FS FORCE NOTES
4TH QUARTER 2006
1st Quarter 2007
*New Phone # 202 475 5150
*New email: Philip. A. Garrett@uscg.mil
WELCOME ABOARD
I want to officially welcome Mrs. Stephanie Zidek-Chandler as the new division chief for
CG-11111. Stephanie worked for the Coast Guard as the Health Promotions Manager in
D17 (Juneau). Stephanie is very pro-FS and has demonstrated her willingness to
advocate for our community and has been extremely supportive of our efforts to improve
the health of the FS rating.
COMMANDANTS CHANGE OF COMMAND
A group of extremely talented group of FSs was brought to Washington, DC, the week of
22-26 May 2006 to assist with the commandant change of command reception.
Participants included FSCS Manny Bello-Leon, FSC Jeff Niblett, FSC Justin Reed,
FS1 John Petro, Flag Mess, FS1 Jana Kapantais, FS1 Roxanne Dumont, FS2 Joanne
Marku, FS1 Kipp Rice, FS1 James Swenson, and FS2 Hipolito Sharon. This valuable
training opportunity resulted in the biggest reception in FS history (in terms of food
consumed; over $14K was gone in less than one hour). The precedent set by authorizing
via official orders may enable FSs around the CG to receive orders to attend training at a
particular District/Area/MLC Commanders’ Change of Command function. The training
included instruction on flow plans, work prioritization, ordering, storing, receiving of
food, buffet presentations, etc. The fact that a product was produced was an added
benefit. I appreciate the opportunity to work with such an outstanding group of FSs.
FS PRACTICAL HANDBOOK
I am still waiting for the contract to a commercial source to be identified to produce our
FSPH. I am confident we will receive this source this fiscal year. We anticipate
completion of this project in FY07. I will keep you updated in future editions of FS
Force Notes.
CGC EAGLE
These notes are being written in the CPO Mess aboard CGC Eagle. I received an
opportunity to embark Eagle at Portsmouth, NH and sail her to Boston. FSC Faria and
his extremely talented (and overworked) FS staff is a model of professionalism and
efficiency for the cutter fleet. I cannot over state how impressive the sheer volume of
food prepared daily is: 850 meals are produced daily…this average is an astounding 140
meals per FS, per day, double the amount produced aboard any WHEC or WAGB. The
environment aboard the FS spaces is an absolute demonstration on solid leadership, great
teamwork, excellent communications and efficiency. I highly recommend a summer
cruise to any FS, especially anyone needing sea time for advancement purposes.
There will be availability aboard the Eagle for approximately 4 or 5 FSs to make the 90
day cruise. Next year’s dates???? Do FS have to be available the entire 90 days or can
they assist for a portion of the deployment? FSC Faria is available on the Global address
system and welcomes all inquiries.
Good News!
I invited both the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Papp and Master Chief
of the Coast Guard, Master Chief Skip Bowen, to the Dining Facility of
the Year Awards Program in Kansas City in March of 2007. I am
honored to say that both have accepted and will attend (subject to the
obvious; national emergency, etc). I encourage all of you to request
funding from your unit to attend, please contact me if you need
assistance with this request, I will be glad to speak to your command to
explain the importance of your attendance at this phenomenal training
event.
MAYO CLINIC
FSC Niblett, MLCLANT, and I spoke to the Health Promotions Managers from each
district in the CG in late July at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. We both
spoke to them with regard to their role in working with the FS community to develop a
solid relationship and ensure we are both working towards the same goal: Providing the
nutritional adequacy for mission readiness and mission execution while maintaining a
healthy and fit crew. We (the FS community) will be developing policy that incorporates
Health Promotions into official FS policy. The meeting was a success; the HPMs
communicated their eagerness to learn about the FSs and what they can do to assist our
community in the policy changes. I solicited help from each FSAT to identify a group of
accomplished performers that are diverse, passionate about the FS rating and wanted to
help. I highly recommend establishing a relationship with your FSAT so they know who
you are and what your perspective of the FS rating is. I always rely on the FSATs to help
me build these teams for these conferences as they know the field so much better than I
could hope to. I will keep you posted in future editions of FS Force Notes about the
status of this project.
Billet Tabbing
I am collaborating with several ISCs and SECTORS on a project that will identify or tab
certain existing billets at units that will be dedicated for TAD support. The lack of
coordination between requesting commands requesting TAD support through their
respective Fleet Optimization and Training (FOT) is having a detrimental effect on the
FS workforce. I will publish more information in future editions of FS Force Notes.
Uniforms
As of today, 26 October 2006, the results of the Uniform Board remain unannounced. I
do not have an explanation for this situation. As soon as the decisions by the board are
announced, I will ensure your respective FSAT and the Subject Matter Expert is
informed.
FS Five Year Plan, New Orleans, LA, September 26-29, 2006
CG-1111 sponsored 18 FSs from across the Coast Guard to participate in a conference
that will assist CG-1111 in determining FS rating priorities for the next 5 years. We will
be developing a business plan to ensure continuity, efficiency and direction is achieved
for the near future. My intent is provide every FS access to the plan once we have
reviewed it, assigned timelines, determined priorities, etc.
Position Upgrade
I have upgraded the E-8 position at ISC Honolulu to E-9, effective 1 April 2007. This
will bring our FS E-9 positions to 8. We now have 7 E-9 positions: Rating Force Master
Chief, FSAT (LANT/PAC), COTR-CG Academy, FS “A” School Chief, CGC Polar Star,
and ISC Miami.
Greetings from the Program Manager As I write this I am reviewing CG 2576’s
that I have received from FINCEN. Every now and then I make a few calls out to the
field to people that deserve a congratulations on how they are completing their paperwork
in proper timeframe with no mistakes. The list of units provided to me by FINCEN is
growing. I would like to see the list grow to about 365 units but you all are doing a
fantastic job improving on getting the reports in on time.
If your unit is not on the list you should be doing everything you can to complete your
work and getting it sent to FINCEN.
I spoke with Robert Califano from FINCEN last week and he made a very good
suggestion. Prior to snail mailing your reports and paperwork you should fax a copy to
them. What will this do for you? It may mean quicker auditing and corrected copies. It
will definitely help out with lost reports. If you can’t fax you could scan it and email it to
them. If none of these options are available you can send your report via CGMS in
accordance with the Food Service Manual. If you do use CGMS and you send the
message on the 10th of the month it doesn’t mean it will get there the same day. Send it
in a few days early just to be sure.
All submitted CG-2576’s should be signed, dated and have a typed in signature on the
back page. This is so it is easier to contact a person if there is a problem or more likely to
say great job. They must also be signed by the CO/OINC. If you are having problems
with your reports call your FSAT and they can help you correct any problems. Another
good source is to contact your auditor at FINCEN.
Almost all of the Katrina dining facilities that were knocked out of service are back on
line and operating at full operational capability. ISC New Orleans should be operational
this month if everything works out. A great amount of time has been spent getting these
facilities operational and a lot of work has been done by the FS in the local area working
this out. Thank you for your true dedication.
Medium and Large afloat units need to remember to change the percentage in line 27 of
the CG 2576 to 30 percent maximum accumulation allowed. This does not mean that you
can accumulate more than a ten percent deficit. If you exceed the 10 percent deficit you
must still do a memo to CG-1111 in accordance with the Food Service Manual.
Box lunch information: If you are claiming box lunches you need to document it on the
daily ration memorandum. If you are operating an all BAS dining facility then all box
lunches have to be paid for by the members requesting the lunches. There are no
freebies. If you are an independent duty station and you are doing purchases verses
allowance, then the box lunches should be documented by a locally generated request
form that is signed by the OOD or XO/XPO. Once again, these must be paid for by the
members if you are an all BAS dining facility.
Are you on a cutter going out of hemisphere? If so then read the Food Service Manual
about Extraordinary Operating Conditions request. We now have some historical data on
units that have gone overseas on extended deployments. It makes it a lot easier for me to
determine the amount of the request if I know where you are deploying to. This can help
out your unit’s morale, health and well being with a little more funding for food.
Congratulations to all the unit’s that put in for the Coast Guard Dining Facility of the
Year. There were a lot of extremely good packages put together for this year. The
ALCOAST announcing the finalists has been sent out. Congratulations to all who
competed!. If you did not put in for this I strongly suggest you do so next year. This is a
good way to get some serious recognition for your galley and for the unit as well. It has
also been a good way to submit commands for more funding for their dining facility in
maintenance and improvements.
Rating Force Master Chief Introduction Letter
This letter will be given to each FS “A” School attendee am.
Welcome to the Food Service Specialist Rating. I look forward to working with you and
I appreciate your decision to choose the FS Rating. Whether you are attending the FS
“A” School resident course at TRACEN Petaluma or striking the rate at your unit, I
highly recommend you make every effort to learn as much as possible from the
individuals providing you instruction. You are in a parochial training environment,
especially at TRACEN Petaluma. Focus on learning as much as possible and establishing
relationships with your colleagues. The knowledge you gain at this stage of your career
and the relationships you develop now will both be of immense value to you throughout
your career.
The FS rating is demanding, challenging and exceptionally rewarding. As an FS, you
will interact with virtually every individual at your unit, often several times a day. The
Dining Facility you will be attached to often serves as the primary focal point for your
command, visitors and shipmates. Your efforts will directly affect the morale of the unit.
Good morale enhances Mission Readiness and Mission Execution. You and your fellow
1245 FSs throughout the Coast Guard are Mission Enablers. The culinary expertise’s
displayed at each Coast Guard Dining Facility provide the nutritional requirements to
ensure the unit has attained Mission Readiness and fulfilled Mission Execution.
The Food Service Program is managed by CG-1111. The FS program team is based at
Headquarters and consists of four core positions. The FS Program Manager, CWO3 Jesse
R. Hill, is responsible for enforcing policy. The Rating Force Master Chief, FSCM Philip
Garrett, is responsible for the health of the rate, billets and training for the FS rate. This
position also advocates on behalf of the rate to senior leadership. The FS Professional
Development Specialist, FSCS Mike Kadi is responsible for managing training courses
and developing the new Professional Career Path program. The Dining Facility
Automation Specialist, FS1 Gregg Fellion, is the Contracting Officer’s Technical
Representative (COTR) and FS specialist for the Dining Facility Automation
Management (DFAM) initiative. A fifth position, FSCS Timothy Strozier, is the CG-FS
instructor at the Army Center of Excellence at Fort Lee, VA.. Each of these subject
matter experts is dedicated to providing you with resources which enable successful
performance of FS assigned duties, responsibilities and achievement of professional
goals. The leadership of the Coast Guard has demonstrated their commitment to
ensuring the health of the FS rating by the approval of many initiatives that directly
improve the professionalism, attraction and retention of the rating.
As an FS, you will receive many opportunities for professional development. These
opportunities may include FS specific and professional military development
instruction. I urge you to take full advantage of each opportunity. You are ultimately
responsible for your own training and education. There is a wealth of information
contained at the FS Subject Matter Expert’s Web site and Coast Guard Central. (include
link) You should become very familiar with these resources to ensure your professional
growth potential is maximized. FS Force Notes are published quarterly. I recommend
you read them and use the information to become knowledgeable about policies,
procedures, contact information and what is happening within the rating.
There are two axioms I have found extremely valuable to my career in the Coast Guard:
The first is: One hand for you, one hand for the Coast Guard; the second, Senior Officers
do not give suggestions, they give orders.
One of you reading this letter will someday take the position I now hold. Every situation
you experience throughout your career will help shape your career. Remain positive,
seek mentoring, always give your best effort and support your command. I wish each of
you a very successful career and I look forward to working with you and provide you
with mentoring at every opportunity possible.
MCPO Philip A. Garrett
FS Rating Force Master Chief
CG-1111
HQCG
The information below came from FSC Rich Kuffler (AIRSTA Clearwater). Thanks to
Chief Kuffler for his efforts to improve the way we do business and providing a great
resource to help us out!
Authorization to Procure and Wear Food Service “Chef”
Uniforms
SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
(SAP) HANDBOOK
COMDTINST M4200.13G
Chapter 11: Funding in Selected Procurements
Organizational Clothing
14 USC § 447 and 5 USC § 7903 authorize the use of appropriated funds to purchase
special clothing equipment for the promotion and maintenance of safety and occupation
health. These statutes, along with prior GAO decisions form the basis for Coast Guard
policy on organizational clothing. (NOTE: Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6
(series) will be updated to reflect this new policy).
Organizational clothing is Coast Guard owned clothing that is issued to Coast Guard
members to perform their duties. Organizational clothing is only authorized to mitigate
unusual situations or to alleviate a health and safety concern. Organizational clothing is
not authorized to promote the appearance of the Coast Guard or Coast Guard programs
without prior approval of G-WPM and CG-843.
Food Service Sanitation Manual
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION M6240.4A
3-D-1.2.b
Active Duty Coast Guard food service personnel shall wear whites or Coast Guard blue
working uniform.
UNIFORM REGULATIONS
COMDTINST M1020.6E
Organizational clothing is Coast Guard unit-owned clothing that is issued to individuals.
Generally, organizational clothing remains the property of the issuing unit and shall be
returned to the unit unless for sanitation reasons would not be reused. Items that are
considered intimate, worn next to the skin, exposed to unsanitary conditions, chemicals,
body fluids or sweat, or soiled beyond serviceability would not be reused.
Organizational clothing can be of three types: • • •
Special clothing for military members authorized by a program manager to perform
functions where CG uniforms are not sufficient to meet mission requirements.
Special clothing items authorized by the unit commanding officer for long or short- term
safety, health, security, or law enforcement purposes or as otherwise described in the
GAO “Red Book”. Document in unit procurement files all purchases of organizational
clothing for health, safety, security, law enforcement, or special identification purposes or
to protect standard CG uniforms, citing why regular CG uniform items that their
personnel must have do not suffice.
General organizational clothing pre-approved in the uniform regulations.
4.D.4. Food Service Personnel
Personnel involved in the preparation or serving of meals may wear the white Food
Service uniform consisting of a white short sleeve shirt, white trousers, white web belt,
and standard issue safety shoes. A white cap and apron are optional. For special or
ceremonial events, the wardroom service uniform may be prescribed consisting of a
white food servers or Eaton style jacket, white shirt, black bow tie, and service dress or
undress trousers.
FSC: We use a basic blue pants (see above service dress blue trousers), along with basic
white chef coat. Our optional dress shirts, which we buy white and black chef coats, are
for formal functions such as Change of Commands & other “official” Command
functions where appearance is paramount in giving a positive impression of the Air
Station. We do not wear a bow tie.
Air Station Clearwater ORGMAN
Chapter 4
ADMINISTRATION / GENERAL REGULATIONS
2. Special Clothing
Work Uniforms: Galley and Wardroom personnel shall wear clean whites while on duty.
FSC:
To sum it up, the Uniform Regulations set FS uniforms as organizational clothing, and
authorizes FS to wear the uniforms. The Uniform Regulations also state that these types
of uniforms are not “reusable” as they will collect sweat & get soiled over the life of the
uniform. It is also this fact which creates the need to periodically (quarterly), to issue
new uniforms, due to health and sanitation concerns.
The SAP Handbook establishes the authorization to procure Organizational Clothing
through Appropriated Funds, and issue that clothing to CG personnel for use in their
duties to “alleviate health and safety concerns”. As the Dining Facility is one of two
environments on any given unit which must remain sanitary (the other being Medical), a
specific uniform is required to ensure all personnel engaged in food preparation are
themselves sanitary and will not create the above mentioned health concern.
We then follow on to the Air Station Clearwater’s ORGMAN, which further authorizes FS
personnel on board to wear FS whites by making that uniform the required duty uniform
for anyone involved in food preparation (duty).
Closing
Any information (outside of advancements, retirements and transfers) that you
would like to see addressed in FS Force Notes is welcome. Request you submit via
email and provide a working contact number. Thank you all for your hard work
and support of mission readiness and mission execution.
R//
MCPO Philip A. Garrett
FS Rating Force Master Chief
HQCG
WDC
202 475 5150