Page 84 - Phoenix1998-99

~ Thursday, December 10, 1998 -Page 4 NEWS Dining In pokes good-hearted fun at ROTC program BY FRANCESCA SAYLOR one's career, mentoring, and developing re- Staff Writer lationships. Gregg emphasized leading by example and having respect for subordinates, ROTC celebrated another successful se- He mester with their Dining Tn on Friday, Dec. regardless of what career path one takes. is to in one's career said the key (0 success 4. The Dining In is a traditional gala that have the philosophy that "it's only good Army units everywhere participate in each enough when it's your very best." year. It is a chance for all 10 come together In addition, Gregg urged cadets to "seek and enjoy themselves and focus on the light- mentors wherever [they] are" for it is these hearted aspects of the semester. types of relationships that help to foster per- While it may be in decline elsewhere, sonal development, as long as they are not WMC is keeping the tradition going strong. taken for granted. The Mess, as the formal dinner is called, t began with the posting of the colors and the Cadet 1st Sgt. Jeremy Bell commented speech that "the General's gave all cadets ~ national anthem, followed by an invocation standard to follow as they prepare for com- a and toasts. Members of the junior class were missioning this spring." responsible for toasting the Commander-in- it was Following - Chief, the United States Army, WMC and time for even the Lt. Gen.'s speech, as each entertainment more • Mt. St. Mary's college, the special guests military science class performed skits which who were invited, including faculty and made fun of their classmates and cadre mem- friends of ROTC, all of the cadets, and our bers. The sophomores and seniors developed fallen comrades. game shows such as "Win Capt. Baldree's Violators oj the rules oj the mess had to sing songs to redeem themselves during the meal. The senior cadets recited the Cadet Creed Money," where cadets imitated others, or which was followed by the playing of the of the Mess. others were more subjective tative of each military science class and their Anny song before the Mess was finally de- such as not properly responding to a sarcas- cadre. For example, "sand" and water from answered questions about others' shortcom- ings in order to win. clared open by the president. tic comment directed at you, failing to an- their canteens was mixed in for the fresh- The freshmen recited their own version The president of the Mess was the most swer a question from Mr. Vice truthfully, or men, "sweat" and "blood" for the juniors, of "The Night Before Christmas," inserting senior cadre member, the professor of mili- not embellishing the truth when it clearly and Pepto-Bismol for the cadre. their take on events that happened during a tary science, Maj. Karen Doyle. She was needed it. Junior Chad Reiley, who had to drink field training exercise, while the juniors responsible for the conduct of the Mess. Rules like this made for a rather interest- from the grog, commented that he still had poked fun at how everyone acts at ROTC's Her assistant, Mr. Vice, helped her to ing and hilarious evening because as every- a good time, "All of our hard work paid off weekly staff meetings. maintain morale and discipline. This year one was eating dinner Mr. Vice, or other ca- in an evening of fellowship, laughter. and Ironically, it was at these staff meetings junior cadet Rob Schoppert was Mr. Vice. dets, would do their best to find violators. bad drink!" where everything for the Dining In was co- _ There was a list of rules for the Mess in The punishments varied from singing Following dinner and these antics, it was ordinated. Cadets were divided into commit- everyone's program and Mr. Vice was re- songs to doing push-ups to sounding off in a time for a serious moment as the guest tees assigned to tasks including protocol, sponsible for issuing fines "in good taste" particular way each time someone said "Mr. speaker, retired Lt. Gen. Arthur 1. Gregg mess, and dining. for those who violated the rules. Vice." The most dreadful punishment, how- spoke. Having had more than forty-four While it was definitely fun. the weeks of While some violations included formali- ever, was to have to drink from the grog, an years of professional experience both in the preparation were what made the Dining In ties such as improperly wearing the uniform, awful concoction Mr. Vice made before din- Army and in industry, he advised the cadets the well-organized event that Lt. Gen. Gregg failing to speak before addressing Mr. Vice ner was served. It included items represen- in four areas: leadership, how to manage commended it to be.