LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Langley's Enlisted dining out is scheduled for Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. in the Bayside Enlisted Club.
The dining out, which was made possible by the combined efforts of numerous base organizations including Langley's Top 3, is a tradition which represents one of the most formal aspects of Air Force social life, brining military members, spouses and guests together through camaraderie, fellowship, fun and social rapport.
The guest speaker for the evening will be Chief Master Sgt. Steve C. Sullens, Chief of the Chiefs' Group, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel, Headquarters Air Force, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
Tickets are available through unit representatives and cost $25 for senior noncommissioned officers, $15 for junior noncommissioned officers and $10 for senior airman and below.
Dining out attire is mess dress or semi-formal for active-duty members and formal dinner wear for civilian guests.
One way the dining out emphasizes custom and tradition is through the "Rules of the Mess," which must be adhered to throughout the evening. Rules of the Mess are:
1. Thou shalt arrive within 10 minutes of the appointed hour.
2. Thou shalt make every effort to meet all guests.
3. Thou shalt move to the mess when thee hears the chimes and remain standing until seated by the president.
4. Thou shalt not bring cocktails or lighted smoking material into the mess.
5. Thou shalt not leave the mess whilst convened; military protocol overrides all calls of nature.
6. Thou shalt participate in all toasts unless thyself or thy group is honored with a toast.
7. Thou shalt ensure that thy glass is always charged when toasting.
8. Thou shalt keep toasts and comments within the limits of good taste and mutual respect.
9. Thou shalt not murder the Queen's English.
10. Thou shalt not open the hangar doors.
11. Thou shalt always use the proper toasting procedure.
12. Thou shalt fall into disrepute with thy peers if the pleats of thy cummerbund are not properly faced.
13. 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.
14. Thou shalt consume thy meal in a manner becoming gentlepersons.
15. Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the President first shows approval by laughing.
16. Thou shalt express thy approval by tapping thy spoon on the table. Clapping of thy hands will not be tolerated.
17. Thou shalt not question the decisions of the President.
18. When the mess adjourns, thou shalt rise and wait for the President and head table guests to leave.
19. Thou shalt enjoy thyself to thy fullest.
For more information, call Master Sgt. Lilian Hillman