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The Dining In is a formal dinner function for members of a military organization or unit.  It provides an occasion for members of a unit to gather together in an atmosphere of camaraderie, good fellowship, fun, and social rapport.  It is important to emphasize that a Dining In celebrates the unique bond or cohesion that has held military units together in battle, rather than just another mandatory social function.

The custom of the “Dining In” can be traced to an old Viking tradition of celebrating their victorious battles and collective feats of heroism with a formal feasting ceremony.  It is believed that this tradition later spread to England – possibly carried there with the Norman invasions.  The tradition was further passed with the establishment of the Officer’s Mess in British military units.  World Wars I and II brought the American and British military close together and exposed U. S. officers to this ancient tradition of the Dining In.  Quickly seeing its benefits for the units, we adopted it as our own, and today cadets, officers, and noncommissioned officers in the American Army regularly hold Dining Ins.

 

The Dining Out is similar to a Dining In.  The major difference is that guests are welcome at a Dining Out, whereas the participants in a Dining In are unit members only.  Many of the components of the Dining Out are identical to the Dining In, but the atmosphere is more proper, with fewer activities involving sophomoric humor or hazing that are common during a Dining In.

 

A Military Ball is a formal cadet event, but doesn’t have the same traditions you find in the Dining In/Out.  It’s more like a school dance.  It may include a dinner, posting of the colors, and even awards.  You could even have a guest speaker, but the audience at a Military Ball is primarily couples, not the Officer’s Mess.  There’s certainly no grog or rules of the mess, and it is not common to have skits or singing.  It’s mostly a formal dinner (optional) dance.

 

As a cadet, you are charged with the responsibility of assuring the survival of the long-standing traditions and customs associated with the Dining In and Dining Out.  Unlike the regiments of the Army, cadet companies have no collective battle heritage, however, the contributions of former cadets to the leadership of American soldiers in battle in this Country’s wars dates all the way back to World War I.  This theme of past accomplishments and potential for future contributions should form the unifying theme of a cadet Dining In.