Whenever ranging from retired Air Force generals to cadets’ younger siblings, the event draws between 300 and 350 guests every year.
This year, attendance falls within that range, said Major Gregory Voth, commandant of cadets at St.
Thomas’ AFROTC Detachment In the past, the number was not always so high. Whenever drinking from the grog, a disgusting concoction of unappetizing ingredients, sardines, pickle juice, marshmallows, hot sauce and chocolate chips, like olive juice. Did you hear of something like that before? Whenever calling them classified, senior mechanical engineering major Jay Denny refused to reveal this year’s ingredients. With that said, freshmen cadets prepare to drink from the grog at the 2013 Dining Out. Freshman mechanical engineering major Caleb Smith summed up his class sentiment when he said, I’m nervous being that I just really don’t look for to do it. Now please pay attention. Freshmen cadets are generally apprehensive about being grogged for the first time. It diverges from there pretty liberally to other shenanigans … or just being that, added Voth, the general idea is calling out offenses for protocol. Essentially, bott, anyway costs.
Knock on wood, I am the few people I know of who has never been grogged, he said with cautious amusement.
Senior psychology major James Bott, the cadet in charge of planning the event, stepped to the front of the auditorium to speak.
It was his job to inform the freshmen about the customs about Dining Out and refresh the memory of the upperclassmen about the Rules of the Mess. Like clockwork, any Monday night on campus, one can find a swarm of blueand ‘camouflage uniformed’ Air Force ROTC cadets seated in the John Roach Center auditorium listening to presentations and learning about new facts of military training. Dining Out, the annual AFROTC formal military ball, will take place this weekend. That said, this past Monday the atmosphere in the room was alive with excited whispers and eager faces. Became popularized with the Army Air Corps in World War I, the concept of a formal military banquet in the United States goes back as far as George Washington and his Continental Army.
Whenever Dining Out is intended to both serve as a training ol for cadets to learn logistical, organizational and planning skills, and for cadets to simply have fun giving their families a peek into life as a cadet, for college AFROTC programs nationwide. Originally only for officers, it has since evolved into an event similar to military balls hosted at Air Force bases across the country for activeduty service members and their families. Accordingly the atmosphere of anticipation remains high among cadets. Sophomore electrical engineering major Molly Amundson said she was extremely excited. Needless to say, I can’t wait, she said. I can’t wait to dance and see my family. That’s right! The event continues to serve as a gathering place for students to celebrate their accomplishments and, in a way, show off their hard work, said Horsmann, while used as a training ol for cadets. I’m sure the cadet in charge might be glad is over! Bott ok time to make one of the problems clear. Considering the above said. Dining Out is a big deal, and a ‘much needed’ opportunity for cadets to enjoy themselves while being steeped in tradition. Rules of the Mess?
Younger cadets looked inquisitive. They had just been introduced to amongst the Air Force’s oldest traditions and Detachment 410’s most popular annual events and its complex fun set of protocols, like that has changed many times throughout its history. Horsmann, who has helped organize the event since fall 2006, sees both change and continuity from year to year. It’s a big stress relief and really good reward for passing the year in ROTC, said sophomore exercise science major Tyler Krpan. Whenever Dining Out is great for camaraderie, fun and a huge blow off of steam, despite the unpleasantry and humor of the grog bowl, that is typically a toilet. Thou shalt not sit before the dinner bells are rung, reads rule two. Clapping of thy hands won’t be tolerated, says rule Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the president first shows approval by laughing, says rule 12.