Quartermaster Corps Research Paper

The Army Quartermaster Corps has been around since 16 June 1775. The Quartermaster Corps is made up of all elements that support warfighters while in garrison and in war times. Food service is a very important element in the Quartermaster Corps. The Army food service assists by building moral to help win wars and achieve satisfactory training.

There is no way to operate as a warfighter without proper nutrition. During the Civil War, the U.S lost more Soldiers due to illness and inadequate nourishment than Soldiers killed in action. During the Civil War Soldiers was given a set number of rations that had to be prepared by the Soldier. Improper handling of food and sanitation issues lead the Army to start properly training cooks post Civil War.

A huge plight emerged during the Spanish American War.

America felt this war was very unwarranted, but this war became the turning point for food service and Food Service Technicians. In the Spanish American War 268 of the 3,862 who died were killed by bullets or wounds sustained while fighting the enemy. The rest were killed by illness and diseases which was created by foodborne illness.

In 1905 the Baker School opened at Fort Riley, KS and became the official school to properly train cooks to an acceptable standard. The Army became successful in training personnel to ensure Soldiers are properly fed and correct sanitation, but the force still encountered many obstacles. A colossal complication appeared during the Spanish American War. America felt this war was very unwarranted, but this war became the turning point for food service and food service technicians.

As time moved forward and leaders of America analyzed the Army weakness during wars, it became unanimous that proper feeding on the battlefield is key to sustaining the force reediness. Schools to properly train food service personnel became a priority and schools such as Bakers Schools was created all over the Army footprint. In August 1912, Congress merged the old Pay, Subsistence, and Quartermaster Departments in a single Quartermaster

Corps.

When this legislation was signed it exclusively made food service part of the Quartermaster Corps mission. The Quartermaster Corps began to hold advanced training for cooks and soon created highly trained, professional Food Service Specialist 92G military occupational specialty (MOS).
Over the century food service evolved and adapted to the countless wars the Army has encountered. America’s enemy has surfaced across the world. With this evolution of global wars, the Army was forced to bring in subject matter experts known as food service technicians. It is true to believe that when the Army decided to design 922A food service technicians within the Warrant Officer cohort it was to hold very knowledgeable Soldiers in command roles to be the gate keepers of a key necessity that Soldiers need.
Food Service Technicians are needed to assist with the planning of all operations conducted by the Army. Feeding warfighters, the correct nutrition across the battlefield and ensuring proper sanitation is being demonstrated while feeding is a priority for command teams. Learning from miscues and deaths sustained during other key battles command teams and leaders secures a food service subject matter expert is present at the Army installations.
The Food Service Technician operates very closely with Officers in command roles to become part of the military decision-making process. Food service technicians are used to give leaders the doctrine way to deliver rations, answer all questions, and deliver a solution to all problems dealing with food service.
Roles has developed gradually over the years for food service technicians. The Army assignment has changed and more has been asked by food service technicians. Food service technicians are now being looked upon as part of the command staff due to the Army operations and vision of Warrant Officers.
The expansion of knowledge Soldiers hold in this century What will the next century hold for food service technicians?