Departing Military Success Stories
Mr. Danilo Puniesto, Steward Cook
For some 25 years in the Navy and always “haze gray and underway” would have been enough. But after retiring and spending six years as a culinary artsinstructor at Olympic College, in Bremerton, Washington, Danilo Puniesto could no longer ignore the lure of the sea.
“I joined MSC in January, 2006,” he said. “Because I missed being at sea, and the pay (as a civil service mariner) is so good.”
Puniesto learned about Military Sealift Command during his Navy career, when he was attached to a command that dealt with MSC. Today, he said, he’s proud of his role in supporting the U.S. Navy combatant fleet.
It’s a plus, too, that most of his friends work for MSC.
Puniesto’s first assignment, on board USNS Mercy in 2006, set the tone for what he hopes will be a career that will carry him into a civil service retirement. “I started as a night cook baker,” he said. (This position is roughly equivalent, shoreside, to a pastry chef).
The chance to advance – driven by the pride he feels in his work – is another big benefit for Puniesto in that he has earned two promotions and he’s working on a third. Encouraged by a chief steward, Puniesto is applying for a chief steward position. “I’m putting my package together for that promotion now,” he said.
About his recent assignments, Puniesto notes, “My average day is mostly hectic. I have to make sure everything is ready every day before I serve breakfast. I order provisions, make sure the amount of food is within budget and, of course, make sure everything is clean and ready for the next meal.”
The best part of the job comes as his fellow crew members enjoy his work. “I like hearing from the crew that the food being served is very good,” Puniesto said.
While Puniesto does admit it can be hard being away, missing his wife and kids’ birthdays and sometimes holidays, he believes the sacrifice has been worth it. “My family is used to it,” he said. “This is the nature of the work, and was when I was in the Navy.”
“Ships are not like they were before,” Puniesto explained. “MSC ships really offer a good life. On many ships, crew members have their own staterooms, and passageways are wide. Everything is very comfortable.”