Our 2026 Military Ball will be filled with food, fellowship, fun, and military ceremony! Get an inside look at a formal traditional military dining event.

Cadet, Child, Adult, and Partner tickets available NOW! Reserve your ticket through April 15th, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Spit Fire & Carry On!

May 2nd, 2026 @5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

A U.S. Air Force Dining-Out is a formal military dinner designed to foster esprit de corps and camaraderie. Unlike a "Dining-In," which is for military members only, a Dining-Out includes spouses and other non-military guests.

CORE RULES OF THE MESS

The "Rules of the Mess" are strictly—and often humorously—enforced by the President of the Mess and Mister/Madam Vice. Common rules include:

·       Punctuality: Thou shalt arrive within 10 minutes of the appointed hour.

·       The President's Word: The President is the final decision maker and is never wrong.

·       No "Shop Talk": Thou shalt not "open the hangar doors" (discuss business/work).

·       Respectful Toasts: Ensure your glass is always "charged" (filled) when toasting, and participate in all toasts unless you are being honored.

·       Dining Etiquette: Do not begin eating a course until members of the head table have started. Use spoons to tap on the table to show approval; clapping is typically prohibited.

·       Protocol for Leaving: Do not leave the mess while it is convened. Military protocol famously "overrides all calls of nature" unless the President grants a "comfort break".

UNIFORM & DRESS CODE

The event is highly formal, typically equivalent to a civilian "Black Tie" affair.

·       Officers: Required to wear the Mess Dress uniform.

·       Enlisted Personnel: May wear Mess Dress or the Semi-Formal dress uniform (Service Dress with a white shirt and no hat).

·       Civilian Guests: Formal attire such as a tuxedo for men or a formal gown for women. 

THE GROG BOWL PROTOCOL

The "Grog" is a symbolic (and often unappetizing) concoction used as a humorous punishment for rule violations. When directed to the grog bowl, a violator must:

1.     Approach: March to the bowl in a military fashion, squaring all corners.

2.     Salute: Salute the President of the Mess.

3.     Drink: Fill a cup, do an "about face," toast "To the Mess," and drain the cup without removing it from the lips.

4.     Verify: Invert the empty cup over your head to prove it is empty.

5.     Return: Salute the President again and return to your seat.

ORDER OF EVENTS

A standard Dining-Out follows a structured agenda:

·       Cocktail Hour: Socializing and the Receiving Line, where guests are formally introduced to the Commander and distinguished guests.

·       Formal Opening: Bugler sounds "Mess Call," followed by the posting of colors, the invocation, and formal toasts.

·       Dinner & Entertainment: The meal is served, interspersed with "Points of Order" (where members report rule violations) and humorous skits.

·       Guest Speaker: A distinguished guest provides remarks on a relevant military or professional subject.

·       Closing: Retiring of the colors and formal adjournment by the President.

Menu

Appetizers

Homemade Cocktail Meatballs (S)

Blend of ground beef, herbs & pecorino romano cheese. Hand-rolled and baked in the oven. Served in traditional tomato

sauce.

Fruit & Domestic Cheese Display (V)

Fresh-cut cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, pineapple, grapes & strawberries, grapes & strawberries served with honey

yogurt mousse. Pepper jack, muenster, colby jack & cheddar cheese. Served with assorted crackers.

Plated Salad

Mixed Green Salad (V)

Tomatoes, cucumbers & mixed greens. Served with homemade ranch & homemade Italian dressing.

Rolls & Butter

Fresh baked rolls.

Iced Tea & Lemonade Station

Coffee Station

Fresh regular coffee served at station with cream & sugar.

Single Entree Plated Dinner

These dinners are individually plated and served at the table to each guest. Entrees include a side and a vegetable, unless

otherwise indicated. All dinners include a plated salad and fresh baked rolls.

Chicken Parmesan

Breaded boneless chicken topped in mozzarella cheese & bake in traditional tomato sauce.

Homemade Vegetable Lasagna (S, V)

Four layers of homemade egg noodles, fresh sautéed spinach, mushrooms, ricotta cheese, pecorino romano cheese,

mozzarella cheese & pomodoro sauce.

Kids Meals

Kids Meal ages 4-11 - Plated

Kids ages 4-11 will get a smaller portion of the chosen plated meal or the Berwick will provide a Kid's Meal.

Soda Station

Soda Station

Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite

Self serve selection of sodas