If you have any known allergies to food items or any special dietary needs (e.g., vegetarian, Halal, Kosher or other), notify your MTI as soon as possible. You must wash your hands before every meal. While waiting to enter the dining facility, unless otherwise engaged or directed by permanent party personnel or student leaders, you will study quietly.
Chow Runner Responsibilities
Chow Runners will provide the initial report for all meal periods. Proceed directly to the dining facility (DFAC) board after signing in. Halting at the designated staging location, ensure no other Chow Runners are engaged in the reporting process then proceed from the staging location to the DFAC board, executing the appropriate facing movements in route.
Using short choppy steps, center yourself approximately two paces from the board. Once acknowledged provide a reporting statement and initial report,
“Sir/Ma’am, trainee reports as ordered, Sir/Ma’am Flight Dorm is prepared to enter the Dining Facility from the side”.
After receiving direction, repeat the directions to confirm. For example,
“Follow flight dorm , yes Sir/Ma’am, thank you Sir/Ma’am”.
The Chow Runner will then control order of entry for respective flight. Ensure adequate room exists in the foyer area, when it is your flight’s turn to enter the DFAC.
Take control of the flight and have them prepare to enter,
“Flight prepare to enter the dining facility”
Give them adequate time to secure any belongings, place them at attention, and direct all key personnel to fall out and fall back in, in front of the first respective element to enter the dining facility,
“All key personnel fall out, fall in, followed by the Element”
Proceed to provide the follow on report at the DFAC board.
Water Monitors will enter the dining facility with key personnel. After signing in, the Water Monitors will follow squadron procedures for backpack placement if applicable.
Prior to proceeding behind the serving line, trainees will don some type of head covering. Prior to handling any dishes or utensils trainees will ensure they wash their hands.
After the last trainee from the flight has processed the line or when relieved, the Water Monitors will gather their belongings and proceed to the serving line.
Flight Safety Representatives will break ranks when directed to do so by the chow runner and post outside the DFAC entryway. Once in position, Flight Safety Representatives will take control of the flight, and place them at ease.
As adequate space becomes available in the foyer, Flight Safety Representatives will direct the respective element leader to lead their element into the DFAC,
“Second Element, prepare to enter the dining facility”
Element Leaders must allow sufficient time for trainees to secure all belonging prior to calling their element to attention. Once all elements have entered the DFAC, the Flight Safety Representatives will fall into the rear of the last element to enter the DFAC.
The Chow Runner will provide the follow on report for all meal periods. Proceed directly to the DFAC board, halting at the designated staging location, ensuring no other Chow Runners are engaged in reporting process then proceed from the staging location to the DFAC board, executing the appropriate facing movements in route.
Using short choppy steps, center yourself approximately two paces from the board. Once acknowledged, provide a reporting statement and follow on report,
“Sir/Ma’am, trainee reports as ordered, Sir/Ma’am the first trainee from Flight Dorm has entered the dining facility from the side”.
After receiving direction, repeat the directions to confirm for example,
“Seat them, yes Sir/Ma’am, thank you Sir/Ma’am”
After providing the follow on report, follow squadron procedures for placement of backpack and coat, if applicable, then proceed to seat trainees.
If another chow runner is already in position and seating trainees, relieve them by standing behind them, placing them at attention, and dismissing them, “Chow Runner, ATTENTION…Dismissed”.
While seating trainees stand with your heels 12 inches apart. The appropriate hand pointed toward the respective row, palm toward you, fingers fully extended and joined, with the forearm parallel to the ground.
Your other arm will be fully extended behind your back palm facing away, with the fingers fully extended and joined pointed directly toward the ground. Seat trainees back to front, filling one table at a time.
Fill all tables prior to moving to the next row. Ensure trainees are filling all available chairs and correct when necessary. Continue to seat trainees until the last trainee from your flight has been seated or you have been properly relieved.
Assume the position of attention prior to transitioning between rows or departing your post. Do not forget to gather your belongings prior to proceeding to the serving line.
(Old but useful video on Chow Runner Responsibilities)
Trainee Responsibilities
You will enter the dining facility in elements. Once you enter, place your Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) cap in your right cargo pocket, form lines behind the available rosters at the front desk and stand at the position of attention.
After all trainees in the rank have completed signing in, the trainee nearest the wall will command “Trainees Post,” at which time all trainees will execute the appropriate facing movement simultaneously and proceed directly to the wall.
Upon entering the serving line student leaders will supervise trainees practicing their salute in front of the mirror (if applicable) to ensure the use of proper contact points and that the movement is executed with snap and precision.
This training should be performed quickly and not impede dining. While in line, stand at attention with your head and eyes straightforward. You may only talk to dining facility personnel, MTIs and student leaders.
Be polite and courteous when speaking to dining facility personnel. The Dorm Chief will monitor the flight in the dining facility from a position that is advantageous in the foyer and provide oversight. Corrections will pertain only to compliance with all instructions and guidance.
Once you reach the serving line place your tray on the steel runner and put both hands on top of your tray. Keep your head and eyes straight forward as you side step down the serving line. Do no execute any facing movements while carrying items.
You must drink at least two glasses of either water, milk or juice at every meal. You may opt for a third glass but it is not a requirement. You are encouraged to drink milk daily (or a milk substitute if you are lactose intolerant) because it is a good source of calcium for building strong bones.
Once you have your food and your drinks proceed to the dining area and look for the seater who will direct you where to sit. The Dorm Chief will sit at the table closest to the exit of the serving line and make corrections when necessary.
Once you arrive at your table set your tray on the table. If you are wearing the Extreme Cold/Wet Weather (ECWW) jacket or lightweight blue jacket, remove the item before sitting and drape it on the back of your chair.
If you are wearing your all-weather coat fold it in half lengthwise and drape it over the back of the chair. Once you have grounded your tray, secured your belongings as necessary, stand at attention for 3 seconds and then be seated.
Treat these 3 seconds as a moment of silence to remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for us to enjoy the privilege of freedom before beginning to consume your meal. If you return to the serving line for more food or drinks, do not stand or walk while chewing or drinking, do not carry more than one item in each hand, and exit and re-enter the row of tables from the appropriate end.
Once you are finished with your meal, gather your belongings and take only your tray to the clipper (dishwasher area) unless assisting a physical impaired trainee (e.g. using crutches). If at any time a glass breaks, do not attempt to pick up the broken glass, only detail trainees working in the dining facility will clean it up.
Place tray in clipper window; remove utensils and place in bin, if available. Exit DFAC using appropriate drill movements. Wait in the hallway for wingman before exiting DFAC.