The CS(SS) focuses on dining and berthing for personnel. CS(SS) receive extensive training in cooking, baking, dining and living area management. Navy Culinary Specialists can also be assigned to provide food service for admirals and senior government executives and run the White House Mess for the President of the United States. They are responsible for all aspects of the dining (mess decks) and living areas, Culinary Specialists work in the "heart of the ship," and are vital in maintaining high crew morale on the submarine and every shore base.
Some typical duties include:
- Preparing menus and ordering the quantities and types of food items;
- Operating kitchen and dining facilities;
- Keeping records for food supplies and financial budgets;
- Serving as personal food service specialists on admiral's staffs and for the commanding officer aboard ship or at shore bases;
- Operating and managing living quarters aboard submarines and at shore based motel/hotel type quarters.
Working Environment
Culinary Specialistst work in kitchens, dining areas, living quarters and storerooms where food supplies are kept. The work is primarily physical and involves working as part of a team.
A-School (Job School) Information
- Groton, CT, 26 calendar days (Basic Enlisted Submarine School)
- Lackland AFB, TX, 4 weeks
ASVAB Score Requirement: AR+MK+EI+GS=200 or VE+AR+MK+MC=200
Security Clearance Requirement: Secret
Other Requirements
- Must be U.S. Citizen
- Most have normal color perception (can be waived)
- Must have normal hearing.
- Must have no speech impediment.
- Must volunteer for submarine duty
- Must have no record of conviction by civil court for any offense other than minor traffic.
- Moral turpitude offenses are generally disqualifying.
- No history of drug abuse.
- This job (like all submarine jobs) is closed to women
Sub-Specialties Available for This Rating: Navy Enlisted Classification Codes for CS/CS(SS)
Current Manning Levels for This Rating: CREO Listing
Note: Advancement ( promotion ) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a rating's manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings).
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: 60 months
- First Shore Tour: 36 months
- Second Sea Tour: 48 months
- Second Shore Tour: 36 months
- Third Sea Tour: 42 months
- Third Shore Tour: 36 months
- Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
- Forth Shore Tour: 36 months
Note: Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.
Much of the above information courtesy of the Navy Personnel Command
