- Thou shalt arrive within 10 minutes of the appointed hour.
- Thou shalt make every effort to meet all guests.
- Thou shalt move to the mess when thee hears the chimes and remain standing until seated by the President.
- Thou shalt not bring cocktails or lighted smoking material into the mess.
- Thou shalt smoke only when the smoking lamp is lit.
- Thou shalt not leave the mess whilst convened. Military protocol overrides all calls of nature.
- Thou shalt participate in all toasts unless thyself or thy group is honored with a toast.
- Thou shalt ensure that thy glass is always charged when toasting.
- 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.
- Thou shalt not murder the Queen’s English.
- Thou shalt not open the hangar doors. (talk about work)
- Thou shalt always use the proper toasting procedures.
- Thou shalt fall into disrepute with thy peers if the pleats of thy cummerbund are not properly faced.
- Thou shalt also be painfully regarded if the clip-on bow tie rides at an obvious list. Thou shalt be forgiven, however, if thee also ride at a comparable list.
- Thou shalt consume thy meal in a manner becoming gentlepersons.
- Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the President first shows approval by laughing.
- Thou shalt express thy approval by tapping thy spoon on the table. Clapping of thy hands will not be tolerated.
- Thou shalt not question the decisions of the President.
- When the mess adjourns, thou shalt rise and wait for the President and head table guests to leave.
- Thou shalt enjoy thyself to thy fullest.
A Final Word
A dining-in is designed so that members of an organization can have a good time together as a unit. Various forms of skits or entertainment may also be included to add to the evening. The decorations, ceremony, humor, and wit should be done in such a manner as to make the evening a memorable event.
Two cautions should be noted; first, do not go overboard with expenses. A good time does not have to be excessively costly. Second, prepare an agenda and stick to the schedule. Too many skits, entertainment, patriotic programs, and so forth can make the evening drag on. If the mess is formally opened at 1930 and the guest speaker begins his speech at 2330, most members will be more attentive to their watches than to the guest’s presentation. A formal program that lasts between 2 ant 2-1/2 hours is ideal and allows sufficient time for informal entertainment.
Above Information Courtesy of the United States Air Force Academy
