Chief Warrant Officer Two Adrienne T. Denham thinks a lot about safety, security, and sustainability. She's not in intelligence or logistics, Denham is a 640A, Veterinary Services Food Safety Officer, and her job is ensuring the military has the most basic of all needs, food. Protecting the health and welfare of service members, and their families and protecting the financial interests of the government are the mission of Army food inspectors. For Denham food safety is a passion, as is teaching. Veterinary Food Inspection Specialists, 68 Romeos (68R), are the first line of defense in ensuring that service members, family members, and retirees have safe, secure, and available food.
Like many young people considering enlisting in the Army, initially Denham was interested in Army Veterinary Corps because she likes animals. However, when she learned there is much more to Army veterinary service, Denham pursued the opportunity to become a food inspector, raising up to becoming a warrant officer.
Denham first came to the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School to attend Advanced Individual Training as a 68R. After serving in the field, she returned to AMEDDC&S as a Staff Sargent to teach as an instructor. Portraying her thoughts on teaching Denham said, "I never forget what it was like for me to sit in their seats, after a night of fireguard duty, trying to learn from my instructors, and trying desperately to stay awake. Every day that I am on the podium I keep those thoughts in the forefront of my mind."
Denham advanced in her Army career through exemplary service as a food inspector and AMEDDC&S instructor. In 2011, Denham was nominated as instructor of the quarter, then later won AMEDDC&S instructor of the year. She represented her command at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Instructor of the Year competition where she won Non-commissioned Officer Instructor of the Year. Preparing and competing in award competitions helped Denham when building her application to become a warrant officer. Getting selected to attend Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) is a very competitive process. As a Veterinary Services Food Safety Officer Denham is a highly specialized officer and subject matter expert for all matters dealing with food safety and defense.
After PCSing to Area Support Group-Kuwait, with duty in Bahrain, for a year, Denham returned to AMEDDC&S to teach advanced food safety. Denham finds food science fascinating, learning the science behind food production, food composition, the causes of food deterioration, and the prevention of foodborne illnesses.
"My greatest contribution as an instructor is my determination for all Soldiers to succeed," said Denham. "It's not just about imparting knowledge of the job or teaching a particular subject. For me, it's about making a connection with each Soldier and teaching with enthusiasm and passion. I was honored to represent AMEDDC&S and the Veterinary Corps at the TRADOC competition. Now that I'm back at AMEDD I'm encouraging my fellow instructors to apply for the award program. Our instructors don't always get a lot of praise; this program is a great way to recognize their professionalism."
The Army is the only branch of service appointed by executive order by the DOD to carry out the Veterinary Services mission. Army Veterinary Food Inspection Specialists serve on all Army, Navy, and Marine Corps installations, deployed environments, laboratories, aboard U.S. Navy vessels, and even commercial facilities in CONUS and OCONUS locations. 68Rs perform the inspection of all commodities of food, to include red meats, poultry, water foods, eggs, dairy products, operational rations, and fresh fruits and vegetables to assure a safe, high quality food supply for the all branches of service, DOD personnel, dependents, and retirees. Army food inspectors focus on food protection, which includes food safety and food defense. Any quality defect or contamination can take down a military unit and effect the wellbeing of thousands. The Army Veterinary Services collaborate closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, other federal and state agencies, as well as regulatory agencies outside the United States.
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Veterinary Food Inspection Specialists
TRADOC Instructors of the Year announced during fourth Annual Army Learning Summit
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