Field Food Service Support Marines brighten days with hot chow
June 22, 2007; Submitted on: 07/10/2007 04:14:47 PM By Sgt. Johnathan D. Herring, Marine Forces Reserve
SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Australia – (June 22, 2007) -- Every Marine knows hot chow is a rarity when you’re dug in
deep. The best Marines in the field can wish for is not to get that one Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) that nobody likes. But thanks to
the Regimental Combat Team 25’s Field Food Service System, a mobile kitchen capable of feeding up to 500 people every three
hours, Marines currently deployed to Australia in support of Exercise Talisman Saber 2007 receive hot chow daily.
Marines with the 6th Motor Transport Battalion are among those receiving the hot food from the FFSS.
“It’s a nice break from the MRE’s,” said Lance Cpl. Tyler C. Charman, a logistics vehicle system operator with 6th Motor Transport
Bn. “We get to eat here when we get a mission that brings us to camp, which isn’t every day. It depends on our mission.”
The FFSS is run by the Marines of Combat Logistics Company 25, 3rd Marine Logistics Group. 3rd MLG is the 3rd Marine
Expeditionary Brigade’s logistics combat element for Exercise Talisman Saber 2007.
“Our mission is to support Marines with quality chow,” said Staff Sgt. Jesus Moreno, the assistant field mess manager for CLC-25.
“They can eat here at the mess tent, and we have the capability to serve them in the field.”
The mess tent is in two sections and can be set up or broken down in one day. It is powered by generators and can operate 24
hours a day, if necessary. The FFSS is also equipped with a tray ration heating system, which can be set up in the back of a
humvee.
“We used to use maintenance tents which were a logistical nightmare,” said Chief Warrant Officer Ronnell Nichols, the food
services officer with 3rd MLG. “Now, we can move and deploy with the units, which shows flexibility.”
When a Marine has been in the field for as long as RCT-25, it doesn’t take much to boost their morale, according to Moreno. Any
kind of break in the monotony is welcome, especially when it comes to chow.
“The looks on the Marines’ faces when they get hot chow in their bellies for the first time in days makes it all worth it,” he said. “It’s
good to see them coming through and smiling.”
Marines aren’t just smiling because the chow is hot. According to some of them, it tastes pretty good too.
“The chow tastes great – especially omelets for breakfast,” said Sgt. Robert Cleet, a supply Marine with Marine Forces Reserve
currently attached to 25th Marine Regiment. “I’ve been in the Corps for 13 years, and I’ve never had chow this good in the field.”
June 22, 2007; Submitted on: 07/10/2007 04:14:47 PM By Sgt. Johnathan D. Herring, Marine Forces Reserve
SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Australia – (June 22, 2007) -- Every Marine knows hot chow is a rarity when you’re dug in
deep. The best Marines in the field can wish for is not to get that one Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) that nobody likes. But thanks to
the Regimental Combat Team 25’s Field Food Service System, a mobile kitchen capable of feeding up to 500 people every three
hours, Marines currently deployed to Australia in support of Exercise Talisman Saber 2007 receive hot chow daily.
Marines with the 6th Motor Transport Battalion are among those receiving the hot food from the FFSS.
“It’s a nice break from the MRE’s,” said Lance Cpl. Tyler C. Charman, a logistics vehicle system operator with 6th Motor Transport
Bn. “We get to eat here when we get a mission that brings us to camp, which isn’t every day. It depends on our mission.”
The FFSS is run by the Marines of Combat Logistics Company 25, 3rd Marine Logistics Group. 3rd MLG is the 3rd Marine
Expeditionary Brigade’s logistics combat element for Exercise Talisman Saber 2007.
“Our mission is to support Marines with quality chow,” said Staff Sgt. Jesus Moreno, the assistant field mess manager for CLC-25.
“They can eat here at the mess tent, and we have the capability to serve them in the field.”
The mess tent is in two sections and can be set up or broken down in one day. It is powered by generators and can operate 24
hours a day, if necessary. The FFSS is also equipped with a tray ration heating system, which can be set up in the back of a
humvee.
“We used to use maintenance tents which were a logistical nightmare,” said Chief Warrant Officer Ronnell Nichols, the food
services officer with 3rd MLG. “Now, we can move and deploy with the units, which shows flexibility.”
When a Marine has been in the field for as long as RCT-25, it doesn’t take much to boost their morale, according to Moreno. Any
kind of break in the monotony is welcome, especially when it comes to chow.
“The looks on the Marines’ faces when they get hot chow in their bellies for the first time in days makes it all worth it,” he said. “It’s
good to see them coming through and smiling.”
Marines aren’t just smiling because the chow is hot. According to some of them, it tastes pretty good too.
“The chow tastes great – especially omelets for breakfast,” said Sgt. Robert Cleet, a supply Marine with Marine Forces Reserve
currently attached to 25th Marine Regiment. “I’ve been in the Corps for 13 years, and I’ve never had chow this good in the field.”
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| Lance Cpls. Kris V. Prieto, Divan I. Gonzales and Tyler C. Charman (left to right) enjoy a hot meal from the Regimental Combat Team 25’s Field Food Service Support kitchen in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Australia, June 22. Photo by: Sgt. Johnathan D. Herring |
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