ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE TINDAL, Australia -- Marine officers and staff noncommissioned officers, participating in Exercise Southern Frontier 2007, joined their Royal Australian Air Force counterparts for an annual Officers' and Sergeants' "Dining-In Night" at the Sergeants' Mess here Friday.
The event is the Australian Defence Force equivalent of a Marine Corps mess night, commonly known as a “Dining-In.”
The service members gathered at the Officers' Mess, where they met for a social hour prior to heading to the event's venue. Some were meeting each other for the first time while others caught up on relationships established during previous exercises.
Following the social hour, the service members made their way to the Sergeants' Mess, where they chatted a little more before taking their seats and officially beginning the dining-in.
During dinner, the service members enjoyed conversing about a number of topics.
"We talked about politics, sports, culture and the similarities and differences of our militaries," said Staff Sgt. Seth Howard, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 maintenance controller and native of Shelton, Wash.
Similar to mess nights, fines were issued for "discrepancies," such as getting up to use the restroom, making a comment that isn't approved by the president or vice president of the mess or standing on the table, as one Marine did in response to comments about his height.
"I enjoy all the banter that goes on," said Warrant Officer Peter Jackman, chairman of the mess committee. "It's quite entertaining."
A couple of Marines played customary mess night pranks, such as wearing leather flying caps and smoking cigars, behaviors that were in clear violation of the established mess rules. Most of the service members broke out in laughter during the "accused" Marines' debates with the vice president of the mess.
"The young (Marines) were really having a good time and were being the most vocal, but the (airmen) were getting in on the fun as well," said Lt. Col. Tom “Stretch” Schellin, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 Detachment officer-in-charge and native of Emmaus, Penn.
Along with the evening’s rowdiness, there was a period of quiet reflection. After dessert, the service members observed a 20-minute period of silence to honor fallen service members and give toasts.
"To the Queen! To the President of the United States of America! To the Royal Australian Air Force!" were among the toasts made by attendees.
According to Jackman, this year's dining-in marks the second occasion the Marines have attended the usually RAAF-only event.
"Every year we try to get together with the Marines," said Jackman. "I think everyone had a good time."
More than 100 service members attended the dining-in, which lasted into the morning hours.
"We learned how similar the Marine Corps and the Australian Defence Forces are and about each other. Overall, I thought it was a great opportunity," said Schellin.