Dining in
Dining in is a formal military ceremony for members of a company or other unit, which includes a dinner, drinking, and other events to foster camaraderie and esprit de corps.
[1] The dining in is a formal event for all unit members, male and female; though some specialized mess nights can be officer- or enlisted-only.
The dining-out follows the same basic rules of the dining-in, but is often tailored to minimize some of the military traditions and be more approachable to civilian guests.
Except for the annual celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday, no social function associated with the smaller of America's naval services is more enjoyed, admired and imitated than the mess night.The practice of dining in is thought to have formally begun in 16th-century England, in monasteries and universities; though some records indicate that militaries have held formal dinners as far back as the Roman Legions.
Wine stewards are to follow the decanters round the table with a jug of water, filling the glass of any diner who declines port or madeira.
[4] By the late 18th century, the British Army's "mess night" developed formal rules, as a result of troops being stationed in remote areas.
[4] Sunday "Absent friends" or "Absent friends and those at sea" Monday "Our ship at sea" or "Our native land" Tuesday "Our sailors" Wednesday "Ourselves (as no one is likely to concern themselves with our welfare)" or "Ourselves – our swords" Thursday "A bloody war or a sickly season" Friday "A willing foe and sea room" "Fox hunting and old port" Saturday "Our families" For Trafalgar Night Mess Dinners, the routine varies slightly from a normal dinner night.
These customs were notably passed on to the US Army Air Forces during World War II as British and American crew served alongside one another in close quarters.
After tasting the meat (usually beef), the President will declare it "tasty and fit for human consumption", after which the meal will be served to the diners.
After the dessert is finished, the President will invite the chief steward to bring forth wine and/or punch to be served, and toasting will begin.
After this, various parties will offer toasts to the commander in chief, to the heads of state of a visiting or host nations, to their branch of service, to the units, and to the fallen members of the military.
Notice that the United States does not have a king, queen, or Prime Minister, and that the commander in chief and President are the same person.
Often this tribute is marked with a table setting dedicated to those military members killed, captured, or missing in action.
As a more disgusting effect, the grog may also contain floating solids, such as meatballs, raw oysters, or Tootsie Rolls.
In modern times, grog comes in two varieties: alcoholic and non-alcoholic, the latter of which may contain anything that will make it less appealing to the taste, including hot sauce.
In addition to visiting the grog bowl and paying fines, violators may be sentenced to sing songs, tell jokes, do pushups, or perform menial tasks to entertain the mess.
Traditionally, all fines collected throughout the night are split amongst the stewards that served the attendees as a token of appreciation for their efforts.
Navy and Marine traditions also include that no diner may leave the hall to use the restroom without permission until Mr. Vice suggests that the company "shed a tear for Lord Admiral Nelson", a reference to the fact that his body was preserved in a barrel of brandy after his death at Trafalgar.
