Introduction to Dining Out

1
Introduction to Dining Out

• C/1Lt Scott Bertagnole
• Dining Out Officer

2
Overview

• Basic Information
• Preparation
• Protocol
• With your date
• With your table
• Toasts and Other Formalities
• Infractions of the Mess
• The Boot Award

3
Basic Information

• Winter 2009 Semester Dining Out
• 11 Apr 2009
• 1830-2300
• WSC Ballroom
• Guest Speaker
• Dean Gary Cornia,BYU Marriott School of
  Management

• 1800-1815 Arrive
• 1830 Formation of the Mess and Presentation of
  the Colors
• 1837 Invocation
• 1842 Toasts
• 1845 POW/MIA Tribute
• 1855 Introduction of the Head Table
• 1900 Dinner
• 1920 Opening of the Grog
• 1935 Closing of the Grog
• 1950 Intermission
• 2005 Reconvene the Mess, Dessert
• 2020 Address by Dean Gary Cornia
• 2100 Adjourn the Mess
• 2115 Military Ball in the Garden Court
• (Dance lessons in the East Ballroom)

4
Preparation

• Attendance is Mandatory
• Arrive Early. Rides/Carpools?
• Dress
• Cadets Modified Service Dress/Mess Dress
• Replace blues shirt with a white shirt
• Point-collar (no button down collars)
• No cover (dont even bring it)
• Dry clean, polish, and press
• Non-Cadets Semi-Formal to Formal
• Corsage/Boutonnière

5
Protocol With Your Date

• ALWAYS SHOW RESPECT AND CHIVALRY
• Open doors for and help seat a lady
• When transiting, move in Escort Formation
  (Gentleman on the Right)
• When seated, gentleman on the right
• Never leave a lady alone

6
Protocol With Your Table

• At the beginning of the event, and following
  intermission, remain standing until seated by Mr.
  President
• If a lady arrives or leaves, all the gentlemen
  should stand
• Maintain a charged glass
• Dont start eating before the head table
• Engage in delightful conversation and enjoy a
  social atmosphere

7
Protocol Toasts

• Gentlemen stand ladies remain seated
• Following the toast, the response is said with
  raised glasses, and the glass is brought to the
  lips (it is not necessary to drain your glass)
• DO NOT participate in the toast if you a part of
  the group being honored

8
Protocol Toasts (Continued)

• POW/MIA Toast is performed with water
• Toasts are never offered to individual persons by
  name.

Toast Response
To the Colors To the Colors
To the Commander-in-Chief To the President
To the Chief of Staff, United States Air Force To the Chief of Staff
To the Professor of Aerospace Studies Hear, Hear
To the POWs/MIAs no response silent
To our Distinguished Guests Hear, Hear
Any other Toast Hear, Hear
9
Formalities

• Do not applaud (unless initiated by the head
  table) tap spoon instead
• Avoid leaving the mess while it is formed
• Use silverware starting from the outside and
  moving inward. The fork above your plate is for
  dessert only.
• Place your napkin in your lap dont place elbows
  on the table, and other such etiquette
• Silence your cellphone!

10
Infractions of the Mess

• At various points during the evening, a member
  may be punished for violating the rules of the
  mess.
• Punishment might include singing a song, telling
  a joke, attempting a jig, being sent to the grog
  bowl, or some other activity determined by Mr.
  President or Mr. Vice.

11
Infractions of the Mess (Continued)

• To make an accusation, stand, come to attention,
  and loudly announce, Mr. Vice, Point of Order!
• When recognized by Mr. Vice, proceed to the
  microphone promptly, squaring all corners in a
  military fashion
• Describe the alleged infraction and who committed
  it

12
Infractions of the Mess (Continued)

• If you are accused of a violation, come to
  attention and proceed to the microphone promptly,
  squaring all corners in a military fashion
• You may choose to defend yourself or offer a
  counter-accusation in a rebuttal
• Mr. Vice or Mr. President will pronounce
  judgment. There are no appeals or quibbling.

13
Infractions of the Mess (Continued)

• When the President or Mr. Vice directs a violator
  to the grog, the individual proceeds to the grog
  promptly, squaring all corners in a military
  fashion. Upon arriving at the grog, the
  violator
• Salutes the grog.
• Fills the grog cup.
• Does an about face.
• Says, To the Mess!
• Drains the grog from the cup without removing it
  from his/her lips.
• Tips the cup upside down over his/her head.
• Disposes of the cup in an appropriate container,
  and then returns to his/her seat. A recovery
  cheer will be dictated.

14
The Boot Award

• Cadets are nominated by their peers
• The nominees are awarded with a generous helping
  of grog
• The nominees are then released to the mess for
  judgment
• The winner of the award is awarded with the
  undistinguished pink boot and a second helping of
  grog

15
Summary

• Basic Information
• Preparation
• Protocol
• With your date
• With your table
• Toasts and Other Formalities
• Infractions of the Mess
• The Boot Award