JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
In a pioneering joint-service initiative, three Navy Culinary Specialists (CSs) have successfully completed a pilot audit of the Army’s 68M Nutrition Care Specialist course at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This effort marks a significant step toward bridging a critical gap in nutrition support for Sailors and enhancing overall fleet readiness and performance.
The proof-of-concept program was born from an initiative led by Navy Cmdr. Nelson H. Guadalupe, lead dietitian at the Navy’s Recruit Training Command at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill. The goal is to create a new career path for Navy CSs as Nutrition Diet Therapy Technicians, enabling them to serve as "enlisted extenders" to registered dietitians (RDs). With only approximately 28 active-duty RDs across the entire Navy, access to vital nutritional guidance has been extremely limited, forcing many Sailors to rely on unvetted sources for information.
This new initiative aims to change that. By leveraging the Army's established and successful 7-week Nutrition and Diet Therapy (NADT) curriculum at METC, the Navy can fast-track the development of skilled technicians. The seamless integration of the Navy CSs into the rigorous course was facilitated by the NADT program leadership team—Capt. Chelseah Baker, NADT Course Director; Tech. Sgt. James Good, Air Force Senior Enlisted Advisor; Capt. Genevieve Weldon, Army Service Lead; and Sgt. 1st Class Aiden Cabell, Army Noncommissioned-Officer-in-Charge — ensuring the cross-branch training effectively meets the Navy's pilot requirements. Once fully established, these culinary specialists will be equipped to provide basic nutrition counseling, conduct menu analysis, and assist RDs with patient care, directly improving the health, performance, and lethality of the force.
The initial pilot saw the three CSs – Chief Petty Officer Teran K. Wakefield, Petty Officer 1st Class Steven A. Randolph, and Petty Officer 1st Class Marilyn S. MejiaSanchez - return to the Recruit Training Command with newly acquired knowledge in medical nutrition therapy and performance optimization. Their training will help validate a proof-of-concept that could lead to a permanent Navy Enlisted Classification for this specialty.
According to planning documents, the long-term vision includes establishing a permanent training pipeline in partnership with the Army. This will not only relieve the administrative burden on overworked Navy RDs but also create a surge of accessible, high-volume care for Sailors. Furthermore, these new technicians will be qualified to provide mission support in joint operational environments, such as expeditionary medical facilities and field hospitals, strengthening inter-service cooperation.
This successful audit represents a landmark achievement in joint-force collaboration and a powerful investment in the Navy's most valuable asset: its people. The program directly supports the Chief of Naval Operation’s priorities by delivering crucial "Quality of Service" upgrades and fostering a culture of performance-based nutrition throughout the fleet.