WASHINGTON (Army News Service, July 21, 2015) – Enlisted aides are considered an elite group of staff sergeants and sergeants first class, whose organizational, technical and interpersonal skills are valued among the general officers with whom they serve.
Enlisted aides prepare and conduct official social functions and activities such as dinners. This includes the purchase and preparation of food and beverage services in the officer’s quarters at up to a 5-star entertaining level. Aides may also be responsible for maintaining their quarters, uniforms and military personal equipment.
“You want to alleviate those minor things that may distract from daily duties. You make the job a lot easier and smoother,” said Sgt 1st Class Christian D. Price, a former enlisted aide, who now serves as the Army enlisted aide and 92G special programs manager, U.S. Army Human Resources Command.
Aides serve in all Army commands worldwide. In recent years the program has been opened up to all military operational specialties, or MOSs.
“The Army is broadening the scope and looking to invest significant resources to develop a competitive program to select highly qualified Soldiers,” Price said.
The Enlisted Aide Program looks for Soldiers, who consider the Army a career, are self-motivated and assume responsibility with limited guidance, he said. All enlisted aides must be physically, mentally and ethically fit for duty, able to pass a background check and attain secret clearance.
The program’s upcoming selection panel will be held Sept. 14th, and currently is accepting applications. The window to apply will close Aug. 28. Interested and qualified Soldiers can apply online at the Quartermaster Corps Enlisted Aide website.
Application packets should include a photo and resume of the Soldier, as well as two letters of recommendation from a colonel or higher. Soldiers must also present their last five Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Reports, and prove they’ve passed the Army Physical Fitness test.
“Many of your traditional military customs and interpersonal skills were definitely used. Overall I recommend this program to any individual,” Price said.
Selected Soldiers, who serve in the 92G Food Service MOS, will be enrolled in the Advanced Culinary Skills Training Course and Enlisted Aide Training Course on Fort Lee, Virginia, which run five weeks and three weeks respectively. Soldiers, who are non-food service personnel, will first complete the four-week Basic Food Service Course. Then, they will go on to complete the Advanced Culinary Skills Training Course and the Enlisted Aide Training Course.
Of the approximately 80 positions available for aides, the Army maintains a high retention rate. For Price, his service to Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander of the U.S. Army Africa Command, forged a lifelong bond.
“I still reach out to [Rodriguez] to this day. You’re a part of a close knit family and that relationship is great personally and professionally,” Price said.