Five Illinois Soldiers become food service specialists

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/26/2015)(readMedia)-- Five Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers and six Soldiers from National Guard units from other states graduated from the 129th Regional Training Institute's Food Service Specialist (92G) qualification course at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois June 25.

Sgt. Michael Lynch of Westmont, Illinois; Spc. Kamisha Bell of Cartersville, Illinois; Spc. Justin Brown of Bloomington, Illinois; Spc. James Dipego of Plainfield, Illinois; and Spc. Christopher Young of Chicago will all return to Illinois' 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team as food service specialists.

Bell, a Soldier with Company E, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Joliet, Illinois, was recognized as the phase one honor graduate while Dipego, with Company G, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Crestwood, Illinois, was recognized as the phase two distinguished honor graduate.

During the four-week, two-phase course, Soldiers are trained on food safety, cooking techniques, field and garrison feeding equipment, and field and garrison feeding operations, including how to operate a dining facility. To graduate, Soldiers must complete a total of 340 hours of instruction in both phases as well as five written exams and two hands-on evaluations.

Photo Cutline 1: Graduates of the Illinois National Guard's 129th Regional Training Institute's Food Service Specialist (92G) qualification course stand during the playing of the National Anthem at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois June 25. Of the 11 graduates, 5 are members of the Illinois Army National Guard. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Photo Cutline 2: Spc. Kamisha Bell of Cartersville, Illinois receives congratulations from Lt. Col. Jeffery Jianonni of Petersburg, Illinois, the 129th Regional Training Institute's officer in charge during the 129th Regional Training Institute's Food Service Specialist (92G) qualification course graduation ceremony June 25 on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Bell was recognized as the phase one honor graduate. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Photo Cutline 3: Spc. James Dipego of Plainfield, Illinois receives congratulations from Lt. Col. Jeffery Jianonni of Petersburg, Illinois, the 129th Regional Training Institute's officer in charge during the 129th Regional Training Institute's Food Service Specialist (92G) qualification course graduation ceremony June 25 on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Dipego was recognized as the phase two distinguished honor graduate. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)