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8915 Career Guide

Marine Corps

8915: Food Service Attendant

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Food Service Attendant (8915)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 8915 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Food Service Worker

$30K
High matchHigh demand

Restaurant Cook

$36K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Culinary trainingSpecific cuisine expertise

Cafeteria Manager

$55K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Supervisory experienceBudget managementInventory control

Catering Assistant

$32K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Food safety certificationEvent planning basics

Dietary Aide

$31K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of dietary restrictionsPatient care skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 8915 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

Food service attendants must quickly prioritize tasks such as serving customers, restocking supplies, and cleaning, especially during peak hours when the dining facility is busiest.

The ability to quickly assess and prioritize tasks under pressure translates to efficient workflow management and customer service in various civilian settings.

Procedural Compliance

Adherence to strict food safety and sanitation regulations, as well as standard operating procedures for food preparation and service, is critical in this role.

Following established protocols and maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety are essential in many civilian roles, particularly in healthcare, manufacturing, and quality control.

Team Synchronization

Food service attendants work closely with kitchen staff, cooks, and other attendants to ensure smooth and efficient meal service. This requires effective communication and coordination.

The ability to collaborate effectively within a team to achieve common goals is a valuable asset in any workplace, from retail and hospitality to office administration and project management.

Resource Optimization

Food service attendants need to manage supplies and minimize waste while ensuring that there is enough food for all patrons. This involves efficient use of available resources.

Skills in inventory management, waste reduction, and efficient resource allocation are transferable to roles in supply chain management, operations, and logistics.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Quality Control Inspector

SOC 51-9061.00

You've been trained to strictly adhere to food safety and sanitation regulations. As a Quality Control Inspector, you can leverage this expertise to ensure products meet quality standards in manufacturing or other industries. Your meticulous attention to detail and commitment to procedural compliance will be highly valued.

Inventory Specialist

SOC 49-3092.00

You've honed your skills in managing supplies and minimizing waste in a dining facility. As an Inventory Specialist, you can apply these skills to track and manage inventory in a variety of settings, such as warehouses, retail stores, or hospitals. Your ability to efficiently allocate resources and maintain accurate records will be essential.

Restaurant Manager

SOC 11-9051.00

You've already worked within a food service environment and have experience with the flow of operations. Your experience with team synchronization and rapid prioritization will make you well-suited for understanding what it takes to manage the full food service experience and create a profitable operation.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Food Service Specialist Course, Fort Lee, VA

160 training hours4 weeksUp to 3 semester hours recommended in Food Service Management

Topics Covered

  • Basic Food Safety and Sanitation
  • Dining Facility Operations
  • Food Preparation Techniques
  • Equipment Maintenance and Cleaning
  • Inventory Management
  • Customer Service
  • Basic Nutrition

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

ServSafe Food Handler Certification80% covered

While military training covers much of food safety, review local health codes and specific sanitation procedures for civilian food service.

Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM, CFPP)30% covered

Study nutrition principles, menu planning, and management topics specific to civilian dietary settings. Focus on regulations in healthcare or schools.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM, CFPP)Certified Foodservice Management Professional (FMP)Restaurant Management Certification

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Field Sanitation KitCommercial Kitchen Sanitation Supplies and Procedures
Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT)Food Trucks/Mobile Catering Equipment
Tactical Field Feeding System (TFFS)Large-scale food production equipment (e.g., industrial ovens, mixers)
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) ordering systemsFood Inventory Management Software (e.g., MarketMan, Food Service Suite)
MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) Storage and DistributionShelf-stable food storage and rotation (FIFO)

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