Offutt celebrates enlisted heritage with dining-out Published Oct. 7, 2011 By David R. Hopper 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Enlisted members will take part in a formal dining-out ceremony in the Patriot Club on Offutt AFB, Neb. Oct. 21, 6 p.m. The idea behind the dining-out is to celebrate the legacy of the enlisted component of the Air Force and where they are headed. The theme for this year's dining-out is, "Honoring our heritage, securing our future." "The significance of this event is for the enlisted corps to get together to celebrate some of our traditions and customs," said Master Sgt. Jill Amoruso, Offutt Enlisted Dining-out Committee chairman. "For those of you that have not attended, I highly encourage you to come and experience this tradition first hand." The following is a list of rules, under which the mess will be conducted. They are designed to conform to tradition and promote levity. For the Airmen who haven't attended a dining-out before, the following "rules of the mess" will be followed without question or hesitation: 1. Thy president is the final decision maker and is never wrong. 2. Thou shalt arrive within 10 minutes of the appointed hour. 3. Thou shalt not bring hats or caps into the mess. 4. Thou shalt make every effort to meet all guests. 5. Thou shalt move to the mess when thou hearest the chimes and remain standing until seated by the president. 6. Thou shalt not bring cocktails or lighted smoking material into the mess. 7. Thou shalt not leave the mess whilst convened. Military protocol overrides all calls of nature. 8. Thou shalt participate in all toasts unless thyself or thy group is honored with a toast. 9. Thou shalt ensure thy glass is always charged when toasting. 10. 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. 11. Thou shalt not murder the Queens English. 12. Thou shalt not open the hangar doors (talk shop). 13. Thou shalt always use proper toasting procedures. 14. Thou shalt fall into disrepute with thy peers if the pleats of thy cummerbund are not properly faced. 15. Thou shalt also be painfully regarded if thy clip-on bow tie rides at an obvious list. Thou shalt be forgiven, however, if thee also ride at a comparable list. 16. Thou shalt consume thy meal in a manner becoming a gentleperson. 17. Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the president first shows approval by laughing. 18. Thou shalt express thy approval by tapping thy spoon on the table. Clapping thy hands will not be tolerated unless the president of the mess does so first. 19. Thou shalt not use any portion of the decorations or food items as projectiles, unless of course, following the example of the president. 20. Thou shalt not question the decisions of the president or mister / madam vice. 21. When the mess adjourns, thou shalt rise and wait for the president and guests to leave. 22. Thou shalt not be sent to the grog before it is christened. 23. Thou shalt enjoy thyself to the fullest and summon a chariot should thou partake of too much grog. 24. When in doubt, see rule 1. Violators of these rules are subject to the wrath of the president and the mister / madam vice and will be carried out before the membership. Infractions warranting a trip to the "grog bowl" may be noted at any time by the president, mister / madam vice, any member of the mess or possibly a passer-by who looks toward the mess. When the president directs a violator to the "grog bowl," the individual must proceed to the grog bowl promptly. Upon arriving at the grog bowl and facing the president, complete the following steps in order: 1. Thou shalt salute thy president. 2. Fill thy cup full of grog. 3. Execute an "about face." 4. Toast the mess by raising thy cup and proclaiming: "To the mess!" 5. Drain the contents of thy cup without removing it from thy lips. 6. Invert thy cup over thy head to verify thy honesty. 7. Execute an "about face." 8. Place thy drained cup in the trash receptacle. 9. Salute thy president. 10. Return to thine seat. With the exception of the toast, "To the mess," the violator is not permitted to speak during this process. "My best memories are the laughter and camaraderie from the grog bowl," Amoruso said. "It is always fun to see if the violator will complete the steps correctly to the president. Many times I have seen the member's supervisor have to come up because the members can not complete the steps in the correct order." A time may come when you may need to make a point of order. The following list is the protocol for accomplishing this task. 1. Stand and address the president. You may also address mister / madam vice, if they have been given control of the mess. 2. State, "Mister president, your rank and name, I have a point of order." 3. Wait to be recognized by the president or mister / madam vice. 4. When recognized, in a polite and forthright manner, state your point of order and the action you desire. For example, "Senior Airman Snuffy's cummerbund is upside down causing embarrassment to the mess. I humbly request you send Senior Airman Snuffy to the grog." 5. After stating your point of order, be seated. "If the validity of the charge is questioned, members of the mess will vote by tapping their spoons on the table," Amoruso said. The cost is $10 for E-4 and below, $20 for E-5 and E-6 and $30 for E-7 and above. For active-duty enlisted members, the mess dress or semi-formal dress uniform is worn. For retired enlisted personnel, the mess dress, semi-formal or civilian formal attire is appropriate. Male civilians should wear the appropriate black tie dinner dress. If you have any questions regarding the Enlisted Dining-out, contact a group representative or Tech. Sgt. Vanessa Saul at 294-7102.