Culinary Specialist Submarines
Prepares meals and manages food services aboard submarines.
Overall
Quick Stats
Security Clearance
None
This rate does not require a security clearance.
ASVAB Requirements
Who This Is Best For
Best for skilled cooks who want the challenge, camaraderie, and bonus pay of submarine service. Morale runs on food quality aboard submarines — you'll be one of the most important and appreciated people on the boat. Ideal for culinary professionals who want an elite, tight-knit environment.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
Real Opinions
+Positive
“I love to make my Philly cheesesteak. That lets me bring a little bit of home to the crew.”
“I would recommend CSS to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”
“CSS on a submarine is the most appreciated rate on the boat. When you're underwater for months, the food is the one thing keeping morale alive. A good submarine cook is treated like gold by the crew. The small galley means you develop real culinary skills fast because you're cooking every meal yourself, not on a production line like carrier CSs.”
–Critical & Mixed
“When we are out to sea, the highlight of the day is food. There is not much else to look forward to.”
“Hard with very long hours. Many ungrateful sailors will not appreciate your hard work. But as a cook, you will be one of the people that has some likability going for you automatically.”
“Like any rate, CSS has its downsides. Long hours, time away from family, and Navy bureaucracy are real.”
Recruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Culinary specialists are the morale of the ship and learn professional cooking!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchYou will cook, but expect 14-16 hour days in a hot galley. Meal service happens 4 times a day underway. On submarines it is even more demanding with tighter spaces.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Submarine food is the best in the Navy.”
💀 Reality
Source: sailor forumsTrue, submarine galleys have higher food budgets and CSS takes pride in quality. But you are cooking in a cramped space with limited ventilation for 6+ months straight.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Culinary Specialist Submarines feeds the sub crew.”
💀 Reality
Source: veteran feedbackCSS does the same work as CS but in a submarine galley. The kitchen is tiny, storage is limited, and you cook for 130+ sailors with no resupply for months. Submariners take food very seriously.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"Submarine duty is voluntary — you can always say no."”
💀 Reality
Submarine duty is technically voluntary, but if you signed a contract with a submarine rate (CSS, STS, ITS, etc.), you volunteered when you signed. You cannot change your mind at boot camp or A-school. Refusing sub duty after signing a sub contract has serious career consequences including possible separation. Read your contract carefully before you sign.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"Everyone gets a private room in the Navy."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagOn a submarine, you sleep in stacked racks and often hot-rack — sharing a bunk with another sailor on a different watch rotation. Personal space is measured in cubic inches. Privacy does not exist underwater.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"You can keep your phone and stay connected during boot camp."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagYour phone is confiscated at the start of boot camp and returned at graduation. You get occasional brief phone calls as a privilege. For 10 weeks, your primary communication is handwritten letters.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"You won't deploy much in this rate."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagEvery sailor is deployable. Even shore-heavy rates have sea duty rotations. No rate is deployment-proof. Submarine rates deploy for months at a time with zero port calls on boomers.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"The Navy pays for your housing no matter what."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagSingle E-1 through E-4 without dependents live in barracks at no cost — but also get no BAH. You do not receive housing allowance until you are married, have dependents, or reach E-5+. The barracks are free but not a choice.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"The Navy is just like a civilian job but with better benefits."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagThe Navy is a 24/7 commitment. You do not clock out. You can be recalled from leave, ordered to stay aboard on your day off, or deployed with two weeks notice. You cannot quit.
🫡 Recruiter says
“"The Navy will set you up with a place to live right away."”
💀 Reality
Source: general_red_flagJunior unmarried sailors live in barracks — shared rooms with communal bathrooms, inspections, and restrictions on guests, alcohol, and noise. You do not get BAH to live off-base until you are married or reach E-5.
Training Pipeline — Total ~16 weeks (4 months)
Ship Date Calculator
Enter your MEPS ship date to see when you'll complete each stage.
Promotion SpeedEarn higher pay fasterSlowManning 91% (E-5/E-6)
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 230 | 23 | 10% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 236 | 36 | 15% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 129 | 50 | 39% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 182 | 27 | 15% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 69 | 26 | 38% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 45 | 37 | 82% |
Bonuses — Click here to see your military pay
Enlistment Bonus
No active bonus for this rate
You May Qualify for a Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC)
Specialties within this rate you can select, some with additional compensation. Each NEC has its own training, bonus potential, and career path.
Primary specialty code for Culinary Specialist Submarines rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Culinary Specialist Submarines personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
Submarine Cook
Transferability: 5/10
$32k–$50k
Lifestyle5/10
Ship vs. Shore Split
55% / 45%
Deployment Frequency
Moderate
Physical Demand
medium — indoor
Watch Standing
4-section duty, galley/supply watch rotation
In a 4-section rotation, the crew is divided into four teams. Each team stands a 6-hour watch shift, then has 18 hours off before their next watch. In port, you stand 24-hour duty roughly every 4 days — meaning you stay aboard the ship overnight on your duty day.
Watch qualifications vary by command and platform. Expect to qualify within 90 days of reporting.