Dining-in History & Protocol
 

History of the Dining-in

"A dining-in is a formal dinner given by members of a military wing, unit or organization."1 The custom of the dining-in is a very old tradition, but it is not exclusive to the military. "The term dining-in derives from a Viking tradition of celebrating great battles and feats of heroes by formal ceremony. The tradition spread to monasteries and early-day universities, and to the military when the officers' mess was established."2 The practice of the dining-in recognized those occasions when ceremony, tradition and good fellowship enhanced the military unit and could make the difference between a good wing and an outstanding one. Our path to these intangibles is strewn with time-honored tangibles: food, drink, and good company. Tonight we are expanding the tradition of the dining-in by including our spouses, families, and special guests, recognizing the vast contributions the make to the Army, thereby making this event a dining-out.

1, 2 Oretha D. Swartz, 1988. Service Etiquette, Fourth edition, pg. 485.
 

Agenda

Social Period
Chimes
Ruffles and Flourishes
Posting of Colors
National Anthe
Call to Order and Toasting
POW/MIA Ceremony
Opening Remarks -- President of the Mess
Introduction of Head Table and Special Guests
Toast to Head Table and Special Guests
Grog Bowl
Dinner Served
Intermission
Dessert
Introduction to Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker's Address
Toast to Guest Speaker
Closing Ceremonies
   
 

Rules of the Mess

The following rules will be strictly enforced. Violations will result in punitive action by the President of the Mess. He will be assisted by Mr.Vice and Madam Vice, who have in their possession a bottomless "Grog" bowl.

  • Thou shalt arrive within 10 minutes of the appointed hour.
  • Thou shalt make every effort to meet all guests.
  • Thou shalt move to the mess when thee hears the chimes, and will remain standing until seated by the President.
  • Thou shalt participate in all toasts unless thyself or thy group is honored with a toast.
  • Thou shalt ensure that thy glass is always charged while toasting.
  • Thou shalt keep toasts and comments within the limits of good taste and mutual respect. Degrading or insulting remarks will be frowned upon by the membership. However, good-natured needling is ENCOURAGED.
  • Thou shalt not murder the Queen's English.
  • Thou shalt always use the proper toasting procedure.
  • Thou shalt fall into disrepute with thy peers if the pleats of thy cummerbund is not property faced.
  • Thou shalt also be painfully regarded if thy clip-on bow tie rides at an obvious list. Thou shalt be forgiven, however, if thee also rides at a comparable list.
  • Thou shalt not consume thy meal in a manner unbecoming gentleperson¡¦s.
  • Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the President of the Mess first shows approval by laughing.
  • Thou shalt express thy approval by tapping thy spoon on the table.
  • Clapping of thy hands will not be tolerated.
  • Thou shalt not question the decisions of the President.
  • When the mess adjourns, thou shalt rise and wait for the President and guests to leave.
  • Thou shalt enjoy thyself to thy fullest.
  • Thou shalt not leave the mess while the mess is convened; rules of protocol override all calls of nature.
  • Thou shalt not bring cocktails into the mess.
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    Points of Order

    A point of order will be directed to those members who are guilty of flagrant violation of dining-out decorum, through irresponsible personal conduct brought about by ignorance or indifference to the Rules of the Mess, as established. Points of order will be directed through the President of the Mess to the violator of a given rule and will not be used to address personalities or construed to be of dubious means by which one may heap insults on the loyalty, dignity, or integrity of a fellow member. As stated in the rules, good-natured needling is encouraged! Defendants will be permitted to throw themselves upon the mercy of the Mess with their statement of defense. It will be clearly understood that the decision of the President will be final.

       
     

    Grog Bowl Rules of Engagement (ROE)

    Persons being directed to the grog bowl will:

    1. Without talking, proceed directly to the grog bowl.
    2. Station thyself in front of the grog bowl facing the head table.
    3. Salute the President of the Mess.
    4. Pour thyself a full cup of grog; about face, raise cup and state "To the Mess."
    5. Drink the contents of the cup without removing [the bowl] from thy lips.
    6. Show the cup to be empty by turning it upside down over thy head; remove cup.
    7. About face; replace cup; about face again; salute the President of the Mess; return to thy seat.

    Omission of any of the above steps will demand a repetition of the entire procedure.