Traditions, Customs, and Habits of the CAF
Which branch of the CAF is the youngest?
The Royal Canadian Air Force
Are you allowed to place your elbows on the table?
What usually describes the Guest of Honour?
The Guest of Honour is usually a high ranking military Officer, or an esteemed member of the community.
What colour bowtie should you wear for mess?
A black bowtie.
Is the mess dinner considered a parade?
Yes
Which branch of the CAF is considered the senior service?
The Royal Canadian Navy
True or False: When eating, you use the cutlery from the inside and work outwards.
False.
Is Major Groome expected to carpool with the Guest of Honour to the mess dinner?
No, meeting at the entrance of the mess is appropriate.
What differences in the air cadet uniform are authorized for mess dress?
Cadets are encouarged to wear a white dress shirt instead of the normal light blue shirt, and a bowtie instead of tie. These are not mandatory.
What is the significance of a place setting with an empty chair?
It is in remembrance of a fallen comrade or comrades. A specific member can be named but not always.
What is the difference between Traditions, Customs, and Habits?
A tradition is something done repeatedly over many lifetimes/generations.
A custom is something done repeatedly over a lifetime.
A habit is something done repeatedly.
Which hand do you hold your fork in when eating vegetables?
Your right hand.
What does PMC stand for?
President of the Mess Committee.
What type of jacket did the Mess Uniforms initially use?
Short shell jacket.
Who is the Loyalty Toast directed to?
The Crown.
Why doesn't Britain/Canada have a Royal Army? (need adequate explanation)
Canada follows British tradition which holds that the navy and the air force are commanded by the Queen but the army is a collection of independent regiments that serve the sovereign, but are not part of the Royal Canadian Forces. This is due to the history of how Britain's land forces came to be.
Which knife is used to slice your bread?
Trick question - do not use a knigfe to cut the bread. Bread shall be broken with your hands.
What are the responsibilities of the Mess Manager/Chief Steward?
They must oversee the serving of dinner and ensure that service in the dining-room is as quiet and unobtrusive as possible.
What year did Mess Uniforms first appear in the British Army?
1845.
How does the PMC officially announce the start of the dinner?
By knocking their gavel on the table three times.
What year was the British Navy formed?
1546
If there are three glasses on the place mat, from left to right, what is the use for each glass?
The glass furthest to the left is for water, the middle glass is for red wine, and the glass on the right is for white wine.
Beyond escorting the Guest of Honour to the head table, what else might be included in the PMC (and Vice PMC's) responsibilities?
The PMC or Vice PMC answer all the infractions brought forward by participants in the mess.
What were the new mess uniforms adopted after World War II nicknamed?
After World War II, the cheaper "blue patrols" were worn for several years as mess dress.
Who should have the final word during speeches?
The Commanding Officer