You May Approach the Grog Bowl

Blast from the Past: One of the advantages of being the semi-official Squadron Shutterbug was that I was rarely the target of water balloons, super-soakers, or buttered dinner rolls at the Tactical Dining-In. Y'all want these pictures to come out right, don't you? After being banned from the Open Messes for being a tad messy the previous year, the Squadron deployed to the base playground for an evening of cameraderie, tradition, and a little bit of grab-ass.

Led by our fearless leader, Lt. Col. Faucheux (sp?, foreground), and choreographed by squadron officers and senior NCOs, we enjoyed a more rambunctious version of a tradition that dates back to the 19th Century British Army. While Victorian era sergeants-at-arms exacted fines for "Violations of the Mess," modern Yanks are normally punished by being sent to the Grog Bowl, where they ritually partake of the Grog (yes, there's a non-alcoholic grog for the sissy-marys).

Our TDI included skits, a few spontaneous water fights, a token of our appreciation for our outgoing commander, and a speech from the Guest of Honor.

Formal Dinings In are also a lot of fun (especially if you like getting dressed up), as are Dinings Out (where spouses may be invited). I finally broke down and bought the Mess Dress uniform after I sewed on Master Sergeant and got lots of good wear out of it. I've even worn it twice since I've retired (beats renting a tux).