K-16 AIR BASE, South Korea -- Food service Soldiers from across the 2nd Infantry Division pose for a group photo with the commanding general of the 2nd Inf. Div., Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, and brigade leadership teams during a culinary excellence a...
K-16 AIR BASE, South Korea -- Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division, speaks to the awardees at a culinary excellence awards ceremony at K-16 Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 1.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Vince...
K-16 AIR BASE, South Korea --Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division, presents an award and plaque to Sgt. Fabian R. Brooks, a food service specialist with Headquarters Support Company, 602nd Aviation Support Batta...
K-16 AIR BASE, South Korea --Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division, presents Pfc. Tremayne Thomas, a food service specialist with Company E, 2nd Battalion (Assault), 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Bri...
K-16 AIR BASE, South Korea -- There's something to be said for Army chow. For some Soldiers, it's a thin line between love and hate, and when that line is crossed, they sing cadences about it. "They say that in the Army the chow is mighty fine. A chicken jumped off the table and started marking time." A nod to less than desirable Army chow some may have experienced in the past.
Though times have changed, some may remain skeptical. There is a dedicated force working behind the scenes to ensure that the stigma associated with good ole? Army chow is eradicated.
Food service support Soldiers from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, took home bragging rights after an award ceremony was held to honor the best chef and dining facility in the 2nd Inf. Div., at K-16 Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 1.
Among the team and individual accomplishments recognized was Sgt. Fabian R. Brooks, a food service specialist with Headquarters Support Company, 602nd Avn. Support Battalion, 2nd CAB, 2nd Inf. Div. The native of New Orleans, La., won the distinction as senior chef of the quarter and couldn't be happier about it.
"It feels good to be able to show off the skills I've gained while serving beside my fellow Soldiers," said Brooks. "It's nice to put my best foot forward and be able to come out on top."
Alongside Brooks was the newly crowned junior chef of the quarter, Pfc. Tremayne Thomas, a food service specialist with Co. E, 2nd Bn. (Assault), 2nd Avn. Regiment, 2nd CAB, 2nd Inf. Div., and native of Wilmington, N.C.
Thomas hopes to continue serving his fellow Soldiers, because he knows there's an advantage to hard work and good service.
"This feels real good because I know I'm boosting the morale of my fellow Soldiers, and they boost mine as well," Thomas said. "To see their smiles as they come through the chow line is all the recognition I need. That's how I know I've made a difference."
Soldiers of the Rotor Wash Café, located here, took top honors as they were named the 2nd Inf. Div. Commanding General's best dining facility of the quarter.
Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, commanding general of the 2nd Inf. Div., takes Soldiers recognition and performance excellence seriously. He explained why it's important to recognize the contributions these Soldiers have made to the 2nd Inf. Div.
"We've [got to] recognize those who are really going above and beyond, that work hard, make a difference, and are really committed to excellence, specifically because of its importance to our Soldiers and the readiness across the division," said Vandal.
The honors and recognition didn't stop there. The 4-2 Avn. Regt. was named the first place winner of the 47th Annual Philip A. Connelly, Army Korea field category. The Talon Café came in second place in the garrison dining facility category during the competition.
According to the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps, some objectives of the Philip A. Connelly Program are to promote and improve Army food service through awareness with incentives, competition and media attention. It is also used to encourage and recognize deserving units for their superb culinary performances.
These culinary champions may have set themselves apart, but their job never ends. Food service specialist work hard providing three quality meals a day. It's a known fact that chow is a definite morale booster, and these Soldiers help facilitate the maintenance of healthy hearts and minds with every meal they prepare. Their dedication and hard work can easily be summed up in three words, Second to None!
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