I found a very interesting article about Royal Air Force Officers taking mandatory dancing lessons. My husband is a Navy Reserve Officer, and we have noticed that very few officers know how to dance. It may not be necessary to know how to dance in the U.S., but many officers get stationed in Europe where balls with formal dancing are still very much a part of social life.
Here is the link:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_19981108/ai_n14483903
EXCLUSIVE RUPERT HAMER RAF CHIEFS have been given a new mission - to turn Britain's top guns into experts in the tango and foxtrot.
Officer trainees are keeping eyes right and best feet forward as they glide their way through ballroom dancing lessons.
A shortage of women means that sometimes men have to dance cheek to cheek during the hour-and-a-half weekly sessions. But that hasn't put them off. In fact some dancers are planning to form a team called Tango Foxtrot. The classes - held every Monday night at the RAF College at Cranwell, Lincolnshire - are part of a push to turn young guns into gentlemen.
Training officers also drill the chaps in the do's and don'ts of formal dress, how to behave in front of women, wine tasting and the finer points of our culture - including trips to the ballet and opera.
A senior RAF officer said: "It all began when cadets went to a mayor's ball and hadn't a clue what to do when the band played a waltz.
"The then chief of the Air Staff stepped in and ordered ballroom dancing lessons to be added to the curriculum.
"It is part of a general programme to improve the social skills of officer cadets.
"Officers are encouraged to bring along their partners or wives. Sometimes there is a shortage of women so the men have to dance with each other.
"There was some initial opposition but classes have become extremely popular. A decision has now been taken to find a suitable competition to enter."
The base has hired ballroom instructor Jennifer Brown, who runs her own dance school in Lincoln. As many as 50 officer cadets attend her classes in a lecture hall on the base.
"There is a lot of talent among the young officers," Jennifer, 48, said.
"They are very enthusiastic, particularly for the Latin dances, which can be quite steamy. We have not entered a competition as of yet but they certainly have the ability."
The Sunday Mirror revealed earlier this year that Army officers were being schooled in how to cut cheese and which knife and fork to use during formal meals.
RAF spokesman Squadron Leader Tom Rounds said training was given in the social skills required of an officer and a gentleman. Each cadet has to go through a series of lectures on RAF tradition, etiquette and social responsibilities.
He said: "It's part of the life that you live as an officer in the RAF.
"Lessons are given on how to treat a lady. For example, if you are walking along the street the man always places himself on the kerb side. Historically, I think it's so the man was killed by any passing horses rather than the woman.
"It's how to tie bow ties or the routine of being a house guest. They are taught to pass the port to the left after dinner and not to smoke until after the loyal toast.
"There are trips to the local opera house and wine-tasting evenings - to help officers choose the right wines.
"What colour shoes to wear with the suit and how to match ties are all on the agenda. Quite a lot of our young people have never been away from home. They are the kinds of things that mum has always done for them.
"Frankly, life is a bit more casual now. It would be fair to say young people need these courses more than they did 20 years ago."
Copyright 1998 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
Here is the link:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_19981108/ai_n14483903
EXCLUSIVE RUPERT HAMER RAF CHIEFS have been given a new mission - to turn Britain's top guns into experts in the tango and foxtrot.
Officer trainees are keeping eyes right and best feet forward as they glide their way through ballroom dancing lessons.
A shortage of women means that sometimes men have to dance cheek to cheek during the hour-and-a-half weekly sessions. But that hasn't put them off. In fact some dancers are planning to form a team called Tango Foxtrot. The classes - held every Monday night at the RAF College at Cranwell, Lincolnshire - are part of a push to turn young guns into gentlemen.
Training officers also drill the chaps in the do's and don'ts of formal dress, how to behave in front of women, wine tasting and the finer points of our culture - including trips to the ballet and opera.
A senior RAF officer said: "It all began when cadets went to a mayor's ball and hadn't a clue what to do when the band played a waltz.
"The then chief of the Air Staff stepped in and ordered ballroom dancing lessons to be added to the curriculum.
"It is part of a general programme to improve the social skills of officer cadets.
"Officers are encouraged to bring along their partners or wives. Sometimes there is a shortage of women so the men have to dance with each other.
"There was some initial opposition but classes have become extremely popular. A decision has now been taken to find a suitable competition to enter."
The base has hired ballroom instructor Jennifer Brown, who runs her own dance school in Lincoln. As many as 50 officer cadets attend her classes in a lecture hall on the base.
"There is a lot of talent among the young officers," Jennifer, 48, said.
"They are very enthusiastic, particularly for the Latin dances, which can be quite steamy. We have not entered a competition as of yet but they certainly have the ability."
The Sunday Mirror revealed earlier this year that Army officers were being schooled in how to cut cheese and which knife and fork to use during formal meals.
RAF spokesman Squadron Leader Tom Rounds said training was given in the social skills required of an officer and a gentleman. Each cadet has to go through a series of lectures on RAF tradition, etiquette and social responsibilities.
He said: "It's part of the life that you live as an officer in the RAF.
"Lessons are given on how to treat a lady. For example, if you are walking along the street the man always places himself on the kerb side. Historically, I think it's so the man was killed by any passing horses rather than the woman.
"It's how to tie bow ties or the routine of being a house guest. They are taught to pass the port to the left after dinner and not to smoke until after the loyal toast.
"There are trips to the local opera house and wine-tasting evenings - to help officers choose the right wines.
"What colour shoes to wear with the suit and how to match ties are all on the agenda. Quite a lot of our young people have never been away from home. They are the kinds of things that mum has always done for them.
"Frankly, life is a bit more casual now. It would be fair to say young people need these courses more than they did 20 years ago."
Copyright 1998 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
I very much agree that the loss of decorum is lamentable.
