Sgts mess do newbie, help!

[Chulita]

I've never been to one of these, suddenly realised we have one on Friday. All I know about the dress code is that it's long. I have a long turquoise strappy bridesmaid/ball gown, can I wear that? or does everyone go in black/dark purple? do I have to cover my shoulders? erm...anything I should know beforehand? we've recently moved and I've not got to know any forces people yet so I can't ask anyone here. I'm having a mini-panic!

If the dress is long, wear whatever colour you like! And yes, get a shrug or something to cover your shoulders. You'll be fine!

Yes that dress sounds fine. I think it is best to cover shoulders but that's only because I have got used to it in Officers mess but have seen plenty of women in Sgt's mess with uncovered shoulders.

Depends on how strict a mess do it is for other things. Some allow comfort breaks (loo breaks) some don't. 10 mins before you are due to go in they will let you know and this gives you time to go to the loo. I would go before this in case there is a que. Don't touch the silver, no matter what anyone says. You're DH will get fined a bottle of port LOL. You will all go in and stand behind your chairs and then the top table will file in. They will sit and then the man on your right will pull your chair out to allow you to sit down. Don't start eating until the top table have. Don't leave your chair unless a comfort break has been announced..again DH will get fined. Don't touch the port when it comes round, the man on your right will pour for you and make sure there is some in your glass for toasts. You can drink water though if you don't drink alcohol. It is very easy to get drunk as the waiters just keep on topping your wine glass up......ask my DH who had to carry me out at the end of one his mess do's...not good lol.
Tell your DH to watch out for any stitch ups if he is new to being Sgt and new to the mess. I love mess do's..well my DH's anyway as I don't get stitched for anything. You will have fun and it will give a chance to meet the other wives. Make sure you DH points out whose who for you as well. At the end of the meal there are toasts/speeches and then the top table will leave and Mr Vice will entertain to allow time for top table to get drinks at bar. Then after about 15 mins you all leave.

When you get to the table its a good idea to pick up your placecard and put it in your bagcos at ours some one will take your placecard and write a nice rude message to RSM or similar, from you, on your placecard. Bottle of port fine for DH.

Our Sgts Mess, they mostly have uncovered shoulders these days.

Agree with MissingMySleep, pick up place card, let the man from right pour your port, uncovered shoulders are also OK in our mess, don't drink too much before you sit down, you'll probably regret it if you have to wait for a comfort break.

Most of all have fun