Dress standards at Cranwell - NOT OASC related!

[Jimlad]

Guys

I am due to spend a week at at Cranwell for an AWC course shortly and was wondering what the dress regs are like for the officers mess. I've been in plenty of matelot messes, but have no idea what you guys expect there. Is it Jacket/Tie at all times or is it fairly informal?

Many thanks in advance

[SirToppamHat]

Do you know which Mess you have been allocated to? There are several at Cranwell. IMHO, Daedelos (Sp?) House is the most comfortable (en suite etc), but Yorke House is the most relaxed.

If you are allocated to the Yorke House 'Annex' I would say thanks but no thanks as a group of us fell for this a while back and found ourselves in the original barrack blocks (No2 Mess!) that we had been subjected to when we went through training, complete with small beds, and that bl@@dy copper pipe under the sink that needed to be polished. This is now the Stn transit accommodation, and even the SACs downstairs complained that it was a sh1t hole.

As for dress, you can't go wrong with a jacket and tie, though most working (as opposed to training) messes in the RAF are quite happy for members to wear trousers and polo shorts as a minimum. Some messes operate a colour code system, posting a coloured disc or some such at reception (Red = Formal, Yellow=Normal, Green = Relaxed).

Your best bet would be to find which mess you are allocated to then either post again or call the Mess Manager/Reception.

[Slow-Rider]

York House and Deadlos are happy for people to wear polo shirt, trousers and shoes as minimum. Army guys tend to wear jacket and tie because they like that sort of thing.

As mentioned though if, on the off chance, the dress code goes to red you'll need a jacket and tie to use the public rooms so best take one along just in case. Normally doesn't come into effect until after dinner time anyway.

Candidate's Mess is on the other hand more formal with jaket and tie required after 6pm.

YHOM annex is now the third floor of the Sergeant's Mess which is alot more comfortable than the old H block. But you may have to put up with noisy UAS studes occasionally. (sorry)

SR

[Jimlad]

IIRC I'm in Daedelus mess, so that sounds ok. Not too worried as am going as civil servant as opposed to my role as a part time pusser, so it should be ok.

Many thanks.

[kokpit]

Also coming over for the AWC, so same question guys, but for the Sgt's Mess.

Thanks and regards,

Kokpit.

[Wannabe Flyboy]

I'm going to Culdrose for a similar sort of thing... do the same principles apply?

[L J R]

A Sqnldr buddy was asked (TOLD!) by civillian mess staff in Daedlus (sp??) that he could not be served whilst wearing flying suit after 7pm - despite a contradiction in the mess rules as outlined in the brochure in his room.

Unbelievably, the civillian mess staff insited that the mess rules that were in his room were wrong.

They later refused to accept a cheque that he attempted to cash!!!

What is the place coming to??

[Oggin Aviator]

Daedalus Mess is comfortable but characterless. When I was there on a course they kicked us out so often for wearing flying suits in the bar that eventually we decamped over to York House which was far more relaxed.

Wannabe - For the public rooms at Culdrose you need a jacket and tie or if relaxed due to the climate sometimes you can get away with a polo shirt and slacks. The bar (which also serves fast food) is called the Flaming Datum and the only dress regs there are not to wear sports kit (unless up to 30 mins from finishing sport) - it is a scruffs bar in the finest tradition. Have a good time!

Oggin

[Wannabe Flyboy]

Oggin, thanks for that info - much appriciated :).

[hotshots!]

Why don't you just take normal clothes (jeans, poloshirt, shirt, trousers) - or just give them a ring if you're that worried?

[Jimlad]

Not worried, just wanted to know if I could save on packing lots of surplus kit. ALso if you believe what the hall porter says then yuo'll believe anything :)

[foldingwings]

I assume that those coming to the AWC are either doing the TBAC or the FACASP next week. You should have received joining instructions by now, but if not then ring Cranwell ASAP Ext 6410. Rooms have been allocated for these 2 courses. Officers on FACASP are in College Hall and those on TBAC are in Daedalus Mess. College Hall is the cadets' mess, so jacket & tie is required. Daedalus members will require a j & t if dress code is declared RED. Health note - room allocations might change at the last minute.

[Jimlad]

is anyone else here on either of the courses? Would be interesting to play guess which ones the PPRUNE person in the flesh :)

[foldingwings]

Shouldn't be difficult if you start at the top!

[tmmorris]

I never got to test this out, as when I was put in Daedalus mess they actually had no rooms so we merely ate there and slept elsewhere, but allegedly the hot water system doesn't work, and if you attempt to shower at the same time as everyone else you get a cold one. Apparently it was designed by a civvy contractor who usually does hotels; they didn't realise that in the RAF everyone might be operating to the same start time...

Tim

[Spotting Bad Guys]

Sounds remarkably like the 'Trust House Forte' OM at Cosford - it's common for the JO wing to have no hot water on any of the three floors, and when you ask the (civilian) Mess staff to sort it, all you get is shrugged shoulders and the comment "it happens all the time, you could use the VIP shower in the other wing"......:mad:

The old Mess was fine - they handed it over to the SNCOs when they built the new one....

SBG