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The numbered italicized text blocks are excerpts from the wonderful pamphlet "Traditions of the Medical Branch, Canadian Forces" by Major-General John W.B. Barr, CCM, CD, QHP, Colonel Commandant Medical Branch (circa 1995). The mess dinner, although considered a "formal" event, is a central activity that is intended to be a relaxed and comfortable social gathering. Comfort is an important element. Knowledge of the general outline and conduct of the dinner reduces apprehension through enabling one to understand and enjoy the events. The mess is considered a home, with this tradition developing out of the concept of the communal eating and quartering of members of regiments. The mess also became a storehouse for the valuable positions and trophies of the regiment.
Although every mess and all mess dinners have the same basic traditions and formats, every mess still has variations, and there will even be variation within the medical branch, thus no outline could cover every matter. Do not be surprised when variations occur. It is always best to conduct yourself in the manor of the mess in which you are familiar, and the gracious members of a host mess will understand when your actions vary.
A mess dinner may be restricted to one group for attendance being officers, senior NCO's or Junior NCO's, or a combination of group, or open to all ranks. Each group usually maintains their own mess, but may be combined for various functions. A mess dinner may be restricted to the mess members and invited guests, or be mixed allowing members and guests to bring ladies and escorts.
MESS DINNERS
43. Introduction. Attendance at a Mess Dinner is an invitation on the part of the members to share their facilities and, therefore, should be a reason to know and to comply with the procedures and traditions of the Mess. Messes have been provided for officers and warrant officers and sergeants for many years and, more recently, for junior ranks to provide amenities for the members and an opportunity for fellowship. Courtesy, respect for those whose home it is and hospitality for authorized visitors are the bases of the traditions of the Mess.
Mess dinners are held for varied reasons. Many are centered on special events and dates of importance to the home mess or regiment, and in these dinners the specific activities of the home mess are the primary importance, thus guests should respect fully these activities and realize that they are external guests. In mixed mess dinners with ladies and escorts, the environment is much more relaxed and the purpose is for the social gathering. One may, of course, attend a mixed mess diner just to enjoy the good company of others attending.
The great variation in customs makes for difficulty for those who move or visit various locations, although one should be familiar with the general outline and customs of any home mess.
44. Learn the Customs of the Mess. The formal procedures of a Mess Dinner are an integral part of that tradition, although they differ from one unit to another. It is wise to find out the customs carried forward in the Mess to which you have been invited in order to comply with the traditions of that particular Mess and to increase your participation and enjoyment in the function. The usual programme for a Mess Dinner will include the following:
Pre-dinner Reception - Seating Plan and Receiving Line.
Procession to dinner.
Clearing the tables.
Serving of port (or non-alcoholic beverage) for the toasts.
The toasts with appropriate music if a band is present;
- The Loyal Toast.
- Toast to the Colonel-in-Chief.
- Toast(s) to Head(s) of State of countries represented at dinner.
Recognition of branches and services represented at dinner -- optional if a band is present.
Commanding Officer's remarks and speeches.
Adjournment and recession.
Post-dinner socializing.
MEDICAL BRANCH MESS DINNER TRADITIONS
45. Formal Medical Branch dinners follow a similar program and include Medical Branch customs and practices as outlined below.
46. R.S.V.P. When invited to attend a Mess Dinner, you must accept, or send regrets in the same form as the invitation was couched and as promptly as possible. Plan to arrive at the Mess, in the prescribed dress, a few minutes before the time specified in the invitation.
The invitation provides a wealth of information about the dinner. Included is the date and location naturally, as well as any special occasion or event that the dinner is centered around, as well as who is the hosting mess.
The invitation outlines the dress. Although not specified, uniforms are always acceptable for a mess dinner, especially the formal dress uniform; referred by a number of names such as "bests," "number ones," "trues," "reds" or "blues" as the case may be. Service uniform is also always acceptable, and for comfort, are worn with a white shirt and black tie, or appropriate blouse for females.
The listed options for dress tells one that the dinner is not restricted to dress or service uniforms, but the other forms of dress are acceptable. Mess kit developed out of the formal dress uniform, providing a relaxed comfortable dress for use inside the mess. Headdress should still be worn when outside. Highland regalia, and other traditional ethnic dress, is an acceptable option. Black tie refers to "formal" evening wear, however, a dark suit worn with white shirt, black tie and cummerbund for comfort, is also suitable, as well a business suit may be acceptable.
Miniatures are small size metals that are worn to reduce the weight of full size medals. They also allow full display of medals rather than having to overlap with multiple medals. Full size are still worn with dress or service uniforms, although they should be court mounted rather than swing mounted which has the tendency to produce "clinks" with movement.
The tariff or cost for the dinner is specified, for it is normal that although invited, one covers their own costs. There is a method, and perhaps date, to "R.S.V.P." by, and a card may be provided to do so with. It is only polite to forward the tariff with the card so that the mess does mot have to cover all the advanced costs.
The times are specified to, first, arrive for the pre dinner social period, and second, for the seating for dinner.
47. Seating Plan. On arrival, determine from the seating plan displayed in the lobby where your are to sit. You may wish to note the names of the members seated on either side. This will help you to locate your place and facilitate conversation during dinner.
At mixed mess dinners it is polite to locate the "unknown" lady seated next to you, and then escort her to her seat for dinner. There may be only a simple seating plan of the head table, PMC and VPMC with a few others specified, under which all others of the company are free to make their own selections for dinner.
48. Receiving Line. If there is a receiving line, proceed through it without delay, returning easily the friendly greetings extended to you by the members who form the line.
Many times receiving lines do not occur, or a brief line may occur immediately prior to dinner with the five minute warning.
49. Pre-Dinner Social Time. Proceed to the ante-room and enjoy the company with or without a pre-dinner drink. At 15 minutes and, again, at 5 minutes to the beginning of the dinner you will be reminded, by a bugle call or similar musical signal, that the meal is to begin. You should make personal arrangements so that you will not have to leave the dining-room for the duration of the meal and the programme that follows.
A pre dinner sherry or other punch may be available. The fifteen minute warning allows for preparation as it is customary to remain seating until after the Loyal and other toasts. A recess may occur, but there after is not polite to exit, especially during the concluding remarks or speeches. The five minute warning provides time to locate those seated around you and prepare to enter for dinner.
50. Procession to Dinner. When the procession to the dining room begins, join it promptly but not hurriedly, and proceed to your place at the table. Stand behind your chair.
The VPMC with others begin the procession to dinner. The company remains standing once finding their seats and the head table lead by the PMC is marched or piped in, as are regimental guidon or colours. In some, the head table leads the whole procession to dinner.
51. The Blessing. As soon as all are at their places, the President (PMC) taps for order. Then the PMC or a chaplain, or a designated member will ask a blessing, following which you may take your seat.
With modern society, a brief non domination statement is appropriate, unless a traditional blessing is custom.
52. Dining. Several courses with wines follow, during which you should engage your neighbors at the table in quiet, pleasant conversation on subjects of a general but interesting nature. Avoid loud talk, rowdiness and smoking. Smoking may be permitted during coffee, but NEVER during dinner. In fact, avoid any behavior which is not in keeping with good manners. If you must leave the table for any reason, ask the PMC for permission to do so.
Assist the "unknown" lady with her chair in mixed dinners.
It is custom to remain seated until after the Loyal toast, and other toasts, unless a part of the general or special program. A brief recess may occur after the toasts, but thereafter, again, one normally remains seating till adjournment.
53. Clearing the Table. After the dessert course, the table is cleared of all dishes, cutlery, glasses and napkins, leaving only a port glass for the use during the Loyal Toast and those that follow.
54. Serving the Port. A decanter of port will be presented to a member at the end of each table. This member fills the port glass and, without setting the decanter down, passes it immediately to the left. Each member fills the port glass and passes the decanter immediately to the left, never across the table. If desired, a non-alcoholic drink may be substituted for port. The contents of the glass, whether port or water, are left untouched until the Loyal Toast is proposed.
There are some traditions that have the decanter "banged" on the table between individuals, however such tradition must respect the value of the home mess decanter. Naval tradition has the decanter slid along the table, stemming from the risk of dropping while at sea.
55. The Loyal Toast. When all the glasses have been filled, the PMC rises, taps for order and, in one of the official languages, asks the Vice President (VPMC) to propose the Loyal Toast. The VPMC rises and, in the other official language, says "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Queen of Canada." Then all rise, leaving their glasses on the table, and stand at attention. The band then plays the first eight bars of the Royal Anthem (God Save The Queen) and all lift their glasses, saying "The Queen of Canada" and drink to the health of Her Majesty. Then all resume their seats and their quiet conversation. If there is no band in attendance, when the VPMC proposes the Loyal Toast, all rise and lift their glasses to toast the health of Her Majesty as above. Because of the toasts that follow, it is wise to only sip the port at each toast.
Pure water is acceptable alternative substance for those who abstain.
56. Toast to the Colonel-in-Chief. After a short pause, the PMC rises again, taps for order and, in one of the official languages, asks the VPMC to propose the toast to the Colonel-in-Chief. The VPMC rises and, in the other official language, says, "Ladies and Gentlemen, our Colonel-in-Chief, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother." Then all rise as before, leaving their glasses on the table and stand to attention while the band plays the first eight bars of The Queen Mother's official music "An Eriskay Love Litl. Then the diners toast the Colonel-in-Chief" of "The Queen Mother" adding "God bless her" if desired. All resume their seats. If a band is not present, the toast is drunk in the manner described above for the Loyal Toast.
This is specific for the Medical Branch, with various regiments having differing "Colonel-in-Chief."
57. Toasts to the Heads of Foreign Countries. If there are guests from foreign countries present at dinner, the Heads of State of each country represented is honored by a toast proposed by the PMC. All stand while the band plays the national anthem of that country, followed by a suitable phrase of good wishes from all members and a sip of port.
Smoking may now be permitted.
58. Recognition of Functional Commands, Branches and Units. After the official toasts, coffee is served and, if a band is present, the marches of the functional commands and branches are played in the order of precedence. The PMC must have discussed with the band director the music and marches required for the dinner. Medical members, even though affiliated with functional command or regiment do not stand during the playing of that formation's march. The non -medical members of the formation being honoured stand at their place during the playing of their march. There is general applause when the march is finished. CFMS members should be aware of the precedence of the Medical Branch March and be prepared to stand during the playing of their March. This is to emphasize the cohesion of members of the Branch even though they wear different environmental uniforms. Contrary to the custom is some Messes, at Medical Mess Dinners only Chaplains are expected to stand during the playing of the Chaplain Branch March "Onward Christian Soldiers." Members of the Medical Branch do not stand during the playing of this march.
59. Concluding Remarks and Adjournment. The Commanding Officer of the Mess may wish to make some remarks or may invite guests to do so. All should be brief, because the conclusion of the meal and its programme is at hand. The PMC signals, by tapping a gavel and announcing the adjournment, that the Dinner is over. All rise and stand at their places while the Commanding Officer or senior non-commissioned officer and head table guests depart. All other diners follows. The PMC or the VPMC remain until all have left the dining room.
The remarks may brief or provide more detailed information depending upon the event.
With the adjournment, the head table departs. The company may be free to remain and enjoy company, although the area may be reserved for juniors, requiring the company to adjourn to the ante-room.
60. Post-Dinner Social Time. General conversation resumes in the ante-room and continues until the senior officer of the Mess departs. Members and guests should remain until the senior officer departs. If, for good reason, this is not possible, good manners require that the member or guest makes proper apologies for departing early.
Seniors may remain for some time. There may be a senior guest, and their departure is thus an appropriate following time for departures. One should bid farewell to seniors and friends before departure.
61. Summary. Following these rules of behavior may seem to be bothersome. This is not so. They ensure that all have a pleasant and rewarding experience. They are a recognition of the traditions of the Mess and they are a means of acknowledging the honour paid to the visitor by the members of the Mess.
Quotes are from:
Traditions of the Medical Branch, Canadian Forces.
John W.B. Barr, CCM, CD, QHP
Major-General
Colonel Commandant Medical Branch
circa 1995