Rules of the Mess 

The following outlines rules under which the mess is conducted. They are designed to conform to tradition and promote levity. Violators of these rules are subject to the wrath and mischievousness of mister/madam vice. All assigned penalties are carried out before the membership.

Thou shalt arrive within 10 minutes of the appointed hour. 

Thou shalt make every effort to meet all guests. 

Thou shalt move to the mess when thee hears the chimes and remain standing until seated by the president. 

Thou shalt not leave the mess whilst convened. Military protocol overrides all calls of nature. 

Thou shalt participate in all toasts unless thyself or thy group is honored with a toast. 

Thou shalt ensure that thy glass is always charged when toasting. 

Thou shalt keep toasts and comments within the limits of good taste and mutual respect. Degrading or insulting remarks will be frowned upon by the membership. However, good natured needling is encouraged. 

Thou shalt not murder the Queen's English. 

Thou shalt not open the hangar doors.  (No talking shop) 

Thou shalt always use the proper toasting procedure. 

Thou shalt fall into disrepute with thy peers if the pleats of thy cummerbund are not properly faced. 

Thou shalt also be painfully regarded if thy tie or bow tie rides at an obvious list. 

Thou shalt consume thy meal in a manner becoming gentlepersons.

Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the president first shows approval by laughing. 

Thou shalt express thy approval by tapping thy spoon on the table. Clapping of thy hands will not be tolerated. 

Thou shalt not question the decisions of the president. 

When the mess adjourns, thou shalt rise and wait for the president and head table guests to leave. 

Thou shalt enjoy thyself to thy fullest.

Grog Bowl Procedures

When the president directs a violator to the grog bowl, the individual proceeds to the bowl promptly. Upon arriving at the grog bowl, the violator does the following: 

• Face and salutes the president

• About face to the grog and salute

• Fill the cup up at least half way

• Does another about face and toasts the mess by saying “To the Mess”

• Drains the contents of the cup without removing it from the lips, then places it inverted on his/her head signifying it is empty

• Replaces the cup, again salutes the president, and returns to his/her seat

With the exception of the toast, "To the Mess," the violator is not permitted to speak during this process.