Military Dietetic Support Specialists

Military Career

General Information

Description

Dietetic support specialists perform basic clinical dietetic functions in the dietary management and treatment of patients in nutrition clinics, clinical dietetics branches, health promotion campaigns, and wellness clinics. They perform nutritional assessments and screening of individual patients for nutritional risk followed by procuring, storing, preparing, and serving regular and therapeutic diets and nourishment. They establish production controls and standards for quantity and quality of foods. Additionally, they complete administrative tasks related to medical dietary cases such as screening patients, obtaining histories, and recording data.

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Work Environment

Dietetic support specialists normally work in clean, sanitary kitchens and dining facilities. They may sometimes work in refrigerated meat lockers. Sometimes they work outdoors in tents while preparing and serving food under field conditions.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Comparable Industries

  • Health Science
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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required

Military Workforce

Dietetic Support Specialists in the Military

6,284

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Salary

Average Salary

$54,707

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Associate's degree 34%
  • Post-secondary certificate 26%
  • Some college 14%
  • Less than high school 9%
  • High school 7%
  • Bachelor's degree 6%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Job training for dietetic support specialists consists of classroom and on-the-job instruction, including practice in food preparation. Training content may include: Standard and dietetic menu planningFood preparation and cookingBasic nutrition Storage of meats, poultry, and other perishable itemsDining service operationsFood and supply orderingAssessment of a patient’s dietary requirements and restrictionsFood safety and sanitation

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Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • Administrative
  • English Language
  • Computers and Electronics

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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