1. South Carolina Corps of Cadets

2. Mess Carver
Training

3. OVERVIEW At the end of this training Mess Carvers will know:
Mess Carver Leadership
Blue/White Book Guidance
Mess Carver Responsibilities
Knob conduct at the Mess
Areas of Concern

4. Mess Carver Leadership
Myths and Lies of the Mess Carver
“Knobs can have anything they want. They just have to ask.”
“Knobs can have condiments. They just have to ask.”
“We don’t force the knobs to eat anything they don’t want.”
“This is the way it was done last year.”
“It was done to me as a knob.”
“It’s a tradition.”
“No one told me.”
“Serve” before self
Ask them if they want it before they “have” to ask.
Put it out there and tell them to take it if they want it.
Go find more if they want more
Stop the food races
Eat “WITH” them not from the Open Mess Menu
“Before we get started, let’s get something out in the open…there are some myths and lies out there that you know mess carvers have gotten away with as their excuse for bad behavior at their tables. Can anybody name one? There are seven on this slide.”
Allow for some discussion…then show the myths and lies
“Now that we have those out there, let’s get something straight…the mess hall is a part of the giant leadership laboratory you are part of. And if you are a mess carver, those myths and lies could cost you an opportunity to be a leader. Is that what you want? It’s time for you to change that culture. And here are some ways to do that…”
Show “Serve” Before Self bullets
“The bottom line is this…you can sacrifice because you know the network. Be the smarter leader instead of the person who gives in to the myths and lies.”

5. BLUE BOOK CHAPTER 4
“The cadet chain of command is responsible for the Fourth Class seating assignments, conduct, general decorum, and meal counts to the Director of Dining Services. The chain of command is also responsible for ensuring the proper provision of all food and beverages at all meals to all cadets.”

6. Mess Carver Responsibility Chapter 4 Blue Book Chapter 3 – Section 3 White Book
The table Mess Carver for 4C cadets must be a cadet officer or a junior class sword bearing NCO who has attended and completed the Commandant’s Mess Carver Certification Training.
During 4C Family style meals with Mess Carvers no other upper-class cadet will sit at a knob mess. This includes all 3 daily meals in Challenge Week and breakfast and dinner during the extended Cadre period.
After Parents’ Weekend the Fourth Class Cadets eat dinner in the family style format. 4C will manage themselves for the evening meal ONLY by filing into the mess and dining without mess carvers observing all mess procedures for preparing the table, serving the food, and conducting the mess. Breakfast and lunch are Open Mess in the 4C area of the dining hall. 4C cadets must practice the proper decorum in the mess.
Weekend/holiday meals will be served to all cadets in Open Mess format. 4C cadets still practice the proper decorum in the mess.
In the spring semester all fourth class meals will be in Open Mess format. Fourth Class cadets will eat in their area of the mess for breakfast and lunch and practice the proper decorum in the mess. After Recognition all meals are “at ease.”

7. 4C Conduct in the Mess Hall 1 of 2
Proceed quickly to seats, without running
Prepare the mess
Remain standing until “Rest” [Cadre Period]
Practice proper table manners
Eat a “square meal”
Not speak unless spoken to – respond in a normal tone of voice
Not rest arms on table
Serve themselves before Upper-Class

8. 4C Conduct in the Mess Hall 2 of 2
Be prepared to recite an item of Knob Knowledge at noon mess [Challenge Week]
Stop eating when addressed
Keep head and eyes confined to their respective mess
Stop eating with back straight and head and eyes straight ahead during announcements [Challenge Week & Extended Cadre Period]
No requirement to leave at 2nd Rest [Extended Cadre Period]
Eat without ANY interference of UC after 2nd Rest [Extended Cadre Period]
Do not stack plates or clear the table

9. Knob Knowledge As published in the Guidon
By the end of Challenge Week:
The Citadel Code Values
The Mission of The Citadel
The Citadel Cadet Creed
The Citadel’s Honor Code
The Citadel Alma Mater
The Chain of Command
Cadet’s own Chain of Command
By Parent’s Weekend:
Date The Citadel was established
Date campus moved to present location
What is The Citadel
8 Battle Streamers
Phonetic Alphabet
4 Pillars of Leader Development

10. “Working Knowledge” Regulations Manual (Blue Book) The Honor Manual
Organizations, Functions and Administration Standard Operating Procedures Manual (White Book)
History of the Citadel, as contained in The Guidon

11. Areas of Concern Hydration – de-hydration & over-hydration
Food Allergies
General Nutrition
Special Concerns
Uniforms

12. Hydration Food provides some hydration Beverages are the main source
Water is best for quick replacement
Gatorade is best for both liquid and electrolytes
“Bug juice” is slower to absorb
Milk is good nutritionally, but not for hydration
Over-hydration can be just as dangerous as lack of hydration

13. Food Allergies
Talk with knobs on your mess immediately – notify your “Waitee”
*Know if they have allergies*
Alert Mess Hall staff of allergies, or Religious/ethnic food requirements
Seek alternative meal items when necessary through your “Waitee,” or
Mess Hall Management

14. General Nutrition
Meals are planned to provide balanced nutrition over the course of each day
Eat some of everything prepared for the meal
Plenty of protein served to meet needs
Carbohydrates fill energy needs
Vegetables provide fiber and minerals
Fruits provide carbohydrates, minerals and fiber

15. Special Concerns Food allergies Digestive problems Eating disorders
Anorexia nervosa
Primarily affects females – intelligent – disciplined
Symptoms
Physical: not eating – weight loss – loss of energy – abnormally cold
Mental: hyperactivity – takes things too personally – perfectionism
Seek help in diagnosis

16. Uniforms
The uniform for all meals is the “uniform of the day” unless otherwise authorized by the Commandant
During periods of General Leave, only “duty uniform” or the prescribed leave uniform is authorized
The physical training uniform is NOT AUTHORIZED in the mess unless medically required or directed by the office of the Commandant
ROTC field uniforms are authorized ONLY on Thursdays AFTER lab
Blazer uniform when authorized by Special Orders

17. Special Note for Commanders, SGMs, First Sergeants
Maintaining order and discipline within the mess
Chapter 4, Paragraph –
“When all fourth class cadets are in the dining hall the senior cadet officer assigned will call attention. Whenever attention is given, all talking will cease. The senior cadet officer present will assume responsibility for the meal time program.”
“Commanders and First Sergeants…if you are sitting with the knobs, you need to ensure all of your company is quiet. If it means walking over to call out some one to knock it off, don’t be afraid to wear the black hat. If they are repeat problems, take corrective action immediately. Don’t wait.”

18. Follow up after Training
Identify primary/alternate Mess Carvers
Provide list through chain of command to Battalion TACs
There must be a certified Mess Carver at all tables for each meal
Mess Carvers may NOT substitute another upperclassman without TAC approval
ONLY 1 Mess Carver located at the heads of the tables is authorized – no other UC cadet is allowed
Emphasize that you want that list to the Battalion TAC before the knobs arrive.

19. QUESTIONS