Marines Food Service Specialists (MOS 3381) are responsible for acquiring, planning, cooking and storing food.
Food Service Specialist perform food related duties in garrison and field environments.
This Marine MOS is best for those who can perform basic math and reading skills, have the ability to follow recipes and are able to work well with others.
Qualifications and Training
To enter into this MOS, individuals must be 17-28 years old, have a high school diploma and be a legal resident.
They are required to meet height, weight and body fat requirements in addition to passing physical testing such as the Physical Fitness Test and the Combat Fitness Test.
This MOS requires a minimum score of 90 on the General Technical (GT) portion of the ASVAB test.
After all entry testing, recruits will attend 13 challenging weeks at recruit training at either Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island or Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Course work for Food Service Specialist requires taking the Basic Food Services Course at Ft. Lee, VA.
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What are the job duties of a Food Service Specialist?
Marine Corps Food Service Specialist is tasked with everything from food preparation to managerial duties.
Food Service Specialist are part of Occupational Field 33, Food Service.
These individuals complete ordering of food, supplies and equipment.
They cook, clean, bake, serve, order and manage.
Food Handling Duties
The specialist are in charge of distribution of the food.
They create menus, plan recipes and execute recipe conversions.
Specialist are tasked with preparing meals and individual items.
Food preparation includes preparing fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and poultry as well as seasoning the food.
During food preparation and serving, the specialist will ensure quality is met, and all safe handling and sanitary procedures for food processing are followed correctly.
Food Service Specialist use different recipes and formulas to both cook and prepare food, desserts and beverages.
They not only cook food, but bake bread and pastry products as well.
Administrative Functions
Part of their job involves managing and training personnel as well as performing accounting and reporting duties.
Accounting duties include funding, requisitioning and purchasing.
When ordering product, the Specialist will review the shipment to verify the received amounts are accurate and prepare reports of supplies received.
Specialist prepare, edit and consolidate back-orders for subsistence stores.
Ordered food and supplies may be for consumption, but also for resale activities.
They prepare quality assurance evaluations and food service administrative forms.
Food Service Specialist must understand serving procedures in different scenarios as well as mess hall operations.
They will ensure food is stored properly per food safety guidelines.
What does a Food Service Specialist get paid?
Food Service Specialist will be paid based on rank.
This position is entry-level and without Military experience, most individuals can expect to start out around $1800 a month during training.
Based on information from previous employees over the past 36 months, Indeed states that the average salary in this position is around $30,000.
This amount is an estimate and will depend on factors such as time in service and rank.
Follow the table below to get an idea of rank and pay.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | 2023 Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 +4 months | Private | Pvt | $1,917.60 | |
 | E-2 | Private First Class | PFC | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Lance Corporal | LCpl | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Corporal | Cpl | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Sergeant | Sgt | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSgt | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Gunnery Sergeant | GySgt | $3,3445.80 |
 | E-8 | Master Sergeant | MSgt | $4,957.20 |
 | E-8 | First Sergeant | 1stSgt | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Master Gunnery Sergeant | MGySgt | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major | SgtMaj | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major Of The Marine Corps | SgtMaj | $6,055.50 |
Benefits
All men and women in the Marines are offered benefits.
Benefits include opportunities such as tuition assistance programs.
These programs allow most individuals to attend college for little to zero out-of-pocket cost.
Another benefit is paid housing, with utilities and basic maintenance included.
Some other benefits will be insurance, low-cost life insurance, retirement and vacation.
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Job Reviews
Reviews of this position are very positive with the majority of individuals recommending the position.
Common themes discussed in reviews include learning food skills, working variety of hours and ability to travel.
Positive aspects in reviews were gaining work ethic and discipline, benefits and learning time management.
Negative reviews discuss initial training being difficult and deployment.
Reviews note this position can be fast-paced but is not as dangerous as other MOS can be.
The review below goes over a typical day.
This review explains positive aspects and accomplishments as a Food Service Specialist.
Civilian Career Opportunities
Working in this MOS provides culinary skills in all aspects of food service.
Marines can find related civilian work as Bakers, Chefs, Food Preparation Workers, Food Service Managers and Health Inspectors.
The pay for these positions are generally similar to that of a Food Service Worker in the Marines, but can vary.
Opportunities for apprenticeships towards careers such as bakers or chefs, are available with USMAP.
This Marine Corps opportunity provides registered U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeships.
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Summary
Marines Food Service Specialists (MOS 3381) provide food handling and administrative functions for Marines in garrison and field environments.
These individuals perform functions related to food preparation, cooking, baking, ordering and sanitizing.
Entering into this MOS requires ASVAB testing, passing physical requirements and training.
The position will pay based on rank.
Reviews for this position are very positive, with most reviews at 5/5 stars.
Civilian opportunities in the food industry are available using the skills and techniques learned in this MOS.
References
Military Occupational Specialties Manual
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