Army's Newest Cooks Graduate at Camp Lincoln

SPRINGFIELD, IL, UNITED STATES

03.27.2017

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Patrick DeGeorge 

Joint Force Headquarters - Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

The course, run by the 2nd Battalion 129th Regional Training Institute based at Camp Lincoln, is one of the only two available outside of Fort Lee, Virginia.
For Staff Sgt. Joseph Henderson of Yemasseee, South Carolina, going through the course was a way to adapt to changes. He said that his previous job as a military police officer was being moved to a unit several hours away.
“Becoming a cook will allow me to stay closer to home,” said Henderson.
Throughout the course, students participated in both academic training and practical exercises. As part of their practical exercises the new cooks had to prepare meals for both garrison and field settings on Camp Lincoln. Servicemembers from Camp Lincoln were invited to sample the students’ cooking.
Air Force Master Sgt. Melissa Bilbruk of Chatham, Illinois, a human resources specialist on Camp Lincoln, said she enjoyed the students’ meal.
“I really liked it,” Bilbruk said. “I am very impressed.”
During the graduation ceremony, Lt. Col. Michael Hough of Petersburg, Illinois, the commander for 2nd Battalion 129th Regional Training Institute discussed the importance of Army cooks.
“When a Soldier has been in the field for a while, you will see their morale start to dip,” said Hough. “Once they get a hot meal, that morale goes right back up.”
According to Staff Sgt. Brett Burgess of Springfield, Illinois, a culinary specialist instructor with 2nd Battalion 129th Regional Training Institute, Camp Lincoln typically manages four classes per year. He said each class has the ability to train up to 24 students.
Henderson said he believes the class prepared him for his future as an Army cook.
“I really learned a lot,” said Henderson. “It really brought me up to speed on where I need to be as an NCO in this field.”

• Date Taken: 03.27.2017
• Date Posted: 04.11.2017 09:20
• Story ID: 228546
• Location: SPRINGFIELD, IL, US
• Hometown: CHATHAM, IL, US
• Hometown: MCPHERSONVILLE, SC, US
• Hometown: SPRINGFIELD, IL, US