Ward Room

On smaller ships, there is considerable formality to each meal, and the rules of conduct are quite specific. Among these are:

• No one sits down until the Head of the Wardroom (usually the Executive Officer) arrives and sits.
• No one leaves until the XO leaves. If you must leave prior to his/her departure, ask permission. It is almost always granted.
• There is no discussion of your work, politics, or religion. (yours or anyone else's)
• There is no coarse language.
• You are fully dressed in the uniform of the day.

On larger ships, there is often greater informality for breakfast and lunch, but dinner is usually still a formal affair.

A fourth meal ("Midrats") is served late at night to accommodate those standing watch overnight.

For more information on the protocols for the Ward Room, read:

LT Christian's Little Blue Book

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300

Operational Medicine
 Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
  January 1, 2001