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COMMANDER’S UPDATE

Shaping the Future of

Navy Food Service

Cmdr. Scott Wilson, SC, USN, Director of Navy Food Service,
Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP)

Government Food Service: Tell are more critical than ever. Our challenge is to educate
us about yourself and how you ourselves on the science behind human performance and
Wilson
came to be director of the Navy equip our sailors with the knowledge and provisions to
food service program. Discuss how your first year is going sustain peak performance during challenging times. With
and your goals as director of program. an emphasis on education and training, my goal is to help
shape the future of Navy Food Service.
Cmdr. Scott Wilson: I assumed the position as director There’s a section in one of my favorite books, “Outliers”
of Navy Food Service when my co-worker and predeces- by Malcom Gladwell, which talks about the 10,000-hour
sor got selected for an operational afloat assignment. It rule. Through his research, Gladwell states that it takes
was great news for both of us; a career milestone for him roughly 10,000 hours of “deliberate practice” to achieve
and a great opportunity for me! Little did I know of the mastery in a field. Think about that. It can take years to
challenge and complexity of Navy Food Service. Who says be considered a “professional” in one’s trade. We need to
food service isn’t rocket science? There are lots of moving train how we fight. Proficiency requires repetition!
parts, err ships (boats for you submariners), which oper-
ate across the globe, in challenging environments and Government Food Service: The Tactical Advances for the
varying supply chains. Next Generation (TANG) event in 2016 developed ideas
Due to the nature of our to modernize the dining experience in galleys afloat and
business, sailors are constantly Culinary Specialist 1st Class Devon ashore. Update us on the
subjected to a stressful and de- Vigil inspects fresh produce aboard initiatives that were await- Mineman 3rd Class Deon Wilson, left, and Cu-
the Arleigh Burke-class guided-
manding work environment. missile destroyer USS Donald ing contract selection and linary Specialist 1st Class Frederick Cristobal,
Nutrition, health and wellness Cook (DDG 75). (Photo by Mass right, review a recipe card while preparing
Communication Specialist 1st dinner for the crew aboard the Avenger-
Class Theron J. Godbold, USN) class mine countermeasures ship USS Chief
(MCM 14). (Photo by Mass Communication
Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Crouch, USN.)

6 GOVERNMENT FOOD SERVICE • MARCH 2018