Congratulations, You’ve Been Invited to the Marine Corps Ball. Now What?

As we open today’s mailbag, we find:

Dear Bill,

A couple of my friends thought we were being really cool and in fun accepted an invitation or two to attend the Marine Corps Ball in November. Just wondering if you could tell us what’s in store for us?

Wondering in Hollywood

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Dear Wondering in Hollywood,

Thank you for your question and congratulations on getting an invitation to the Marine Corps Ball. As I’m sure you’ve found out by now, this event is not open to the general public and you can only attend if you are invited by a Marine (active duty, reservist or retired). As I write this, you join Mila Kunis (who was invited by Sergeant Scott Moore), Justin Timberlake (who was invited by Corporal Kelsey De Santis) and Linda Hamilton (who was invited by Sergeant Ray Lewis) in getting an invite to this exclusive celebration. So feel honored, because to a Marine, the Ball is THE social event of the year. But let’s be clear. The Marine Corps Ball is NOT a dance and it’s not a high school prom. It is a ceremonial gathering of brothers-in-arms to honor their history and traditions. Remember, the Ball is about the Marine Corps. It is not about you (more on that later).

How Much Does it Cost to Attend? The price of the tickets can range anywhere from $30 to more than $15o  per person depending on where the ball is held and the ranks of the attendees. Please note that the U.S. taxpayer does not finance the Marine Corps Ball. Well, that is not quite true. The U. S taxpayer buys the cake for the official ceremony at the Ball. But everything else, venue (location), dinner and musical entertainment is financed by the participating Marines with fundraising events and ticket sales.

What to wear: The Ball is a very formal affair. I emphasize formal. That means ball gowns and tuxedos for civilian guest and Dress Blue or Service “Alphas” for Marines. Women guest should think in terms of  Presidential inaugural balls and not academy awards ceremony. That is, I’m sure you have a great pair of legs or are really proud of your cleavage and want to show the world what you were blessed with. But don’t, because you are not the center of attention at this event and those who try to make themselves so can find out quickly and sometimes rudely that’s it’s not about them. Male guests should wear a black tuxedo – period. Men should think Sean Connery’s James Bond, not powder blue day-glow junior prom tuxedo.

The Schedule of Events: (the entire ceremony sequence can be found here). Take a look at this video from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13’s 2010 Birthday ceremony for a general idea of what the ceremony is like. MALS-13 is stationed at Yuma, Arizonia.  (Please note the video only covers half of the ceremony.) Below are a couple of points of note:

Cocktails – There is generally one hour of socializing with friends and colleagues prior to the actual ceremony. Ten minutes before the ceremony starts, the narrator of the events will announce to the gathered crowd, “Ladies and Gentlemen. The ceremony will start in 10 minutes. Please go to your tables.” This is not a request! It means find your table and sit down! Now!

– Ceremony – A message from the current Commandant of the Marine Corps will be read or shown on video. Then all will stand as the Chaplain leads the prayer. The birthday cake and the guest of honor (that is not you) will enter the room accompanied by Marine escorts along with the oldest and youngest Marine present. After the National Anthem is played, you will be told to take your seats. At that point, General Lejeune’s 1921 Birthday Message will be read, the guest of honor (again it will not be you) is introduced and the birthday cake is cut. The first slice goes to the guest of honor (nope, still not you), the second piece to the oldest Marine and the youngest Marine gets the third slice. This symbolizes a shared history between the old and the new generation of Marines. The cake escorts, oldest, youngest Marine and adjutant leave, the National Colors are retired and the entire detail leaves the room. The narrator will then announce that the ceremony is over.

– Dinner and dancing – The meal will be served immediately after the ceremony. Dinner is generally steak and/or chicken, salad, vegetables and dessert (everyone gets a slice of the birthday cake in addition to the regular dessert). This is followed by dancing which will last several hours. Please do not leave before you have at least one dance with your date; after all, your escort bought your ticket out of his/her own pocket and their pockets are not as deep as yours.

The bottom line, Wondering in Hollywood, is prepare yourself to celebrate (and have fun) with Marines who are proud of their history and traditions and chose to  honor you by asking you to join them in celebrating their heritage. Who knows, you might even get invited back next again next year if you pay attention to my advice. Enjoy and have fun!

Bill