Rules of the mess

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SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 916th Air Refueling Wing will host its first official Dining Out in years this coming weekend. Organizers expect more than 150 military and civilian guests to attend, to include Air Force Reserve Command Chief Master Sgt. Dwight Badgett and 4th Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Patricia Thornton.

The main purpose of the event is to honor and recognize the wing's newest non-commissioned officers; however there is a lot of 'proper' fun that goes into the evening too that both Airmen and their guests should know before attending.

Following the rules of engagement helps keep participants away from being called out by the head table, but it also helps participants call foul play on other attendees, which is all in the spirit of good fun.

Rules of engagement for a Dining Out are as follows:

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 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 always use the proper toasting procedure.
Thou shalt also be painfully regarded if thy clip-on bow tie rides at an obvious list.
Thou shalt be forgiven; however, it 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.

Check back next week to see photos from the event and read about the evening's festivities.