Who doesn’t like food? If you’ve spent any time in the Army at all, you probably realize that food has a big impact on morale, training and readiness. There’s nothing like a good warm meal after a long day of training.
Soldiers in the 92G MOS (Food Service Specialist) are responsible for feeding the Army. It’s a big and important job. Sometimes called “spoons” these Soldiers are responsible for feeding soldiers any place, at any time under any circumstances. This includes feeding Soldiers in a garrison, tactical or field environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Here is a short list of duties and responsibilities of the 92G MOS:
- Prepare and serve soups, meats, sauces, gravies, special foods, salads, dressings, breads, and desserts
- Bakes, fries, braises, boils, simmers, steams and sauté’s as prescribed by Army recipes
- Order and inspect food and food supplies
- Keep food sanitary until it is ready to be served
- Maintain accountability of food and supplies
- Set up serving lines
- Clean equipment and facilities
- Perform maintenance and services on equipment
- Defrost and sanitize freezers and equipment
- Feed 25 to 1,300 Soldiers per meal
Qualifications
Many people will say that this is one of the easiest Army jobs to qualify for, and that’s probably true. To qualify to serve in this MOS you do not need a security clearance. You need to score an 85 or higher on the OF portion of the ASVAB and you need to maintain a PULHES of 222332. The lifting demand is heavy. In other words, you need to be able to lift heavy boxes and equipment.
92G AIT at Fort Lee
After you finish Basic Training, you will attend your Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia. The course is eight weeks two days long and you will receive training in baking, small and large garrison food service and the Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT) or containerized kitchen (CK). Once you finish your AIT, you will transition to your new unit where you will start performing your food service tasks right away.
Problems with the MOS
The most common problems and complaints with this MOS are the long work hours and limited advancement opportunities. I know the promotion points in this MOS are typically much higher than most other MOSs. This means fewer promotions. That being said, most of the people I’ve met in this MOS were pretty happy with it. I know several squared away Soldiers in this MOS who got promoted pretty quickly, so the opportunities are there if you have self-motivation and are good at what you do.
Career Opportunities
This is a great MOS for anyone who aspires to be a chef one day or even own their own restaurant. You will get a lot of experience preparing food, learning how to run a restaurant and leading other people at the same time. Many Army cooks leave the military to become executive chefs or work in a restaurant. You’ll also be qualified to become a baker, butcher, or meat cutter.
If you choose to make a career out of the Army in this MOS, you can stay enlisted and work your way up through the ranks. You also have the opportunity to become a Warrant Officer or commissioned officer.
My Experience
I was fortunate to command a Forward Support Company. One of our sections was food service. These Soldiers put in some long hours and worked really hard. They always did their best to prepare high quality food and keep people happy. They went the extra mile and did the best with what they were given. They were usually the first to arrive and the last to leave. They were good Soldiers who worked hard and contributed significantly to the overall success of the unit. Some of my best Soldiers were cooks. Go spoons!
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that the 92G MOS is a great choice for anyone who wants a career in food service. Yes, some people might tease you for picking this MOS, and not give the Army cooks much credit, but at the end of the day everyone likes a hot meal after a long day of training. This is a very important Army job.
Most of the Soldiers I served with who had this MOS were happy with it. Like anything else in life, you get out what you put in! Where you are assigned and who you work with will have a big factor in whether you enjoy this MOS or dislike it (just like any other MOS).
What are your thoughts? If you spent any time as a 92G in the Army, what was your experience like? Did you like it or dislike it? Where and when did you serve? What do you recommend to others with this MOS? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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these positive comments make me feel like this is a great option for a MOS. where are they likely to be stationed for their FDS?
I’d definitely recommend this MOS for someone who wants to be a chef or run a kitchen once they leave the Army. For a young person with those goals. they could either spend tens of thousands of dollars going to a civilian culinary school, or get paid to learn the trade by the best teachers in the world.
Yes, this is definitely a great MOS if you have culinary aspirations.
One thing I always seemed to notice with cooks in the Army is: they look well fed too. If you work in the kitchen, you have to try what you are cooking. And if it’s real good, you try more. It always amazes me how some of those cooks can be short on supplies because someone messed up, and they could still take scraps and make great meals.
Yeah, the cooks can do some wonders in the kitchen.
I believe the last person I would tease about their MOS is a Spoon. As you said, soldiers have to eat, and this MOS is trained to feed the soldiers properly.
My first Father-In-Law was a Spoon in the Army and I know he put in long hours, but loved the job. Upon leaving the Army, he ran several kitchens in major restaurants from Indiana to Nebraska. When John was cooking, the restaurants were packed. His meals were delicious. He could make biscuits and gravy with rocks and mud and it tasted like a $200 a plate meal.
Everyone is important in the Army, especially the Spoons.
I agree. Without food the Army won’t be able to fight very well or very long.
There is one thing for sure. Soldiers have to eat. And they have to eat good.
There are people who have a passion and a talent for cooking. I promise you that those people are appreciated by Soldiers who are ready to eat a good meal when the time comes.
Yes, a good cook is well respected by everyone in the unit.