Mandatory fun

Many times in the Army we are required to attend social events. These events are often called mandatory fun. Officers will groan and complain about attendance but the events are useful for the bonding and comradery that is a hallmark of the military profession. In fact, I personally usually had a great time once I was there. How can a field grade officer make mandatory fun more 'fun' so that people can't wait until the next one instead of groaning when one is announced?

Is this another symptom of the decline of the warrior culture within the military; that we are closer to corporate America than ancient Sparta? Corporate America largely goes home at five o'clock and their professional lives and social lives are not entwined. The military used to be an organization where the social and professional lives were intimately intertwined: on-post housing, the O-club, O-calls, staff rides, golfing with the COL, and wives relying on each other during deployments.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on making 'mandatory fun' more fun in my future units.