{"product_id":"2940148626831","title":"Welfare, Recreation, and Morale Dining In","description":"The exact origin of the Dining-In is not known, It is believed, however,\u003cbr\u003ethat the practice dates back to an old Viking tradition of holding\u003cbr\u003eformal ceremonies to celebrate great battles and feats of heroism. These\u003cbr\u003eceremonies usually included a dinner of fine foods, drinks, and fellowship.\u003cbr\u003eLater this custom spread to the monasteries, universities, and, eventually,\u003cbr\u003eto the military ,officers' mess.1\u003cbr\u003eDuring the early eighteenth century, the British Army incorporated the\u003cbr\u003epractice of formal dining into their regimental mess system. Customs and\u003cbr\u003erules of the mess were soon institutionalized in the Queen's Regulations\u003cbr\u003ethat governed the actions and conduct of the British Army. The mess was a\u003cbr\u003ehome for the bachelor officers, a club for all officers, and the center of\u003cbr\u003esocial life at the military garrison. 2 An important feature of the mess\u003cbr\u003ewas mess night. Usually held once a week, it was a formal mandatory\u003cbr\u003egathering of the officers of the regiment, The purpose of the dinner was to\u003cbr\u003ebring the officers together in a fraternal atmosphere and to make them aware\u003cbr\u003eof the luxuries of life.3 The mess night or Dining-In became a tradition\u003cbr\u003ein all British regiments.\u003cbr\u003eThe close association between the British and American armies during the\u003cbr\u003eworld wars led the United States Army to adopt the Dining-In as a part of\u003cbr\u003eits social program.ll The practice flourished during World War II and\u003cbr\u003ebecame a regular social function. Unfortunately, it is difficult to create\u003cbr\u003ea tradition, and the Dining-In lost favor among U.S. Army units in the\u003cbr\u003epostwar period. Moreover, the rapid turnover of officers in the American\u003cbr\u003eArmy made it difficult, if not impossible, to establish loyal ties ta a unit\u003cbr\u003eand its traditions. These facts added to the decline of the Dining-In.5\u003cbr\u003eToday, the Dining-In appears to be making a comeback in many Army units\u003cbr\u003eand organizations. Senior commanders are again recognizing the value of the\u003cbr\u003eDining-In for building professionalism and esprit de corps among the young\u003cbr\u003eofficers. They recognize that the Dining-In is an ideal forum in which to\u003cbr\u003estrengthen and perpetuate the spirit, professionalism, and soul of the Army.\u003cbr\u003eThe purpose of this reference book is to assist those who would help\u003cbr\u003espark a comeback for the Dining-In in the United States Army. It is intended\u003cbr\u003eas a source document for officers planning a Dining-In or Dining-Out in\u003cbr\u003etheir units. It provides a brief history of the British and American regimental\u003cbr\u003emesses, a detailed explanation of the standards and procedures for\u003cbr\u003econducting a Dining-In, and a short sketch of service etiquette as it\u003cbr\u003eapplies to formal dining. There are many other books and pamphlets an the\u003cbr\u003ecustoms and traditions of the Army and service etiquette available to reinforce\u003cbr\u003ethe information contained in this booklet. The most important sources\u003cbr\u003eare in the bibliography at the back of this book.","brand":"ReadCycle","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47075387408624,"sku":"2940148626831","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940148626831_p0.jpg?v=1763711682","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940148626831","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}