Feeding the Force: How Food Service and Project Management Fuel Army Readiness

Feeding the Force: How Food Service and Project Management Fuel Army Readiness

By: SGM Smith, L., FMP, PMI-PMP, 10MTN DIV, FDNY

As the newly appointed Sergeant Major of a U.S. Army Support Battalion—and a certified food service manager and project manager—I’ve seen firsthand how these two skill sets come together to do more than just put meals on plates. They sustain the mission.

Behind every field exercise, deployment, or stateside operation, there’s a logistical backbone ensuring Soldiers are fueled, equipment is moving, and timelines are met. Food service might not be the flashiest piece of that system, but it's one of the most vital—and when managed well, it directly impacts morale, performance, and operational success.

More Than Just Meals

Food service in the Army isn’t just about serving chow three times a day. It’s a moving, adaptive operation that supports everything from garrison dining facilities to field feeding in austere environments. Whether we're helping 500 Soldiers in a field training exercise or pivoting to emergency feeding during a domestic crisis, it takes planning, coordination, and leadership.

That’s where project management comes in.

The Project Manager’s Mindset in the Kitchen

With project management training, I approach food service operations the same way I would manage a logistics mission:

• Planning: Coordinating headcounts, meal schedules, and supply orders well in advance.
• Execution: Managing time, people, and resources under pressure—especially when plans change fast.
• Quality Control: Ensuring meals meet Army standards, food safety regulations, and troop expectations.
• Feedback and Improvement: Tracking what worked, what didn’t, and adjusting for the next mission.

When I integrate project planning tools into daily operations—like tracking deliveries, assigning roles, or evaluating vendor performance—I give my team structure and clarity. And when Soldiers see that they’re getting consistent, hot, and nutritious meals no matter the environment, they know their leadership values them.

Food Is Logistics—and Leadership

To college students pursuing careers in food services or project management, know this: your skills translate far beyond restaurants or boardrooms. In the Army, they directly support national security, influence troop morale, and ensure mission readiness. When done right, food service becomes a leadership tool—not just a support function.

As a Sergeant Major, I don’t just lead people—I lead systems. And few systems are more critical, or more motivating, than feeding the force.