I am attending the Marines Ball in November. I have never been to a military ball, and I have no idea what to expect!! Can someone help?

There's the initial ceremony, which is basically the cutting of the cake, the Commandant's b-day message, and a guest speaker usually.

Other than that, it's a big drunk fest and it's awesome.

Ah, so a usual night at my bro's house. Except no cake or guest speaker lol I get to go this year with him. Finally!! Back story is the last 2 years I've been invited but something always came up... third times the charm. '07, my car broke down on the drive down, '08, my nephew got sick with a 102 fever and infection. They had to hospitalize him Thank God everything turned out ok. This year everyone is healthy but the only sad part is my sister in law is deployed so I am designated paparazzi to take millions of pics of my niece (she'll be my bro's date) lol at the ball