Fort Bliss Monitor

B Battery, 1-7 Food Service strives for best field kitchen in Army

Spc. Jason Stadel
108th ADA Bde.

Staff Sgt. Chris McMullen was the NCOIC for the Connelly team. McMullen and his team prepared for months to get ready for the inspection.

The food service Soldiers of B Btry., 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery have performed above and beyond what requires to prove them selves as the best field kitchen operation in the Army. Now they are waiting to see if the Department of the Army will officially recognize them with that distinction.

After being named one of the top six field food service units in the Army, the 1-7 troops recently had their final Phillip A. Connelly Award for Excellence in Army Food Service inspection as part of the competition to be named the best in the Army.

The Connelly Award program has the objectives of improving the professionalism of food service personnel, which in-turn provides the best quality food service to Soldiers. It provides recognition for excellence in the preparation and service of food in Army troop dining facilities and during field kitchen operation and it provides added incentive to competitive programs of Installation Manage-ment Agencies and Major Army Commands by adding a higher level of competition and appropriate recognition.

Spc. Herbert Rangel prepares food for the troops in his battery during the Connelly inspection. B Btry., 1-7 was one of six finalists for the competition.

The Connelly program manager, Sgt. Maj. Eric Ingmundson, Fort Lee, Va., said for the “No Fear” Soldiers to make it this far is already an accomplishment. “They are in the top six out of 1,200 units, which already says a lot. The difference between these units for first place is going to be slim.”

During the final inspection the food service Soldiers served breakfast and lunch to the Soldiers in their battery in a simulated tactical environment. The inspectors judged on more than just what was being served and how it was prepared. Food handling and sanitation are two of the most important parts of the competition. “This needs to be a safe environment,” Ingmundson said, “We don’t need anybody to get sick.”

Ingmundson added that since the 1-7 Soldiers have already proven themselves by doing well up to this point no special tricks needed to be done to win the competition. “They just need to do what they do all the time. They have the support of their command and they’ve been making good meals all the time.”

Staff Sgt. Chris McMullen was the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Connelly team. McMullen said his Soldiers have been willing to go the extra mile to win the competition. “We have a lot of cohesiveness, experience and Soldiers that like to train and learn.”

McMullen added the competition would also help the Soldiers with their Army careers. “It’s a good learning experience for anyone that has the privilege of being involved.”

Added support for the 1-7 Soldiers has also come from the battalion and 108th ADA Brigade leadership. “To have the support of the command is a big morale boost for us,” McMullen said.

The results of the inspection should be know in late January.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	January 13, 2005

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	B Battery, 1-7 Food Service strives for best field kitchen in Army Spc. Jason Stadel 108th ADA Bde. Staff Sgt. Chris McMullen was the NCOIC for the Connelly team. McMullen and his team prepared for months to get ready for the inspection. The food service Soldiers of B Btry., 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery have performed above and beyond what requires to prove them selves as the best field kitchen operation in the Army. Now they are waiting to see if the Department of the Army will officially recognize them with that distinction. After being named one of the top six field food service units in the Army, the 1-7 troops recently had their final Phillip A. Connelly Award for Excellence in Army Food Service inspection as part of the competition to be named the best in the Army. The Connelly Award program has the objectives of improving the professionalism of food service personnel, which in-turn provides the best quality food service to Soldiers. It provides recognition for excellence in the preparation and service of food in Army troop dining facilities and during field kitchen operation and it provides added incentive to competitive programs of Installation Manage-ment Agencies and Major Army Commands by adding a higher level of competition and appropriate recognition. Spc. Herbert Rangel prepares food for the troops in his battery during the Connelly inspection. B Btry., 1-7 was one of six finalists for the competition. The Connelly program manager, Sgt. Maj. Eric Ingmundson, Fort Lee, Va., said for the “No Fear” Soldiers to make it this far is already an accomplishment. “They are in the top six out of 1,200 units, which already says a lot. The difference between these units for first place is going to be slim.” During the final inspection the food service Soldiers served breakfast and lunch to the Soldiers in their battery in a simulated tactical environment. The inspectors judged on more than just what was being served and how it was prepared. Food handling and sanitation are two of the most important parts of the competition. “This needs to be a safe environment,” Ingmundson said, “We don’t need anybody to get sick.” Ingmundson added that since the 1-7 Soldiers have already proven themselves by doing well up to this point no special tricks needed to be done to win the competition. “They just need to do what they do all the time. They have the support of their command and they’ve been making good meals all the time.” Staff Sgt. Chris McMullen was the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Connelly team. McMullen said his Soldiers have been willing to go the extra mile to win the competition. “We have a lot of cohesiveness, experience and Soldiers that like to train and learn.” McMullen added the competition would also help the Soldiers with their Army careers. “It’s a good learning experience for anyone that has the privilege of being involved.” Added support for the 1-7 Soldiers has also come from the battalion and 108th ADA Brigade leadership. “To have the support of the command is a big morale boost for us,” McMullen said. The results of the inspection should be know in late January.