D E T - 2
1 9 7 7 D I N I N G - I N
Excerpted from the Det-2 Dining-In Booklet, 1977.
P R I N C I P A L O F F I C I A L S O F
T H E M E S S
President - Conducts opening and closing ceremonies, introduces the principal speaker and honored guests, and insures the rules of protocol are observed.
Mr. Vice - Assists the President in conducting the Dining-In by performing duties prescribed by the President. Members must be prepared to follow instructions given by either the President or Mr. Vice.
Guest Speaker - Address the Mess in an interesting manner on an appropriate subject.
C E R E M O N I E S
Presentation of the Flags - The Colors are positioned before the members enter the dining area. A toast "To the Colors" is the first toast given. All in attendance face the Colors.
Toasting - The custom of toasting is universal. It is believed that this custom came into wide acceptance after the effects of poisons were discovered. When two persons, who might be antagonists, drank from the same source at the same instant and suffered no ill effects, a degree of mutual trust or rapport was established. With this foundation laid, discussion could continue on a more cordial basis. Today, toasting is simple courtesy to the persons honored. It is not necessary to drain the glass at the completion of each toast or even to sip the wine; a mere touch of the glass to the lips satisfies the ceremonial requirements.
C O N D U C T A N D C O U R T E S I E S
In an atmosphere of good cheer, each member is encouraged to enjoy himself to the fullest; however, as in all gatherings of ladies and gentlemen, moderation is the keynote to enjoyment. All members are urged to meet as many guests as time permits, without monopolizing the time of any one guest.
R U L E S A N D P R O T O C O L
Each member of the Mess should arrive within ten minutes after opening time to meet the guests. When the signal is given for dinner, the members enter the dining area and stand behind their chairs. Each time the Mess is adjourned or reassembled, the members stand until the persons at the head table have left the room or are seated. There is no smoking from the time the members enter the dining area until the President of the Mess directs. Drinks are not carried to the dining area before dinner. Members do not leave the dining area before the Mess is adjourned.
D R E S S
Enlisted Personnel - The uniform is semiformal. Males wear combination 1 with white shirt and black bow tie. Females wear combination 1. Name tags are not worn. (Enlisted personnel may wear black mess dress.)
Officers - Officers wear the black mess dress uniform.
|
