Military clubs an Air Force tradition

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Rory Adams
  • 28th Mission Support Group deputy commander
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  As a former commander of the 28th Services Squadron, I feel it’s important to comment on one of the vital organizations the squadron is closely linked with and whose mission it is to provide the 28th Bomb Wing a force multiplier -- the collocated club known as Dakota’s.

In today’s transient lifestyle many Ellsworth families experience, I personally believe that Dakota’s needs to serve as our collective home. Mixing two-parent working families living in off-base housing and a society moving at a much faster pace combine to make it a challenge to fully participate and support a military club as was done in years gone by.

Factor this societal progression with a strong emphasis on personal alcohol responsibility and it’s easy to surmise that Dakota’s viability is faced with challenge.

Dakota’s is adjusting to this changing climate by transitioning from an establishment largely looked upon as a dinosaur from the past to a leaner, more flexible institution responding to the needs of this military combat organization.

A challenge to overcome is many of our junior military force is not as steeped in the traditions of military clubs and may not understand the Air Force club’s mission and the resulting positive impact that a viable club can have on the military organization.

Understanding some history and tradition of the military club might help us all put this into better perspective.

Quite simply, since the beginning of organized society, there’s been a military establishment that observes many customs, traditions and procedures traceable to the earliest of warriors. One of the most prominent of these traditions includes military clubs.

The clubs’ origins are derived from early “mess night” traditions -- mostly from early Viking post-raid celebrations where commanders frequently held great banquets to honor individuals and units. It was in these mess night traditions that the solidification of the military fighting unit occurred.

The bonding of brothers and fellow warriors during these feasts was the glue that put the steel in the fighting forces to charge up the hill the following day.

Military clubs have evolved from these simple beginnings over the years to early dining facilities to today being the very hub of many base community activities.

Dakota’s staff is keenly aware of the special nature of official and social needs and provides superb support for promotions, retirements, the full gambit of wing, group, and squadron events, spouses’ club meetings and so on. Dakota’s is a special place for active duty, dependents, retirees and civilian employees alike to relax, unwind and count our blessings in the company of friends all sharing a common bond.

Dakota’s plays an invaluable role in fostering and sustaining unit cohesion, esprit de corps and our military fraternity -- unspoken by most, yet felt and understood by all.

Whether the event is a Dining In, Dining Out, Hail and Farewell, or just a Friday night during social hour, visits to the club give commanders an opportunity to meet socially with their officers and enables officers of all ranks to create bonds of friendship and better working relations through an atmosphere of good fellowship.

The same holds true for senior NCO’s to interact with their NCOs, fostering an environment for supervisors at all levels to socialize with their Airmen.

What club traditions mean the most to members? Sure, members are interested in “members first” value pricing, exclusive members-only events, social hour on Friday nights and other special events. But it’s the tradition of fellowship, community and extended family that sets Dakota’s apart from any other establishment.

This must continue to be the central focus of Dakota’s. Tradition is not only a word, but also a belief and feeling, which is experienced over a lifetime and can only be appreciated by the individual.

Here is my challenge to you: be a viable part of the rich tradition Dakota’s brings to the fight and provides the 28th Bomb Wing as a force multiplier. Opportunities are there for you and are an important part of your military development. Don’t wait until being on the battlefield before establishing important relationships with your squadron peers and others who may help you put the “iron on target.”

Dakota’s contributes to the robustness of today’s bomb wing -- be a part of the tradition.