Performance Nutrition Advancement
within the Military

During the month of May, the United States observes National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM), Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, and Military Spouse Appreciation Day – all of which inspire even greater gratitude for service members and their families.

The U.S. military works diligently to uphold its history of excellence, and prioritizing performance nutrition is a key area of focus. The Department of Defense (DoD) has developed initiatives to promote healthier choices within dining facilities, such as the Go for Green® (G4G) and USMC Fueled to Fight® color-coding systems. Maintaining a balanced diet can be a highly complex endeavor, but warriors never back down from a challenge.

Performance nutrition advancement within the military

Computrition is honored to have employees who have served, and their military foodservice expertise allows us to develop software that can help government entities reach their goals. We have had the privilege of partnering with the DoD, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Military Health System (Solution Delivery Division) to strengthen the management of their foodservice operations and help support the health and well-being of brave service members. Equipped with foodservice software, label generators, and point-of-sale technology, mess halls have been able to encourage healthier decision-making that results in optimal performance nutrition.

Additionally, we celebrate veterans and service members who pursue foodservice careers after serving in the military! Organizations such as the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) provide resources to smooth the transition. With initiatives like Restaurants Recruit, the NRAEF ensures that military talent has access to civilian opportunities.

This month and always, Computrition salutes U.S. service members everywhere. We are beyond grateful to those on our own team, and we are proud to highlight their stories:

Gary Spinelli

Computrition Position:
DoD Product Manager

Branch:
United States Marine Corps

Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel

Most memorable/meaningful unit(s):
NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

Years served:
28

Interesting experience:
“The Marine Corps taught me how to adapt and overcome any adversity and to rely on my team members in support of mission accomplishment. While working in a joint environment in Afghanistan, I learned firsthand the other military services and NATO partners all have a similar ethos.”

The journey to CI:
“Throughout most of my 28-year career in the military, CI has been there and helped me be successful in my career. First as a junior enlisted Marine learning to use early DOS [Disk Operating System] based version of the software. Then as a Sergeant helping my leadership oversee 8 facilities in Virginia all utilizing the software. Later as a Chief Warrant Officer overseeing a $10 million subsistence budget overseeing Marine Corps Food service operations in Japan and South Korea. Finally as a Lieutenant Colonel overseeing a global Marine Corps Food Service operation in support of 189,000 Marines with a $365 million budget. The software’s ability to centrally manage the program meant that when the Marine Corps started Fueled to Fight®, a performance nutrition program, we could effect immediate change. Additionally, when Marine Corps senior leadership or members of Congressional had questions about troop feeding or subsistence budgeting, the software was a speedy way to get them answers to their questions. As my time in the Marine Corps was drawing down, I learned that Computrition was looking for a Product Manager, I applied and was ecstatic for the opportunity. Since being hired into the position, I have worked with many amazing people and formed real bonds. With Computrition, I am able to help and support the institution that I love, the United States Marine Corps.”

Louis Cortes

Computrition Position:
QA Business Analyst

Branch:
United States Marine Corps

Rank:
Gunnery Sergeant

Most memorable/meaningful unit(s):
MWSS-374 & 2d Bn 1st Marines

Years served:
17

Interesting experience:
“Growing through the ranks, appreciating myself and others for more than just an MOS; being versatile and adaptable in all aspects of the mission.”

The journey to CI:
“I began working with CI directly in late 2016 (indirectly since 2008, MCFMIS) while assigned to the West Coast Food Management Team. Throughout these years, my interactions, appreciation, and admiration grew for all I encountered in CI. While my time was cut short in the Marine Corps, due to physical injuries, I was intrigued with the opportunity to continue in a career that I knew I could build and grow with. I was presented with an opportunity to apply and am blessed it worked out. I am now living with my family (after 12 years of separation), working on projects that I am passionate about and with team members that have the same drive. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the opportunity and am looking forward to many years of building with this family!”

Michael Andersen

Computrition Position:
Sr. Account Relationship Manager

Experience:
Has worked with military accounts since 1997

Quote:
“…over the years, I have really enjoyed working with members of the food teams and watching them move up the ranks and become people I would consider friends. I stay in touch with a couple of them on a regular basis. Being a Navy Brat myself, my father always taught me to respect people in uniform, so I have a great deal of respect for anyone willing to serve and understand first-hand the sacrifices they make for their families.”
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Rosa Brackett

Computrition Position:
Director, DOD Strategic Partnerships

Branch:
United States Marine Corps

Rank:
Gunnery Sergeant

Most memorable/meaningful unit(s):
1st Supply B.N. Supply Management Unit, I MEF, III MEF

Years served:
20

Interesting experience:
“Before you attend Boot Camp, you are considering a Poolee. I had not yet graduated high school. My principal and counselor did not want to approve my early graduation even though I qualified to graduate early. They felt that I would not follow my dreams of getting a college education. During that time, Lieutenant General Carol Mutter (the first woman in the U.S. Military to reach the rank of 3 Star General) was in town and had heard of my situation. She asked to visit my high school and give both my counselor and principal a female perspective. I left for Bootcamp a month after, came back to my graduation ceremony, and walked in my Blues (uniform). I was told 16 seniors from my Senior Class joined the Marine Corps that summer. I thank God she went out of her way to help me without even knowing me. Twenty-three years later, I reached out to her and thanked her. To let her know her efforts made a difference.”

The journey to CI:
“I was assigned to higher headquarter units throughout my military career, giving me the logistical and financial background I needed for Headquarters Marine Corps, my last Unit. I always wanted to learn other people's jobs to help me grow in my own experiences and help my colleagues with their workload if needed. Since I had experience with MCFMIS, I helped run reports for the Program Management Office and sometimes helped the Food Service office with data entry. An opportunity came when Field MCFMIS was in the works. I was the peanut gallery of the office. I was always yelling out my opinions over the cubicles even when they didn't ask for them. The head of the Food Service office was scheduling the trip to Bedford for a User Acceptance Meeting. I wanted to be part of what would affect my workload and those that came after me. So, I asked to come along. Coming from a male-dominated working environment, I was super excited to meet other talented, strong women in a company that treated everyone like family. I knew I wanted to be part of [Computrition] before [they] knew they wanted to hire me! [They have] allowed me to continue making a difference in the Food Service Community in the Marine Corps and hopefully with the other military branches.”

Gary Spinelli

Computrition Position:
DoD Product Manager

Branch:
United States Marine Corps

Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel

Most memorable/meaningful unit(s):
NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

Years served:
28

Interesting experience:
“The Marine Corps taught me how to adapt and overcome any adversity and to rely on my team members in support of mission accomplishment. While working in a joint environment in Afghanistan, I learned firsthand the other military services and NATO partners all have a similar ethos.”

The journey to CI:
“Throughout most of my 28-year career in the military, CI has been there and helped me be successful in my career. First as a junior enlisted Marine learning to use early DOS [Disk Operating System] based version of the software. Then as a Sergeant helping my leadership oversee 8 facilities in Virginia all utilizing the software. Later as a Chief Warrant Officer overseeing a $10 million subsistence budget overseeing Marine Corps Food service operations in Japan and South Korea. Finally as a Lieutenant Colonel overseeing a global Marine Corps Food Service operation in support of 189,000 Marines with a $365 million budget. The software’s ability to centrally manage the program meant that when the Marine Corps started Fueled to Fight®, a performance nutrition program, we could effect immediate change. Additionally, when Marine Corps senior leadership or members of Congressional had questions about troop feeding or subsistence budgeting, the software was a speedy way to get them answers to their questions. As my time in the Marine Corps was drawing down, I learned that Computrition was looking for a Product Manager, I applied and was ecstatic for the opportunity. Since being hired into the position, I have worked with many amazing people and formed real bonds. With Computrition, I am able to help and support the institution that I love, the United States Marine Corps.”

Richard Medal

Computrition Position:
QA Analyst

Branch:
United States Marine Corps

Rank:
Master Gunnery Sergeant

Most memorable/meaningful unit(s):
3rd Bn 6th Marines, IIMEF

Years served:
30

Interesting experience:
“One great experience was deploying with 3rd Bn 6th Marines. I was the SNCOIC [Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge] for the Food Service section aboard the USS Shreveport. We had to follow a master menu and made small changes such as serving fajitas, cheese steak subs, sandwiches, and burgers to order. It was more work for the Marines and Sailors preparing the food, however, it cut down on food waste and improved the morale. My best experience overall was being able to lead and mentor Marines and making a positive impact to improve the food service community.”

The journey to CI:
“I started learning MCFMIS around 1994 and had a mess hall manager that mentored me and taught me how to use the system to better track inventory management, menus, recipes, etc. While on the East Coast Food Management Team, I inspected policies and procedures and spoke to the subsistence personnel about managing the system. I was the II MEF Foot Tech when FMCFMIS was rolled out and the Food Service Officer and I decided it would be best to go live with all units. From there along with the East Coast Food Management Team, we mentored and taught Marines about the system’s functionality. I was told there was opening for a QA Engineer position and I applied for the position and luckily enough I was hired. I love that I still can impact the Marine Corps.”

Louis Cortes

Computrition Position:
QA Business Analyst

Branch:
United States Marine Corps

Rank:
Gunnery Sergeant

Most memorable/meaningful unit(s):
MWSS-374 & 2d Bn 1st Marines

Years served:
17

Interesting experience:
“Growing through the ranks, appreciating myself and others for more than just an MOS; being versatile and adaptable in all aspects of the mission.”

The journey to CI:
“I began working with CI directly in late 2016 (indirectly since 2008, MCFMIS) while assigned to the West Coast Food Management Team. Throughout these years, my interactions, appreciation, and admiration grew for all I encountered in CI. While my time was cut short in the Marine Corps, due to physical injuries, I was intrigued with the opportunity to continue in a career that I knew I could build and grow with. I was presented with an opportunity to apply and am blessed it worked out. I am now living with my family (after 12 years of separation), working on projects that I am passionate about and with team members that have the same drive. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the opportunity and am looking forward to many years of building with this family!”

Michael Andersen


Computrition Position:
Sr. Account Relationship Manager

Experience:
Has worked with military accounts since 1997

Quote:
“…over the years, I have really enjoyed working with members of the food teams and watching them move up the ranks and become people I would consider friends. I stay in touch with a couple of them on a regular basis. Being a Navy Brat myself, my father always taught me to respect people in uniform, so I have a great deal of respect for anyone willing to serve and understand first-hand the sacrifices they make for their families.”
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