Hospital Food Service Specialist (91M)
- Enlisted
- Active Duty
- Army Reserve
More than a million meals are prepared every day in Army kitchens. Army hospitals are no exception, often preparing thousands of meals at one time. As an important member of the food service team, the Hospital Food Service Specialist prepares all types of food according to standard and dietetic recipes, as well as ordering and inspecting food supplies and preparing meats for cooking.
The Hospital Food Service Specialist is primarily responsible for assisting in the supervision of medical nutrition care operations. Some of your duties as a Hospital Food Service Specialist may include:
- Performing basic clinical dietetic functions in the dietary management and treatment of patients
- Preparing, cooking and serving modified and regular food items according to nutrition care treatment plans under the supervision of a dietitian or noncommissioned officer
- Ordering, receiving and inspecting meat, fish, fruit and vegetables
- Preparing standard cuts of meat using cleavers, knives and bandsaws
- Cooking steaks, chops and roasts
- Baking or frying chicken, turkey and fish
- Preparing gravies and sauces
- Baking breads, cakes, pies and pastries
- Serving food in dining halls, hospitals or field kitchens
Training:
Job training for a Hospital Food Service Specialist consists of nine weeks of Basic Training, where you’ll learn basic Soldiering skills, and nine to 14 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice in food preparation. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Standard and dietetic menus and recipes
- Preparation and cooking of various foodstuffs and bakery products
- Food and supply ordering
- Storage of meats, poultry and other perishable items
Helpful Skills:
Helpful attributes include:
- An interest in home economics, health, mathematics, accounting and chemistry
- An interest in cooking
- An interest in working with one’s hands
Advanced Responsibilities:
Advanced level Hospital Food Service supervise and train other Soldiers within the same discipline.
