It’s an evening filled with fun and laughter, yet it is also one filled with strict rules and proper etiquette. Mess Night is a traditional Marine Corps social event that incorporates unique rituals. The JROTC program held their first one on Oct. 7 at the Blu Café.

“Mess Night’s traditions are kind of steeped in formality,” Sgt. Maj. Bruce Cole said. “It is a fun, let-your-hair-down event cleverly disguised as something really formal and proper.”

Mess Night originated in 16^th century England, when militaries held formal dinners to honor and celebrate battles and heroes. In 1775, the Marine Corps emerged in America. The social event did not spread to the States until the early 1800s and is now considered a tradition.

“It’s a lot of fun,” senior and Lt. Col. Tessa Baldwin said. “It’s so cool and you have to be so proper.”

Attendees included the President and Vice President of the mess, the Guest of Honor, Sergeant at Arms, Pro Temp President, Pro Temp Vice President and other members of JROTC with high positions. Cole is the President and Master Sergeant David Robinson is the Vice.

Members are required to wear their most senior uniform for this proper night. The evening consisted of a social hour, dinner and a toasting to the Marines. During the social hour, the JROTC attendees are required to greet the President of the mess and introduce themselves to the Guest of Honor. The dinner follows, and at this time the President fulfills his special duty of tasting the beef.

“The beef is paraded in by the Chief Steward,” Cole said. “One of the President’s first duties of the evening is to taste the beef. He will taste it and declare it fit for human consumption. Everybody applauds, and this is all done with music played.”

Strict rules and etiquette must be observed at all times. During dinner, members of the mess are allowed to “fine” each other if they see that someone has not followed proper etiquette during the event.

“If you talk too loudly, do not eat outward going inward with the silverware or your uniform is a bit off, then you can be fined,” Baldwin said. “The President taps his gavel three times and says that the floor is open for fining. It’s basically where you tell on people.”

The fine is usually no more than a $1. But if it cannot be paid, there is another option.

“If you don’t want to pay the fine or you can’t pay the fine, you drink from the grog,” senior Stephen Wasielewski said. “The grog is this drink loaded with a bunch of different stuff, [such as] vinegar, soy sauce and Worchester sauce. It’s just nasty.”

The evening ends with the toasting. Everyone toasted with a glass of grape juice instead of the traditional alcohol.

“The first toast is made to the continental Marines back in 1775,” Cole said. “There is a certain way you have to say it. The toasts go through history, from the continental Marines all the way to the Marines of present day.”

Mess Night lasted for around three hours. Wasielewski said it was his first time attending a Mess Night, and it was different from any other event he’s attended.

“This one, by far, stands out the most,” Wasielewski said. “One of the biggest things is the formality. Another thing would definitely be the grog and the fining. That’s only traditional for a Mess Night.”

Cole has attended many Mess Nights during his 32 years of service for the Marines. He said he enjoyed seeing the students experience this event for the first time.

“It’s just for fun, [and] to break the ice and get to know each other,” Cole said. “It’s kind of early in the school year and I see in the classroom that students aren’t really comfortable with each other yet. But to see the kids get together and laugh is what I enjoy the most.”