Dining Out Info

Dining Out is the large formal activity consisting of sit-down dinner, speaker and ball that is held at or near the end of Fall and Winter semesters. Cadet attendance is mandatory so a memo or at least advance notice to the cadet leadership is needed if the cadet will be absent. Dates are usually mandatory too.

4 Cardinal Rules for the Dining Out Date:

1. Don't be late.
2. Read your program - there are specific guidelines for toasting.
3. Don't clap - bang your fork on the table.
   
4. Have fun! It's really not that intimidating - you don't have to do anything other than these 4 rules. That's why they're the cardinal rules. :)
   

General Outline of the Evening:

• For seniors, there is an open house where they and their dates arrive to mingle with each other, the cadre and the guest speaker. That's usually a half hour before dinner.
• Dinner starts promptly at 6 with the sound of bells.
• The head table arrives and we stand. We remain standing for the presentation of the colors and the national anthem (often sung by a cadet choir).
• Introductions are made and some of the toasts are made.
• The POW/MIA table is set by some of the members of the Honor Guard
• The POW/MIA toast is made
  
• Salads and rolls are brought out. Always wait for the head table to begin eating before you do. Drinking is fine.
• More toasts are made
• The main course is served
• The grog is opened
• People start watching for "infractions of the mess" - a comprehensive list is in your program, usually towards the back. Your cadet can be grogged if you break any of these, but it's usually very rarely that cadets will do that.
• The grog is closed and sometime soon you're dismissed for a short break, standing for the departure of the head table.
  
• You return (standing again for the arrival of the head table), dessert is served and the speaker takes the microphone.
• After the speaker finishes, you stand for the departure of the head table and then the cadets all sing the Air Force song. Then you go PARTY!! (NOTE: Female cadets can change into a dress at this time if you want)
  

Dresses run from formal to church dress - mostly some version of formal***

Things to know as a date that are generally good to know:

• You can wear anything from church dress to prom dress. Most girls wear a prom dress. It's a fun time to dress up and, when you look good, your cadet looks good.
  
• Civilian dates are required to have a corsage (girls) or boutonniere (boys). Cadets can't wear either in uniform.
  
• Dinner usually starts around 6pm on a Friday or Saturday so show up around 5:45 at the latest. Walking in late looks really really bad.
• Go to the bathroom before you sit down. You'll be seated for about an 2-2.5 hours, an hour at a time with a 15 minute break in between dinner and the speaker, who may take an hour and half.
• The ladies are always escorted on the gentleman's left. This leaves his right hand free to salute - which he almost never does. But it's always good to be prepared, right?
• When the head table arrives/departs and when the colors (flags) are presented, you stand. When toasts are made, you don't stand.
  
• If in doubt, watch the head table or the vice wing commander's table (the one next to the toilet bowl).
• Grog is gross. You don't want your cadet to drink it. You, as a date, are NOT allowed to be grogged unless you grog someone first. Not worth it - trust me. It's usually a mix of stuff. Just to give you an idea of why grog is gross....I had to make it once and mine had a lemonade base with beef gravy, condensed milk, balsamic vinaigrette, pickle juice and Tabasco sauce. I thought it tasted mostly of pickle juice. Like I said, gross.
• The speaker is usually a retired military officer who speaks to us about a topic they consider important for the cadets (and sometimes the spouses) to know in the Active Duty Air Force. They'll speak anywhere from 45-90 minutes. An hour and a half is rare - happy medium of one hour is the norm.
• The "military ball" after the dinner is a total blast.
  

***For more Dining Out photos - follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=34145489&id=17827843#!/album.php?aid=2148905&id=17827843&page=2

OR this link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=34145489&id=17827843#!/album.php?aid=2097875&id=17827843&op=18

OR this link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=34145489&id=17827843#!/album.php?aid=2067365&id=17827843&op=48