GEORGE ISTRATE

Served as the Theater Sustainment Command Senior Culinary Management NCO; assisted the European Theater Food Advisor in planning, directing, and coordinating the implementation of the Army Food Program at 8 installations, 11 Warrior Restaurants, and 16 Forward Operating Sites across European Command area of responsibility; ensured dissemination and implementation of DoD and USAREUR-AF directives, updates, and other food service regulations policies and procedures; assisted and supported subordinate installation Food Program Managers in resolving food service related issues; applied food safety, subsistence supply management, personnel training and development, financial, and equipment repair and replacement budgeting practices in all aspects of the food program.

Served as the Senior Enlisted Aide to the Commanding General (CG); ensured the maintenance, cleanliness and appearance of the CG's assigned quarters valued at $1.1 million dollars; requested and supervised all contract work; provided personal security for the quarters; provided support to the CG in secure and non-secure network communications outside the office; maintained CG's military uniforms and civilian attire worn for the official events; served as personal chef for the CG, coordinated meals and dietary requirements; responsible for planning, organizing and executing official social functions hosted at the quarters; responsible for synchronization of professional and social calendars.

Served as an Operations NCO in a joint duty diplomatic assignment at the DOD level; managed operations and information programs for the Defense Attaché Office (DAO) Berlin.

• provided operational and logistical support to 19 DAO members; supervised five locally employed staff; managed a motor-pool of seven government owned vehicles valued over $340K;
• prepared and disseminated strategic-level information and technical reports; managed DAO communications security (COMSEC) applications and field technology equipment valued at over $350K;
• responsible of aircraft and personnel diplomatic clearances for Germany; Airport Ground Control officer for military flights to Berlin;
• served as a liaison between the DAO and the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, German Ministry of Defense, and the Department of State offices and other agencies at U.S. Embassy Berlin;
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Served as a Flight Steward on the Army's only Executive VIP Gulfstream Jet Aircraft; provided worldwide support to the Secretary of the Army, Army Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, and U.S. and foreign senior military and governmental leaders; responsible for in-flight safety of passengers and crew members including emergency aircraft egress; responsible for menu selection, ration procurement, preparation and serving meals; ensured operation of aircraft cabin and galley systems and onboard secure and non-secure communications; performed duties as first responder to include CPR, first aid, and employment of an emergency defibrillator.

• consistently praised by Army's Senior Leadership for his professional excellence; recognized with a safety award for 1,500 accident-free flying hours, with more than 400 flight-hours logged under hazardous conditions in combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Combined JTF Horn of Africa
• goal-oriented and mission-focused, his positive leadership was directly responsible for the successful accomplishment of over 375 flight missions in a no-fail environment
• maintained and overseen all galley equipment and aircraft interiors for three C-37 executive jets valued in excess of $187 million which resulted in mission success
• conducted informative briefings at nine Army installations; screened, processed and interviewed 67 applicants; instrumental in recruiting twelve new Flight Stewards
• as Property Book Officer maintained 100% accountability of all unit's equipment valued at over $37 million

Served as a Food Service Sergeant in a consolidated Brigade Dining Facility supporting more than 800 Soldiers per meal; responsible for the health, morale, welfare, and training of four food service personnel in the section; assists in all food service inspections; responsible for the accountability and maintenance of all dining facility equipment valued at over $225K.

• won the III Corps Artillery NCO Cook of the Quarter/Year Competition for Fiscal Year 2006
• praised and recognized with a merit coin by III Corps' Commanding General for his outstanding Thanksgiving display; instrumental in winning the installation Field Feeding Phillip A. Connelly Fiscal Year 2006 Competition
• recognized by senior leadership for outstanding field services conducted on several field exercises
• selected above his peers to attend the Advanced Culinary Training Program in Fort Lee, Virginia; graduated with honors at the top of his class

Food Server in various upscale restaurants

Responsible for coordinating all pertaining services within the aviation industry of a ground ramp operation, before, during and after aircraft loading and unloading process; enforced safety procedures and operational ramp standards.