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Marines carry on formal traditions of Mess Night

22 Feb 2007 | Lance Cpl. Christopher Mann Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Oceanside, Calif. -- “The Thundering Third” marched into the room and took their places in front of three candlelit tables and stood at the position of attention, awaiting the command to proceed with camaraderie, laughter and festivity.
Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, took part in a formal Mess Night Feb. 7 at the Elk’s Lodge in Oceanside.

A Mess Night is a formal occasion where service members put on their dress uniforms and have an opportunity to interact with other members of their company during a traditional dinner, with an exception of just a few rules.

"Thou shall not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the president first shows approval by laughing," is an example of one such rule.

A list of “thou shall nots” was handed out in the beginning of the mess, and everyone present had the opportunity to catch their fellow comrades violating rules of the mess. A violation is chargeable, not under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but by enforcement of the rules by the the company's commanding officer, who presides as president of the mess.
Retired Sergeant Major and Elk’s Lodge Trustee Stan Buckowski set up the event after speaking with 1st Sgt. Mark J. O’Loughlin, Weapons Company first sergeant, and discussing the occasion.

“This is a great chance for the entire company to come together and be a part of a traditional event,” O’Loughlin said. “The Marine Corps is steeped in tradition, and what a good way for the Marines to work together and get to know one another before going on a deployment.”

Captain James C. Haynie, president of the mess, was in charge of handing out the punishment for breach of mess rules, such as wearing a Service Alpha blouse belt that didn’t go through the final loop on the blouse.

“Tonight was a way for the Marines to take a break from nonstop training that they do on a day-to-day basis and get to know one another a little better,” Haynie said.

Members of the mess were unable to do anything until permission to address the mess was granted.

Marines stood up and loudly requested to speak with the president of the mess via the vice president of the mess. After they were granted approval, they would ask a question or make a comment.

“This is a great opportunity for everyone to relax and have fun before going on a deployment,” said 1st Lt. James M. Geiger, Combined Anti-Armor Team platoon commander, a 25-year-old from Fayetteville, N.C. “It’s nice to have a good meal with everyone in the company.”

The evening was filled with laughter and cheers as Weapons Company Marines took turns playing jokes on each other in a traditional way that has been passed down throughout the years by Marines who preceded. One member of the mess ordered a pizza for delivery to another member during the ceremony. Receiving a pizza violated mess rules, and he was charged by the president to consume the Grog and pay a fine.

“I was a boot in 1943, and it’s good to know that while some things do change, certain traditions don’t,” said Retired Col. Barkley B. Yarborough. “Today’s Corps is in really fine shape, and I’m thoroughly impressed with the spirit instilled in the men.”

The custom of the Mess Night is said to have started in 1953, when members of the 3rd Regiment Combat Team under the command of Col. Robert H. Williams met with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Lemuel C. Shepard Jr. A dinner they shared with the British Royal Marines turned into a big competition over the course of the evening, paving the way for what we know now as “Mess Night.”

Marines carry on formal traditions of Mess Night

22 Feb 2007 | Lance Cpl. Christopher Mann Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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Oceanside, Calif. -- “The Thundering Third” marched into the room and took their places in front of three candlelit tables and stood at the position of attention, awaiting the command to proceed with camaraderie, laughter and festivity.
Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, took part in a formal Mess Night Feb. 7 at the Elk’s Lodge in Oceanside.

A Mess Night is a formal occasion where service members put on their dress uniforms and have an opportunity to interact with other members of their company during a traditional dinner, with an exception of just a few rules.

"Thou shall not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the president first shows approval by laughing," is an example of one such rule.

A list of “thou shall nots” was handed out in the beginning of the mess, and everyone present had the opportunity to catch their fellow comrades violating rules of the mess. A violation is chargeable, not under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but by enforcement of the rules by the the company's commanding officer, who presides as president of the mess.
Retired Sergeant Major and Elk’s Lodge Trustee Stan Buckowski set up the event after speaking with 1st Sgt. Mark J. O’Loughlin, Weapons Company first sergeant, and discussing the occasion.

“This is a great chance for the entire company to come together and be a part of a traditional event,” O’Loughlin said. “The Marine Corps is steeped in tradition, and what a good way for the Marines to work together and get to know one another before going on a deployment.”

Captain James C. Haynie, president of the mess, was in charge of handing out the punishment for breach of mess rules, such as wearing a Service Alpha blouse belt that didn’t go through the final loop on the blouse.

“Tonight was a way for the Marines to take a break from nonstop training that they do on a day-to-day basis and get to know one another a little better,” Haynie said.

Members of the mess were unable to do anything until permission to address the mess was granted.

Marines stood up and loudly requested to speak with the president of the mess via the vice president of the mess. After they were granted approval, they would ask a question or make a comment.

“This is a great opportunity for everyone to relax and have fun before going on a deployment,” said 1st Lt. James M. Geiger, Combined Anti-Armor Team platoon commander, a 25-year-old from Fayetteville, N.C. “It’s nice to have a good meal with everyone in the company.”

The evening was filled with laughter and cheers as Weapons Company Marines took turns playing jokes on each other in a traditional way that has been passed down throughout the years by Marines who preceded. One member of the mess ordered a pizza for delivery to another member during the ceremony. Receiving a pizza violated mess rules, and he was charged by the president to consume the Grog and pay a fine.

“I was a boot in 1943, and it’s good to know that while some things do change, certain traditions don’t,” said Retired Col. Barkley B. Yarborough. “Today’s Corps is in really fine shape, and I’m thoroughly impressed with the spirit instilled in the men.”

The custom of the Mess Night is said to have started in 1953, when members of the 3rd Regiment Combat Team under the command of Col. Robert H. Williams met with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Lemuel C. Shepard Jr. A dinner they shared with the British Royal Marines turned into a big competition over the course of the evening, paving the way for what we know now as “Mess Night.”