1st BCT food service team competes in Armywide food competition

By Capt. Joseph Payton, 1st Brigade Combat Team PAOApril 9, 2015

Army Phillip A. Connelly Awards 1
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Phillip A. Connelly Awards 2
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 1st Brigade Combat Tem food service team poses outside their recently established field feeding site prepared for their participation as the 10th Mountain Division (LI) representatives in the field feeding category of the Department of the Army P... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Phillip A. Connelly Awards 3
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team Soldier braves the cold and springtime snow flurries en route to the climate-controlled dining tent after receiving his hot lunch prepared by the 1st BCT food service team in their containeriz... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Most people realize that Soldiers have to be able to perform difficult missions in the most austere locations and under considerably challenging conditions; however, what many may not consider is that these demands do not discriminate based upon one's military occupational specialty.

Food service personnel from 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team participated in the field feeding category of the Department of the Army Phillip A. Connelly Awards food competition here March 27, showing that the expectation to contribute to mission success -- anytime and anywhere -- is for all Soldiers, whether they are infantrymen, medics or cooks.

"For this field competition, it gives them a chance to get out here and not only prepare a meal for Soldiers, but it also gives them the chance to practice being a Soldier," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Wade Froehlich, 10th Mountain Division food service adviser.

"They're digging foxholes and fighting positions. They're setting up their different aspects like the trash management and rations management. They're pulling their stand-tos and stand-downs," Froehlich said.

The Connelly competition, which promotes excellence in food service by recognizing high-performing food service teams from across the Army, allows cooks to demonstrate their tactical and technical expertise in providing sustenance to their fellow Soldiers.

"It's part of excellence in food service. It recognizes Soldiers who go above and beyond in their jobs," said Staff Sgt. Tracy Taves, 1st BCT food operations sergeant.

"It is hard work," Taves said. "But we're excited to do it because we know that we're feeding the Soldiers and making them happy and strong so that they can complete their missions."

The Warrior Brigade team took the challenge on a short notice, understanding the positive implications for the experience associated with a competition like this.

"We wanted to jump at the opportunity to showcase our abilities as food service personnel to sustain during combat operations as needed," said Warrant Officer Michael Bingham, 1st BCT food service adviser.

"We have the discipline and the initiative to go out there on a short timeline and establish the CK (containerized kitchen)," Bingham said. "(The) 1st Brigade is willing to accept any challenge. With the upcoming deployment, we want to train ourselves as Soldiers and as food service personnel as much as possible."

The rigors associated with the competition were not only increased due to a shortened timeline, but adding to the challenge were the North Country weather conditions.

"It's not just snowing today, but there's been two feet of snow on the ground every day that they've been out here working continuously to get this site set up," Bingham said.

"Initially when we found the site a couple weeks ago, it was an empty field with 2-3 feet of snow. So after we were able to remove the snow, we had to deal with about 12 inches of frozen ground, which the cooks had to dig through for their soakage pits as well as their incinerator pits and fighting positions. So basically, everything that you see on the site now speaks to the hard work and dedication that they put into making the site what it is in that short timeline," he said.

The lessons learned from the division inspectors were not lost on the Soldiers, especially Pfc. Jermel Bell, one of the team's food service specialists.

"It's great to learn more about the field and the precise way to do it," Bell said. "They gave me calm pointers, and I know that's going to help me in my future."

Oftentimes the support roles in the Army are said to be thankless, but Sgt. Maj. John Vick, 10th Mountain Division food service sergeant major, said he hopes experiences like the Connelly competition can change the mindset of food service Soldiers.

"Many times it's a thankless job, but it's important that we make it thankful," Vick said.

As for the 1st BCT's chances, they look promising.

"I think our chances are good for winning Corps and advancing to FORSCOM," Froehlich said.

His prediction was spot-on.

Soldiers of "10th BSB won the Corps-level Phillip A. Connelly Field Competition," said Col. Frederick "Mark" O'Donnell, 1st BCT commander. "Our culinary team now begins preparation for the FORSCOM-level competition in May."

Although winning the competition would be icing on the cake, the Warrior Brigade team is simply proud to support.

"Our main goal is to feed the Soldiers by giving them appetizing and appealing meals," Taves said. "We go above and beyond to satisfy the Soldiers because that's our main job -- customer service."