Wing sets sights on Combat Dining In Published June 21, 2007 By SrA. Ben Mota 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., -- Leave your blues behind and grab your rain gear--Grissom's 2007 Combat Dining In is quickly approaching. This is Grissom's first year to conduct a Combat Dining In. Approximately 300 Airmen from all areas of the base will come together for fellowship, esprit de corps, and social rapport in an event that is sure to bring laughter and joy. The combat dining in is a newer tradition that is built around the traditional dining in but with far less of a formal atmosphere, said Master Sgt. Scott Shives, a communications specialist with the 434th Communications Squadron. Although less formal than a traditional dining in, Airmen are still requires to comply with Air Force standards regarding uniform. The uniform for the event is BDU, DCU or flight suits. A range of events including dinner chimes, posting of the colors, national anthem, POW/MIA ceremony, toasting and a guest speaker Maj. Gen. Mark Pillar will occur before special maneuvers begin. "The entrance to the event will be setup just like a processing line for a deployment," said Sergeant Shives. Guests will be issued water guns, sponge balls and dog tags at the processing line. All personal weapons including super soakers, water balloons and hoses that lead to fire hydrants are prohibited. "The water guns are not big but they have some range to them," said Master Sgt. Christy Bartel, a logistics management specialist with the 434th Maintenance Operations Flight. "There will be an amnesty box at the processing line for any banned items, and security forces will be there to enforce these rules," Sergeant Shives said with a grin on his face. The rules of engagement for the event specify that legitimate targets are only those who are in the combat zone. Violators of the ROEs will suffer the wrath of the president and might find themselves in the combat zone. Medics will be present during the entire ceremony. In an event that someone is injured or the festivities need to come to a temporary halt, designated individuals will have air horns that signify a cease fire. Each guest will have an Air Force form 341. These are the forms given to new Airman while in basic training. Airmen are to carry the forms around with them at all times as a way to keep track of infractions during training. Throughout the event members are asked to keep track of others infractions that violate the rules of the mess until The Grog Bowl begins. All of those who have violated the "rules of the mess" will enter the combat zone and pass thru a "confusion course" to get to the grog bowl. While in the confusion course, they will be subjected to a barrage of water from the variety of weapons used. Here the offender's fate will be determined as guilty or innocent. Tickets to the event are being sold on a first come first serve basis. The event is not open to family members, or the public. Those not attending the event will eat at dock 6 from 1630-1730 instead of at the dining facility.
