ADA Battalion honors award-winning dining facility

By Capt. Jeremy Tennent, 6-52nd Air Defense Artillery, 35th ADA Brigade Public AffairsJuly 11, 2011

ADA Battalion honors award-winning dining facility
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SUWON AIR BASE, South Korea - The 6th Battalion, 52d Air Defense Artillery celebrated its award-winning dining facility personnel.

Besides winning the Philip A. Conley Field Feeding Competition competition for Eighth Army, the DFAC at Suwon Air Base is the home of the Area III Culinarian of the Quarter (2nd Quarter, 2011).

Pfc. Jamie Chestnut has a message for Soldiers stationed in Korea: “Keep focused and working on your goals.".

Despite undergoing foot surgery, the 27-year-old Camden, N.J.-native has continued working on her bachelor’s degree and working to develop her Army knowledge.

Shortly after arriving to the battalion, Chestnut was ordered to prepare for the board.

“It was my first board and I was so nervous,” said Chestnut.

Chestnut credits her teammates at the DFAC with helping her prepare for success.

“(DFAC Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge) Sgt. 1st Class James White told me that you never feel ready for success, but it happens.”

She also received a great deal of study help from her first line supervisors and co-workers, including Spc. Hase Cola.

After overcoming her case of cold feet, Chestnut attended the board on February 15 at Humphreys Garrison and won with poise and determination. She received a certificate of achievement from U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Commander Col. Joseph Moore on March 21.

Chestnut joined the Army in 2010 after working for seven years as a preschool teacher in her hometown of Camden, N.J. Her main goal is to pursue and get a bachelor’s degree, and she found that the Army’s education and tuition assistance programs are a good means to that end.

Additionally, she has had to overcome some adversity in the form of foot surgery on both feet.

Despite this minor setback, she remains determined to achieve her goals and finish her education.

She chose the Culinarian MOS as a means to stay active and busy.

“I’m not really the kind of person to sit still,” Chestnut said.

Even while on convalescent leave, she has continued to study both in school and the Noncommissioned Officer’s Guide, getting ready for the boards that are still in the future.

Related Links:

Eighth Army Web site