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Vets visiting a UK Officer's Mess

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Vets visiting a UK Officer's Mess

Old 21st Aug 2022, 17:48
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Vets visiting a UK Officer's Mess

I've just had a surprising conversation with a suspected walt who asserts categorically that any UK ex-officer has the right to invite themselves into a UK Officer's Mess/Wardroom as a guest and to dine there as a visitor at own expense.
I expressed surprise (well, disbelief actually) citing security questions in the very first instance but was roundly admonished.

I think I can guess who is correct but can anyone confirm please?
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 17:59
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Well, I wouldn't wish to put anyone down...
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 18:01
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Is this serious, or a wah? There is not, and never has been, such entitlement. The Security aspect adds an additional dimension. “”Kill him!”
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 18:11
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Would anyone want to dine in an Officers’ Mess / wardroom under the current catering contracts?
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 18:37
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How would they even get close to a Mess without a 1250 or current equivalent? Heck I even had to have a pass or be booked to visit my daughter in OMQs
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 18:45
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Sounds about as likely as a conversation I had with a know it all who reckons all serving armed forces are issued with a "Military" passort which means they can travel anywhere worldwide without having to go through passport control.
In his words "They can disappear"
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 20:03
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Re Vets visiting a UK Officer's Mess;- Why would an animal doctor even want to visit an officers mess?
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 20:36
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Originally Posted by Thud105
Re Vets visiting a UK Officer's Mess;- Why would an animal doctor even want to visit an officers mess?


Dont forget the Pongoes' horse doctors.

N
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 20:41
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I've seen a hoarse doctor and many animals at dining-in nights!
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 21:39
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Originally Posted by XL189
Sounds about as likely as a conversation I had with a know it all who reckons all serving armed forces are issued with a "Military" passort which means they can travel anywhere worldwide without having to go through passport control.
In his words "They can disappear"
Many years ago, before automated ticket gates, I was dashing through the ticket barrier at Victoria mainline to catch my train home.
I flashed my rail season ticket at the gate man, but he stopped me, and had a good look at it, then said OK go on...

I'd never had it examined before, so once on the train I had a good look to check it was all up to date etc, then realised I'd shown him my MOD pass!
As he let me through with that, I wonder where else I could have blagged using it!?



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Old 21st Aug 2022, 21:59
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As I recall, it was possible to become an "Associate Member" subject to the approval at a General Mess Meeting. Mind you, that was many years ago; not sure of today's rules.

Earlier this year members of the local RAFA were invited to lunch at the Mess to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. The RAFA chairman had to submit our names and car registrations, which were checked at the gate, along with ID (driving licence). We were issued with temporary passes.

So in answer to the OP's question...no. Walt alert.
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 22:58
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Messes I have been at always had a 'Retired Member' category. Numbers in relation to the number of full mess members. RAF Wyton made access so difficult, most retired members resigned thier membership.Do other messes still have Retired Memebrship available?
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 23:12
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I have been into an officers mess for an official Sqn guest dining in night as being a member of the squadron association. An invite was sent out and we put in requests to be considered. I was on a course up near where the squadron was based. 4 other members of the association attended whom were all like myself, non military ID holders but were Officers on their time on the unit, to my non commissioned time. We of course signed onto the base and escorted to the mess where we had booked rooms and did not leave the complex the entire time until escorted off. This was only 5 years ago. Of course it was booked in advance and we were closed as a visit like any other. Depends on the commander of the Station and other things now, but does depend on sponsors and escorts. One officer was there that did question why I was there (due to my previous military ramk) to which my reply was "Because I am Mister." I found out later the colourful history of the Officer in question,.
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Old 21st Aug 2022, 23:28
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Originally Posted by goldox
Many years ago, before automated ticket gates, I was dashing through the ticket barrier at Victoria mainline to catch my train home.
I flashed my rail season ticket at the gate man, but he stopped me, and had a good look at it, then said OK go on...

I'd never had it examined before, so once on the train I had a good look to check it was all up to date etc, then realised I'd shown him my MOD pass!
As he let me through with that, I wonder where else I could have blagged using it!?
Ah! Well ....................

JHQ Rheindahlen had an Army entrance and a RAF entrance. The passes were essentially Red, or Blue, and in addition to usual military ID.. JHQ passes were on a chain lanyard. Many folk had a spouse employed in the other half of JHQ.

Thus one day my assistant received a phone call from his army-employed civvy wife for a tryst in Leystrasse.
To exchange passes. The system was so fool-proof as to allow a red pass into the RAF side, and vice-versa.
Rumour was that a a Bass beer bottle label worked on occasion.
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Old 22nd Aug 2022, 06:05
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Not an Officers Mess, but the principle still applies.

In the late 80s the WOs/Sgts Mess in Brunei had 8 members and a bar. The Officers Mess was dry as the CO had decided to set an example. The only overtly "wet" places were our mess and the JRC within the confines of camp and the Civil Service Club up the coast. Brunei Shell Petroleum policy was alcohol permitted within the confines of their club and individual houses.

Then the Sultan's cousin, (who was Interior Minister until his sexual proclivities and embezzlement activities came to light) decided alcohol was un-Islamic and stopped all alcohol outside the UK military on pain of Islamic punishment and/or deportation.

Within a week we had 158 applications for Honorary Membership............ only three applicants had military backgrounds. Two were admitted. There used to be a formula for such member numbers in relation to full members. Being ex military didn't automatically grant access.

NEO
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Old 22nd Aug 2022, 11:00
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Originally Posted by langleybaston
Ah! Well ....................

JHQ Rheindahlen had an Army entrance and a RAF entrance. The passes were essentially Red, or Blue, and in addition to usual military ID.. JHQ passes were on a chain lanyard. Many folk had a spouse employed in the other half of JHQ.

Thus one day my assistant received a phone call from his army-employed civvy wife for a tryst in Leystrasse.
To exchange passes. The system was so fool-proof as to allow a red pass into the RAF side, and vice-versa.
Rumour was that a a Bass beer bottle label worked on occasion.
I don't recall there being any embargo between using either end of the building. I always used to go in at Entrance 6 (Crufts' Entrance) because it was in the same direction as my quarter.
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Old 22nd Aug 2022, 11:28
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Why on earth would anyone feel the need to enter an RAF station to eat lunch? After all, you can buy sausage and chips in many other places.
It's 28 years since I left the service and in that time I've only ever eaten once on an RAF station (Puma 40th anniversary reunion), and that was at a fold-up table in a hangar.
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Old 22nd Aug 2022, 11:39
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This sounds on a par with what used to be a widely held belief among civilians that serving personnel paid no income tax, and lived free in married quarters.
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Old 22nd Aug 2022, 17:20
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Originally Posted by oxenos
This sounds on a par with what used to be a widely held belief among civilians that serving personnel paid no income tax, and lived free in married quarters.
Ah, those were great days! I remember them fondly.

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Old 22nd Aug 2022, 18:10
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Originally Posted by oxenos
This sounds on a par with what used to be a widely held belief among civilians that serving personnel paid no income tax, and lived free in married quarters.
I thought that was SCEA.
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