MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- In the Marine Corps there is an abundance of Military Occupational Specialties varying from aircraft rescue firefighters to motor transport operators.
One of the MOSs aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, are the food service specialists.
Food service specialists’ primary mission is food preparation, storage and distribution required for troop consumption.
“We all know that food service is one of the last things that anyone thinks about most days,” said Master Sgt. Henry Pollard, food service technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “However, we have the ability to set the tone for a Marine’s day. You come in and get breakfast, and if your experience is a bad one it could possibly mean that the rest of your day won’t be any better.”
A well maintained facility is more likely to kick start a service members day, according to Pollard his Marines are responsible not only or the quality of the food served but also the cleanliness of the Mess Hall.
“Being stationed on the ground side can be a bit different from an air station but our job is no less important. Being with boots on the ground, you are able to see patrons’ reactions to the service that we provide,” said Pollard. “You truly see the importance of what food service does when you’re overseas in an austere environment, so far removed from the day-to-day Mess Halls, and you show the Marines on the front lines that there are Marines out there who are backing and supporting them.”
According to Lance Cpl. Maria Earll, the food service warehouse noncommissioned officer, the food service MOS is important to all service members because no one likes to go hungry.
Earll said she looks forward to continuing her career in food service, as her job allows her to support service members from all MOSs around the Corps.