South Carolina Corps of Cadets

1
South Carolina Corps of Cadets
2
Mess Carver Training
3
OVERVIEW

• At the end of this training Mess Carvers will
  know
• Mess Carver Leadership
• Blue Book Guidance
• Mess Carver Responsibilities
• Knob conduct at the Mess
• Areas of Concern

4
Mess Carver Leadership

• Myths and Lies of the Mess Carver
• Knobs can have anything they want. They just
  have to ask.
• Knobs can have condiments. They just have to
  ask.
• We dont force the knobs to eat anything they
  dont want.
• This is the way it was done last year.
• It was done to me as a knob.
• Its a tradition.
• No one told me.
• Serve before self
• Ask them if they want it before they have to
  ask.
• Put it out there and tell them to take it if they
  want it.
• Go find more if they want more
• Stop the food races
• Be a shield against the rogue sharks

5
BLUE BOOKCHAPTER 4

• The cadet chain of command is responsible for
  the Corps of Cadets seating assignments,
  conduct, general decorum, and meal counts to the
  Director of Dining Services. The chain of
  command is also responsible for ensuring the
  proper provision of all food and beverages at all
  meals to all cadets.
• Paragraph L. 4. of the Red Book.

6
Mess Carver Responsibility Chapter 4 Blue Book

• The table Mess Carver (Commander) for 4C cadets
  will be a cadet officer or a junior class sword
  bearing NCO who has attended and completed the
  Commandants Mess Carver Certification Training.
• Mess Carvers for other than fourth class messes
  will be cadet officers, first class privates, or
  junior sword bearers, only.
• During the cadre period no other upper-class
  cadet will sit at a knob mess. After Parents
  Weekend only one upper-class cadet may sit to the
  immediate right or left of the Mess Carver. This
  cadet MUST BE mess carver certified however,
  he/she may NOT interact with the 4C cadets.

7
4C Conduct in the Mess HallRed Book, para L.4.1
of 2

• Proceed quickly to seats, without running
• Prepare the mess
• Remain standing until Rest
• Practice proper table manners
• Not speak unless spoken to respond in a normal
  tone of voice
• Not rest arms on table
• Serve themselves before Upper-Class

8
4C Conduct in the Mess Hall2 of 2

• Be prepared to recite an item of Knob Knowledge
  at noon mess
• Stop eating when addressed
• Keep head and eyes confined to their respective
  mess
• Stop eating with back straight and head and eyes
  straight ahead during announcements
• No requirement to leave at 2nd Rest
• Eat without ANY interference of UC after 2nd Rest
• Do not stack plates or clear the table

9
Knob Knowledge

• The Citadel Core Values
• Cadets own Chain of Command
• Name, location and purpose of campus buildings
• Definitions of Hazing, Sexual Harassment, and
  Fraternization
• Alma Mater
• Cadet Creed
• What is The Citadel
• What honor and duty are
• Rifle serial and butt numbers
• Cadet rank insignia

• What it means to be a lady/gentleman
• What 4C Cadets outrank
• Where is the food?
• How is the cow?
• Why 4C Cadets come to the mess
• What time is it?
• Definition of Leather
• Phonetic alphabet

10
Working Knowledge

• Fourth Class System Manual (Red Book)
• Change Coming
• Regulations Manual (Blue Book)
• The Honor Manual
• Organizations, Functions and Administration
  Standard Operating Procedures Manual (White Book)
• History of the Citadel, as contained in The
  Guidon
• The Cadet Prayer on a voluntary basis

11
Areas of Concern

• Hydration de-hydration over-hydration
• Food Allergies
• General Nutrition
• Special Concerns
• Uniforms

12
Hydration

• Food provides some hydration
• Beverages are the main source
• Water is best for quick replacement
• Gatorade is best for both liquid and electrolytes
• Bug juice is slower to absorb
• Milk is good nutritionally, but not for hydration
• Over-hydration can be just as dangerous as lack
  of hydration

13
Food Allergies

• Talk with knobs on your mess immediately
• Know if they have allergies
• Make Mess Hall staff aware of allergies
• Seek alternative meal items when necessary
• Speak to Mess Hall management

14
General Nutrition

• Meals are planned to provide balanced nutrition
  over the course of each day
• Eat some of everything prepared for the meal
• Plenty of protein served to meet needs
• Carbohydrates fill energy needs
• Vegetables provide fiber and minerals
• Fruits provide carbohydrates, minerals and fiber

15
Special Concerns

• Food allergies
• Digestive problems
• Eating disorders
• Anorexia nervosa
• Primarily affects females intelligent
  disciplined
• Symptoms
• Physical not eating weight loss loss of
  energy abnormally cold
• Mental hyperactivity takes things too
  personally perfectionism
• Seek help in diagnosis

16
Uniforms

• The uniform for meal formations is duty uniform
• PT Uniforms and uniforms worn while recently
  participating in physical activity are not worn
  in the Mess Hall
• Exception Approved medical reason
• Any authorized uniform, except PTs, during
  General Leave, unless otherwise directed
• Blazer uniform when authorized by Special Orders

17
Special Note for Commanders and First Sergeants

• Maintain order and discipline within company
  area.
• Chapter 4, Paragraph C.8.
• When the Corps is called to attention, Cadet
  Commanders, Battalion SGMs and Company 1SGs will
  rise and supervise their areas until second rest.
  When attention is given, all talking will cease.

18
Follow up after Training

• Identify primary/alternate Mess Carvers
• Provide list through chain of command to
  Battalion TACs

19
QUESTIONS