Dining in

Yes, that's why I asked if it was an initiation. DS said something about this bowl with alcohol. But I didn't know the name. He said that there will be no alcohol this year. I'm sure it will be a blast. I know DS is loving ROTC. It is a perfect fit for him.

I wouldn't call it an initiation and most campuses/ROTC programs won't allow alcohol anyway.

Now that doesn't mean I didn't drink before hand....:yllol:
 
@cajuncarrier - There will be other opportunities Mom! Doesn't the unit have a tailgate prior to each 'big football game'? Great way to meet his buddies in the unit. Plus, I've never been to a tailgate that wasn't a great time.
 
Kinnem, I'm so looking forward to them.. DS did tell me that they will be marching for the pregame parade one day, so I WILL be there for that. Yeah
 
I agree. In many ways, they are a throwback to the customs and courtesies of a long time ago. Emily Post would be proud. Social etiquette and dining etiquette are all part of the lessons learned during a fun evening. Obviously military customs and courtesies are also part of the event.

My husband teased me when I put our son through a couple of years of cotillion. I may get my money's worth and a huge "I told you so" out of it yet!
 
That would be fabulous to get an invite in the mail... I'm so tempted to contact the AROTC admissions lady (whom I've met and talked with several times through email and phone) to ask her to keep me informed, but I figured that would just embarrass DS. So I'm giving him the opportunity to keep me in the loop before I go to extremes:smile:

If push comes to shove, you could always threaten him with those childhood pictures that all parents hold to the side for future bribery purposes! :shake:
 
Future2LtMom,

Heheheeee, sounds like a good idea!! Bribery often works wonders sometimes:shake:
 
My husband teased me when I put our son through a couple of years of cotillion. I may get my money's worth and a huge "I told you so" out of it yet!

Cotillion was the best thing my son ever did besides NROTC. Never had a problem meeting girls, dancing, proper etiquette and place settings, Yes sirs, and No Ma'ams. They hate it at the time, at least mine did, but it pays off in the long run.
 
Yes sir and no ma'ams have always been mandatory at my house!!! When DS attended tennis camp at West Point they automatically knew he was from the south.. No one used those terms. DS was so confused. He thought everyone was supposed to talk to adults or superiors like that. And when he went to freedom Alliance military camp last summer, same thing. He had absolutely no problems with that like other cadets did. It was natural for him, so he was free from all the extra PT the other cadets had to do for not using those terms. So manners learned early makes a huge difference:shake:
 
Cajuncarrier,

Completely agree - manners taught at home go a long way!! DS has seen it over and over too.

Another suggestion for "bonding" with your DS. IF they have a parents weekend or mom's weekend absolutely go! Even better, try and stay in the dorm with your son. I've done this twice and have plans to go out to school again this spring for mom's weekend. Most parents stay in local hotels, but I'm camping in the dorms! I have sat up late talking with DS and his battle buddies talking about everything under the sun. It is easier this year since he has a single room, but even his roommate freshman year was cool with me staying in the room.

We have been invited formally to Mil Ball each year - hoping this year to make it out.

Facebook is such a joy - most of my "friends" are my kiddos college friends. I always let them friend request me to keep from looking too creepy. :wink:
 
Just a little clarification for some of the folks unfamiliar with a few of the obscure military traditions:

- Dining "In". As has been stated previously, a formal social function with ONLY members of the unit in attendance. Started off long ago, and is loosely based off the European (mainly British, where most of our military customs originated) tradition of the Officers of the unit meeting for a formal meal at least once a week.

Think "Downton Abbey", complete with formal ceremony, formal toasts, and recognition of distinguished guests. I had the pleasure of attending a British Royal AF formal while I was stationed overseas. Servants with white gloves, the passing of the port, the lighting of the "Smoking Lamp", the toast to the Royals and our President, and a whole lot more very formal stuff taken VERY seriously (then, once the dinner was formally closed, a LOT of shenanigans!)

Since then, a LOT of new traditions and wrinkles have been added, depending on the Unit or the Service. Hap Arnold, the father of the US Air Force, started this tradition back up in the AF with his famous (or "infamous", for various reasons) "Wing Dings". It was here that traditions such as the "rules of the Grog" and other fun activities started (at least for the AF). Back in those days, the Grog was VERY alcoholic, now most are non-alcoholic but include some very nasty surprises in the punch bowl (like mustard, mayo, hot sauce, and a few other "nasty" things). Some units now use the opportunity as a chance to combine an Awards ceremony for the past year's activities as well. Most AFROTC detachments will have a formal "Dining In" in the Fall semester for this purpose -- to teach military customs and courtesies in this formal social atmosphere, and as an end of first semester Awards ceremony.

- Dining "Out". Very similar to the Dining "In", but guests are invited. Think "Prom" (if your cadet brings a date. And trust me, the dates usually are in dresses or Tuxes, very much like a prom), or formal social function / banquet if your cadet brings family / friends. Some of the more formal "military only" traditions (such as the Grog) ARE USUALLY NOT OBSERVED, but the line has been blurring over the years and many of the Dining In traditions are now being observed in Dining Outs (imagine telling your date / Mom to be on their best behavior or they "go to the Grog"!)

Most AFROTC units hold a Dining Out in the Spring, and use it once again as an opportunity to recognize cadets for their achievements over the entire school year.

Bottom Line, parents: sorry, but you have to miss out on the fall Semester Dining In, but you will be invited (and encouraged to attend) the Spring Semester Dining Out. I HIGHLY recommend you go, just to witness the military customs and courtesies your sons / daughters have learned, and the pride they have in their new found ROTC community.
 
Thanks Bullet. Very good descriptions based on my experiences in NROTC and the USMC.

Early in this thread I was lazy and used the Wikipedia description as I was too distracted by the ongoing football games. Your description is much better.
 
Forgot to add that many units now also conduct a "Military Ball". EXACTLY like a prom (dates only, not family friends; unless your Mom IS your date!), with some military customs and courtesies thrown in (but No Grog!).

Some AF Detachments will hold a Military Ball in the Fall for the entire Detachment instead of the Dining In, with some of the Cadet extracurricular clubs (like Arnold Air Society) holding their own a Dining In.
 
Thanks Bullet for that wonderful description and to all for the suggestions on how to stay involved.

I've checked the university's ROTC facebook page but it is not up to date:frown:

DS had the dining in Friday and had a blast!!!! I'm so glad to see that he is happy and feels right at home in his battalion. It is the perfect fit for him.
 
Thanks much for the clarification/ description, Bullet. DS was not real clear on the details of the whole thing. I know some cadets in his det had the idea that dates were ok, and that the dining 'in' simply meant 'on campus' vs the 'out' meaning the hotel ballroom.
His event is not scheduled until Nov. I think they are issued/fitted for dress uniform this coming week.
 
Bullet's other half.

I just want put it out there, but many kids do not invite their folks. As stated many see it like a sorority or fraternity formal, or repeat of Prom. They make it a night with pre-parties and after parties.

Bullet forgot that after we started dating he never invited his folks. They did attend when he was a freshmen)we weren't dating). Our DS only invited us for his sr.. yr., because even though it was a Dining Out, it was seen at his det. as Commissioning formal. I.E. The graduating cadets entered together. The CoC announced each name, their career field and assignment. Official pictures with the CoC, as a group, etc. They did the awards at that time too, but the emphasis was towards the 400's.
~~~~ Hence why at his det. The only folks I saw in bulk were 400's parents. The majority of the guests were dates.
~~~~ I know of a parent here that did attend last spring for their fresh. son, so it does occur.

I just want to put it out there that if they don't bring it up, it maybe that the cadets see it more like what I said before....formal/Prom. Dates.

Not to hijack the thread, but one expensive cost is the Mess Dress (their tux). I think from kit to kaboodle we spent @600....alterations, shirt, studs, etc. You would be surprised how expensive alterations are since everything is un-hemmed, and they have to put the braids on too. AFROTC cadets usually buy this as 300s (jrs). DS has worn his at least 1x a yr, but usually 2x. every yr since we bought it.
~~~~ Just saying this may be something to ask your child if it is an item they want. Again, at our DS's det. nobody that was a POC didn't own a mess dress. Freshman/soph nobody owned a mess dress.
~~~ We asked DS him for his Xmas gift as a 300 would he like that as his gift....nothing else for Xmas or his birthday. He jumped at the offer.

Our DS wore it 4 times in college, and 2 weddings he has attended, and now will be winging in April. They will have a formal He will wear it again. He gets married in May and he will be wearing it again. Purchased Dec. 2010 for his spring Dining Out 2011. By my account that is 8 times in 3 yrs. It is a cost that he would have had to pay.

Just saying the holidays are around the corner, and it might be a gift that they would love. I the get cost is high, but you can do what we did, this is your xmas and Bday gift. DS knew there was nothing else.

I would not do it as a freshmen, especially for AROTC, even on scholarship. However, when they get to the no return I would ask if they want it.

The fact is, even in ROTC, that uniform/BAS does not cover everything, and def. not a Mess Dress. There is a very old thread that TPG, myself and I believe it was Jcleppe where we discussed how much we just spent buying stuff for them. We were all ROTC parents (AF, Army and Marines).

OBTW, I am only posting on issues that have no impact regarding candidates/cadets and their future. Think of it as fun tidbits with some personal experience!
 
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Thank Pima for the insight.

So you are saying that as juniors and seniors for dining in/out they were a tux instead of dress blues?
 
If your son wore Air Force dress blues to an AROTC dining in, it would be a memorable experience.

It certainly would as I can't imagine him in anything but his Navy Dress Blues! :biggrin:
 
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