This publication supercedes A Guide for Service Customs for Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Comissioned Officers and the 1997 interim pamphlet A Guide to Protocol an Aide-memoire for RSMs, ADCs and LOs.

• CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

  • General 1.1

  • Courtesy 1.3

  • The Regimental Sergeant-Major 1.6

• CHAPTER 2 MARCHING INTO A UNIT

  • Introduction 2.1

  • Reporting to the Unit 2.4

  • Visiting a Unit 2.9

  • Annexes:

    • A. An Example of a Letter to a Commanding Officer From a Graduating Staff Cadet

    • B. An Example of a Letter to a Future Commanding Officer from an Officer on Re-posting

    • C. An Example of a Letter from a Warrant Officer or a Senior Noncommissioned Officer to the Regimental Sergeant-Major on Re-posting

• CHAPTER 3 FORMS OF ADDRESS

  • Introduction 3.1

  • Commissioned Officers 3.3

  • Subalterns 3.5

  • Warrant Officers 3.7

  • Senior Noncommissioned Officers 3.11

  • Junior Noncommissioned Officers 3.13

  • Private Soldiers 3.15

  • Officer Cadets 3.16

  • Forms of Address by Peers 3.18

  • Christian Names and Nicknames 3.19

  • The Paying of Compliments 3.21

  • Respect 3.22

  • Dignitaries 3.23

• CHAPTER 4 INVITATIONS

  • Introduction 4.1

  • Writing the Invitation 4.3

  • Timings 4.11

  • Post Nominals on Invitations 4.15

  • Addressing the Invitation and the Envelope 4.16

  • Invitations to the Governor-General 4.19

  • Acceptance and Non-Acceptance 4.20

  • Responsibilities for Invitations 4.23

  • Thank you Letters 4.24

• CHAPTER 5 ROYAL AND VICE-REGAL OCCASIONS

  • Introduction 5.1

  • Acceptance 5.3

  • Dress 5.4

  • Terminology 5.5

  • Invitations to Royal or Vice-Regal Personages 5.6

  • Personal Standard 5.8

• CHAPTER 6 POSTNOMINALS

  • Introduction 6.1

  • Use of Postnominals 6.4

  • Introductions 6.8

  • Other Postnominals 6.10

  • Corps Abbreviations 6.12

  • Honorary aide-de-camp 6.13

  • Royal Australian Navy Postnominals 6.14

  • Retired Officers 6.16

    • Annex: A. Titled Postnominals

• CHAPTER 7 SOCIAL CORRESPONDENCE

  • Introduction 7.1

  • Letters 7.4

• CHAPTER 8 THE MESS

  • Introduction 8.1

  • Functions of the Mess 8.4

  • Mess Rules 8.5

  • Mess Staff 8.7

  • Entry to the Mess 8.10

  • Guests 8.11

  • Dress in the Mess 8.17

  • Compliments, Courtesy and Mode of Address 8.18

  • Hospitality 8.25

  • Dining in the Mess 8.27

  • Newspapers and Magazines 8.30

  • Alcohol 8.31

  • Attendance at Mess Functions and Meetings 8.35

  • Officers Visiting the Sergeants’ Mess 8.37

  • Warrant Officers and Senior Noncommissioned Officers Visiting the Officers’ Mess 8.40

  • Visiting Another Mess 8.41

  • Honorary Members 8.43

• CHAPTER 9 THE MESS DINNER

  • Introduction 9.1

  • Procedure 9.4

  • Invitations 9.5

  • The Dining President 9.6

  • The Dining Vice-President 9.8

  • The Seating Plan 9.10

  • The Order of Ceremony 9.13

  • The Assembly 9.14

  • Reception of the Official Guests 9.17

  • The Move Into Dinner 9.24

  • Grace 9.34

  • The Meal 9.37

  • Passing the Port 9.50

  • The Toasts 9.57

  • The Loyal Toast 9.60

  • Toasts to Foreign Heads of State 9.62

  • Toasts to Colonels-in-Chief 9.66

  • Toasts to the Australian Army, Corps, or Regiments 9.68

  • Other Toasts 9.72

  • National Anthems 9.73

  • After Dinner Speeches 9.76

  • Withdrawal from the Table 9.81

  • In the Ante Room 9.85

  • The Departure of the Official Guests 9.87

  • The Departure of the Members and Other Guests 9.88

  • Other Services’ Traditions 9.89

  • Annexes:

    • A. Mess Dinner Seating With a Multi-leg Table Arrangement (Mixed Dinner)

    • B. Mess Dinner Seating With a Multi-leg Table Arrangement (Members Only Dinner)

    • C. Mess Dinner Seating With a Multi-leg Table Arrangement (Officers’ Mess: Members Only Dinner)

    • D. Mess Dinner Seating With a Single Table Arrangement (Mixed Dinner)

    • E. Mess Dinner Seating With a Single Table Arrangement (Members Only Dinner)

    • F. Mess Dinner Seating With a Single Table Arrangement (Officers’ Mess: Members Only Dinner)

• CHAPTER 10 DRESS

  • Introduction 10.1

• CHAPTER 11 OTHER INFORMATION

  • Introduction 11.1

  • Receiving Personages on Parade 11.2

  • Car Pennants 11.3

  • Saluting on Royal Australian Navy Ships 11.4

  • Saluting on United States Navy Ships 11.6

  • Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Ensigns 11.7

  • Other Information 11.8

  • Rank Abbreviations 11.9

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION 1

General

1.1 This manual provides advice for officers, warrant officers (WO) and noncommissioned officers (NCO) on the basic protocol procedures used within the Australian Army. It is particularly relevant to the procedures in both the officers’ and sergeants’ messes.

1.2 This manual is directed principally to officers, WO and senior noncommissioned officers (SNCO), however, there are a number of subjects included which will be of benefit to junior noncommissioned officers.

Courtesy   

1.3 Officers may occasionally find themselves under instruction by subordinate ranks. They must appreciate the difficulty in which some of these personnel, who may not have very many years experience, are placed, and help them by being considerate.

1.4 Newly commissioned officers should seek and take advice from WO and SNCO under their command. They should remember that initially they can learn more about their profession from them than they can ever impart.

1.5 WO and SNCO should impart their knowledge and experience without being either patronising or indifferent. Junior noncommissioned officers should also pass on their knowledge to young officers, remembering that the young officer of today could very well be their commanding officer in the future.

The Regimental Sergeant-Major  

1.6 The Regimental Sergeant-Major (RSM) has a special place within a unit. Invariably the RSM will be a soldier of considerable ability and experience and, as such, officers, WO and NCO can rely upon the RSM to give sound advice. The RSM has direct access to the commanding officer/commander.

1.7 The title RSM, is only to be used for those WO posted to an RSM position.

CHAPTER 2

MARCHING INTO A UNIT 2

Introduction

2.1 When informed officially of a posting all officers, and warrant officers class one (WO1) being posted as a Regimental Sergeant-Major (RSM), are to write to the commanding officer of the gaining unit. This will establish contact and allow the officer to initiate any preliminary action that may be necessary. Examples of the letters are in annexes A and B.

2.2 Other WO1 (eg a WO being posted as an RQMS) should write to the sub-unit commander.

2.3 Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) and senior noncommissioned officers (SNCO) are to write to the RSM (or equivalent, if there is no RSM) of the gaining unit (WO being posted as a BSM/CSM/SSM should also write to the BC/OC of the gaining sub-unit). An example of the letter is in annex C.

Reporting to the Unit

2.4 When marching into a unit junior officers are to report to either the adjutant or, after hours, the orderly officer (or equivalent). During this initial contact officers should seek guidance on any variations from the general customs, traditions and protocol that are described in the manual, which may apply to the unit’s day-to-day functions, or to the running of the officers’ mess.

2.5 WO and SNCO are to report to the RSM or, after hours, the orderly sergeant (or equivalent).

2.6 Junior noncommissioned officers report to the company sergeant-major or, after hours, the orderly sergeant (or equivalent).

2.7 Uniform is to be worn when reporting during normal duty hours. Neat civilian clothing may be worn when reporting during the evening or on a weekend.

2.8 Senior officers (eg the commanding officer) and the RSM are met by appointment.

Visiting a Unit

2.9 When it is planned to visit another unit (for purposes other than an official visit) it is both good manners and customary to seek permission from the unit to do so. The request should be sought as far as is possible in advance.

A. An Example of a Letter to a Commanding Officer From a Graduating Staff Cadet

B. An Example of a Letter to a Future Commanding Officer from an Officer on Re-posting

C. An Example of a Letter from a Warrant Officer or a Senior Noncommissioned Officer to the

Regimental Sergeant-Major on Re-posting

ANNEX A TO CHAPTER 2

AN EXAMPLE OF A LETTER TO A COMMANDING OFFICER FROM A GRADUATING STAFF CADET A

(a) The formal mode of address, eg ‘Dear Colonel Stanhope’, which is to be handwritten, is used when writing to an officer of field rank, or above, who is not well known to the writer.

(b) To be handwritten.

(c) The writer’s normal signature.

ANNEX B TO CHAPTER 2

AN EXAMPLE OF A LETTER TO A FUTURE COMMANDING OFFICER FROM AN OFFICER ON RE-POSTING B

• (a) Handwritten as follows:

• 'Dear Colonel Brangwin'. The rank and name is used when writing to an officer of field rank or above who is not well known to the writer.

• 'Dear Colonel' The rank alone may be used in similar cases to the above, when the officer is well known to the writer.

• 'Dear Tim'. The first name alone is used only between persons of equivalent rank, or when the person addressed is very well known to the writer.

• (b) To be handwritten.

• (c) The writer’s normal signature.

AN EXAMPLE OF A LETTER FROM A WARRANT OFFICER OR A SENIOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER TO THE REGIMENTAL SERGEANT-MAJOR ON RE-POSTING C

(a) To be handwritten.

(b) The writer’s normal signature.

CHAPTER 3

FORMS OF ADDRESS 3

Introduction

3.1 This chapter deals with the various forms of address for both military personnel and civilian dignitaries.

3.2 There are many and varied methods of addressing members of the Australian Army, however, it must be remembered that junior ranks are NEVER to be referred to, at any time, by their family name only.

Commissioned Officers   

3.3 Officers are addressed as follows:

a. by their seniors: by their rank and name (eg ‘Captain Jones’) or their appointment (eg ‘QM’); and

b. by their juniors: ‘sir’ or ‘ma'am’.

3.4 It is acceptable, however, for junior ranked officers to address senior officers by their rank and name provided that the word ‘sir/ma’am’ is attached at the end (eg ‘Major Phelps sir’).

Subalterns

3.5 Subalterns may be referred to, by senior ranks, as either ‘lieutenant’ or ‘Mr/Miss’ (eg Mr Andrews); married female officers are still, in this context, referred to as Miss.

3.6 Junior ranks may also address subalterns as ‘Mr/Miss’, however, unless the situation dictates differently, ‘sir/ma’am’ is to be added (eg ‘Mr West sir’).

Warrant Officers

3.7 Senior ranks address warrant officers (WO) by their appointment, if they hold one (eg ‘RSM’, ‘BG’, or ‘CSM’) or, if not, by their rank (eg ‘Warrant Officer Creek’ or ‘warrant officer’). They are not addressed personally by their class (eg they are not addressed as ‘Warrant Officer Class One’), nor are they addressed as ‘Mr’.

3.8 Only WO holding a sergeant-major appointment are addressed as ‘sergeant-major’.

3.9 WO are addressed by junior ranks as sir/ma’am at all times, however, if they hold an appointment they may be so addressed, providing ‘sir/ma’am’ is attached (eg ‘CSM sir’). Junior ranks never address WO by their appointment alone, nor do they refer to them as ‘sergeant-major’.

3.10 WO hold a warrant, hence the name; WO are not noncommissioned officers and, therefore, are not to be referred to as such.

Senior Noncommissioned Officers

3.11 Both senior and junior ranks address senior noncommissioned officers by either their appointment, if they hold one, their rank, or their rank and name (eg ‘chief clerk’, ‘BQMS’, ‘sergeant’, or ‘Sergeant Renton’); it is acceptable for certain appointments to be abbreviated (eg ‘chief’ or ‘BQ’).

3.12 Staff sergeants are generally referred to as ‘staff’.

3.13 Both senior and junior ranks also address junior noncommissioned officers by their rank, or rank and name (eg ‘corporal’ or ‘Bombardier Thumpkins’).

3.14 Lance corporals, and lance bombardiers, are normally referred to as either ‘corporal’ or ‘bombardier’.

Private Soldiers

3.15 Private soldiers are referred to by their rank or, their rank and name (eg ‘trooper’ or ‘Sapper Gough’).

Officer Cadets

3.16 Officer cadets are addressed as ‘cadet’; if they hold an appointment, or have cadet rank, they are addressed by either that appointment or rank (eg ‘BSM’ or ‘Sergeant O’Sullivan’).

3.17 Officer cadets refer to noncommissioned officers and private soldiers by their rank. They address both commissioned officers and WO as ‘sir/ma’am’ at ALL times.

Forms of Address by Peers

3.18 Personnel of the same rank normally address their peers by their first name, however, it is acceptable to use the person's rank or appointment (eg ‘RSM’ or ‘sergeant’).

Christian Names and Nicknames 

3.19 It is acceptable, in most cases, for a senior rank to address a junior rank by their first name if they are well known to each other, however, it must only be used at a suitable time and place.

3.20 It is also acceptable to address a junior rank by a nickname, however, it too must be used at an acceptable time and place, and the name must not be inappropriate or offensive to the person concerned.

The Paying of Compliments

3.21 When saluted by other ranks it is courtesy for commissioned officers to return the salute and verbally acknowledge the soldiers concerned by their rank or appointment; it is unacceptable for officers to say ‘thank you’.

Respect

3.22 All personnel, regardless of rank, gender, religion, or race are to be treated with respect.

Dignitaries

3.23 Table 3–1 explains the various forms of address to be used for a range of dignitaries and appointments.

3.24 For personnel, or appointments, that are not covered in the table, see Asher Joel’s book ‘Australian Protocol and Procedures’.

3.25 Other introductions are discussed in chapter 9—‘The Mess Dinner’.

 3–3

• Notes

  • (a) Forms of address may change from Governor-General to Governor-General. For formal invitations etc and inscriptions on plaques the style is: ‘His Excellency the Honourable Sir William Deane, AC, KBE, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia’.

  • (b) A state governor, when outside his/her state is referred to as being the governor of that state, however, the title ‘excellency’ is not used (eg within the state the personage would be referred to as ‘His Excellency the Governor of South Australia’; outside the state it would be ‘Major General Miles, the Governor of South Australia’).

• 3–6

• (c) Ministers and shadow ministers who are senators are addressed as ‘The Minister for.........., Senator, (the Honourable) (first and family name)’.

• (d) If the shadow minister has held a portfolio in a former government he/she is addressed as ‘The Honourable.....’.

• (e) Senators who are shadow ministers are addressed as ‘Senator’.

• (f) All mayors, male and female, use the same form of address.

• (g) Mayors’ wives are addressed as ‘Madam Mayoress’ and mayors’ husbands are addressed as ‘Mr (Dr etc.) (family name)’.

• (h) Check with the appropriate council for the correct term (i.e. alderman or councillor).

• (i) For written forms of Address see Asher Joel’s book ‘Australian Protocol and Procedures’.

3.26 When personally introducing one of the above personages an example of the form of address, by the person conducting the introduction, is as follows:

a. ‘Sir William (Lady Deane, minister, Mr..., Mrs...) may I present Mr and Mrs.... ‘.

3.27 The junior person (in age, rank or position) is introduced to the senior; however, in normal day-to-day situations a gentleman is introduced to a lady (eg ‘....may I present Mr Miles’).

Introduction 4.1

4.1 This chapter deals with invitations to social and mess functions; other forms of social correspondence are dealt with in chapter 7.

4.2 The more relaxed conventions of recent years are not an excuse for poor manners. As a host, a member should issue social invitations in time to give guests at least a fortnight in which to reply and, in consideration of the host, replies to any invitation should be prompt.

Writing the Invitation   

4.3 Invitations are generally on a plain white card, 150 mm wide, by 115 mm high. The regimental/unit crest is positioned at the top centre of the card and the printing is to be in copperplate, or a similar style type (see figure 4–1). Type styles are not to be mixed.

4.4 The inserts in invitations are to be hand written, not typed.

4.5 The essential features of every invitation are as follows:

• a. the host;

• b. the guest;

• c. the occasion;

• d. the place;

• e. the time; and

• f. the dress (dress requirements are to be clear on all invitations, however, should the dress not be clear, the guest should check with the host or hostess).

4.6 Invitations from an officers’ mess are to be in the name of the Commanding Officer or the commander. Invitations from a sergeants’ mess are to be in the name of the PMC.

4.7 Invitations from a composite officers’ mess are to be from the PMC (a composite mess is a mess, other than a brigade or a divisional mess, where more than one unit shares the mess facilities).

4.8 Invitations from a composite sergeants’ mess are to be from the mess PMC.

4.9 When addressing an official invitation to attend a mess, unit, social or private function the envelope is addressed to the member.

4.10 Official invitations to serving personnel are addressed to the member’s unit, whilst invitations to ex-members, or non-serving members, are sent to the guest’s home address.

Timings

4.11 Timings are to be written in a non-military style (eg 7.30 pm, NOT 1930 hours).

4.12 Mess function timings for members and unofficial guests state the time the mess is to be assembled and the time dinner is to be served, eg ‘7.00 pm for 7.30 pm’ means that everyone is to be in the mess by 7.00 ready to receive the official guests.

4.13 The first time on an official guest's invitation (eg ‘7.10 pm’) is the time the official guest is to arrive at the mess.

4.14 All official guests are expected to arrive at functions at the actual time stated, and should not remain beyond any stipulated finish time. Members and guests do not leave a function until the senior official guest(s) has departed.

Table 4–1: Example of an Invitation

• Notes

  • (a) The name of the person(s) to be invited.

  • (b) The occasion (eg ‘a Regimental Dining-in Night’, ‘a Cocktail Party’).

  • (c) Location.

  • (d) The date (eg ‘Tuesday, 19 September 1997’).

  • (e) The time (eg ‘7.10 pm for 7.30 pm’).

  • (f) The dress.

Post Nominals on Invitations 

4.15 With the exception of VC, CV, MP, and RAN (see chapter 6, paragraph 6.12), post nominals are NOT included on invitations; they are, however, used on the invitation’s envelope.

Addressing the Invitation and the Envelope   

4.16 Invitations are addressed to the guests, whilst the envelope is addressed to either the serving member (or ex-member) or, in the case of a civilian, the man.

4.17 Below are examples of addressing the invitations:

a. To a defence member and his wife (Brigadier B.M. Mummery is an Officer of the Order of Australia):

Brigadier and Mrs A.J. Mummery

b. To a Defence Member and his friend:

 Captain B.A. Reading and Miss D. Wilson

c. To a Defence Member (Warrant Officer Austen is a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia):

d. To a civilian and his wife:

• Notes

  • Brigadier Mummery’s and Warrant Officer Austen’s post Nominals are not used.

  • All ranks are written in full.

  • If a guest is invited to bring a partner then every effort is to be made to make known that person’s name;

  • no invitation should ever read: ‘...and Partner’, or ‘...and Guest’. No invitation is to ever read: ‘.... and Wife’.

• a. Brigadier and Mrs A.J. Mummery:

• b. Captain B.A. Reading and Miss D. Wilson:

• c. Warrant Officer Class One T.L. Austen:

• d. Mr and Mrs R. Orr:

Invitations to the Governor-General 4.19

4.19 For invitations to the Governor-General see chapter 5.

Acceptance and Non-Acceptance

4.20 Examples of an acceptance to an invitation and a non-acceptance are shown in figures 4–2 and 4–3 respectively.

4.18 Below are examples of addressing the envelopes for the above four guests:

4.21 In both cases the replies are to be hand written.

4.22 Acceptance to a Royal or Vice-Regal invitation are covered in chapter 5.

Responsibilities for Invitations 4.23

4.23 The responsibilities for the issuing of invitations to Royal, vice-regal personages, senior politicians and officers is laid down in annex A to chapter 3 of the Ceremonial Manual 1998.

Thank you Letters 4.24

4.24 It is courtesy and good manners to send a letter of appreciation to the host of a function after the event. The reply should be handwritten and, if possible, sent off on the day following the occasion.

CHAPTER 5

ROYAL AND VICE-REGAL OCCASIONS 5

Introduction 5.1

5.1 An invitation to a Royal, or Vice-Regal occasion is a command and non-acceptance is not an option, therefore an invitation is to be accepted and every effort is to be made to attend.

5.2 These invitations are to be accepted formally in writing to the Invitations Officer at Government House. However, if a member is unable to attend, the Invitations Officer is to be advised personally of the circumstances by telephone on (02) 6283 3524.

Acceptance

5.3 An example of an acceptance, which is to be hand-written, is shown in figure 5–1.

Dress   

5.4 The various dress requirements for functions at government houses are laid down in annex A to chapter 2 of Army Standing Orders for Dress, volume 2.

Terminology   

5.5 The following timing terminology is often used in regard to receptions at various government houses:

• a. ‘Reception within Government House’. This is the time guests are both admitted and welcomed into the House.

• b. ‘Carriages’ or ‘Cars At’. This is the time for guests to depart. It is expected that all guests depart at this time.

Invitations to Royal or Vice-Regal Personages

5.6 The procedure for inviting a Royal or vice-regal personage to a ceremonial parade or function is laid down in annex A to chapter 3 of the Ceremonial Manual 1998.

5.7 A vice-regal personage is to be treated as such, on all occasions, regardless of the reason for the invitation, or the attendance (eg a governor attending a regimental dinner in another capacity such as a former CO, or an honorary colonel, is to be invited, received, addressed and treated as a vice-regal personage; see note (a) to figure 3–1).

5–2

Personal Standard 5.8

5.8 For official visits by the Governor-General there is a requirement to obtain, before the visit, the Governor-General’s personal flag. There are two different size flags and the size required will depend on the size of the flag pole it will be flying from. The sizes available are:

5.9  

Aide to the Governor-General

Government House

Dunrossil Drive

CANBERRA ACT 2600

5.10 The flag may also be borrowed by ringing Government House on:

(02) 6283 3520 or (02) 6283 3522.

5.11 The same procedure can be used for borrowing state governors’ flags; simply contact the appropriate (state) government house. The flags vary in design, from state-to-state (see chapter 22 of the Ceremonial Manual 1998).

CHAPTER 6

POSTNOMINALS 6

Introduction 

6.1 Whilst there are a great range of postnominals which may be used in the ‘wider world’, those listed in chapter 30 of Army Standing Orders for Dress, ‘Orders, Decorations and Medals’, are the ones generally accepted and commonly used by Defence Service personnel. However, there are times when it would be appropriate for Service personnel to use other post-nominals (eg civil academic post-nominals) and these are covered at paragraph 6.10.

6.2 Postnominals are written without full stops and are separated from the family name by a comma; when several postnominals occur after a family name, commas are inserted between them.

6.3 There is no postnominal for the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

Use of Postnominals

6.4 Postnominals ARE used in the following circumstances:

• a. in address blocks on envelopes;

• b. in address blocks on letters;

• c. in demi-official letter signature blocks;

• d. on signs, such as door signs or display signs (eg honour boards, and on boards notifying

• visits to a mess or, personnel attending a conference);

• e. in directories; and

• f. on business cards.

6.5 Postnominals ARE NOT used in the following circumstances:

• a. on place cards;

• b. on invitations, with the exception of RAN (see paragraph 6.14), VC, CV, and MP;

• c. in normal text writing (see paragraph 6.7) and duty rosters;

• d. correspondence intended for distribution within the Defence Organisation (eg minutes, facsimiles).

6.6 Postnominals are not normally used in signature blocks, however, they may be used if it is deemed they are necessary on appropriate occasions (see paragraph 6.10).

6.7 When writing text postnominals are used sparingly. It may be necessary, for a particular reason, to mention a person's postnominals but, having mentioned them once they would not be used again when the name appears.

Introductions

6.8 When introducing guests at mess dinners, parades, and other such functions, postnominals are NOT used (eg Colonel King, CSC, would be introduced as ‘Colonel King’).

6.9 Postnominals are NOT used either when talking about a person (eg a presenter would not say: ‘The RSM is Warrant Officer Class One Austen, OAM’).

Other Postnominals

6.10 A member of the Defence Force, who is a Justice of the Peace, is not entitled to use the postnominal ‘JP’ in relation to military documentation.

6–2

6.11 Academic qualifications post-nominals are not normally used by Military personnel, however, they may be used in appropriate circumstances (eg an annual ‘Corps Officers List’ which includes, for general information, such postnominals as: jssc, psc). Academic postnominals (eg BA or PhD) may also be used on appropriate occasions such as academic conferences.

Corps Abbreviations   

6.12 Corps abbreviations (eg RAA) are not accepted postnominals.

Honorary aide-de-camp  

6.13 The postnominal ADC (aide-de-camp) is used by senior officers who have been listed as an Honorary ADC. Once the officer ceases to hold the appointment the postnominal is no longer used.

Royal Australian Navy Postnominals   

6.14 Officers of the Royal Australian Navy are permitted to use the postnominal RAN.

6.15 For invitations that include an officer’s spouse the postnominal RAN is not used (eg an invitation could read: ‘Admiral A. Jones-Smith, AO, RAN, invites Captain C. Hornblower, RAN...’, or

it could read: ‘Admiral and Mrs A. Jones-Smith invite Captain and Mrs C. Hornblower...')

Retired Officers

6.16 All officers who have been retired from the ARA and Reserve Forces (including inactive reserve and emergency reserves) are, with the approval of the Chief of Army, permitted to use the postnominal ‘(Retd)’ (note that the abbreviation is contained in parenthesis, eg Brigadier V. Williams (Retd)).

6.17 The abbreviation is also used by retired officers of both the RAN and the RAAF.

A. Titled Postnominals

ANNEX A TO CHAPTER 6

TITLED POSTNOMINALS A

1. The Australian Army still deals with a number of personages who hold Imperial and Australian titles; below is an abbreviated list of these titles (in order of precedence) and their corresponding postnominals:

• a. KG Knight of the Order of the Garter;

• b. KT Knight of the Order of the Thistle;

• c. AK/AD Knight of the Order of Australia/Dame of the Order of Australia;

• d. GCMG Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George;

• e. GCVO Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order;

• f. GBE Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire;

• g. KCB Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath;

• h. DCB Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath;

• i. KCMG Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George;

• j. DCMG Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George;

• k. KCVO Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order;

• l. DCVO Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order;

• m. KBE Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire;

• n. DBE Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire; and

• o. Knight Bachelor (1).

A Knight Bachelor is addressed as ‘Sir/Dame...’ (eg ‘Sir David’), but has no postnominal. Any other postnominals held are shown.

CHAPTER 7

SOCIAL CORRESPONDENCE 7

Introduction

7.1 An officer, warrant officer or a noncommissioned officer may expect to correspond a great deal and should take pains to develop a crisp, natural style of writing. Good quality stationery should be used, preferably plain A4 size writing paper folded to A5 size.

7.2 Social correspondence may be divided into letters, invitations and replies. The detailed form of each will vary and depend on the person being addressed.

7.3 Invitations are dealt with in chapters 4 and 5, and letters to commanding officers and Regimental Sergeant-Majors, prior to marching into a unit, are covered in chapter 2.

Letters

7.4 Apart from official letters, an officer may expect to write private and demi-official letters. The style used in private letters is a matter for the individual to decide but, as a rule, such letters should not be typed. The style used in a demi-official letter should be friendly but, not familiar, particularly with persons senior to, or not well known by, the writer.

7.5 The final greeting should be handwritten and followed by the signature to which no rank is to be added.

7.6 The rank, name, decorations (postnominals) and address of the recipient are usually positioned at the top left-hand corner of the page (below the senders details) and on the envelope.

Ensure that the details are correct, since it is discourteous to use incorrect initials or spelling, or to omit a postnominal.

CHAPTER 8

THE MESS 8

Introduction

8.1 The officers’ and the sergeant’ messes are unique institutions developed in the British Army.

They are peculiar to Commonwealth Armies and lack exact counterparts in other armies.

8.2 An officer once retained private servants whose duties included transporting his baggage, tending his horse, preparing his quarters and arranging his meals. There is no record of officers dining together on a regular basis, with a common shared bill of fare, prior to 1740. This is generally recognised as the beginning of the officers’ mess and, in time, the sergeants’ mess was also established.

8.3 The mess, in general terms, refers to the buildings and surrounding areas belonging to the mess (eg car park, outdoor drinking facilities and barbecue area, gardens, swimming pool, tennis court etc); it also refers to any detached accommodation buildings.

Functions of the Mess

8.4 The mess plays an important part in the life of a corps, regiment, or a unit. The mess is the place in which all members may meet on a more-or-less equal social footing. Although the mess is the home of the officers, and the warrant officers and senior noncommissioned officers, of a corps, regiment, or a unit, it is also very much the home of the living-in members. The conduct of members follows a pattern based on traditional customs and procedures.

Mess Rules

8.5 The management of each mess is the responsibility of the members. The constitution and rules for the conduct of messes are laid down in Defence Instruction (Army) Administration 46–2—Constitution and Rules for Officers’ and Sergeants’ Messes’. These rules are not unnecessarily restrictive but, they ensure the smooth operation of the mess for the benefit of all the members and their guests.

8.6 A mess will also have it’s own local mess rules pertaining to dress (in line with those laid down in the Chief of Army’s Army Standing Orders for Dress), dining and bar timings etc. It is the individual responsibility of each member to be familiar with these local rules immediately on entering a mess.

Mess Staff   

8.7 Mess staff are to be treated with courtesy and consideration, without encouraging familiarity. All mess staff are to be addressed by their rank or title. Civilian or contractor's employees are to be referred to as Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms... (family name) ... as appropriate. The staff are not to be employed on personal errands.

8.8 Any complaints on mess matters, or in regard to the way the staff carry out their duties, are to be addressed to the appropriate mess committee member and not to the mess staff.

8.9 It must be remembered that, in some messes, the staff are regimental soldiers who have not been trained in the jobs that they are performing within the mess; they are to be treated with extra patience and consideration.

Entry to the Mess  

8.10 Visitors to a mess (both serving members of the Defence Force and civilian personnel), are to ring the door bell and wait at the entrance until either a member of the mess or the staff invites them in.

Guests

8.11 Guests to a mess are to be entertained by their host. Hosts are responsible for their guests, including their conduct, and is to ensure that the guests are familiar with the mess customs and procedures. It is also courtesy for guests, military or civilian, to sign the visitor’s book when visiting the mess.

8.12 Guests are to be introduced to the Commanding Officer (CO)/Regimental Sergeant-Major (RSM) and/or the President of the Mess Committee (PMC) as soon as possible on arrival in the mess. If these people are not in the mess when a guest arrives the guest is to be introduced to the senior member present, and as soon as the CO/RSM and/or the PMC arrives the guest is to be introduced.

8.13 A host is to arrange for guests to say goodbye to the CO/RSM and/or the PMC before they depart and, a host is not to depart from the mess before their guests.

8.14 A spouse, who is not a member of the mess, is to be treated as a guest at all times.

8.15 Mess members whose spouses are Service members, and whose ranks do not entitle them to mess membership may, with the approval of the CO/RSM or the PMC, be accompanied by their spouses on occasions when mixed functions are held, provided uniform is not worn and normal courtesy is observed to superior ranking officers.

8.16 Hosts should attend to their guests needs and well being and members should mix freely with guests, making them feel welcome.

Dress in the Mess

8.17 Members and their guests are to maintain high standards of dress within the mess. Local mess rules, based on Army Standing Orders for Dress, are to stipulate the standard of dress that is acceptable.

Members are responsible, at all times, for the standard of dress of their guests.

Compliments, Courtesy and Mode of Address

8.18 The exchange of compliments is an expression of mutual respect and is not to be interpreted as a mark of servility, therefore each senior rank, or office, must be given the appropriate compliment, and a compliment from a subordinate rank must be acknowledged.

8.19 There are two ways of paying compliments in a mess; rising from a chair or, if standing, coming to attention. Each, depending on the situation, is appropriate.

8.20 It is courtesy for those who are present to pay compliments to general officers, commanders, commandants and their equivalents, COs, RSMs and PMCs when they enter and depart the mess. Members who enter the mess after these people are to pay their respects as soon as is possible and when a member leaves the mess he/she is to say farewell to the above mentioned personages.

8.21 Compliments are also paid to civilian women and, in a sergeants' mess, to officers, and functional command and formation RSMs visiting the mess.

8.22 Officers, warrant officers and noncommissioned officers are to treat their seniors with the courtesy due to their rank and/or position. As a guideline people within a mess are addressed as follows:

• a. persons of equal rank address each other by their first name;

• b. juniors normally address their seniors by either ‘sir/ma'am’ or their rank and name;

• c. in an officers’ mess lieutenants address the unit adjutant as ‘sir/ma’am’; and

• d. in a sergeants’ mess the RSM and the PMC are addressed as ‘sir/ma’am’.

8.23 In a mess officers or warrant officers, when not on duty, may invite persons junior in rank to address them by their first name. Major generals and lieutenant generals are addressed as ‘general’ and lieutenant colonels are addressed as ‘colonel’.

8.24 When members introduce non-Service guests to senior Military persons it is natural and acceptable to use the senior person's rank. Senior persons should then, upon being introduced, inform the guests of their first name.

Hospitality

8.25 A mess is generally judged by the way it's members treat their guests. If a visitor is initially unaccompanied, a mess member should, without hesitation, greet and entertain the visitor until the visitor’s host arrives.

8.26 Visiting Service personnel to the mess should also be made to feel welcome and introduced around to the other members present.

Dining in the Mess

8.27 Formal meals are under the control of the dining president and are to follow the procedure for a formal mess dinner as laid down in chapter 9.

8.28 At informal meals members may either enter or leave the dining room within the hours laid down by the mess committee and, with the exception of the CO, RSM and the PMC, there are no reserved seats.

8.29 Should a member or a guest have a special dietary requirement the member is to inform the dining member in advance.

Newspapers and Magazines   

8.30 Newspapers are normally read in either the ante-room or reading room, however, it is acceptable for newspapers and magazines to be read at the breakfast table.

Alcohol

8.31 There is no custom or tradition that requires mess members to accept an invitation to drink with their fellow members, or to drink alcoholic beverages at all; on the contrary, excessive indulgence is not to be tolerated and is a sign of a lack of self-discipline. No embarrassment is to be caused to those who decline to have an alcoholic drink. Members are only required to pay for their own drinks, or for personal guests. Members and guests are not under any obligation to join a ‘shout’.

8.32 Any ceremony or activity that requires, or encourages, the excessive consumption of alcohol is not permitted.

8.33 Only in exceptional circumstances, and with the approval of the CO, is alcohol to be consumed during normal duty hours. Alcohol is not to be consumed before or during periods of rostered duty.

8.34 Where the mess invites official guests to a function all the mess members are to share the costs as determined by the mess committee

Attendance at Mess Functions and Meetings   

8.35 The mess committee may deem certain selected functions (eg dining-in nights) as compulsory attendance by all members. Members wishing to be excused from such functions are to write to the mess secretary seeking exemption, however, such requests should not be assumed as being automatically granted.

8.36 Mess general meetings are also compulsory.

Officers Visiting the Sergeants’ Mess

8.37 The sergeants’ mess is the home of the warrant officers and senior noncommissioned officers and must only be visited by officers as follows:

• a. when invited by the RSM/PMC of the mess, and

• b. with the permission of the PMC of the officers’ mess and the CO of the sergeants’ mess.

8.38 When officers have been invited to a sergeants’ mess their hosts rightfully expect behaviour of the same standard that the officers expect from their guests. The normal courtesies are to be paid on arrival and departure to the RSM and/or PMC of the sergeants' mess. Members of the sergeants’ mess are to be treated with friendly courtesy.

8.39 The CO, or the senior officer present, may be expected to give lead when it is time to depart and other officers are to conform so that they do not overstay their welcome.

8–4

Warrant Officers and Senior Noncommissioned Officers Visiting the Officers’ Mess

8.40 Warrant officers and senior noncommissioned officers are normally only invited to the officers’ mess during the annual visit by all members of the sergeants’ mess. The CO of a unit may, however, occasionally invite the RSM to the officers’ mess for special occasions.

Visiting Another Mess

8.41 If staying overnight at another mess it is acceptable to proceed directly to the appropriate mess on arrival at the unit and seek out the mess manager/supervisor (by going to the front door and ringing the bell). Once accommodated the guest should then report to, or get in touch with, either the adjutant or the RSM (whichever is relevant).

8.42 When departing the unit it is customary to strip the bed and fold the linen. It is also good manners to send a letter of thanks to the PMC and/or the CO/RSM.

Honorary Members

8.43 Honorary members of a mess are normally either ex-military personnel or civilians who have been nominated to and accepted by the mess committee. The following personages are also honorary members of all Army messes:

• a. the Governor-General and the Governor-General’s personal staff;

• b. state governors and their personal staff; and

• c. administrators of the territories of the Commonwealth and the territories administered by the Commonwealth.

8.44 Honorary memberships cannot be granted for life and they are to be reviewed annually by the mess committee.

CHAPTER 9

THE MESS DINNER 9

Introduction

9.1 The Formal Mess Dinner, commonly referred to as the Dining in Night, is an Army tradition.

Over time simple procedures have become established practices and they impart a graciousness to the occasion not often found elsewhere. The Dinner is a regular feature of mess life.

9.2 These Dinners differ from informal and formal meals, in so far as all members of the mess are required to attend and guests may also be invited. A member may only be excused from a Formal Dinner with the permission of the President of the Mess Committee (PMC).

9.3 This chapter should be read in conjunction with Chapter 8.

Procedure

9.4 A similar Dinner procedure is to be followed in all messes and minor variations, for no apparent reason, are not to occur, however, real customs that have some true regimental/corps basis are encouraged, except where they may contravene Army policy, or military/civil law.

Invitations

9.5 Invitations to a mess dinner are dealt with in chapter 4.

The Dining President 9.6

9.6 The Dinner is under the control of the Dining President who is appointed by the PMC. Any member may be appointed as the Dining President, including the CO, the RSM, or the PMC.

9.7 Whilst the planning of the Dinner is the responsibility of the PMC and the mess committee, it is the Dining President who is responsible for the actual conduct of the Dinner on the evening in question; the Dining President is to ensure that all the customs and traditions of both the mess and the Dinner are observed.

The Dining Vice-President 9.8

9.8 The Dining Vice-President is normally a junior member of the mess and is appointed by the PMC to assist the Dinning Preside

9.9 The Dining Vice-President may be referred to as ‘Dining Vice-President’, however, the term more commonly used is ‘Mr Vice’, regardless of gender.

The Seating Plan 

9.10 When male and females are present at a dinner together the following guidelines for the seating arrangements should be observed:

• a. As far as possible men and women should be seated alternately.

• b. Spouses/partners should normally be seated opposite, or diagonally opposite each

• other however, if a member is bringing a new partner to the Dinner it is acceptable to

• have the couple sitting next to each other).

• c. The Dining President is seated at the centre of the main (‘top’) table (if the seating

• arrangements employ either a T, U, or a multi-leg shaped layout; see annexes A, B

• and C). If a single table is to be used the President is positioned in the centre of one side

• of the table with, if possible, the National Flags, or the Colours, behind the President (see annexes D, E and F).

• d. At a ‘Members only Dinner’ the senior official guest sits to the right of the Dining President and the second senior official guest to the President’s left. If possible the CO (RSM), the unit 2IC and the mess secretary should also sit at the ‘top’ table.

e. At a ‘Mixed’ Dinner the senior official guest sits to the right of the Dining President and the guest's wife/husband sits to the President's left; the wife/husband of the President sits to the right of the senior official guest. If possible, the seating should then alternate male-female around the table(s).

f. The Dining Vice-President is positioned, if the seating arrangements employ either a T, U, or a multi-leg shaped layout, at the end of the left-hand table (looking up towards the ‘top’ table). If a single table arrangement is set-up the Vice-President is positioned at the end of the table, to the President’s right (an experienced and responsible member should be positioned next to, or near, the Vice-President to guide the member through the evening’s proceedings).

9.11 The other official guests may be seated at the ‘top’ table, or they may be evenly spread around the other tables, intermingled with the mess members

9.12 There is no requirement for the official guest’s personal host to sit with the guest during the Dinner.

The Order of Ceremony 9.13

9.13 The Order of Ceremony for a Formal Mess Dinner is as follows:

• a. assembly of the mess members and unofficial guests;

• b. reception of the official guest(s);

• c. move into dinner;

• d. marching-in the Colours;

• e. grace;

• f. the meal;

• g. passing the port;

• h. the toasts;

• i. speeches;

• j. marching-out the Colours;

• k. withdrawal from the table;

• l. coffee (and drinks) in the ante room;

• m. departure of the official guest(s); and

• n. departure of the members and other guests.

The Assembly 9.14

9.14 The first timing on an invitation is that time which all the members of the mess are to be assembled in the mess ante room (or any other nominated location) for the receiving of the official guests. The second timing is that expected for moving into the dinner (eg 7.00 for 7.30 means all members are to be assembled by 7 o’clock).

9.15 The only drinks to be served prior to dinner are sherry or non-alcoholic beverages (normally orange juice).

9.16 All guests and members are to sign the visitors’ book on arrival at the mess.

Reception of the Official Guests

9.17 Official guests are given exact times to arrive and it is courtesy that they arrive at the requested time and not earlier, nor later.

9.18 Members of the mess, nominated by the Dining President, are allocated to each official guest to act as their personal hosts for the evening.

9.19 If the Dinner is a mixed occasion, and the guest is accompanied, there is to be a host and

9.20 The procedure for receiving official guests is as follows:

• a. the guest is received, if possible, just outside the front door to the mess by the Dining President, assisted by the guest’s personal host;

• b. the Dining President introduces the guest to the PMC and the CO (RSM);

• c. the guest is asked to sign the visitors’ book;

• d. the guest is provided with a refreshment by the host;

• e. the guest is then introduced to the members and guests by the Dining Vice-President (this is normally carried-out by the Vice-President ringing a bell, to which all talking and drinking ceases and the members and guests turn to face the guest); and f. the host then escorts the official guest around the room, personally introducing the members and guests (this is carried-out naturally and without fuss; it is not important that the guest gets around the whole mess before dinner).

9.21 When introducing guests at a mess function (or any other function, including parades) initials and post-nominals are NOT used (eg the correct method of introducing Brigadier A.J. Mummery, AO, the Commander of 2nd Brigade is: ‘Gentlemen, the Brigade Commander, Brigadier Mummery’ or,

9.22 A Knight would be introduced as ‘Sir Richard Reading’ or, ‘Sir Richard and Lady Reading’.

9.23 If there is more than one official guest to be received the junior guest arrives first with the senior guest arriving last.

The Move Into Dinner

9.24 Five minutes before moving into dinner members and guests are advised that dinner is about to be served. This may be done verbally, with the Dining Vice-President saying: ‘Gentlemen (ladies and gentlemen), five minutes’. However, this may also announced by means of a bugle call (‘Warning for Dinner’); with a large gathering, or with a mixed dinner, it may be advisable to give a 10 minute warning.

9.25 At the appropriate time, and satisfied that all the guests and members are ready, the Vice-President will announce that dinner is served. This is normally done with the Vice-President asking:

‘Gentlemen (ladies and gentlemen) would you please accompany the Dining President and his (her) guests into dinner’ (the verbal announcement may be replaced by the playing of ‘Mess Call’).

9.26 The Dining President accompanies the ‘top’ table official guests to their seats. The other official guests are accompanied to their seats by their personal hosts. It is the responsibly of all personal hosts to be familiar with their guests seating arrangements and ensure that the guests are advised of where their seats are before moving into the dinner.

9.27 At ‘mixed’ dinners it is the gentlemen's responsibility to check the seating plan and seek out (at least five minutes prior to moving into dinner) the lady who will be sitting to their right.

9.28 The members and other guests follow on immediately behind the official guests and all members and guests move to a position behind their seats. At ‘mixed’ dinners the gentlemen escort in the ladies who will be sitting to their right by offering the ladies their left arm.

9–4

9.29 The Dining Vice-President assures that all the guests and members have moved in for dinner and then takes up the appropriate position at the table. When in position the Dining Vice-President reports: ‘Sir (ma’m); the Mess is assembled’.

9.30 The tables in the dining room are set for the exact number of guests and members, however, if for any reason there is a vacant place the spare table settings and chair are to be removed by the mess stewards and the gap is to be, as best as is possible, closed-up. This should be completed, if possible, before dinner is served.

9.31 No member or guest is to enter the dining room after the Dining Vice-President.

9.32 If a piper, or a band is present, the ‘Army March’, or the appropriate regimental march, may be played as the members and guests make their way to their seats. The piper leads the President and official guests into the dining room and, standing at a suitable position, continues to play. Once everyone is at their seat the piper ceases playing and marches-out of the room.

9.33 If Colours (etc.) are to be marched-in the Dining President, once the Mess is assembled, orders: ‘March-in the Colours’.

Grace

9.34 Once the mess is assembled, the Colours (if applicable) are in place and the Colour party has retired, the Dining President asks the chaplain, if present, or one of the members to say grace.

9.35 Grace should be short and, if the regimental or corps in question has a laid down form of grace, it is to be said.

9.36 At the conclusion of grace the Dining President is the first to be seated; however, if the President is a gentleman and there is a lady beside him, he should pull-out her chair and assist her to sit before sitting himself. This gesture is also carried-out by the remaining gentlemen for the ladies to their right.

The Meal

9.37 The Dinner may consist of either three or four courses:

• a. an appetiser,

• b. an entree,

• c. the main course, and

• d. dessert.

9.38 The first course (the appetiser, if on the menu, or the entree) should be, if possible, already

9.39 The first person to be served is the Dining President and no one is to commence eating until the President does so. The President does not start eating, however, until all of the ‘top’ table is served or, at a single table setting, until the entire table is served. The President should commence eating as soon as possible so as to prevent the hot meals from cooling down.

9.40 The Vice-President is served immediately after the President.

9.41 There should be one food steward for no more than 10 stations (places) when employing plated service or, six stations if employing silver (or spoon and fork) service. At each station the food is served in a clockwise direction.

9.42 Beverages are also served in a clockwise direction, again starting with the President and the Vice-President.

9.43 Diners are to be offered a choice between wines and non-alcoholic beverages and they are both to be served concurrently throughout the dinner.

9.44 Plates and food are served from the left of the diner and finished plates are also removed from the left; drink is poured from the diner’s right.

9.45 The mess supervisor is to be positioned in a suitable location convenient to the Dining President. The supervisor is to control and supervise the stewards throughout the Dinner and, at the same time, be attentive to both the President and the Vice-President for any instructions.

9.46 Should the Dining Vice-President be called away from the table, for any reason, a junior officer (sergeant) sitting near to the Vice-President is to stand-in until Vice-President’s return.

9.47 Normally there is no break during a Dinner, however, there may be some occasions when it would be suitable to do so; in this case the break is conducted between the main meal and dessert.

Should a guest have to leave the table during the Dinner the departure should be done quietly and without fuss, and the guest should be accompanied by the person seated to the guest’s left 

9.48 If a band is present, unobtrusive music may be played throughout the Dinner.

9.49 At the completion of the dessert the stewards clear the table(s). The only items to be left are the following:

• a. port glasses;

• b. table centre pieces and trophies;

• c. candelabras;

• d. floral arrangements; and

• e. the President’s hammer and gavel.

Passing the Port 9.50

9.50 Once the tables are cleared the decanters of port are brought out. One decanter is placed in front of the Dining President and another in front of the Dining Vice-President. If desired, decanters may be placed at other positions too (eg at the top and bottom of each table).

9.51 When all the decanters have been placed in position, and the excess stewards have withdrawn, the President removes the stopper from the top of the decanter, places it on the table and then pours his (her) own glass; the glass is only half-filled. The President then passes the decanter to the left (if a lady guest is to the left of a gentleman President the President fully fills her glass before passing the decanter on).

9.52 The Dining Vice-President removes the stopper from the decanter at the same time as the Dining President and follows the same procedures. Members with other decanters remove the stoppers after the President and Vice-President have done so, however, they fully fill their glasses before passing the decanters on. The glasses of lady guests are filled for them by the gentlemen on their right.

9.53 The port is always passed to the left and, with the exception of both the President and Vice-President, all members and guests glasses are fully filled.

9.54 A few stewards are to be on hand to replace any decanters that become empty, to carry decanters across from the end of one table to the start of another and, to serve water to any guest who does not wish to drink port.

9.55 When the decanters return to both the Dining President and Dining Vice-President they top up their own glasses. The stoppers are not replaced, into the decanter, until it is decided that no more port is to be poured.

9.56 No one is to drink until such time as the first toast is given. There is no Army tradition about the method of ‘passing the port’ (other than it is passed to the left), however, it should be done, without rushing, as quickly as possible. Once the port is passed all the mess staff retire from the dining room but, at the direction of the Dining President, the mess supervisor may remain.  

The Toasts    

9.57 The sequence of toasts is as follows:

• a. the Loyal Toast;

• b. Commonwealth heads of state (not government), in alphabetical order;

• c. other heads of state (not government), in alphabetical order;

• d. the colonel-in-chief;

• e. the Australian Army;

• f. the corps or regiment; and

• g. if applicable, other toasts (eg at a ‘mixed’ dinner, ‘The Ladies’).

9.58 Toasts are normally called for by the Dining President and proposed by the Dining Vice-President. Guests, however, do NOT call for, nor propose a toast. The Vice-President’s proposal is repeated by the members and guests.

9.59 The methods of proposing toasts are laid-out in the following paragraphs. No other words or phrases (eg ‘please be up-standing’) are to be used.

The Loyal Toast 9.60

9.60 The calling for and the proposing of the Loyal Toast is carried-out as follows:

• a. the Dining President, remaining seated, calls the Dinner to order and says ‘Dining

Vice-President’ (or ‘Mr Vice’);

• b. the Dining Vice-President will stand and say ‘Gentlemen (or ‘Ladies and gentlemen’);

• all guests and members stand and the glasses remain on the table;

• c. the band, if present, will play the first four and last four bars of the Australian National Anthem;

• d. once the music is completed or, if there is no band, once all the guests and members are standing and quiet, the Dining Vice-President will say ‘The Queen’; all will raise their glasses and say ‘The Queen’ (guests and members with their backs to the portrait of Her Majesty are to turn and face it);

• e. once the toast is completed the Dining President sits, followed by the guests and members.

9.61 The Australian Army does not embellish the Loyal toast.

Toasts to Foreign Heads of State 9.62

9.62 When a foreign member or guest is present a toast should be proposed to that person’s head of state (NOT to the head of government, unless they are one-and-the-same). It is suggested that the person, or guest be consulted beforehand for the correct wording of the toast.

9.63 As with the Loyal Toast, toasts to foreign heads of state are not embellished. Should there be any problems or doubts about the method, or the order of the toasts, then the idea of toasting foreign heads of state should be abandoned.

9.64 The method of toasting a foreign head of state is basically as described at paragraph 9.60, however, the Dining President would announce the full title of the personage being toasted (eg ‘The President of the United States of America’) and the Dining Vice-President will propose the toast using an ‘abbreviated’ form (eg ‘Gentlemen, the President’).

9.65 If a band is present then it would play the authorised version of the appropriate national anthem, however, if two or more foreign heads of state are to be toasted then they would normally be done so without the playing of the foreign anthems.  

Toasts to Colonels-in-Chief

9.66 Corps or regiments that have a member of the Royal Family as the colonel-in-chief may include a toast to the colonel-in-chief into the Dinner. The Dining President will call the Dinner to order by saying, for example, ‘Dining Vice-President’ or, ‘Mr Vice’ (or some other previously nominated member), ‘Our Colonel-in-Chief, the Prince of Wales’. The proposal will be ‘Gentlemen (Ladies and Gentlemen), the Prince of Wales’.

9.67 The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery combines the Loyal Toast and the toast to the Captain-General (Colonel-in-Chief). At a Gunner Dinner the Dining President calls the mess to order by saying ‘Mr Vice, The Queen, our Captain-General’. Mr Vice proposes the toast by saying ‘Gentlemen (Ladies and gentlemen), the Queen’.

Toasts to the Australian Army, Corps, or Regiments 

9.68 Toasts to the Army, to a corps, or to a regiment, other than the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, may have a musical accompaniment of no more than 32 bars (there is no musical accompaniment to a Gunner Toast). The Toast to the Army is called by the Dining President saying ‘The Australian Army’, the response by the Dining Vice-President, and by the members and guests is ‘The Army’.

9.69 At most dinners when a corps is toasted the President will call the Dinner to order by saying ‘Dining Vice-President’ (or another pre-selected person), followed by the full title of the corps (eg ‘The Australian Army Band Corps’); the proposal will normally be ‘Gentlemen (Ladies and Gentlemen), The Corps’; however, some corps standing orders may dictate a different call and response.

9.70 In the Royal Australian Infantry Corps, when toasting a regiment, the Dining President simply calls for the Dining Vice-President, or another nominated person (eg ‘Mr Vice’); the nominated person stands and proposes the toast by saying ‘Gentlemen (Ladies and Gentlemen), The Regiment’.

9.71 In the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery the Dining President calls ‘Mr Vice, The Regiment’, the proposal is ‘Gentlemen (Ladies and Gentlemen), The Royal Regiment’.

Other Toasts

9.72 At a dinner where there are many foreign guests, representing a number of countries (eg the Chief of Army’s Exercise Dinner), the Dining President will call the Dining Vice-President by saying: ‘Dining Vice-President, the Heads of State of the Nations of the attending delegates’. The Vice-President proposes the toast with ‘Gentlemen (Ladies and Gentlemen), The Heads of State’.

National Anthems

9.73 The Australian National Anthem (as the Host Country) is played AFTER the anthems of other countries. The anthems of other countries are played in an (alphabetical) descending order. Before the dinner it is wise to advise all the relevant personages, of the countries concerned, of the order so as to ensure that all are satisfied with the selected order. If there is any doubt or concern then no anthems should be played.

9.74 At the completion of the toasts the Dining President may invite the senior band member, or piper, as applicable, to the ‘top’ table; the mess supervisor is to place a chair between the President and the senior official guest. The person concerned is offered a drink (normally a port, or water, however, it is customary to offer whiskey to a piper) and after no more than two drinks the band member, or piper, withdraws and the chair is removed.

9.75 The port is normally circulated again, as described in paragraphs 9.53 and 9.54, unless the President replaces the stopper into the decanter, in which case no more port is passed or poured.

After Dinner Speeches

9.76 The order for speeches after a dinner is as follows:

• a. the Host, or the Dining President;

• b. the junior ranking official guest; and

• c. the senior ranking guest.

9.77 In the case where there are co-hosts the order is as follows:

• a. the Dining President;

• b. the junior Host, or the Host in whose Mess the dinner is being conducted;

• c. the senior Host, or the Host from outside the Mess; and

• d. the official guest (or guests, as described in paragraph 9.76).

9.78 The Host's speech should always be short and in the style of an introduction to the speakers to follow.

9.79 When there is more than one official guest to speak it is suggested that the guests concerned be advised of the speaking order beforehand, so as to prevent any embarrassment on the evening.

9.80 When introducing a speaker initials and post-nominals are NOT used.

Withdrawal from the Table

9.81 At the appropriate time the Dining President will bang the gavel and call for the Dining Vice-President. The Vice-President will stand and call the Dinner to order by saying ‘Gentlemen (Ladies and Gentlemen); all members and guests stand. If Colours are present, however, the Dining President will bang the gavel and order ‘March-out the Colours’. All members and guests stand and the Colour party marches-in, recover the Colours, and marches-out

9.82 The Dining President invites the official guests and the members sitting at the ‘top’ table to move-out for coffee in the ante room and they then withdraw from the dining room. Official guests, sitting at other tables, and the personal hosts to the official guests, also withdraw.

9.83 As soon as the President and the guests have left the dining room the Dining Vice-President automatically moves to the ‘top’ table, taking the Dining Presidents seat; the remaining guests and members resume their seats. One in position the Vice-President invites a small number of people to also move to the ‘top’ table.

9.84 After a short period of time, allowing for the President and official guests to be served coffee in the ante room, the Vice-President replaces the stopper in the port decanter, if the Dining President has not already done so, stands and invites those remaining to join the Dining President and official guests.

In the Ante Room

9.85 All members are to ensure that all guests, both official and unofficial, are looked after and entertained, and that no one is neglected. It is the responsibility of members to seek out and meet the official guests.

9.86 General participation in suitable games is acceptable but, members are not to behave boisterously or cause injury to either persons or property. Games that encourage the consumption of alcohol are not permitted.

The Departure of the Official Guests

9.87 Official guests should take care that they do not over stay their welcome, remembering that members and their guests can not depart until they have gone.

9–9

The Departure of the Members and Other Guests

9.88 Members are not to leave the mess until all the official guests have departed. When members leave they are to pay their respects to the Dining President, the PMC and the CO/RSM.

Other Services’ Traditions

9.89 At RAN dinners grace is said seated.

9.90 The Loyal Toast at RAN dinners is also conducted seated. The port decanter should not, if possible, leave the table (this includes when pouring the port; if this is not possible then the decanter should, if possible, touch the glass with the glass remaining on the table).

9.91 At RAAF dinners the conversation should be subdued during the passing of the port.

• Annexes:

  • A. Mess Dinner Seating With a Multi-leg Table Arrangement (Mixed Dinner)

  • B. Mess Dinner Seating With a Multi-leg Table Arrangement (Members Only Dinner)

  • C. Mess Dinner Seating With a Multi-leg Table Arrangement (Officers’ Mess: Members Only

  • Dinner)

  • D. Mess Dinner Seating With a Single Table Arrangement (Mixed Dinner)

  • E. Mess Dinner Seating With a Single Table Arrangement (Members Only Dinner)

  • F. Mess Dinner Seating With a Single Table Arrangement (Officers’ Mess: Members Only Dinner)

MESS DINNER SEATING WITH A MULTI-LEG TABLE ARRANGEMENT (MIXED DINNER) A

• Notes

  • 1. Dining President/Host.

  • 2. Senior Guest.

  • 3. Senior Guest’s partner.

  • 4. Dining President/Host’s partner.

  • 5. Second Senior Guest.

  • 6. Second Senior Guest’s partner.

  • 7. Dining Vice-President.

  • 8. Aide-de-Camp (if the senior guest is the Governor-General/state governor).

  • 9. Lady-in-Waiting (if the senior guest is the Governor-General/state governor).

  • 10. For a table arrangement with more than two legs the aide-de-camp and the lady-in-waiting would sit either 

  • side, at the top, of the centre leg.

  • 11. Other guests may be spread across the ‘Top Table’, or positioned anywhere else within the seating plan.

MESS DINNER SEATING WITH A MULTI-LEG TABLE ARRANGEMENT (MEMBERS ONLY DINNER) B

• Notes

  • 1. Dining President/Host.

  • 2. Senior Guest.

  • 3. Second Senior Guest.

  • 4. Dining Vice-President.

  • 5. Other guests may be spread across the ‘Top Table’, or positioned anywhere else within the seating

  • plan.

MESS DINNER SEATING WITH A MULTI-LEG TABLE ARRANGEMENT (OFFICERS’ MESS: MEMBERS ONLY DINNER) C

• Notes

  • 1. Dining President/Host.

  • 2. Senior Guest.

  • 3. Second Senior Guest.

  • 4. Commander/Commanding Officer.

  • 5. Dining Vice-President.

  • 6. Other guests may be spread across the ‘Top Table’, or positioned anywhere else within the seating

  • plan.

MESS DINNER SEATING WITH A SINGLE TABLE ARRANGEMENT (MIXED DINNER) D

• Notes

  • 1. Dining President/Host.

  • 2. Senior Guest.

  • 3. Senior Guest’s partner.

  • 4. Dining President/Host’s partner.

  • 5. Second Senior Guest.

  • 6. Second Senior Guest’s partner.

  • 7. Dining Vice-President.

  • 8. Other guests may be spread across the ‘Top Table’, or positioned anywhere else within the seating plan.

MESS DINNER SEATING WITH A SINGLE TABLE ARRANGEMENT (MEMBERS ONLY DINNER) E

• Notes

  • 1. Dining President/Host.

  • 2. Senior Guest.

  • 3. Second Senior Guest.

  • 4. Dining Vice-President.

  • 5. Other guests may be spread across the ‘Top Table’ or positioned anywhere else within the seating plan

MESS DINNER SEATING WITH A SINGLE TABLE ARRANGEMENT (OFFICERS’ MESS: MEMBERS ONLY DINNER) F

• Notes

  • 1. Dining President/Host.

  • 2. Senior Guest.

  • 3. Second Senior Guest.

  • 4. Third Senior Guest.

  • 5. Commander/Commanding Officer.

  • 6. Dining Vice-President.

  • 7. Other guests may be spread across the ‘Top Table’, or positioned anywhere else within the seating plan.

DRESS 10

Introduction 10.1

10.1 Table 10–1 lists the various forms of dress for functions that require civilian attire to be worn.

10.2 Table 10–2 lists the different Army forms of dress, with the other Services’ dress equivalent, for ceremonial and mess activities. A more detailed description of the Orders of Dress is listed at chapter 5, in volume 1, and chapters 2, 4 and 6 of volume 2, Army Standing Orders of Dress.

10–2

11.8 A quick reference guide to other useful information is listed in table 11–1.

Rank Abbreviations

Table 11–2: Rank Abbreviations

11.9 The equivalent ranks of the three Services and their abbreviations are listed in table 11–2. It should be understood that the OR structure within the RAN is extremely complicated, as each rank is coupled with a trade or posting (eg the abbreviation for a chief petty officer who is a bosun is CPOB).

The RAN OR ranks listed in the table are the basic rank, less the trade/posting.

11–3

1. The rank of a seaman who, having completed recruit training, is undertaking trade training.

2. Equivalent in position to a brigadier/air commodore.

3. Equivalent in position to a colonel/group captain.

4. Equivalent in position to a lieutenant colonel/wing commander.

5. Equivalent in position to a major/squadron leader.

6. Equivalent in position to a captain/flight lieutenant.

7. Chaplains in the RAN do not wear officer rank.