Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Jacksonville’s Navy Food Management Team (NFMT) is now offering a virtual training solution for Culinary Specialists ahead of the upcoming Navy Wide Advancement Exam. 

NFMT Mayport is composed of senior subject matter experts who support the professional development of Culinary Specialists (CS) across the Navy’s Southeast Region, to include Fleet units. The knowledge and skills required of CSs must be constantly developed and are wide ranging; they include recipe conversion, nutrition, sanitation, personnel management, forms and records, equipment operation and maintenance, and technical execution. Under normal operating conditions, NFMT Mayport conducts training through site visits, shipboard sessions, workshops, and even competitions in their onshore spaces at Naval Station Mayport. But presently, the Navy is not operating under normal conditions, so NFMT Mayport is adapting.

After careful vetting of the training materials and a review of the technology available, NFMT Mayport, led by CSCM Wilson Sydenstricker, settled on the use of Facebook Live to achieve their training goals. “We wanted to use a platform that would allow CSs across the region to engage with us in real-time, as they would in a classroom setting,” said Sydenstricker. “We also want Sailors to be able to view the sessions after the fact, so they can watch them when it works with their schedule.”

CSC Keis Hamilton of NFMT Mayport conducted the initial sessions that served as a trial run. “We had to get to know the technology to make sure we are putting out a training session that is functional,” said Hamilton. “The goal isn’t to make a highly produced video; what we want to capture is the real-time interaction with our Sailors who have questions that we can answer.” The team continues to learn as they go along and are adapting their expertise as trainers to a new distance support model.

On April 13th NFMT Mayport hosted their first virtual training session via Facebook at NFMT Mayport www.facebook.com/cscnfmtmayport. This page is also where the schedule of future training will be posted. Topics will include recipe conversions; nutrition; food service forms; sanitation; admin and records; advancement exam prep; food service equipment; and receipt, inspection, and storage. NFMT Mayport will provide quizzes to allow CSs to test their knowledge. While the training is designed to support Sailors in the Southeast Region, all CSs across the Navy are welcome to participate.

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter.

Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.

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