The 116th SCCS 2011 Dining Out

Saturday, the twenty-ninth of January1800-2200 hours

Where?Coyote Moon Grille480 55th Avenue Se

St. Cloud, MN 56304320-258-Golf (4653)

What to wear?DRESSThe dress must be stated in the invitation. It usually is theMess Dress for officers and long dress or evening clothes forfemale guests when attending a Dining-Out. Male guestsshould wear appropriate black tie dinner attire. At a Civil AirPatrol function, if cadets participate, they may wear asemi-formal uniform of Blue Service Dress without nametags, white shirt, and black bow tie. This is not authorized

forSenior Members. Senior members who do not have a mess dress uniform will wear the Blazer Combination with white shirt and black bow tie, or a tuxedo or business suit at the discretion of the host.

History of the Dining Out The Dining-Out/In represents the most formal aspects of Air Force social life. The custom is a very old

tradition, although its origin is not clear. Formal feasts to honor military victories and individual achievements have been customary from pre-Christian Roman legions to King Arthur's knights in the sixth century.

The custom of the dining-out/in is not exclusively military. The tradition as we know it today is rooted in England where it was a custom in monasteries. It was later adopted by the early universities and spread to the military when the officer's mess was established. With the adoption of the dining-out/in by the military, these feasts became more formalized. British soldiers introduced the custom to colonial America, where it was borrowed by George Washington's Continental Army.

These dinners have become traditional in all the branches of the armed forces. In the Air Force and Navy, it is the Dining-out/in; in the Army, the regimental dinner; in the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, mess night.

The Air Force Dining-out/in format began in the United States Army Air Corps with General "Hap" Arnold's "Wing-dings." The Air Corps' association with the British in World War II increased its popularity, and since that time it has been modified into its present form. Faculty members of the Squadron Officer School of the Air University began having faculty Dining-out/ins. They were later included in the curriculum for the students, and because of their success, dining-out/ins spread rapidly to other Air Force units. Many of the original traditions are still very much alive.

The Dining In versus Dining Out: Dining-in

The dining-in is a formal dinner for the members of a wing, unit, or organization. Although a dining-in is traditionally a unit function, attendance by other smaller units may be appropriate.

Dining-out

The dining-out is a relatively new custom that includes spouses and guests. It is similar in all other respects to a dining-in. The dining-out is becoming increasingly popular with officers and enlisted members alike.

Agenda 1800 Social area opens for refreshments. 1825 Assembly for dinner. Mr./Madam Vice rings dinner chimes. Members and guests

assemble in dining room. 1830 Mess called to Order. (Rap gavel once) 1831 POW/MIA Ceremony 1839 Invocation by the chaplain. 1842 Formal toasting. 1847 President seats the mess. 1852 Toast by Mr./Madam vice to the guests. 1853 President seats the mess. Dinner is served. 1955 Recess. 2010 Mess reconvenes. Mr./Madam Vice rings dinner chimes. (Seated with one Rap on

gavel) 2012 Awards program. 2025 Introduction of the guest speaker and speaker’s address. 2045 President thanks guest speaker. 2050 Toast to the guest speaker. 2051 Closing remarks by President. 2053 President retires the colors. 2055 President adjourns the mess. (Two raps on the gavel). 2100 Open Social 

Rules of the MessThe following is a list of the rules will be

conducted. They are designed to conform to the tradition and promote levity. Violators of the rules are subject to the wrath and mischievousness of Mr. Vice. All assigned punishments and penalties will be carried out before the membership.

Rules of the Mess1. Thou shalt arrive within 10 minutes of the appointed hour. 2. Thou shalt make every effort to meet all the guests. 3. Thou shalt move to the mess when thee hears the chimes and

remain standing until seated by the President. 4. Thou shalt not bring cocktails or lighted materials into the mess. 5. Thou shalt smoke only when the smoking lamp is lit. 6. Thou shalt participate in all toasts unless thyself or thy group is

honored with the toast. 7. Thou shalt not leave the mess while convened. 8. Thou shalt ensure that thy glass is always charged when

toasting. 9. 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.

Rules of the Mess 10. Thou shalt not murder the Queen's English. 11. Thou shalt always use the proper toasting procedures. 12. Thou shalt not open the hangar doors. 13. Thou shalt fall into disrepute with thy peers if the pleats of thy

cummerbund are not properly faced. 14. 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.

15. Thou shalt consume thy meal in a manner becoming a gentle person. 16. Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the

President first shows approval by laughing. 17. Thou shalt express thy approval by tapping thy spoon on the table.

Clapping of thy hands will not be tolerated. 18. Thou shalt not question the decisions of the President. 19. When the mess adjourns, thou shalt rise and wait for the President and

guests to leave. 20. Thou shalt enjoy thyself to the fullest.

How to Make a Point Of Order

Stand and address the President (Madam Vice if they have been given control of the mess).

State, “Madam President, (your rank and name), I have a point of order.”

Wait to be recognized by the President (or Vice). When recognized, in a polite and forthright manner,

state your Point of order and the actionyou desire.

For example, “Sgt. Snuffy’s cummerbund is upside down causing embarrassmentto the mess. Please send Sgt. Snuffy to The Grog.” 

After stating your point of order, be seated. 

How to Approach the Grog BowlThe bowl is usually locate on Mr./Madam

Vice’s table. When the President directs a violator to the grog bowl, the individual proceeds to the bowl promptly, squaring all corner in a military fashion. Upon arriving at the Grog Bowl (facing the Grog Bowl), the violator must:

How to Approach the Grog Bowl 1.    About face and salute the president of the mess. Mr./Madam may or may not

return the salute.   2.    About face to the grog bowl.   3.    Salutes the grog. The grog may or may not return the salute.   4.    Fill the cup with grog (at least 1/3 full).   5.    Perform another about face.   6.    Present the glass to the mess and then drink the entire contents.   7.    When glass is empty, member will place glass upside down over members head.   8.    Member will about face to the grog and place the glass on the table.   9.    About face to the president, salute the president, and return to the

member’s designated place.

Guests of HonorAssistant Adjutant General – Army,

Minnesota National GuardBrigadier General Gerald E. Lang

St. Cloud AASF CommanderLieutenant Colonel Shawn Manke

St. Cloud AASF Deputy Commander Major Michael Barker

Formal Toasts FORMAL TOASTS SCRIPT: President: “Ladies and gentlemen, I propose a toast to the Colors.” Members: “To the Colors.” President: Ladies and gentlemen, I propose a toast to the commander in chief.” Members: “To the President.” Vice: “Mr. President.” President: “Yes, Mr./Madam Vice?” Vice: “I propose a toast to the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.” Members: “To the Chief of Staff.” Vice: “I propose a toast to the Commander of the Civil Air Patrol.” Members: “Hear Hear” After the Head Table Guests are introduced: Vice: “Mr./Madam President.” President: “Yes Mr./Madam Vice.” Vice: “I propose a toast to our distinguished guests.” Members: “Hear Hear.”

Informal ToastsAt any time after the formal toasts a member

may ask to be recognized for any appropriate reason. The member will stand and ask to be recognized by saying: "Mr President, I have a point of order". After recognition by the President, the member will in a polite and forthright manner advise Mr. President of his/her request. Response to informal toasts and all future toasts is "Here, Hear".

Script-Assembly of Mess-Mess is standing at attention

1825VICEAssembly by for Dinner: Sound dinner chimes in lounge area and announce

“Please take your place in the dining room.” Notes: Everyone will go to their place at the table and remain standing behind their chairs. Vice will go to his/her place and proceed with protocol briefing. Head table members assemble in the lounge for protocol briefing before entry.

VICE Note: Once the members of the head table are ready to enter the VICE will say:

“Ladies and gentlemen, the distinguished members of the head table.”1830POMNote: After the members of the head table are in place, the POM will approach the

rostrum and say: “COLOR GUARD, POST THE COLORS.”Note: If the guest of honor is a general officer, Ruffles and Flourishes may be

played as the color guard leaves the mess.POMCalling the Mess to order: (Rap Gavel Once)

Script- POW/MIA & Invocation-Mess is standing at attention

1831POW/MIA CeremonyPOW/MIA Ceremony: Color Guard- Capt.

Warneke1839Chaplain- HolmInvocation

Script-Formal Toasting-Mess is standing1842POMFormal Toasting: “Ladies and gentlemen, I propose a toast to

The Colors.”

MEMBERS “To the Colors.”

POM Ladies and Gentlemen, I propose a toast to the Commander

in Chief.”

MEMBERS “To the President.”

Script- Formal Toasting-Mess is still standing

VICE “Mr. President.”

POM Yes, Mr./Madam Vice?”

VICE “I propose a toast to the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.”

MEMBERS To the Chief of Staff.”

VICE “I Propose a toast to the Commander of Civil Air Patrol.”

MEMBERS “Hear, Hear”

Script-POM Introduction- The mess is now (finally) seated

1847POM“Ladies and Gentleman, please be seated.” “Good

evening, Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of all the members of the 116th Saint Cloud Composite Squadron, let me extend a hearty welcome and sincere thanks for your attendance at our Winter Dining-Out. We are honored to have you to share this very special event with us.”

 NOTE: Background information of the dining-out

and certain rules of protocol might be mentioned here.

Script-POM Introduction1852POM“I have the distinct pleasure this evening of

introducing our head table guests. Would you please stand and be recognized as I introduced you?”

 Introductions: (Guest speaker should be

introduced last. After guests at the head table are introduced, the President asks the mess to introduce any special guests in attendance. if there are any, they are introduced by their escort

Script-Toast to our Guests1848VICE“Mr. President”

POM Yes, Mr. Vice?”

VICE “I propose a toast to our distinguished guests.”

MEMBERS ”Hear Hear”

Script-Seating the Mess and Dinner1853

POMSeat the mess and reply: “Mr. Vice!”

VICE “Yes, Mr. President.”POM “The Mess Hungers”

VICE “Yes, Mr. President? I will inquire about the meal.” 

Vice quickly walks to the kitchen for a few seconds, then returns.

VICE “Mr. President, Dinner is Ready.”

Script-Meal Preparation Inspection by the VicePOM “Excellent, would you inspect the food?” A tray is brought to the vice. He/she tastes the food

and replies: ”Mr. President, the food is skillfully prepared and fit for this

occasion.”POM Very Good. Dinner will now be served.” Further toasting can occur during dinner. Violators of

the rules of themes may also be punished during dinner. This too will NOT exceed 15 minutes.

Points of Order During DinnerPOM “Mr. Vice, what is that object on the table.”VICE “Mr. President , it is a Grog Bowl.”VICE “Yes, a bowl filled with foul fluids that carry pungent bouquets. They are a penance for those who

have violated the rules of the mess.”POM “Will the Grog be offensive to any member of the mess?”VICE “Of Course!”POM “You Spoke of Violations. Have rules been published?”VICE “To be sure, but I’m certain there are those 10 percent that didn’t get the word. Let them now be

recognized and take their trip to the grog.”

Points of Order ending during dinnerPOM “Do I hear any violations of rules from the floor?” 1915After 10 to 15 minutes vice will state:VICE“Mr. President.”

POM “Yes, Mr. Vice.”

VICE “Violations are too rampant. Yet, I feel enough have been dealt with, justice has been

served and the decorum of the mess has been restored.”

POM “I agree, Mr. Vice that having been accomplished, punishment will ease.”

1920 The Grog Ends - Points of order end here.

RECESS & Mess Reassembly1955RECESS POM1955(Raps gavel twice)Duties are cleared. Desert and refreshments are set.

VICE2010Mess stands at attention.“Mr. Vice rings chimes and announces assembly.”(Members of themes reassemble in the dining room and stand

behind their chairs.)(Members of the head table assemble in the lounge.)

Post Recess- Head table returns to mess2010ViceMess at attention“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Distinguished Members of the

Head Table!”  Members come to attentions

2011POMMess is seated.(Raps gavel twice) “Ladies and Gentlemen, the mess will come to order. Please

be seated.”

Awards Ceremony2011POM(Raps gavel twice) “Ladies and Gentlemen, the mess will come to order. Please be seated.”

VICE“Mr. President.”

POM“Mr. Vice.”

POM“Ladies and Gentleman, the third course is now served. Enjoy your desert.”

POMAwards Ceremony2012

Awards Ceremony: “It is now time to recognize special achievements.” (Recognition and awards are presented now)

Guest Speaker Address2025POM Guest SpeakerIntro.Guest Speaker Introduction: “It is now my honor to present our guest speaker for tonight.” (Give the biography of the guest of Honor. Be thorough, but brief.)2027AddressGuest Speaker address.2045POM “General, _______, on behalf of the 116th SCCS, I offer our sincere thanks for you inspiring words.”2046POM“Mr. Vice, A Toast.”

VICE“To our distinguished speaker.”

Members: “Hear Hear”

Change of Command and Closing remarks2047Change of CommandPOMClosing RemarksPOM2053“Will the Color Guard now retire the Colors.”COLOR GUARD2053(Retires the Colors)POM2055(Two raps of the gavel) “The mess is adjourned. The lounge is now open.”