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Overall Planning Considerations:

The first stage in planning, and before any specifics can be considered, is to determine the following:
1) Purpose & Participants
2) Officers of the Mess
3) Date and Place

To start your planning, you need to consider the purpose of your event and who you want the participants to be.  The purpose of the Dining In could be to recognize individual and/or unit achievements or any events which are effective in building and maintaining esprit de corps to include end of semester/year or graduation celebration.  The Dining In/Out may also be held to honor one or more distinguished visitors.  Whatever it is, the purpose will have a definite impact on determining the conduct of the Dining In.  If, for example, the purpose is to honor a visiting dignitary, the sequence of events for the Dining In would be substantially different from a Dining In that involves the presentation of unit, company, or individual awards.  Whatever the purpose, the president of the mess, usually the commander or his/her deputy, has a great deal of latitude as to how the proceeding is conducted.  Do you want your unit members to bring guests, or do you want to keep the event exclusive to your cadets and staff?  If you want to invite guests, the Dining Out is the appropriate format.