[princess girl]

Ok so I have always wanted to be in the Military. As soon as I could talk I said I was going into it. My whole family and all my friends family are in. So I still want to but I also LOVE cooking! So I was thinking after I graduate I could go to this kinda Culinary Arts School about 30 miles from where I live. You can get a degree in 12-18 months. After that join the Military but be a cook. I no people always say you don't want to be stuck as the cook for the military but it sounds fun and you would get very good at being able to learn to cook for LOTS of people! Then after being in the military cooking for 8ish years I would resign and start my own restaurant or something.That way I am still serving my country and doing what I love. What do you think? Bad Idea? Good one? Thanks

[TAL]

If both are your passions, go for it. It sounds like you have a plan of what you want to do. You have outlined your goals and how you plan to achieve them.

[damffool]

The military basically teaches you how to heat up canned peas and carrots. They are big cans but still.....

[milton1007]

you go for it, allot of great cooks got there start in the Military, I was in the Army and the food was great

[Susan R]

Sounds great! And also sounds like you know what you want, go for it. Don't let anyone tell ya any different. Best of luck to ya.

[Jonny]

You wouldn't need to gain a degree/diploma etc. to be a cook in the military.The school's for chef's if for people who want to cook for nice restaurants as such.8 years in the army wouldn't get you very far (especially as a cook)However, severing your country, getting qualifications from the army and then starting your own business is a very honist thing!

[BlueSea]

I believe most of the cooking at the bases and boot camps and such is actually contracted out.

[Apples to Apples]

My father was a cook in the military and when he retired he went to school and became a professional chef. While I applaud your wanting to be in the military, it is difficult to get the field that you want. You may not even get to be a cook. Also, cooking in the military is not glamorous in any way. You may be in the mountains of Afghanistan trying to prepare the one hot meal a day that the soldiers get and have little to work with or cook. If you have the strength and will to do it, go for it. Just know that it is no picnic....you will be expected to do much more than cook. If you have a passion for cooking, get your degree first, then if you still want to join the military by all means sign up. Kudos to you for having a dream and researching all of your options.

[Sara Jo]

I would think if cooking is your passion you might be better off being a chef in someone else's restaurant. Otherwise you'll end up spending all your time running the business, and not much doing the cooking that you love. Ever watch Hell's Kitchen or Kitchen Nightmare's with Chef Ramsey?Gives you a good idea what it takes to have a successful restaurant & be a successful cook in the high end rest. biz, which is where the money is. (you can watch full episodes on fox.com)Seems like school would be better after military, plus I think the military give you some money toward a degree then?Go for it, life is miserable if you don't love what you're doing. You're on the right path by asking questions & finding out how it is in the real world.

[Jimmy Z]

www.militarychefs.com has tons of information on military chefs.