Photo By Sgt. Amber Bohlman | Spc. Raeann Torres, Culinary Specialist and Sgt. Ashley Villalobos, Culinary...... read more read more
BELLEMONT, Ariz. – Nearly a year of preparation was put to the test as culinary specialists with Forward Support Company, 253rd Engineer Battalion came together to compete in the Philip A. Connelly Awards Program at Camp Navajo, June 12.
The Soldiers were judged in a number of areas, including sanitation, food presentation and field-site setup.
“They test the quality of the drinks that are served, the temperature consistency from when the first meal is served until the last meal is served, as well as if they’re doing it safely and in a time efficient way,” said 2nd Lt. Luke Ruziska, a platoon leader with FSC. “It’s a very comprehensive competition.”
The Connelly competition is comprised of four categories: active-duty garrison, active-duty field, Army National Guard field, and Army Reserve field. Army commands conduct competitive evaluations from March through September for each category.
FSC is currently competing at the regional level of the competition. The results for this stage will be posted in roughly two months. The next step will be the Department of the Army level.
“I told my guys, they’re all winners,” said Capt. David Vanterpool, FSC commander. “They took a step that no other unit would and set the standard. However we do today is a learning experience for them. If we don’t place this year then we’ll come back.”
Members of the FSC have spent the last 10-12 months preparing and practicing the required meal for this competition. Although skeptical at first they managed to impress their command staff and receive nothing but praise at the conclusion of the competition.
“My team was kind of surprised when I told them that we were going to compete this year. They were unsure at first, but as we got into it and the more we got involved, they pulled it off with flying colors,” said Sgt. 1st Class Greg Knauff, senior culinary management noncommissioned officer.
The Philip A. Connelly Competition started in 1968, and was known as the “best mess” competition, to recognize excellence in the Army’s food service. When the late Philip A. Connelly started the competition, his goal was to improve the quality of Army food.
“This competition has given my unit and Soldiers experience and knowledge,” Vanterpool said. “If any of them participate in a competition of this magnitude again they’ll be that much more prepared for the next competition they plan on facing.”
Regardless of where the FSC places this year, they plan to come back with the skill and expertise they have acquired and use it to their advantage in the years to come.
“I think this gives all of the other units something to aspire to that they might want to try someday,” said 1st Sgt. Daniel Vandermolen, FSC first sergeant.
This was the first time the Arizona Army National Guard has competed in this competition in roughly 12 years.
| Date Taken: | 06.12.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2016 18:09 |
| Story ID: | 202162 |
| Location: | BELLEMONT, AZ, US |
| Web Views: | 193 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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