My freshmen year attending Dining-Out (in 2009) was a foreign experience for me. At the time of my 1 st year, Dining-Out introduced a small sample of military culture of which I had very limited understanding. It was all so strange and so fun; the pounding of our spoons on the table for approval as opposed to clapping hands for applause; the dining-out manual we had to read beforehand (which presented manners, customs, and courtesies); the grog, a toilet with a punchbowl in it filled with a deadly mixture of random edible liquids. Dining-Out is where friendships become concreted by a reflection on the past year. It is always an experience to remember.

Concerning the grog (for those who do not know), grogging someone involves a ceremonious tradition where fellow peers call you by poem out in front of the mess for goof ups during the year; going to the grog involves drinking a nasty mess of random (but safe and non-alcoholic) ingredients. I must say as well, I have been “grogged” 4 years in a row; multiple times each year too. I feel quite honored for the 4-year achievement in spite of it being a silly ceremony.

Anyway, this last year of attending Det 685’s Dining-Out felt more familiar and comfortable than ever before. I was surrounded with people that have become brothers and sisters in service. Dining-Out is really the only event we have to cherish and remember the years past and bring to the table stories and wisdom from officers and alumni. As I look back on past years and look forward to a career in active duty Air Force, I will always remember that my friends and mentors are with me through shared memory and our shared service.