Mess dinners are a longstanding tradition in the Canadian Armed Forces that originated from the British army tradition in the 18th century. The Royal Canadian Air Force also celebrates this tradition with its own customs, inviting special guests, making toasts, and serving delicious food in a “formal but friendly” environment.
Our 2023 Christmas Mess Dinner evening began with cadets mingling, engaging in great conversations, and sharing laughter. From the youngest cadet, Cadet Collins (standing reading below), playing the role of the commanding officer, which came with the privilege of sitting at the head table and wearing a CO’s jacket, to the officer’s reversing roles and serving the dinner to cadets, it was a night full of fun and laughter that will be remembered for a long time.
The formal dinner filled the room with excitement and anticipation. The dinner was a scrumptious turkey and ham meal prepared by Jason Kitchen (808 Thunderbird Wing Sponsor) and our very own former cadet Isaac Waksdale (Moose). Our Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC) set up the hall with tables and chairs, the seating arrangement was carefully planned, and the plating was expertly crafted. To make it even more special, the officers served dinner to the cadets, reversing their roles for the evening. Every detail was considered to ensure a memorable experience for the cadets, who savoured the delicious food and enjoyed a time of celebration and merriment.
Air Force mess dinners are known for their playful and mischievous atmosphere, and on one occasion, Flight Sergeant Bereck was responsible for orchestrating the amusing chaos as the President of the Mess Committee (PMC) for the night. During the dinner, the PMC holds authority over most activities, and permission is required to carry out any action. You must beg forgiveness from the PMC, and there’s usually a penalty.
Sgt Bereck PMC for the night (pictured below standing with mic)
“I really enjoyed the interactions between the cadets, the fun activities, shenanigans, and laughs. Being the PMC of the dinner was a huge privilege, and I loved how I was allowed to play pranks on anyone at the dinner. My favourite penalty? When I made them do a slow march around the hall.” Sgt Bereck beamed, thinking back at the event.
The PMC has absolute authority, but that authority is vested in the mallet. So, when the mallet got ‘stolen,’ then it was the PMC who had to pay the penalty by singing “Jingle Bells” to get it back — an awesome way to pay back to the PMC. As the dinner progressed, Sgt Spry and F. Sgt Cho A. were committed to nitpicking over every tiny detail and making the PMC squirm while the cadets erupted in fits of laughter, filling the room with lively energy. From F. Sgt Cho A singing “I Want It That Way” with selected individuals who were deemed worthy of the privilege to perform, to F. Sgt Loretan singing his heart out, the cadets had a fun, memorable evening full of shenanigans. It was a memorable moment that brought everyone together in laughter and camaraderie.
The night was made possible by the parent volunteers who helped with kitchen prep, setup, plating meals, and cleanup. And the unsung heros of the night, Isaac Waksdale (Moose) including Jason Kitchen the Squadron master chefs who worked diligently behind the scenes including all their helpers who prepared left over meal packages for the cadets to share at home.
A Mess Dinner for Senior Air, Army and Sea Cadets will take place at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 on April 27, 2024. The Operations Order for the event has been issued by the Commanding Officer Capt Ruel and can be found on TEAMS and Facebook.
Author Olivia Joo
