The Core Role of an Army Nutrition Care Specialist
A U.S. Army Nutrition Care Specialist, known by the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code 68M, works under the supervision of a registered dietitian to ensure military personnel, their families, retirees, and veterans receive proper nutritional care. These specialists are the backbone of clinical dietetics within the military healthcare system, performing essential functions in hospital, clinic, and field settings. Their duties are highly varied and include both clinical patient care and operational food service management.
Clinical and Patient Care Responsibilities
In a clinical environment, the 68M's primary function is to support the nutritional recovery and wellness of patients. This involves working directly with individuals to implement nutritional treatment plans and promote healthier eating habits.
- Patient Assessment and Screening: They conduct initial nutrition screenings for patients to identify dietary requirements, restrictions, and potential risk factors. These screenings help inform the dietitian's more detailed assessments.
- Diet Plan Creation and Implementation: Based on the dietitian's directives, they arrange and prepare special, therapeutic diets for patients with specific medical conditions. This includes modifying recipes to meet nutritional needs, whether for rapid recovery from injury, managing a chronic disease like diabetes, or other conditions.
- Nutritional Counseling: Nutrition care specialists provide basic-level counseling to patients, individually and in groups, regarding diet and wellness. They teach soldiers and family members about healthy food choices and good nutritional habits.
- Medical Record Documentation: They maintain accurate records of patient dietary information, ensuring all necessary documentation is completed for tracking and continuity of care.
Food Service and Operational Duties
Beyond direct patient care, a 68M is also heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of military food service, particularly in a medical context. Their role ensures that food prepared meets the high standards required for both general and specialized diets.
- Food Preparation and Service: Specialists are responsible for preparing and serving small-quantity meals for hospital patients according to strict dietetic standards. This requires expertise in food preparation and portion control.
- Menu Planning Support: They assist registered dietitians and food service supervisors in planning and managing menus. This includes making adjustments for individual dietary needs and ensuring food is both nutritious and palatable.
- Logistical Support and Inspections: In field environments and large facilities, they provide logistical support for dining facilities and assist with inspecting food supplies. This guarantees food safety and ensures the availability of necessary ingredients.
- Emergency Field Support: In a tactical setting, such as a Combat Support Hospital, 68Ms provide crucial nutrition support, ensuring patients and staff have access to appropriate meals even in challenging circumstances.
Career Path and Training
Becoming a Nutrition Care Specialist requires dedication and comprehensive training. The path begins with Basic Combat Training, followed by several weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. During AIT, soldiers learn about basic and clinical nutrition concepts, food safety, and meal preparation for specific diets. The career progression for a 68M can lead to supervisory roles, where non-commissioned officers mentor junior enlisted soldiers and manage nutrition care operations at a broader scale. Experienced specialists can also transition their skills to civilian careers as dietetic technicians, dietary managers, or in various food service management roles.
Comparison of Army Nutrition Roles
| Feature | Nutrition Care Specialist (68M) | Registered Dietitian (65C) | Civilian Counterpart | Role in the Army | Entry-Level enlisted role, assists with implementation. | Commissioned Officer role, leads and plans. | Dietetic Technician, Dietary Aide | Provides basic nutrition care, food prep, and counseling under supervision. | Develops complex nutrition programs, provides advanced counseling, and manages large-scale plans. | Education & Credentialing | High school diploma, specialized Army AIT. May pursue civilian certifications like CDM or DTR. | Bachelor's degree and completion of a dietetic internship. Must pass national examination. | Scope of Practice | Executes diet plans, conducts basic screenings, and manages food service. | Diagnoses and treats nutritional conditions, conducts research, and creates overarching health goals. | Typical Work Environment | Hospitals, clinics, field hospitals (Combat Support Hospitals), wellness centers. | Hospitals, clinics, wellness centers, and advising at higher command levels. | Leadership Opportunities | NCO leadership roles supervising teams of junior specialists. | Officer leadership and command roles, managing departments and programs. |
The Broader Impact of an Army Nutrition Care Specialist
The impact of a 68M extends far beyond simply serving food. By ensuring that patients receive the proper nutrition for their condition, they play a direct role in patient recovery and overall health outcomes. Their work in garrison health promotion and wellness clinics helps prevent disease and keeps the fighting force healthy and ready. In field and deployed environments, their ability to provide nutritional support under tactical conditions is critical for maintaining readiness and morale. Ultimately, the Nutrition Care Specialist is a vital part of the military medical team, providing essential care that directly supports the Army's mission.
Conclusion
The Army Nutrition Care Specialist (MOS 68M) serves a critical and multifaceted role within the military healthcare system. From preparing specialized therapeutic diets in a hospital to ensuring nutritional support in a field environment, their responsibilities are fundamental to the health, recovery, and readiness of soldiers and other beneficiaries. Working under the guidance of registered dietitians, these specialists are trained to handle a wide range of clinical and operational duties, making them an indispensable component of the medical support team and a cornerstone of military wellness. For more details on military career paths, the official U.S. Army website provides detailed job descriptions.
What are some of the typical daily tasks for a nutrition care specialist?
A Nutrition Care Specialist's daily tasks can include conducting nutrition screenings for patients, preparing and serving special diets based on medical orders, assisting with menu planning, supervising food safety procedures in a hospital kitchen, and providing basic nutritional education to individuals or groups.
What is the difference between an Army Nutrition Care Specialist (68M) and a Registered Dietitian (65C)?
An Army Nutrition Care Specialist is an enlisted soldier who assists a dietitian by implementing care plans, preparing special diets, and providing basic counseling. A Registered Dietitian is a commissioned officer with a college degree who diagnoses and treats nutritional issues, and manages and plans complex nutrition programs.
Where do Army Nutrition Care Specialists typically work?
They work in a variety of settings, including Army hospitals, on-base medical and wellness clinics, and field hospitals during deployed operations or training exercises.
Is it possible for a Nutrition Care Specialist (68M) to become a Registered Dietitian (65C)?
Yes, it is possible through the Army's Green to Gold program or by pursuing a college degree and meeting the requirements for the U.S. Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Nutrition, which is required for commissioned dietitians.
What kind of training do Army Nutrition Care Specialists receive?
After completing 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training, they undergo several weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sam Houston, TX. AIT focuses on clinical nutrition concepts, patient diets, food preparation, and food safety standards.
What skills do you learn as an Army Nutrition Care Specialist?
Key skills learned include nutrition and wellness principles, therapeutic food preparation, dietetic counseling techniques, menu planning, food safety and sanitation, and effective communication for patient education.
How does the role of a Nutrition Care Specialist support military readiness?
By ensuring that soldiers receive proper nutrition in both garrison and field environments, they help maintain peak physical and cognitive performance, which is essential for combat readiness. They also support patient recovery, getting soldiers back to duty faster.
