Combat dining in Rules of Engagement

  • Published
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  As with many military traditions, the rules of engagemnt for a combat dining in vary from base to base and are limited only by the imagination of the planning commitee. This year's combat dining in rules of engagement were:

1. Thou shall not question the decisions of the President (THE PRESIDENT is always right).
2. Thou shall be present at the social hour before the President's arrival.
3. Thou shall make every effort to meet all guests.
4. Participants will enjoy themselves to the fullest extent allowed within military law.
5. Thou shall be in the appropriate combat attire at all times (ABU, BDU or flight suit). Uniforms must be in compliance with AFI 36-2903). Camo paint and bandanas are authorized.
6. Thou shall not take his/her place at the table until the President so directs.
7. Thou shall participate in all toasts unless thyself or thy group is honored with a toast.
8. Thou shall ensure that thy cup is always charged when toasting.
9. Thou shall not talk while a toast is being made or when the President or Distinguished Guest is addressing the mess.
10. Thou shall sit down to eat when the entire table returns from the line. Do not prop elbows on the table when eating.
11. Thou shall be permitted to "arm" thyself with water weapons.
12. Thou shall initiate combat when ever alarm red is declared and prepare to defend your "combat area".
13. Thou shall cease all combat as soon as alarm black is declared.
14. If a member of the mess calls for a "halt fire", respect their wishes.
15. Thou shall request the permission of the President to be excused from any portion of the Combat Dining-In. Protocol overrides all calls of nature.
16. Thou shall not be late for dinner. Should a member be late for dinner, he/she must go to the President, offer his/her apologies and request permission to take a seat.
17. Thou shall express approval by tapping thy silverware On the table. Clapping of the hands will not be tolerated.
18. Thou shall 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.
19. Thou shall not rise to applaud particularly witty, sarcastic or relevant toasts unless following the example of the President.
20. When the mess adjourns, thou shall rise and wait for the President and head table to leave.
21. Thou shall not be admitted with water balloons.
22. Thou shall not throw food or any other projectiles with thy hand and shall not aim thy water munitions at thy targets' head at anytime.
22. THOU SHALL ENJOY THYSELF TO THY FULLEST!!!!!