RAF Mildenhall scheduled to host combat dining out Published Nov. 6, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Kelsey Waters 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs RAF MILDENHALL, England -- RAF Mildenhall is scheduled to host a combat dining out Nov. 9, 2012, in hangar 814. Combat dining outs are time-honored traditions in the U.S. Air Force and a good way for service members who would not generally interact to bond. "Dining outs are a really good morale booster," said Senior Airman Gerald Sarno, 100th Security Forces Squadron central vehicle registrar and Mr. Vice during the dining out. "They allow everyone from an E-1 to an E-9 to participate and grow together as a family." Naturally, as with any family, there is a fair amount of teasing that goes on when people gather. At a dining out that frivolity comes in the form of the Grog Bowl. There are two grogs, an alcoholic one and a non-alcoholic one, and they both are horrible-tasting mixtures. Ignoring the rules of the dining out warrants a trip to the grog bowl which can be complicated. Properly approaching the grog bowl is a ceremony in itself: If/when called to the grog, members will walk quickly to the beginning of the obstacle course. Once the member completes the course, the member will: - Salute the president and give a reporting statement, "Sir (rank/name) reports to the grog" - Pour a drink, do an about-face, lift his/her drink and toast, "To the mess" - Finish the drink without removing the cup from his/her lips and flip the cup upside down on his/her head (then throw the paper cup away in the provided trash bins) - Perform an about-face, salute the president and wait for the salute to be returned to be dismissed. "The easiest way to avoid repeated trips to the grog is to pay attention," said Sarno. "If it's your first dining out, your shop will send you to the grog bowl somehow; it's going to happen." Some participants may find the rules of the mess a bit tedious: The president is always right. Quibbling will not be tolerated. No unauthorized weapons. Supervisors will not sit directly next to anyone that the president of the mess has not approved. Combatants will enter the social hour bay no later than 5:15 p.m. Combatants will make every effort to meet fellow combatants. Combatants will not open the hangar doors (talk shop). Combatants will not enter the mess until the alarm is sound. Combatants will remain standing after the dinner alarm and until the president instructs them to sit after the entrance of the head table. Combatants'/non-combatants' drinks will always be charged. Combatants will address the president through Mr. or Madam Vice. Combatants hydration supplies will not be used as weapons/ammunitions. Combatants will not leave their wingman or non-combatant unaccompanied. Combatants will not leave the area of responsibility while assembled. Combatants will approve by pounding their fists or another item on the table. Clapping will not be tolerated and will be viewed as helping the enemy. Combatants will not smoke during the campaign, but only during announced breaks in designated smoke pit. Combatants will keep toasts/comments within the limits of good taste and mutual respect. Combatants will not cross arms; doing so is a sign of aggression against others. Combatants will enjoy themselves to the fullest extent allowed by military law. The rule that people always seem to break is hand clapping, said Sarno. But overall it's a fun time all around. Even though a dining out seems like a crazy, fun time, this event is also slightly somber as there is a table dedicated to Prisoners Of War or Missing In Action. "When you boil it down, dining outs are a way for us to enjoy ourselves while paying respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice," said Sarno.