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MEETING PREVIEW

the future of rations.” Among the speakers are the di-
A highlight of the visit is learn- rector of subsistence at DLA Troop
ing about the new, nutrient-dense Support, Lt. Col. Abel Young, and the
assault ration, which is being devel- Army food advisor, CW5 Jim Don-
oped with very, very high priority. aldson, plus a presentation from the
The goal is to produce a ration that is United Soybean Board.
larger, lighter and more robust than “That’s one of the objectives of this
the First Strike ration, but smaller session is to facilitate communication,
than the meal, ready to eat, and can because we’ll have the dietitians there
better support soldiers and Marines from the services,” he said. “The last
during high-speed intense combat meeting, we had a workshop with
compared with preparing meals in just the dietitians talking about the
combat field kitchens. menus.”
“We want, and Natick has agreed, The keynote speaker, Major Gen.
let’s give industry some insights into Dwayne Gamble, is the commander
what’s being done so they could plan of the U.S. Sustainment Command
and prepare for this,” he said. “What Beverly Hamlette, Army field feeding specialist, at Rock Island, Ill., which is respon-
that tells you is that there’s going to Joint Culinary Center of Excellence, reported on sible for all garrison feeding in the
probably be a greater emphasis on progress with subsistence in the field. Army, including contracting for din-
operational rations, on the shelf-stable ing facilities.
rations that soldiers can consume on “He’ll focus on the role of the
the move during intense combat. Sustainment Command and also an
There isn’t going to be a lot of time opportunity for government to thank
to stop and cook meals and prepare industry for all that they do in feed-
food in field kitchens.” ing our warfighters,” he said.
Attendees participating in the A newly revised Boot Camp, 3 p.m.
Natick Science and Technology Day to 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 22, aims
not only learn about the combat feed- to better assist and prepare vendors
ing program but visit the packaging that have no experience working with
labs, as well as all the other research the military or government to better
and development underway, including understand defense organizations, ap-
sensory and tasting demonstrations. propriation processes and funding.
“It won’t be just a focus on that one “They have a context and a perspec-
ration,” McNulty said. “That will be an tive on how all of this fits together
actual, good, solid four to five hours and why it’s so important that the
at Natick. R&DA will bus folks in from government is involved with feeding
a hotel to Natick and back to the Betty Davis, science and technology branch chief, its personnel,” he said. “Rather than
hotel, same day. We have very, very U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and jumping right in to talking about all
good feedback on that day.” Engineering Center, at the R&DA fall 2017 meeting. of these different agencies that are
involved in feeding, give a little bit of
WORKSHOPS AND SPEAKERS background of how they all fit into the defense system.”
The rest of the R&DA fall meeting schedule features
workshops on assorted topics and speakers from key or- TABLETOP EXHIBITS
ganizations and agencies supporting military subsistence. To better represent industry to the government defense
A large workshop and session is planned for DLA to agencies that regularly attend its fall and spring meet-
provide more information on the concerns and issues ings, R&DA is featuring a select number of exhibit booths.
over ingredients used in military food service and ingre- Tabletop displays for about 15 vendors are expected to
dients mapping for military garrison feeding programs. be set up and active throughout the fall meeting. R&DA
“We touched on it at the last meeting, and it all has to do features a half-day food show with about 40 vendors at
with these new nutritional standards that DoD has come its annual spring meeting.
out with and still aren’t finalized,” he said. “They’ve al- “Our government and industry folks can visit their
ready had a session, DLA Troop Support did, with certain booths,” McNulty said. “This is a good assortment of folks,
manufacturers; and what we’re trying to do is bring all total of 15, and they’ll be there from the start of registration
of those manufacturers back to our meeting and have a on Monday right through close of business on Wednesday
follow-on session and do some work on this.” when the conference ends.”
—GFS

6 GOVERNMENT FOOD SERVICE • SEPTEMBER 2018