I read a post on Suzanne's blog and I was going to give her a comment on it but it was kinda long so I thought I would just make a blog entry myself.
The post is about the grogging ceremony. That's where a nasty alcohol conconction is mixed up and everyone has to take turns drinking it. This is the first I've heard about drinking grog. I've never been to a formal military function and seen that. But I can tell you that no matter what the military teaches, drinking is a HUGE tradition. Unfortunately, it's just part of who these guys are. The measure of a tough guy is how much physical pain they can handle and how much they can drink. It's not just for the men either. My sister was in the Navy. I remember Jen telling me stories about how her shipmates would get her completely hammered (she was still underage at the time). In fact, she met her husband while they were both smashed at a Naval function. ALL branches of the military glorify alcohol even though "official" regulations say they don't. That's something that will never change.
Also, Jason has had 13 years military time and I can tell you that the grogging ceremony is one of the less disgusting military traditions. He said it must be either an officer thing or a post thing. Either way, it's probably something you won't see very often.
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15 years ago
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I've been to 3 balls in my 10 year military tenure as a milspouse. I've seen the grog ceremony twice. It's not limited to officers. Since they all go to the balls (officer and enlisted) they all do it. Now, I can agree that it might be more specific. The two places I saw it at were an MP ball and a Artillery Ball...no real connections there. I was at an Infantry Ball this weekend, and there was no grog (though the language was appalling, as I posted at Suzanne's blog).
I totally agree with you that alcohol is too much a part of the military tradition. First off, they have MANDATORY toasts...usually about 6-9 of them. Most people will "charge their glasses" with the wine provided, but a few buck the tradition and use tea or water. And then they toast, toast, toast, toast.
I just don't get it.
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