Last Updated on November 16, 2023
This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as a Culinary Specialist (CS) during the Fiscal Year 2024.
In the Navy, the galley, or dining area, is central to ships. It is where crew members come together to dine, interact and take time off.
Culinary Specialists have a key role to play here by furnishing an important part of every Sailor’s quality of life.
No matter if they are making spaghetti on a submarine, a culinary dish for international officials on a carrier vessel, or food for the White House, their contribution is essential in keeping morale high.
Job Description
Culinary Specialists (CS) are Navy enlisted Sailors who handle the operation and management of messes, both on land and at sea. This includes making estimates for food types and quantities required.
Culinary Specialists are trained in culinary arts, hotel management, and other hospitality services. They cater for Admirals, senior government executives, and the President of the United States in the White House Mess.
This rating handles all aspects of food service catering and hospitality in mess decks on ships and living areas on shore duty.
They work “in the heart of the ship,” helping to maintain high morale on ships, construction battalions and shore bases.
They help Supply Officers with obtaining supplies and organizing items for the mess hall, as well as procuring equipment.
CS Sailors verify delivery quantities, helping medical staff with quality control, designing menus and preparing food, keeping food service spaces and equipment clean, recording financial transactions, and submitting any necessary reports.
Culinary Specialists provide food services on ships, submarines and onshore bases in areas such as kitchens, dining areas and storerooms. They also work on submarines as Culinary Specialist Submarine (CSS).
CS’s typically devote 60% of their time to fleet units and 40% to shore stations.
Culinary Specialists must show and adhere to good personal hygiene, maintain a positive appearance, and uphold military standards.
This rating provides leadership roles because of the number of personnel they are in charge of within divisional work centers.
Specific Responsibilities
Culinary Specialists in the Navy manage messes, dining facilities and various hospitality services, offering meals to ships and bases.
There are two types of Culinary Specialists, depending on whether they serve on submarines, each with their own specific duties.
Culinary Specialist (CS)
- Menu preparation for meal and catering services.
- Managing foodservice operations on land and at sea.
- Serving meals to Sailors, Commanding Officers, Admirals, senior government officials and foreign dignitaries.
- Running the White House Mess for the President of the United States.
- Inventory, food ordering, and financial record management.
- Supervising living spaces aboard ships and hotels on base.
- Working as a flight attendant aircrew.
- Adhering to food safety protocols and regulations.
Culinary Specialist Submarines (CSS)
- Menu planning for meal service.
- Monitoring kitchens and dining areas on ships.
- Inventory management, food ordering, and financial record keeping.
- Acquiring essential supplies.
- Providing personal food services to Commanding Officers.
- Managing housing requirements on submarines.
- Adhering to food safety regulations and programs.
Different Roles
Culinary Specialist
Culinary Specialists plan, preparing and serving meals, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation of food service, storerooms and chillers; and documenting financial transactions while submitting necessary reports.
Leading Culinary Specialist
Leading Culinary Specialists handle the management of galley operations and financial oversight of food service operations on shore and at sea.
They also assure that food service areas are kept clean, and emphasize customer satisfaction in all aspects of food service.
Training and Promotion Opportunities
The Navy Hospitality Field provides Culinary Specialists with diverse and challenging work opportunities. Sailors can cultivate problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, and organizational abilities in this rating.
Sailors in the Navy receive specialized training and educational opportunities, as well as the opportunity to explore different places. The advantages gained through Navy service can make it difficult for a Sailor to decide on leaving.
After finishing your initial training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (Boot Camp), you will attend specialized training that includes:
Navy Culinary Specialist “A” School
Class “A” Technical School in Fort Lee, VA offers a five-week instructional program to learn about food preparation, nutrition and dining service.Navy CSS Rating: Culinary Specialist – Submarines (2024)
This course provides instruction on the fundamentals of food service and kitchen operations.
After “A” School, Culinary Specialist – Submarines (CSS) candidates will proceed with their training.
Basic Enlisted Submarine School
The Basic Enlisted Submarine School in Groton, CT offers a nine-week course in basic submarine systems specifically geared towards Culinary Specialists.
This course provides knowledge of the operation and maintenance of submarine systems, damage control and firefighting, and safety procedures.
Upon finishing their training, Culinary Specialists and Culinary Specialist – Submarines may be posted to ships, submarines, or shore stations.
Advanced Training
Advanced training as a Culinary Specialist may also be available during later stages of your career. For those with further leadership aspirations and a college degree, Navy Officer roles may be available, providing opportunities to lead and train others.
Qualifications to Join
For enlistment as a Culinary Specialist in the Navy, a high-school diploma or equivalent is necessary. Applicants should possess knowledge of nutrition and culinary arts, alongside good arithmetic and verbal skills, creativity and record-keeping abilities.
This role requires candidates to show skill in following instructions, performing detailed work, and working cooperatively with others. Interacting with others is beneficial.
Culinary Specialists who wish to serve on board submarines as CSS personnel must request a voluntary transfer to submarine service.
The required qualifications for military service may differ based on whether one is a current service member, a former service member, or has no prior service experience.
ASVAB Requirement
Applicants must score the minimum ASVAB score below to qualify to join the Navy as a Culinary Specialist.
- VE + AR = 76
The enlistment qualification requirements above are current as of Fiscal Year 2024, per the Navy Personnel Command. This information is not readily available to the public. So, contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter for the most current requirements to join the Navy as an enlisted Sailor.
More Information
If you wish to learn more about becoming a Culinary Specialist (CS), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online.
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