THE MESS HALL

In the military there are many names for the Dining Room. The Mess Hall was the most common name. I really don’t know why it was called the mess hall. The food was not a mess. It was really very good. They had great meals. However, it was boot camp. There were different rules to be followed. We marched to the Mess Haul. We stood in line, single file, outside waiting for our turn to march inside. Once you got to the door you could look inside and pick up the routine. Each table had 4 chairs. There was a serving line. There were metal trays with individual sections for food. Each man picked up a tray as they stared straight ahead. Drill instructors walked around making sure everyone in line stared straight ahead. They kept screaming out – What are you looking for Airman? The servers heaped spoons of food on the trays. No one asked what you liked or didn’t like. Then it was on to the table. As I said before there were 4 chairs at each table. The first man to arrive at the table held up his right hand with three fingers raised. That meant there was room for 3 more at the table. When the next man arrived one finger was lowered leaving 2 raised. Then it was 1 finger left for 1 more person. As soon as all 4 people were present they were seated. The first man asked the blessing. Those were the only words spoken during the meal. You were allowed to look straight ahead or down at your plate. Drill instructors were yelling – What are you looking for Airman? After a few minutes the DI stepped up to my table and said – Your time is up. Take your tray to the door. Then all 4 people stood together and marched for the door. Someone stood at the door waiting. When I arrived at the door I had some food left over. The man at the door scooped up some beans in his hand and put them in my shirt pocket. He told me we were not allowed to waste food and I could save it for later. From that moment on I cleaned my plate. That food in my shirt was wet and sticky and that big drill Sergeant was not MONKEY'N AROUND.