Photo By Matt Denny | Staff Sgt. Donald A. Bartlett, Camp Schwab mess hall manager, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd...... read more read more
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The 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, plans to recognize Staff Sgt. Donald A. Bartlett, Camp Schwab mess hall manager, as the fiscal year 2011 staff non-commissioned officer food service specialist of the year for the Marine Corps.
The award is part of the Maj. Gen. W.P.T. Hill Memorial Awards Program for Food Service Excellence and is scheduled to be presented May 20 at the National Restaurant Association’s annual conference in Chicago.
The award, which originated in 2010, highlights a Marine every year for superior performance in food service throughout the year. This is the second year the award for SNCO food specialist of the year has been won by a Marine with 3rd MarDiv.
Last year’s award went to Staff Sgt. Latisha S. Franklin, mess chief for Headquarters Battalion, 3rd MarDiv.
Bartlett, who has been in his current billet for nearly three years, was selected from among 450 staff non-commissioned officer candidates. The selection board is made of civilian judges who are members of the National Restaurant Association.
During the past year, Bartlett maintained 100 percent accountability for more than $350,000 worth of subsistence items and provided direction and leadership to 23 Marine food service specialists and 51 master labor contractors.
“Staff Sgt. Bartlett makes sure everybody gets good, quality chow and creates a friendly environment,” said Cpl. Raul Millan, property and training noncommissioned officer for the Camp Schwab Mess Hall, with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF.
Making numerous enhancements to the mess hall on Camp Schwab like installing a lounge area with a pool table, couches and big screen televisions, installing two fish ponds near the front entrance and decorating the mess hall with appropriate Navy and Marine Corps history items, helped set Bartlett apart from his peers.
“Everything he touches turns to gold,” said Lt. Col. Brian A. Ross, the executive officer for 4th Marine Regiment. “The Camp Schwab Mess Hall has earned numerous awards and accolades in recent years and scores exceptionally high on quarterly inspections, all due to Bartlett’s hard work.”
Bartlett takes time out of his day to teach his Marines tricks and tips of the food service field.
“The Marines under his charge take food service very seriously and are some of the most professional people I have met,” said Ross. “For him to have won the (award) speaks volumes about his high reputation in the Marine Corps food service community. He truly is an ‘Iron Chef’.”
Beyond serving high-quality food and improving the environment at the mess hall, Bartlett has added unique menu items that have attracted a lot of attention. Some of the new items are taco and potato bars, made-to-order cheese steak sandwiches and rib-eye steaks.
“You never know what you are going to eat when you walk into the chow hall, but you know it will be top-quality and delicious, thanks to Bartlett,” said Ross. “I know the Marines and sailors who dine in the Camp Schwab Mess Hall feel very fortunate to have him here with us.”
Barlett is very humbled and thankful to be recognized for his efforts.
“It kind of took my breath away when I found out I won the whole thing,” said Bartlett. “It is a great honor to know that people outside my field recognize the hard work I am doing.”
The only cooking experience Bartlett had before the Marine Corps was cooking for his siblings growing up.
“The option of being a cook came up, and it sounded interesting,” said Bartlett. “It was a big shock cooking for two to three people back home and now cooking for anywhere from 500-5,000 people (per) meal.”
After graduating from basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Bartlett moved to Fort Lee, Va., where he completed the Food Service Specialist Basic Course. Bartlett’s first duty station was 3rd Marine Logistics Group, previously known as 3rd Force Service Support Group, on Camp Kinser. After leaving Okinawa, he was eventually assigned to Recruiting Sub-Station Thousand Oaks, Calif., in the 12th Marine Corps District. After his tour as a recruiter, he came back to Okinawa where he assumed duties as the mess hall manager for Camp Schwab.
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2011 21:19 |
| Story ID: | 70719 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 187 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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