Formal military dinners are a tradition in all branches of the United States Armed services. In the Air Force and Navy, it is the dining-in; in the Army, the Regimental Dinner; in the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, Mess Night. As with most ancient traditions, the origin of the dining-in is not clear. Formal dinners are rooted in antiquity. From pre-Christian Roman legions, to second century Viking warlords, to King Arthur’s knights in the sixth century, feasts to honor military victories and individual and unit achievements have been a custom. The dining-out is a relatively new custom that includes spouses and guests. It is similar in all other respects to a dining-in.
SPOUSES DAY--After our successful Operational Readiness Inspection, the 353d Special Ops Group opened its doors to spouses this Friday. Christine and other spouses had a chance to fly on our Combat Talons & Combat Shadows and try out all the Special Tactics "toys". Christine had the guts to sit on the ramp of a Combat Shadow while the aircraft was flying over the waters of Okinawa. Hooah Tin!