-the-rkm-rfmc-select/

——- ACF CHEF OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Commandant says good things about ALL the cooks during ACF Chef of the Year (Chef Danielle Hughes) and ACF Pastry Chef of the Year (Chef Matt Shaw) presentation of the Meritorious Service Medal by Army Quartermaster Brigadier General Seigl at USCG Headquarters. The Ceremony included the both the Commandant and Vice of the Coast Guard as well as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard to recognize the team of Coast Guard Chefs from the Coast Guard Culinary Team for their accomplishments. This was the ACF civilian competition (not military) that these two Coasties won against the best in the nation. Congratulations CS we are LITERALLY the best in the nation! ACF Chef of the Year (Danielle Hughes) and ACF Pastry Chef of the Year (Matt Shaw) Army Awards  

——- ACF TRANSITION
TRACEN/Culinary Program are looking into incorporating the ACF Manual Culinary Fundamentals and ACF Certifications into A School/Rating at the Student and E5 Levels. There is a ton of more work to make this happen but good start Master Chief Ball, Chief Densmore and Senior Chief Fuchs.

——- EAGLE 2023 – EUROPE ANYONE (POSSIBLY NORWAY ohhhh)
From Chief Nichol Billow “Hello CS’s!!!! Just wanted to get ahead of our surge staffing request for the EAGLE’s summer deployment. This coming year EAGLE will be going to Europe!!!!!! As of right now we are waiting for our finalized schedule. Should know middle to end of January. We can leave any time between April/ May through August. There are phases which breaks up so if you want to join us for a leg come on down. James E. Swenson will be coming phase 1!!!. This is a great opportunity to travel and showcase our skills during events for foreign dignitaries. If this seems like something you would like to participate in please let me know. Thanks have a great day!!!!”

“James E. Swenson will be coming phase 1”

Wait WHAT???

REQUEST THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL FOR EACH PHASE LISTED BELOW, RANK/RATE QTY:
– TOTAL: 6 PER PHASE 2023 TOTAL: 30 CS
– 1 PER PHASE HAS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AS SPECIAL COMMAND AIDE (SCA)
– DATE REQUIRED AND DURATION OF NEED:
A. SPRING OCS: TBD (16 days)
B. CADET SUMMER TRAINING PHASE-1: 06MAY23 – 10JUN23 (35 days)
C. CADET SUMMER TRAINING PHASE-2: 10JUN23 – 22JUL23  (42 days)
D. CADET SUMMER TRAINING SWAB SHORTS: 22JUL23 – 12AUG23 (21 days)
E. FALL OCS: 16SEP23 – 30SEP23 (16 days)
IDENTIFY ANY POTENTIAL CANDIDATES ALREADY SCREENED OR VOLUNTEERED:
CS/E6-E9: CSCM SWENSON FOR B CADET SUMMER TRAINING PHASE-1: 06MAY23 – 10JUN23 (35 days)

——- – CULINARY SPECIALIST RECRUITING FLYER UPDATES
We updated the flyers with the new bonus amounts here: https://coastguardculinary.com/cs-recruiting-flyers/

——- RFMC REACT VIDEO #2
Back by Popular demand TFFY Part One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEFgO7Ht3iY

—— Other Projects:
– New Culinary Operations Manual Progress (We are actively working on it)
– Working on fixing TDY Support Issues (and the Eagle, Healy and Star)
– Tracker for all requests to create or update CS Products/Guides/Policy/Tools (tracker to include Date Requested, Who is responsible for creating, who is responsible for posting)

—— Other things I’m thinking about:
– Operating Recommendations for Shorthanded Cutters
– Operating Recommendations for Patrol Boats
– Recruiting MOUs, User Guides and Best Practices
– Tons of Social Media Goals
– Special Event/Reception Planning Guide
– CS Advancement Guide
– CS COOL Guide
– Funding for in person Certification Courses (Long shot, but good idea from Chief Michael Franklin)
and more. Standby!

Every conversation I have with a CS is amazing. We are all so passionate and driven to make thing better for our rating. There is pain but there is a lot more love and concern for our fellow cooks than anything else. We may be resilient but we won’t be pushed around. Thanks everyone!

Very Respectfully,

Culinary Specialist Master Chief James Swenson
Rating Force Master Chief (RFMC Select)
Rating Knowledge (RKM) – TRACEN Petaluma
Phone: 860-389-4470
www.CoastGuardCulinary.com

Want your well-deserved SDP? Please read the following:

-Read ALCOAST 359/22 SUBJ: FY23 SPECIAL DUTY PAY
(SDP)

-All designated underway FSOs are authorized SDP Level SD-3
($225 a month) to begins in FY23 01 Oct 2022 or upon reporting,
whichever is later.

-SDP commences on the date a member reports to an eligible position.

-SPOs must submit the proper Direct Access data entry to commence
SDP payment as appropriate.

-Please provide a copy of 1, 2, and 3 below to your command so
that you can start receiving your well-deserved SDP. If you have
any questions, please reach out to the Culinary Services Division,
CulinaryProgram@uscg.mil.

1. ALCOAST 359/22
2. Correction Memo
3. Verbiage from the Competency Dictionary

-Underway Food Service Officers (FSO) must acquire the CS-17 or
CS-18 competency code within one year of their reporting date. If
the member does not acquire the competency code (associated with
their cutter) within one year of their reporting date, SDP will be
suspended until the competency code is authorized by the CS Rating
Force Master Chief. Sample Authorization Memo.

-Competency Waiver Request Template Coming Soon

An Email I Received “It has been a while since we have met/talked, last I saw you was the NY Symposium three or four years ago. I was just reaching out in regards to developments for the JOD pracs. It was a project I was especially excited about participating in, along with one I thought was solely needed. Especially as the CS2 list becomes supplemental, I look around and see a lot of E5 and E4’s that don’t have a grasp on the paperwork, and some are able to slide through the cracks by having people around them do it for them. Is there any chance you have any news on this idea, or any recent development. I love the paperwork side of the job, and I think it is slept on a little when it comes to the RPQ’s for it just because at times FSO’s are so concerned about their third class or second class messing up the books, they don’t give them the due amount of responsibility and chance to learn it. Thanks for letting me know what you think Master Chief! I appreciate what you’re doing.”

Great email! Thanks CS1. Here is an update from CSCS Stephen Lyons C School/TRACEN and his team: “Currently, we have one unit completed for the JOD Structured On-the-Job Training (SOJT). Unit 3 CGDF Workbooks is finished and we are currently running it through a dev test with CGC BERTHOLF and CG Sector NY. Unit 2 Procurement Documents is almost finished. The goal is to get as much finished before my retirement ceremony on April 21st. We are aiming to have the course completed by June 2023 and start dev testing it. I have attached the JOD Course Map for your convenience. Let me know if you have any other questions.”

This is very exciting. Thank You C School! Sector NY (Chief Joey Antonaccio and CS Crew) and BERTHOLF (Senior Chief Ivana Ford CWO Matt Wernicke and CS crew).

In regards to the Supplemental list and quick CS2 Advancements Issues https://coastguardculinary.com/2022/12/07/subj-active-duty-supplemental-advancement-eligibility-announcement-andprocedures-for-cs2/ We are due for a 2023 RPQs Rating Review/Operational Analysis https://coastguardculinary.com/2022/12/14/what-are-the-most-up-to-date-cs-rpqs/. Not only are we changing the RPQs, we will also be looking at how we can require Chiefs at FINCEN/SPL/C School to sign select RPQs to ensure CS2s are ready for the next step.

Thanks again for this great email CS1!