Centereach Resident takes command of the first field feeding company in New York Army National Guard

Please Note: The final quote was mistakenly attributed in the original press release.

CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, Cortlandt Manor, New York (01/24/2024) — New York Army National Guard Capt. Jowayne Meadows, a Centereach resident, assumed command of the newly activated 1501st Quartermaster Company during a ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill on January 20, 2024.

The new unit is a field feeding company. It combines Army cooks who used to be divided up among several units into one unit focused on feeding Soldiers from many units.

The company is authorized a strength of 162 Soldiers and includes mechanics and staff personnel.

The Army began creating field feeding companies in 2018. The New York Army National Guard began laying the groundwork to organize this unit in 2022.

The company will be headquartered in Orangeburg and have platoons located in Rochester and Albany to serve units in those area. It is a component of the 369th Special Troops Battalion of the 369th Sustainment Brigade.

Meadows, who began his service in the New York Army National Guard as an enlisted construction equipment repairer, has served as a human resources officer in the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment. He also served in Kuwait as the 369th Special Troops Battalion Logistics Officer in support of Army operations in the Middle East.

He holds a bachelors of the arts in psychology and a minor in business administration. He earned his officers commission through the City University of New York Reserve Officer Training Corp program.

His awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.

During the Camp Smith ceremony, Lt. Col. Michael Bedryk, the commander of the 369th Special Troops Battalion, joined Meadows, in uncasing the colors of the company to mark the unit's activation.

The new unit provides more opportunities for Army National Guard culinary specialists to advance in rank and improve their professional skills than the older organization, according to Meadows.

"I've had an opportunity to work with a field feeding company, during our recent deployment, and see the passion they bring firsthand, and the role our culinary specialists play overseas," Bedryk said.

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