FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The 733rd Logistics Readiness Division opened the Warriors' Café in May, 2013 to meet the needs of the around-the-clock operations of the 128th Aviation Brigade's Advanced Individual Training students.
The facility employs 115 contract workers operating on a 24-hour schedule to accommodate the continuous training schedule of the 128th Avn. Bde.
"The school has three different shifts for the U.S. Army Soldiers in training, so we have to make sure we can feed all three shifts," said Delsa Green, 733rd LRD installation food program manager. "Fortunately, the school has a steady headcount so there's no added stress of worrying about having enough food to feed an unknown number of Soldiers each day."
Serving eight scheduled meals each day to approximately 1,300 Soldiers, each meal, takes dedication and attention to detail, according to Green.
"We have breakfast served for one shift and on one floor and at the same time dinner is served to another shift on the other floor," said Green. "It can seem confusing but the employees have a very organized time schedule for when they cook each meal so nothing gets missed."
While the priority for the Warriors' Café staff is to serve AIT students, they also provide service to international students and permanent party personnel when the other dining facility on the installation is closed.
"Our number one priority is to feed the students so they can get back to their training as fast as possible," said Green. "But we will never turn someone down at the door because they are not an AIT student."
The dining facility provides hand-washing stations near the entrances and healthy food options. The Warriors' Café does not offer caffeinated beverages or fried food.
"We have created a healthy meal plan to provide the nutrition Soldiers need," said Green. "We give them several options to choose from and encourage them to have a balanced meal each time they are in the facility."