WASHINGTON -- Staff Sgt. Lagena M. Boggs is a culinary specialist and currently an instructor-writer for the Advanced Culinary Division, part of the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence at Fort Lee, Virginia. She teaches advanced-level culinary arts and pastry skills to all five branches of the military service and is also a member of the Army Culinary Arts Team.
Boggs grew up in the small town of Brooksville on Florida's Gulf Coast. She once dreamed of becoming a hometown doctor, but as she grew older, she decided career opportunities in Brooksville were too limited, she said. After working at a local grocery store for several years, Boggs said she grew bored with small-town living. That was when she made the decision to join the Army.
As Soldier, she excelled as a military culinarian, graduating advanced culinary training with honors and earning distinguished leadership and commandant's awards while attending the Senior Leaders Course.
Because of her hard work, Boggs was accepted into the Training with Industry program, where she was a student at Sullivan University in Louisville, Kentucky. During the year she spent there, she studied baking and pastry arts as well as teaching and assisting classes. Boggs competed with the American Culinary Federation once a quarter and won two gold medals and two silver medals. She also served as the Sullivan University pastry arts team adviser. The team earned six gold, eight silver and five bronze medals during the 2014 ACF-sanctioned competitions.
She has been deployed in leadership positions to Afghanistan and Iraq where she was the senior food operations sergeant responsible for ensuring that Soldiers received hot meals on a daily basis.
Q&A TIME
Q: What is your hometown?
A: Brooksville, Florida.
Q: What you liked most about you hometown?
A: It is small and near water activities like natural springs and beaches.
Q: What you liked least about your hometown?
A: It didn't offer many career opportunities, which is why I joined the Army.
Q: What were your early aspirations?
A: I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up.
Q: What were your childhood hobbies?
A: Basketball, cooking and swimming.
Q: What are your current hobbies?
A: Swimming and cooking.
Q: What motivated you to join the Army?
A: I wanted to get out of the small town I grew up in. I worked at a local grocery store where I started as a bagger at age 17 and worked my way up to manager in five years. I wanted to have a career that provided more excitement.
Q: Favorite line from your favorite movie?
A: "That's it, I'm not going," from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
Q: If I caught you singing in the car what song would it be?
A: I'd probably be singing Adele's "Hometown Glory."
Q: What do you consider your greatest personal strengths?
A: My work ethic and compassion.
Q: What is a challenge you have faced in the military?
A: Not being taken seriously at first because I am a culinary specialist, until they see my drive and work ethic.
Q: What do you consider your most significant achievements in the Army?
A: Learning with industry professionals in culinary arts and having the opportunity to attend Sullivan University in Louisville, Kentucky, for a year to become a pastry chef. Being an advanced culinary instructor is also one of my significant achievements.
Q: What are the keys to leadership?
A: Knowing your subordinates and being fair across the board but also knowing when you have to adjust while still being a strong leader who is confident and can make a decision. It could save a life!
Q: What do you consider the most important Army value?
A: Integrity. If you don't have integrity with yourself and your battle buddies, you may have problems doing the right thing in tough situations.
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