Food Service Specialist Marines fuel the fight

Photo By Lance Cpl. Jenna Loofe | Corporal Deasna Khan, food service specialist, Combat Service Support Company, I Marine Headquarters Group, prepares a meal inside the expeditionary field kitchen during the I Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise 2015 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb 21, 2015. “This job in particular is very important, every single day you hear ‘Oh we love your chow’ and ‘You guys are awesome. You’re doing great’,” said Khan. MEFEX-15 is a large-scale exercise to evaluate its training and readiness to deploy in support of combatant command operations.  

CAMP PENDLETON , CA, UNITED STATES

02.22.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Jenna Loofe 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines work long hours and endure a heavy workload within each specific military occupational specialty throughout the Marine Corps. The motivation for their hard work is partly fueled by the hot meals the Marines receive at the hands of the food service specialists at the beginning and end of each day.

The food service specialists make the transition to life on base to in the field a much more enjoyable one. Marines look forward to getting together and taking a break from their busy schedules to enjoy a hot meal together, while the food service specialists look forward to replenishing motivation among the Marines.

“Chow is something Marines think about all the time, so we’re trying to create the best environment for them when they come here for breakfast and dinner,” said Sgt. Shevonne Eller, food service specialist, Combat Service Support Company, I Marine Headquarters Group, who helped prepare warm meals for Marines participating in the I Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise 2015 aboard Camp Pendleton, California. “We always try to bring smiles and laughter to everyone. We’ll have some music playing and ensure that the food is well seasoned and prepared with care. Anything we can do to make everybody feel a little better while being out here.”

The stress and demand placed upon the Marines during MEFEX-15 is intense and tasks are time-sensitive, requiring focus, determination and motivation. The food service specialists are hard at work making that possible long before most Marines are awake and beginning their days.

“I can’t lie to you, our schedule is not the best, but we’ll come in at three o’ clock every morning and cook breakfast,” said Cpl. Deasna Khan, food service specialist, CSS Co., I MHG. “We take breaks and work long hours with little sleep, but we wake up with a whole lot of strong motivation.”

Their job improves unit moral for the Marines in deployed scenarios, the long hours don’t go unnoticed by their fellow Marines.

“This job in particular is very important, every single day you hear ‘Oh we love your chow’ and ‘You guys are awesome. You’re doing great,’” said Khan. “Those comments come even after we open a little later or stay later than we anticipated, but you can just imagine the appreciation all around the camp.”

The food service specialist Marines are dedicated and committed to doing everything in their power to keep morale and motivation high throughout the camp. Marines appreciate the effort and accomplishments these food service specialist Marines provide to everyone in the field on a daily basis.

“With the amount of time, love and energy we put into [preparing meals], I know that people appreciate it,” said Khan. “We honestly give 110 percent out here and that’s what matters.”

• Date Taken: 02.22.2015
• Date Posted: 02.24.2015 16:06
• Story ID: 155271
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON , CA, US