Event Sequence

Social Hour - The ball usually begins around 17:00 and this is when Marines and guests start arriving. There is generally over an hour for arrivals, socializing, pictures and drinks. There is no need to rush to the ball or be there promptly at 17:00. Take an extra fifteen or even twenty minutes if you'd like. Sometimes the Marines even arrive before their dates if they are coming from different locations. The only advantage to being there early is a shorter picture line, which actually can get rather long at larger balls. This will also be the time for introductions so come in with a smile and positive attitude (please leave the arguments, fights, snide comments, rude sarcastic remarks and tears at the door).  

Call to Ceremony - There is a 15 minute call before the ceremony is set to begin. I would pay attention here. Say your goodbye's for now, pick up a drink to take if you'd like and find your table. Then you can have about 5 or 10 minutes to talk to the people at the table and get comfortable with them if you haven't already done so.

Birthday Ball Ceremony - The main event. While there are slight variations, the Marines do generally follow a scripted event series. There is a presiding narrator who outlines the events as they take place and gives general descriptions. Perhaps the most notorious event included is the cake cutting (where the youngest Marine cuts a piece of cake and hands it to the oldest Marine present). If you would like to know a rough schedule of ceremony events ahead of time I have posted two full event scripts on the Helpful Links portion of this blog. You can get to them easily by clicking here. Please note that the ceremony is the center point of the ball and it is imperative that you be attentive and respectful through it's entirety. 

Guest Speaker - After the ceremony is a guest speaker who is typically a high ranking individual with a long history of service. This is generally a shorter speech and is concluded with a gift being presented to the speaker.

Dinner - Relax and enjoy your multi-course and very filling meal while chatting with other table members.

Celebration - This translates into the dancing portion of the evening. Head out to the floor and have a great time. I would like to say however, that many Marines, especially the younger Marines, do opt to leave at this point in the evening. They head out to other places and nearby bars with their dates. If your Marine has planned something like this and would like to go it's perfectly acceptable. Say any final goodbye's and enjoy the rest of your evening out.

Last Call and Bar Closing - If you'd like a last minute drink before the bar closes now's the time.

Center Closing - Yes. You are eventually required to leave. And it's usually around midnight. If you want to keep things going head out with fellow Marines to other venues. Please remember to get home/or back to the hotel safely. There are tons of people to split a cab with or walk back with when the time comes.