Dyess planning 24th Annual Enlisted Dining Out

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Every autumn, Dyess' enlisted members gather for an evening of fun to celebrate their heritage and esprit de corps, and the 24th Annual Enlisted Dining Out Sept. 15 at the Abilene Civic Center will be no exception. 

"The purpose of the dining out is to kick back, relax, eat good food, and have fun with fellow enlisted members of all ranks," said Master Sgt. Terry Montrose, dining out committee chairperson and superintendent of the Airman and Family Readiness Center. 

One of the most looked-forward-to aspects of the meal, also known as the "mess," is pointing out fellow servicemembers' violations of the rules of the mess (see Rules of the Mess) and sending them to the "grog" bowl (see Grog Bowl Procedures). 

Participants of the grog must contribute one dollar to the grog fund every time they appear. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of grog will be available, and the proceeds will be donated to Dyess' Airman's Advisory Council. 

This year's theme is, "Combat Airmen, yesterday, today, and tomorrow." Entertainment will include a skit called, "A Look Back through the Air Force," celebrating 60 years of Air Force heritage. There will also be a display of military memorabilia, Army Air Corps and vintage Air Force uniforms, and Dave Vargo's collection, which covers from World War II to the present. 

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Carl Johnson, the former senior enlisted advisor at Travis AFB, Calif., will be this year's guest speaker. Chief Master Sgt. David Goldie, 7th Bomb Wing command chief master sergeant, will be the president of the mess, with Master Sgt. Don Moffett, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron, serving as "mister vice," and his wife, Master Sergeant Shannon Moffett, 7th Aeromedical Dental Squadron, as the "madam vice." 

Dress for the occasion is mess dress or semi-formal uniform (see Proper wearing of the enlisted semi-formal uniform). Women must wear skirts. 

The event begins with a social hour at 6:30 p.m. and the mess convenes at 7 p.m. A private photographer will be on hand to take portrait photographs. For more information, call Master Sgt. Terry Montrose at 696-5999.

Rules of the Mess
1) Thou shalt arrive within ten minutes of the appointed hour. 
2) Thou shalt make every effort to meet all guests.
3) Thou shalt move to the mess when thou hearest the chimes and remain standing until seated by the president.
4) Thou shalt not bring lighted smoking material into the mess.
5) Thou shalt not leave the mess whilst convened. Military protocol overrides all calls of nature.
6) Thou shalt participate in all toasts unless thyself or thy group is honored with a toast.
7) Thou shalt ensure thy glass is always charged when toasting.
8) 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 highly encouraged.
9) Thou shalt not murder the Queen's English.
10) Thou shalt not open the hangar doors (talk shop).
11) Thou shalt always use proper toasting procedures.
12) Thou shalt fall into disrepute with thy peers if the pleats of thy cummerbund are not properly faced.
13) Thou shalt also be painfully regarded if thy clipon bow tie rides at an obvious list. Thou shalt be forgiven, however, if thou also list comparably.
14) Thou shalt consume thy meal in a manner becoming a gentleperson.
15) Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the president first shows approval by laughing.
16) Thou shalt express thy approval by tapping thy spoon on the table. Clapping thy hands will not be tolerated.
17) Quibbling shalt not be tolerated.
18) Thou shalt remember the president never errs and thou shalt not question any presidential decrees.
19) When the mess adjourns, thou shalt rise and wait for the president and guests to depart.
20) Thou shalt enjoy thyself to the fullest and summon a chariot should thou partake of too much grog.
21) The president of the mess reserves the right to add to or change the rules at his discretion.

Grog Bowl procedures
Report directly to the grog bowl and salute the president of the mess.
Face the grog.
Charge a cup and toast, "To the mess."
Drain the cup's contents without removing it from your lips.
Invert the empty cup over your head and yell, "Team Dyess!"
Return the cup.
Face and salute the president of the mess.
Return to your seat after leaving one dollar.
Should any deviation from these procedures occur, the violator will be ordered to return
and repeat the sortie.