Lieutenant Common Chris Mohan serves because the Commanding Common of the U.S. Military Materiel Command (AMC). He formally assumed this position on November 20, 2025, having beforehand served because the command’s Deputy Commanding Common and performing commander Chief. Mohan remembers when he first joined the Military, with considered one of his first reminiscences being a time he was peeling potatoes.
“I keep in mind these moments and I used to be like, ‘Holy crap, I’m actually within the Military now as a result of I’m right here peeling potatoes.’”
Mohan has been round Military meals all through his almost 40-year profession, which has included many assignments, locations, and a number of operations similar to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He has seen all the Military evolve and advance in expertise, weapons, and how troopers prepare. What had not superior in a means that he appreciated was vitamin and the meals that was getting used to gas the folks that wore the uniform.
Why Meals Change Was Vital
The Military started shifting to their Holistic Well being and Health (H2F) system in 2018. That system centered on 5 domains they felt have been very important for a Soldier to be optimum: bodily, psychological, religious, sleep, and vitamin. Mohan had paid additional consideration to the vitamin element and felt the meals that was being offered could not have been as much as the usual it ought to have been. Neither have been the eating areas they have been consuming in. It turned out he wasn’t the one one which felt this manner.
“Our Troopers have been telling us, ‘Hey, look, this isn’t working.’ And it grew to become one thing we have been actually involved about from a recruiting and retention standpoint.”
These considerations have been legitimate as a result of recruitment began to grow to be a difficulty for all branches within the early years of this decade. If the Military was going to unravel this subject, they wanted to reassure households that their kids going out to serve America have been going to be effectively taken care of. Mohan was able to take motion, and he felt he was in a strong place to take action.
Mohan mentioned, “We will change the whole lot that we have to change as a result of we personal the ethical excessive floor on this subject.”
Robert Irvine Joins the Trigger
Mohan knew sufficient to know he didn’t know all of it. For this mission to be as profitable as attainable, he wanted somebody that knew the restaurant and meals enterprise in and out. Famend chef and Meals Community star Robert Irvine already had a relationship with the Military, and when requested to share his information and expertise, Irvine was very happy to oblige. He confirmed that this wasn’t a brand new subject for him. As a matter of reality, it was a chance that he needed to pursue for fairly a while.
“Look, for 20 years I’ve been touring USO (United Service Organizations) excursions and AFE (Armed Forces Leisure) excursions and Chairmen’s and Vice Chairmen’s. And look, meals was by no means a precedence,” Irvine acknowledged clearly. “17 of these 20 years was me beating a drum.”
Irvine referred to Mohan as his “hero” for taking over the endeavor and for main the cost. Each additionally affirmed that there have been many extra folks that joined the trigger, similar to then Military Chief of Workers Gen. Randy George (retired in 2026), Military Secretary Dan Driscoll, and plenty of others behind the scenes.
Mohan and Irvine collaborated, and following a Request for Proposal to pilot a brand new mannequin with an business associate, the Military awarded a contract to Compass Group to supply the meals that they needed to serve Troopers and their households. Irvine additionally studied college eating places and eating halls to assist him decide what the perfect atmosphere could be, together with correct chairs, tables, and even lighting. The identical consideration to element he would supply on Restaurant: Unimaginable for years was being utilized now.
“I imply, it’s only a entire totally different talent set that, fairly frankly, we don’t have,” Mohan mentioned. With him and Gen. George taking the lead, Irvine because the enforcer, and the remainder of the staff placing within the work, the idea grew to become a three-year course of that has made a big effect.
The Outcomes Communicate for Themselves
42 Bistro, positioned in Fort Hood, Texas, had a smooth opening (an idea that Irvine additionally taught Mohan) in February 2026, adopted by a grand opening one week later. Because the centerpiece of the Military’s revolutionary shift in the way it feeds its pressure, the campus-style eating corridor and over 3,000 out there recipes have been acquired with open arms. Simply because the Troopers earlier than would inform Mohan about when the meals was unhealthy, they’re now providing far more optimistic evaluations.
“We fed 4,000 Troopers on a payday weekend, which is extraordinary,” Mohan mentioned. He reported that it was up from simply over 200 up to now. He famous that other than how the meals tastes, one other benefit is that it’s inexpensive and out there with out leaving the bottom.
“You possibly can go in and you will get a grilled hen sandwich, an order of candy potato fries, and one thing to drink for about 5 bucks. You may get a three-egg omelet with protein and an entire meal for breakfast for about seven bucks. You possibly can’t try this off publish.”
Irvine proudly added, “They go on their telephones, they usually take photos. We noticed children, little children working in there and consuming and discovering issues, and the campus-style eating is an incredible factor. And the Troopers find it irresistible. They don’t similar to it, they find it irresistible.”
Mohan and Irvine each emphasised that it was essential that the folks eating in 42 Bistro may get pleasure from greater than the meals. They wanted to be in a optimistic atmosphere so they may have a greater expertise total.
“They’re additionally going there with their teammates, which will get again to that staff constructing, constructing your squad, constructing your camaraderie. And when you may eat, break bread collectively and do meals collectively, it helps construct the staff.”
Victory Contemporary, one other pilot mannequin, is a “fast-casual” mannequin much like eating places like Chipotle. With places in each Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Lee, Virginia, in addition they supply high quality meals choices that Troopers can get pleasure from. Whether or not it’s one thing they need on the finish of a day, or to grab-and-go throughout a brief break, Troopers don’t should sacrifice high quality for the sake of consuming on the run.
“We even have quite a few kiosks the place we have now totally different fashions for various installations, and we are going to proceed to vary,” Mohan added.
Recruitment has improved dramatically over the past couple of years, however Mohan feels that offering the correct meals and settings to get pleasure from it will likely be a purpose why retention stays excessive, and Troopers might be more healthy veterans by the point their careers finish.
“It’s going to be cheaper on the healthcare system generations from now.”
The Purpose: Make The Motion Everlasting
Stack Home Bistro opened in Fort Carson, Colorado, in March 2026, and Campus-Fashion Eating Venue places at Fort Drum, New York, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, are set to open later this yr. Irvine sees loads of potential and success on this motion, which is why he’s absolutely dedicated to seeing it via to the tip.
“We care about Troopers, we care about children, we care about their feeding. Individuals talked about it earlier than, however they couldn’t get throughout the end line. That man (Mohan) is like my hero as a result of he really took the steps. So, for me to be part of it’s humbling, it’s euphoric, it wakes me up daily.”
Mohan concluded by doubling down on his dedication to the trigger as a result of he is aware of that offering the correct meals for the Troopers committing themselves to the reason for freedom is not only essential, it’s a should for people who serve now in addition to for veterans and people which can be contemplating the army as part of their future.
“We wish America to know that we’re absolutely dedicated to modernizing our meals ecosystem on installations to make sure our Troopers have the gas they should prepare, struggle and win our nation’s wars. Belief that we’re working tirelessly to satisfy Troopers the place they’re in right now’s society with their consuming habits and supply them with wholesome, accessible meals choices. And on the finish of the day, we wish People to contemplate Military service as a selection that’s not solely honorable and noble, however one that’s going to make your little kids more healthy, stronger, and expert.”
To study extra about Military Materiel Command, go to their web site. You possibly can see extra about Irvine and his efforts by going to robertirvinefoundation.org.
M&F Senior Navy Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this Match to Serve article.
