GROG BOWL |
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by Sgt Maj McClure, www.usmc.mil
GROG BOWL Fellow Professional, Sergeant Major Holub (Ret) used to compare the Sergeants Majors and First Sergeants of today with the old and wise medicine men of days long past. His idea or story line was that we are the keepers of the Traditions and Customs of our Corps. In the old days, before books etc.. the Medicine Men were the ones the village members would go to get advice concerning various problems or issues they were having. They were respected and when they spoke they spoke with knowledge and experience. We in a sense are the Medicine Men and Women of today. We are the ones Marines go to for questions on Drill and Ceremonies and we are also the ones who should be teaching and passing on the Customs and Traditions of our Corps.
The Mess Night Tradition has been with our Corps for a number of years and serves an import role in building a units Comradely and Esprit de Corps as well as a conduit to teach and pass on some of our Traditions. Recently the topic of Mess Nights and Grog Bowls came up. The idea behind the Grog Bowl is when a Marine is fined sometimes the fine isn’t good enough and the Marine is also tasked to take a drink of the Grog Bowl. Why are we using a Grog Bowl? I’ve been told the Grog Bowl was a part of our Traditions. According to the Marine Corps University they have no information or records of a Grog Bowl ever being used at a Mess Night.
Could the use of a Grog Bowl be considered Hazing? The Definition of Hazing uses words such as Cruel, Abusive, Humiliating, oppressive and the concept of encouraging another to excessively consume alcohol. I don’t know about you but taking a drink out of a toilet bowl, brand new or old, it’s still a toilet bowl. To some this could be Hazing. What happens if someone spikes the Grog Bowl and now a Marine, who may be underage, is drunk and gets into trouble? A Mess Night if properly conducted will leave a lasting impression and fond memory on the Marines in attendance and thus passing on our Traditions and Customs. Why spoil it with some fad, which serves no purpose?
SgtMaj MCClure
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