For those going to OCS soon, I found the chow hall procedures along with a lot of other great info at
http://heathalvarez.com/hobbies/ocs.html
CHOW HALL PROCEDURES: First of all, a section leader from the class will be appointed, he/she changes daily. They will break ranks and proceed up the steps, giving the greeting of the day as he/she moves from deck to deck. He/she will then face the class and shout: “Indoctrination Class (your class number), upon receiving the command, execution move, you will ground your war-belts to the starboard side.” (War-belts are belts that hold your canteens, which you will have with you daily). Then the class will shout, “Aye, section leader.” Then the section leader will shout, “Ready...move!” At that time everyone will place his or her belt to the right side. The same orders will be given for your chrome-domes (helmets). Then, the section leader will say, “Indoctrination Class (your class number), upon receiving the command, execution march, you will half step up the ladder-well, perform an immediate column left and reform at the door.” When reformed, the section leader will give the command, “Ready…adjust!” At that time the class will square themselves away and shout a little ditty that goes like this: “Discipline. D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-E Discipline-is-the-instant-willing-obedience-to orders-respect-for authority-and self-reliance. Freeze, Candidate, freeze!” During the ditty Candidates adjust their uniforms, whether that means getting your gig line straight, removing your gloves and putting them in your overcoat, or removing your cover (hat). Then the section leader calls out, “Door Body off the rear.” The last person on the left side responds, “Aye, section leader.” (The Door Body is usually the shortest person in your class.) Everyone in the 4th column (the most left) steps forward one step and then sideways to the right one step to fit just perfectly in the spaces in between the people in the column to their right. The Door Body proceeds up to the section leader and says, “Door Body reporting as ordered.” The section leader says, “Door Body, post!” The person will then take a step back, respond with, “Aye, section leader,” and then situate his or herself next to the door. The section leader will then say, “Door Body, report the status of the chow Hall deck.” The Door Body will take one step forward, then do a left-face, slam their hands cupped against the glass to block out any reflections, and look in the door window to see if another class is in the line. If there *is* another class is in the line, the Door Body will step back to their original spot next to the section leader and respond, “Chow Hall deck NOT clear, section leader!” The section leader will respond, “Door body, report Chow Hall deck when Chow Hall deck’s all clear!” The Door Body will respond, “Aye section leader!” The Door Boy will periodically glance through the window to gauge when it will be appropriate for the class to go inside and line up. If no other class is in the line or the class that is in the line is down to their last 6-8 people, the Door Body will go back to the window to confirm that Chow Hall deck is all clear. When it becomes clear, the Door Body will shout, “Chow Hall deck all clear, section leader!” The class will then respond together and repeat what the Door Body said, which is, “Chow Hall deck all clear section leader!” The section leader will then order the Door Body: “Door Body, crack the door.” The Door Body will respond, “Aye section leader,” open the door, and then stand in front of it. The section leader will then march to the doorway, crash his or her left foot down on the metal plate, lean in with his or her face aimed to his right side, bring his hands up to his mouth, and shout: “Indoctrination class (your class number) marching in for chow!” The class will repeat this. The section leader will then say, “Column of files from the right (or left, it is their preference).”- At this point the person who is most forward in that column will say, ‘Forward’ while the first person in each of the other columns snap their heads to his or her direction and say, ‘Stand fast’, and then the section leader will say ‘March!’ The first step is always with the left foot. Upon entering the chow Hall everyone will stomp on the metal plate with his or her left foot and keep count, other than the first or last person, who both give the greeting. The way to count at OCS is by expressing each digit of the number. The number 03 is zero three, not just three. The number 17 is one seven, not seventeen. So, it would sound like this beginning with the first person… “Good morning sir! Zero two! Zero three! Zero four! etc. until the last people come up…Four four! Four five! Good morning sir!” The section leader will say the last good morning shout since he or she will be that last one in.
After reforming inside the section leader will give the command, “Indoctrination Class (your class number), proceed.” The class will respond with “Aye, section leader,” and proceed. Inside there are two columns. The person on the right snaps his or her head to the left, sounds of, “Forward-March!” He or she then snaps his or her head to the front, takes one step and snaps his or her head to the left again, saying, “Stand fast.” Upon receiving the command ‘march’ the person on the left will take three steps, pivot right, take three more steps, pivot left and continue to the trays. Perhaps the most important things to remember in the Chow Hall is to always maintain a 1,000 yard stare, to always keep a closed-tight fist with your thumbs along the trouser seam when standing at attention (not while you are walking…you have to swing your arms as to not look like a robot), to hold your tray with your thumbs on the top edge and your fist underneath with the tray and your forearms being parallel to the deck with your elbows tucked into the sides of your torso, to sit with your feet at a 45 degree angle flat on the deck (and NOT being split by a table leg), and with your back straight. In actuality all these formalities are merely a preparation for Drill.
As you wait for the entire length of your table to be filled with Candidates, you will have your arm straight out holding your “gouge” notebook out in front of you with your left hand. Your arm will get *very* tired after a while, but you will get used to it. When everyone has their food, and the Section leader gets his or her food and stands at the tables with the rest of the class, he or she will shout out, ‘Put it away, Indoctrination Class (your class number).’ The class will respond, “Aye section leader!” and then put their gouge books in their right sock. (You will have your gouge books everywhere you go, except to PT in the mornings.) When ready, the section leader will call out: “Indoctrination Class (your class number), these tables, both sides ready...seats!” The class will sit as fast as they can. The section leader will then say, ‘Adjust!’ At that time everyone will grab their chair and pull him or herself as close to the table as possible. The section leader will then say, ‘Pray at will.’ Everyone will then say ‘snap’ as they’re snapping their heads down as to appear to be looking at their food. After a few seconds the section leader will say ‘ready-eat.’ Everyone will snap their head up and say ‘snap.’ The section leader will wait for everyone to stop moving and then slam the table with his or her left hand 6 times and then give a time warning. (For example – “Class 12-02, this is your two zero minute warning!”) The warnings will occur every 5 minutes. When the section leader is hitting the table it is an indication for everyone to stop and prepare to respond. You will not sound off with food in your mouth and you will not respond to an Officer Candidate or Class Drill Instructor while sitting down. Try to remember these basic rules. While unsecured you will square your meals. This is perhaps the only difference between secure and unsecured during chowtime. Squaring meals is simple, but messy. Up, in, out, down about sums it up. While drinking, your fingers must be closed tight. Your two glasses *must* be touching both each other and your tray. Your silverware will be “grounded” to your plate and the edge of the tray closest to you. That’s a majority of what’s to be expected during chow Hall. It is perhaps the most stressful time of day until your 2nd week or so. So, if you anticipate it and prepare yourself for it, either for yourself or as a class, it can go a little easier. You may even get to be the recipient of a Drill Instructor’s guidance…when they jump up on the table that you are eating on and walk down the entire length of it. If your tray, glass, plate, or silverware is not grounded, expect to wear your food and be made an example of. Remember, use that “1000-yard” stare, even if the person in front of you has a wet noodle stuck to his or her face and makes you want to laugh
http://heathalvarez.com/hobbies/ocs.html
CHOW HALL PROCEDURES: First of all, a section leader from the class will be appointed, he/she changes daily. They will break ranks and proceed up the steps, giving the greeting of the day as he/she moves from deck to deck. He/she will then face the class and shout: “Indoctrination Class (your class number), upon receiving the command, execution move, you will ground your war-belts to the starboard side.” (War-belts are belts that hold your canteens, which you will have with you daily). Then the class will shout, “Aye, section leader.” Then the section leader will shout, “Ready...move!” At that time everyone will place his or her belt to the right side. The same orders will be given for your chrome-domes (helmets). Then, the section leader will say, “Indoctrination Class (your class number), upon receiving the command, execution march, you will half step up the ladder-well, perform an immediate column left and reform at the door.” When reformed, the section leader will give the command, “Ready…adjust!” At that time the class will square themselves away and shout a little ditty that goes like this: “Discipline. D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-E Discipline-is-the-instant-willing-obedience-to orders-respect-for authority-and self-reliance. Freeze, Candidate, freeze!” During the ditty Candidates adjust their uniforms, whether that means getting your gig line straight, removing your gloves and putting them in your overcoat, or removing your cover (hat). Then the section leader calls out, “Door Body off the rear.” The last person on the left side responds, “Aye, section leader.” (The Door Body is usually the shortest person in your class.) Everyone in the 4th column (the most left) steps forward one step and then sideways to the right one step to fit just perfectly in the spaces in between the people in the column to their right. The Door Body proceeds up to the section leader and says, “Door Body reporting as ordered.” The section leader says, “Door Body, post!” The person will then take a step back, respond with, “Aye, section leader,” and then situate his or herself next to the door. The section leader will then say, “Door Body, report the status of the chow Hall deck.” The Door Body will take one step forward, then do a left-face, slam their hands cupped against the glass to block out any reflections, and look in the door window to see if another class is in the line. If there *is* another class is in the line, the Door Body will step back to their original spot next to the section leader and respond, “Chow Hall deck NOT clear, section leader!” The section leader will respond, “Door body, report Chow Hall deck when Chow Hall deck’s all clear!” The Door Body will respond, “Aye section leader!” The Door Boy will periodically glance through the window to gauge when it will be appropriate for the class to go inside and line up. If no other class is in the line or the class that is in the line is down to their last 6-8 people, the Door Body will go back to the window to confirm that Chow Hall deck is all clear. When it becomes clear, the Door Body will shout, “Chow Hall deck all clear, section leader!” The class will then respond together and repeat what the Door Body said, which is, “Chow Hall deck all clear section leader!” The section leader will then order the Door Body: “Door Body, crack the door.” The Door Body will respond, “Aye section leader,” open the door, and then stand in front of it. The section leader will then march to the doorway, crash his or her left foot down on the metal plate, lean in with his or her face aimed to his right side, bring his hands up to his mouth, and shout: “Indoctrination class (your class number) marching in for chow!” The class will repeat this. The section leader will then say, “Column of files from the right (or left, it is their preference).”- At this point the person who is most forward in that column will say, ‘Forward’ while the first person in each of the other columns snap their heads to his or her direction and say, ‘Stand fast’, and then the section leader will say ‘March!’ The first step is always with the left foot. Upon entering the chow Hall everyone will stomp on the metal plate with his or her left foot and keep count, other than the first or last person, who both give the greeting. The way to count at OCS is by expressing each digit of the number. The number 03 is zero three, not just three. The number 17 is one seven, not seventeen. So, it would sound like this beginning with the first person… “Good morning sir! Zero two! Zero three! Zero four! etc. until the last people come up…Four four! Four five! Good morning sir!” The section leader will say the last good morning shout since he or she will be that last one in.
After reforming inside the section leader will give the command, “Indoctrination Class (your class number), proceed.” The class will respond with “Aye, section leader,” and proceed. Inside there are two columns. The person on the right snaps his or her head to the left, sounds of, “Forward-March!” He or she then snaps his or her head to the front, takes one step and snaps his or her head to the left again, saying, “Stand fast.” Upon receiving the command ‘march’ the person on the left will take three steps, pivot right, take three more steps, pivot left and continue to the trays. Perhaps the most important things to remember in the Chow Hall is to always maintain a 1,000 yard stare, to always keep a closed-tight fist with your thumbs along the trouser seam when standing at attention (not while you are walking…you have to swing your arms as to not look like a robot), to hold your tray with your thumbs on the top edge and your fist underneath with the tray and your forearms being parallel to the deck with your elbows tucked into the sides of your torso, to sit with your feet at a 45 degree angle flat on the deck (and NOT being split by a table leg), and with your back straight. In actuality all these formalities are merely a preparation for Drill.
As you wait for the entire length of your table to be filled with Candidates, you will have your arm straight out holding your “gouge” notebook out in front of you with your left hand. Your arm will get *very* tired after a while, but you will get used to it. When everyone has their food, and the Section leader gets his or her food and stands at the tables with the rest of the class, he or she will shout out, ‘Put it away, Indoctrination Class (your class number).’ The class will respond, “Aye section leader!” and then put their gouge books in their right sock. (You will have your gouge books everywhere you go, except to PT in the mornings.) When ready, the section leader will call out: “Indoctrination Class (your class number), these tables, both sides ready...seats!” The class will sit as fast as they can. The section leader will then say, ‘Adjust!’ At that time everyone will grab their chair and pull him or herself as close to the table as possible. The section leader will then say, ‘Pray at will.’ Everyone will then say ‘snap’ as they’re snapping their heads down as to appear to be looking at their food. After a few seconds the section leader will say ‘ready-eat.’ Everyone will snap their head up and say ‘snap.’ The section leader will wait for everyone to stop moving and then slam the table with his or her left hand 6 times and then give a time warning. (For example – “Class 12-02, this is your two zero minute warning!”) The warnings will occur every 5 minutes. When the section leader is hitting the table it is an indication for everyone to stop and prepare to respond. You will not sound off with food in your mouth and you will not respond to an Officer Candidate or Class Drill Instructor while sitting down. Try to remember these basic rules. While unsecured you will square your meals. This is perhaps the only difference between secure and unsecured during chowtime. Squaring meals is simple, but messy. Up, in, out, down about sums it up. While drinking, your fingers must be closed tight. Your two glasses *must* be touching both each other and your tray. Your silverware will be “grounded” to your plate and the edge of the tray closest to you. That’s a majority of what’s to be expected during chow Hall. It is perhaps the most stressful time of day until your 2nd week or so. So, if you anticipate it and prepare yourself for it, either for yourself or as a class, it can go a little easier. You may even get to be the recipient of a Drill Instructor’s guidance…when they jump up on the table that you are eating on and walk down the entire length of it. If your tray, glass, plate, or silverware is not grounded, expect to wear your food and be made an example of. Remember, use that “1000-yard” stare, even if the person in front of you has a wet noodle stuck to his or her face and makes you want to laugh
