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Military Food Service Managers

Military Career

General Information

Description

Food service managers purchase, plan, store, prepare, and serve meals. They direct the personnel who prepare and serve food, and manage the facilities where food is prepared and stored. Their managerial responsibilities include budgeting for food and equipment purchases; developing food service phases of operational plans; employment and discharge of employees paid from mess funds; and, ensuring that mess property is clean and properly safeguarded.

Explore this career outside the Military

Work Environment

Food service managers usually work in food service facilities. They may manage facilities in field camps or aboard ships.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Comparable Industries

  • Hospitality & Tourism

Related Military Careers

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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Officer
    • Managerial/professional
    • College degree required

Military Workforce

Food Service Managers in the Military

1,088

No Information for this section

Salary

Salary Information

Median Military Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$81,456

Military Salary Range Salary varies based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location. Learn more about Military benefits.

$46,189 - $172,686

What makes up a Military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 55%
  • Some college 18%
  • Less than high school 15%
  • Post-secondary certificate 4%
  • Post baccalaureate 3%
  • Bachelor's degree 1%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Military training

Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for food service managers primarily consists of on-the-job learning in various training environments. Like other officers, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, military structure and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development. Job-specific training content may include: Food service operationsFood safety and sanitationNutritional meal planningFinancial managementManagement of facilities, equipment, and personnel

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Military training

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Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for food service managers primarily consists of on-the-job learning in various training environments. Like other officers, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, military structure and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Food service operations
  • Food safety and sanitation
  • Nutritional meal planning
  • Financial management
  • Management of facilities, equipment, and personnel

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • Administration and Management
  • Production and Processing
  • Food Production

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.