MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The United States Marines Corps is known as a prestigious institution, full of time-honored traditions and high military values. The Marine Corps Mess Night is an example of this Marine Corps lifestyle, from its formality to the rum punch used in its toasts.
In the U.S. Armed Forces, Mess Nights date back to the Army’s regimental messes of pre-World War I. Navy and Marine Corps messes are remanent of these occasions and carry over from the British practice of formal gatherings.
The traditions of Mess Night, as we know them today, came from the 4th Marine Regiment. The regiment swimming coach, Capt. Lemeul Shepard, was invited to the Mess of the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards. His commanding officer was so impressed that the first recorded Marine Corps Mess Night was held in 1928.
The first known mess night after World War II was held in 1953 by the officers of 3rd Regimental Combat Team, commanded by Col. Robert H. Williams. When Col. Williams was transferred to Marine Barracks, 8th and I, the custom was reestablished there.
One of the many purposes for a mess night is to pay homage to the Marines the of the past. A Marine is assigned to be the President of the Mess and is in control of the evening’s events. The vice president is the enforcer of the president’s decision and regulates who may speak.
Invited guests of the mess sit at the head table with the president. For this particular Mess Night, one of the invited guests was 1st Sgt. Brad Kasal, who served as the guest speaker for the event.
Although the exact series of events can vary, a formal meal is usually included, along with the opportunity for mess members to charge another mess member with a fine. Fining is the comical tradition of accusing other Marines of negative, and often embarrassing, acts in order to impose a ‘punishment’ by the President of the Mess.
Fines are usually paid in small dollar amounts, and the ending funds are used to fund the Mess Night or fund unit events.
Tributes and toasts are given in honor of past Marines. The night is to honor Marine Corps tradition, but also is meant to build camaraderie among Marines.