Combat Dining-In: Part of Our History

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. R. Michael Longoria
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Marine Corps and Coast Guard have Mess Night. The Army holds the Regimental Dinner. In the Navy, but most importantly the Air Force, it's the Dining-In.

Each branch of the United States Armed Forces has its own formal military dinner. As with some tradition, the origin these dinners is unclear, but they have been held for centuries to honor military victories as well as individual and unit achievements.

The origins of the dining-in can be traced back to the old English monasteries. After the military adopted the tradition it became more formalized. British soldiers brought the custom to colonial America, where it was borrowed by George Washington's continental army.

Fast forward a few hundred years and the Air Force dining-in begins. It's suggested the custom began in the 1930s with General H. "Hap" Arnold's "wing-dings."

"The dining-in gives Airmen a chance to meet socially at a formal military function," said Master Sgt. Patrick R. Michaels, 319th Operations Group first sergeant. "It enhances the esprit de corps of units, lightens the load of demanding day-to-day work, gives the commander an opportunity to interact with their subordinates and enables military members of all ranks to create bonds of friendship and better working relations through an atmosphere of good fellowship."

It is important for the success of a dining-in that members enjoy the evening, and that the ceremonies are done in a tasteful, dignified manner. A dining-in should have a theme around which the decorations and ceremony are built.

The dining-in represents the most formal aspects of Air Force social life. The dining-in is the most traditional Air Force dinner, however, modern Airman have started hosting dining-outs and combat dining-ins.

The dining-in is a formal dinner for the members of a wing, unit, or organization. The dining-out similar in all aspects to a dining-in, except spouses and other guests are invited to attend.

The combat dining-in is the newest of the dining-in traditions and is becoming increasingly popular. The format and sequence of events is built around the traditional dining-in, however, it's far less formal atmosphere and required combat dress uniforms. There is not a great deal written on the subject and the only limit seems to be that of the imagination of the planning committee.

"The combat dining-in is a military-only get together in a relaxed environment where Airmen and officers can share in some indiscriminate fun," said Airman 1st Class Rachel R. Waller, 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs. "No one is safe and no prank is too extreme."