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

We have heard your requests for guidance and support regarding best practices with your Vested Crew Members (VCMs). Additionally, many of you have inquired about ways to shorten the training duration for VCMs at A School, especially given the preliminary training you provide in your galleys. We are excited to share our progress and introduce a pilot system developed by A School and the RKM.

For those unfamiliar with the term, a Vested Crew Member is part of a Coast Guard Recruiting Command initiative aimed at streamlining the Guaranteed “A” School program. This program allows new recruits to be immediately assigned to their first CS rating billet while awaiting availability in the CS “A” School class.

Currently, A School and the RKM are developing guidelines outlining the activities VCMs can undertake while waiting for school. VCMs can complete local qualifications and perform duties as directed by their commands, but should focus on practicing the VCM culinary performance objectives as much as possible. This practical exposure to culinary training will give VCMs a head start in the CS “A” School Agile training system, potentially reducing their training time at TRACEN.

The CS VCM program is designed to address the shortfall in the CS Personnel Allowance List while enhancing the effectiveness of the Guaranteed CS “A” School program. By creating a streamlined process for Active Duty enlisted workforce accessions and assignments, the VCM program enables bootcamp graduates to be assigned to a CS3 position. They will serve in this role until attending CS “A” School on TDY orders, after which they will return to their initial assignments.

Attached is the draft version of the Vested Crew Member SOP. This SOP is a living document meant to be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect process improvements, new concepts, and revised priorities based on feedback from CS Supervisors to the RKM and into the RTAC.

For all units with current or incoming Vested Crew Members, please scroll down and read the email message from our CS Rating Knowledge Manager (RKM) Master Chief Justin Reed below, utilize the tools and information available on the VCM Sharepoint https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/USCG-CSPORTAL/SitePages/CS-Vested-Crewmember—Training-&-Guides.aspx , and provide us with feedback on how we can enhance the program.

Thank you for voicing your concerns. Your input has led to these significant developments, and with your continued support, this program will greatly benefit the CS rating. Special thanks to the A School team for putting this together!

-CSCM Swenson

Get Outlook for iOS

CSCM Justin Reed Says

Fellow CS’s

The Culinary Specialist VCM guidance and information is now available on the CS Portal page on Share Point.
https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/USCG-CSPORTAL/SitePages/CS-Vested-Crewmember—Training-&-Guides.aspx

The following references are available on the CS Portal home page under the Vested Crew Member Tab:

Vested Crew Member SOP
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aims to enhance comprehension of the requirements and direction regarding the Vested Crewmember. It presents a uniform method for CS VCMs to receive training in non-residential culinary practices, overseen by Professional Development Coaches (PDC) and managed by senior CS Supervisors. It serves to establish and unify processes, protocols, and/or instructions for the CS VCM program as well as standardized definitions.

Performance Test Checklist (PTC) for CS “A” School
This document contains the Terminal Performance Objectives (TPO) accomplished during A school. It serves as a tool for PDCs to guide their VCMs and prepare them for CS “A” School. The performance checklist is intended for reference and training purposes. Its completion remains a requirement at CS “A” school.

Student Recipe Book for VCMs at CS “A” School
This guide aims to enhance the VCMs’ comprehension of the recipes utilized in “A” school by CSs. The unit can integrate these recipes into unit cycle menus to strengthen VCM training. While exact recipes are not mandatory, this booklet serves as a point of reference for the techniques and procedures of food preparation essential for fulfilling the Terminal Performance Objectives at CS “A” school.

Professional Cooking Edition 8
Utilize Pro Cooking as a reference for all techniques and recipes. This is the reference the CS “A” school uses for the curriculum, TPO’s, and Rating Performance Qualification Standards ( RPQ)’s. The entire Pro Cooking Edition 8 is available on CS Portal under Vested Crew Member tab.

Healthy cooking Techniques 4th Edition
This reference is also utilized for nutritional instruction in CS “A” school.

v/r

CSCM Justin Reed
CS Rating Knowledge Manager
TRACEN Petaluma CS “A” School
707-465-7743

Culinary Specialist FORMC says: I love this Rating. Culinary Specialists 🏆⭐️are just built different.. Coast Guard now has two American Culinary Federation (ACF) National Chef of the years. Culinary Specialist 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! 27 years ago I would have never thought this was possible.. actually 5 years ago I would have never thought this would be possible. Best part is CS Senior Leadership played a huge role in this epic achievements by mentored these two for almost a decade showing them the path to ultimate victory. They should be just as proud as these two of this achievement.

This says it all! Our Nations best Chef! Congratulations CS1 John Toman ⭐️ SPEECH!!!! 🇺🇸👨‍🍳CS1 John Toman is your 2024 ACF Chef of the Year!!! Chef Toman earned ACF GOLD with a final score of 92.17 beating out all of the top civilian chefs from across every region of the nation. Congratulations CHEF! Way to represent the Coast Guard as we continue to prove that we have the best chefs in country!

Coast Guard Commandant says: During #NationalCulinaryArtsMonth it is our honor to highlight CS1 John Toman who recently won the National American Culinary Federation’s Chef of the Year competition! It is a highly prestigious honor and achievement, in both the civilian and military sectors, to be selected as the top chef in the country. CS1 is currently stationed in the Commandant’s flag mess, and looks forward to where his career will take him in the future.

Thank you CS1 for the devotion to your craft and representing our Service so proudly, congratulations! #uscg #gocoastguard #chefoftheyear2024

On 8/8/2024 the first Quarterly Culinary Specialist FORMC State of the Rating teams meeting with the CS Leadership Departments. For transparency we went live on Facebook and are posting this video so the fleet can watch to see what their Senior CS leadership is up to. Topics includes:

State of the rating:

• 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/RTAC 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 do we need from the fleet:

• Fueling the fire of our new Chefs types
• Mentoring our new disgruntled CSs types
• Provide feedback on Vested and Lateral Entry CSs
• Take the OA Survey

Leadership Departments FORMC Collaborations discussion:

• RTAC/FORMC Collaborations
• Program/FORMC Collaborations
• A School/FORMC Collaborations
• AO’s/FORMC Collaborations
• COSL/FORMC Collaborations

Message to our CS Senior Leadership:

Good afternoon. We often send information up the chain but rarely communicate it back down. This is your chance to share all that valuable information, initiatives, finalized projects, successes, ways you’ve supported the fleet, current issues, and how you plan to address those issues with the fleet. The same information you send to your superiors can be shared with the fleet by simply copying and pasting it.

Please send me this quarter’s update on your Department for the CS Force Master Chiefs “LIVE” Force Notes: CS Force Master Chief “LIVE” Force Notes – This page will act as the Culinary Specialist Force Master Chief (FORCM) Force Notes to include updated links, Culinary Specialist news, user guides, templates, message traffic, solicitations and a CS search engine.. (coastguardculinary.com) This page serves as the Culinary Specialist Force Master Chief (FORCM) Force Notes, including updated links, Culinary Specialist news, user guides, templates, message traffic, solicitations, and a CS search engine (coastguardculinary.com).

I know some of us are already providing updates through newsletters or emails, and that’s excellent. For everyone else, please submit your quarterly updates on what your CS Department is doing. Good example formats are in the emails below (AO email update and SPL/CSB update). This is not for me; it’s for the fleet. Even a small update is greatly appreciated. I will post these on social media as well. People want to hear from you.

CS Leadership Departments and Sub Departments:

1. Program (+ FINCEN + Advanced Culinary) – Mr. Adams, CWO Webb, SC Schuler, SC Bartlett
2. COSL (+ CSB, DLA) – Mr. Bush, MC Rivers, MC Joiner, SC Oellrich
3. A-School (+RKM + C-School) – MC Ball, MC Reed, SC Shelton
4. AOs (+ SCAs +EPM) – CWO Wernicke, MC Jeffries, MC Wright, SC Rohrs

Send together as a Department or if I receive separate updates from sub departments (IE: SCAs, RKM, C School, DLA, FINCEN, Advanced Culinary, ) I’ll combine with your parent Departments update. Looking forward to seeing something from each of you.

Also, in conjunction with the quarterly updates due date on the first Monday of each Quarter, I would like to set up a Teams meeting to hold a CS FORCM Rating Brief with all the CS Leadership Departments.

Thanks!

-James

Very Respectfully,
Master Chief James Swenson
Culinary Specialist Force Master Chief (FORCM)
Phone: 860-389-4470
http://www.CoastGuardCulinary.com