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COMMANDER’S UPDATE

Army is Conquering

Goals to Modernize Its Food Service

Lt. Col. Byron Coleman, USA, Director, Joint Culinary

Center of Excellence and the Army Food Service Program

Government Food Service: The JCCoE held a Partnership nificantly since 2009 with more
Day in September 2017. Please tell us what it is, how it than 13 installations participat-
went and about any plans for one in 2018? ing. Currently, the program is be-
ing restructured to meet needs of
Lt. Col. Byron T. Coleman: In September 2017, JC- the soldiers based on operations
CoE hosted a successful partnership day with 55 industry tempo. The American Culinary
and strategic members attending and providing positive Federation recently introduced Coleman
feedback and reviews. All partners agreed the event and the possibility of a 1,000-hour
program is essential in forging and reinforcing relationships credentialing program that may better suit the culinar-
to ensure the Department of Defense subsistence require- ians of the Army food service community. We will assess
ments are met with the right products and capabilities. this option further once the restructuring of our current
The JCCoE will host the 17th annual session at a date to program is complete. This is an Army-funded program
be determined in 2018. and not open to other military services.

Government Food Service: JCCoE also hosts the Joint Government Food Service: Please also discuss JCCoE’s
Services Operational Rations Forum each year. Please tell cooperation with other organizations.
us about this year’s discussions, including any changes in
combat field feeding programs, rations and other topics. Coleman: The JCCoE Concepts, System and Policy
Division works hand-in-hand with Defense Logistics Agency
Coleman: JCCoE hosted the Joint Service Operations – Troop Support (DLA-TS), Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps,
Rations Forum Feb. 8. Discussions and objectives during American Culinary Federation, National Restaurant As-
the government-only meeting covered information and sociation, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S.
decisions affecting the Joint Services Combat Ration Pro- Department of Commerce, Defense Contract Management
gram. The meeting was attended by military services food Agency and numerous commercial companies to ensure
program leads: the Natick Combat Rations Directorate, the highest quality and service that we can afford is pro-
Massachusetts; Defense Logistics Agency – Troop Support, vided to the warfighter.
Military Rations, Philadelphia; and a number of auxiliary The Quality Assurance Division (QUAD) recognizes the
organizations that impacted and provided value to the important and far-reaching complexities of all the intrica-
deliberations. All areas from service need, research and cies of being a part of one of the world’s most complex,
development and acquisition were addressed. but best-run international food service programs with over
$5 billion of sales.
Government Food Service: Tell us about the Army’s 92G The Army Food Program touches everybody in the food
credentialing program with the American Culinary Federation world from farm to fork, wholesale and retail, and provider
and National Restaurant Association. How has it changed to supplier. QUAD’s objective is to focus on combat field
since it began in 2009? Is participation growing? Are there feeding and provide quality input into all other aspects
any plans to open participation to the other services? of the program. The list of supporting organizations and
partners is vast and grows weekly.
Coleman: The Army 92G, food service specialist, mili- Primary partners include: DLA-TS, whose contract manag-
tary occupation series credentialing program has grown sig- ers establish prime vendor and manufacturing relationship

22 GOVERNMENT FOOD SERVICE • APRIL 2018