In the Canadian Army as well in all professional Armies. There are a group or perhaps only one in smaller units, who insure our troops are fed.
My good friend Rex sent me this article from the Maple Leaf. If you cant take the heat, dont cook in Afghanistan
by MS Cory Teed
BeepBeepBeep .. 4:30 a.m. already? Ah, the life of a cook in the CF. Time to go to work.A quick cup of coffee, some bacon on the grill, and breakfast is being served. Over easy, French toast, beans, sleepy faces a regular morning at Patrol Base Sperwan Ghar.
By 6 a.m., the sun is up; by 10, were wishing it wasnt. Were the so-called lucky ones, on a winter tour. Bylucky, I mean the temperature usually doesnt go higher than 40C. Unless, that is, youre working in a kitchen trailer where, several times a day, our poor thermometer tops out at 50C. By then, you dont want to know how hot it is.
And, believe it or not, after you spend some time here, the heat isnt so bad. During the winter months, you put on a coat in the morning because its chilly.
For lunch, we provide hot soup and a large salad bar with many choices. Local workers help us prepare salads, clean pots and do the overall upkeep of the dining tent. Their work is a definite asset because it allows us to put the extra effort into preparing meals for the troops. During the lunch hour is when we make bread, cookies and desserts. Fresh, warm sticky buns are always a big a hit with the troops.
Local Afghans help out in Kitchen areas.
We spend the afternoon prepping and preparing supper, usually two or three entrees, a starch and a vegetable choice. Every Saturday, we do steak night with sauted shrimp, mushrooms, onions, baked potato and corn on the cob. One by one, plate by plate, the supper march begins and, before you know it, its time to clean up, set up for breakfast and call it a night.
After a quick brief from the Sergeant on any upcoming events, whats left of the evening is ours. Phone calls to family, laundry, cards or even a movie are regular pastimes.
Its been said many times that the morale of a camp and its soldiers rests heavily on the shoulders of the cook section. Its amazing how a hot meal and a friendly face can quickly change a soldiers bad day into a good one.I could never do your job, or,I dont know how you do this every day are phrases we hear often.
We cooks are a special breed because, from dawn to dusk, its GO GO GO, and we do it with smiles on our faces.
Long live the combat cook!
Cpl Jay McArthur
I could not believe that this pot this young cook is serving rice from, is the same field gear we used in the 1960's. Well done canada keep it up.
Cpl Jay McArthur and L/S Ben Piercey Plus 50C in winter.
L/S Ben Piercy Spuds for the Boys
L/s Steven Pritchard Cpl Stephane Monette Pommes Powder when no fresh potatoes available.
Thes few photos are of men and women who have served and are serving in Afghanistan. The forward troops who are far from the wire eat what are called IRP Individual Ration Packs whicch they prepare themselves in a hole or beside their vehicles. Then upon return to a FOB or base camp they can enjoy Military catering.
Scenes from Long ago.... Camp Chams Egypt 1973.
Lighting up at 0400
Eggs for the guys.
Spuds gotta be peeled.
So this Monday Morning as once again I rise early, but no grill pan this am. I am off to run our Olympic Torch on the confederation bridge.
Cooks are everywhere the military has people around the world. Land, Sea and Air.
Remember Everyone Deployed
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
