Should I mind my table manners as a naval officer?

Question

I want to serve on a destroyer or a cruiser as a naval officer. There are about 33 officers per ship of that size. I've heard that on those kinds of ships, you eat at a large table, seated by rank, and you order your food by a menu. By "seated at rank" I'm assuming that the table manners are those of a "gentleman". I know this question is asinine, but I don't want to look bad in front of my fellow officers.

I mean seriously, your average day is crappy and you just want to plop down and chow down, am I right everybody?

I mean, would I get reprimanded (sorry for the spelling) by the CO or superiors if I used the wrong eating utensil, or didn't put a napkin on my lap before eating?

Take a look at this video made by an enlisted person on youtube eating at the mess deck. Fast forward to :50 to look at the state of his dish with "giner rice (that's what the people said on the menu)" aka ginger rice with ham (or is it mushed SPAM?).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O20G6OnjFgk

Answer 1

im pretty sure by seated at rank means that officers eat with officers and enlisted eat with enlisted like a normal mess hall.

eat as you would normally do in public

Answer 2

There aren't 33 officers on either a Destroyer or a Cruiser.  No Officers, on any ship I ever served on, sat by rank and ordered off a menu.

Are you sure you're talking about the US Navy?

On most of the ships I was on Officers in the ward room ate cafeteria style.  They ate what was served and they paid their mess bill at the end of each month.

On a couple ships they were served by mess-cranks.  Still, they ate was was prepared.  The only exception is eggs to order in the morning, if the ship has fresh eggs.

Officers eat in the ward room, Chiefs eat in the CPO mess and the rest of the enlisted eat on the mess decks (some ships have a First Class Petty Officer's mess too)

Sorry, I did not watch the video.

Answer 3

the CO has his seat, the XO has his seat.  after that.. strictly up to the CO's prerogative how seating is held.  he may want his DHs near by to discuss work related business, or he may be flexible.  .     don't freak out too much.  

Besides you are given etiquette training in OCS.  

Answer 4

Yes.  The phrase is "officer and a gentleman", so the "gentleman part is really important.

As an officer, you serve as an example to the rest of the crew, and table manners is just one part of the show.

Really, if you are unsure about a napkin and chewing with your mouth closed ... you have a long way to go before being selected as an officer.

The services have NO shortage of officers.  It is far from automatic that officers are chosen.  Because of long experience, the services are EXTREMELY pickly about who they choose as officers.

Answer 5

I was an Infantry Officer and then a combat aviator -- you might imagine how we ate sometimes. Social settings and garrison are different. As a young naval officer, I would think you would want to always have better manners than I. (lol on the "service joke", but it should make a point to you, even if it is from an old grunt!)

I would have stated it differently kid, but we are on Yahoo.

Answer 6

Yes, you do have to mind your manners any time you eat while wearing the uniform.  Technically, any time you're wearing the uniform, you're expected to be on your best behavior as you're representing your branch (in this case, the Navy).  However it's unlikely at best that you'd ever get reprimanded for using an incorrect utensil or not putting a napkin on your lap first.  Of course, if you were dribbling food all over your dress whites... That's a different story. =)

Answer 7

No matter who you are, as an adult, you should always use proper etiquette. People do judge you. But this question is silly. Being on a ship is not like going to a ritzy dinner party.