Mess Life

[Beezer]

I was wondering what other units do to promote an active mess life.

With all the budget cuts and lack of training it has caused it‘s hard to get guys in or simply prevent people from snicking out the back door after dismissal.

 

[Pikache]

Set up an arcade with latest shoot em up games.

 

[CDN1944]

i am not yet in the army and havent experienced the mess life, but i dunno to me personally i would be there every day. I dunno maybe its just my little twisted ambition to make my military life as military as possible (ive only been wanting to be in the army since i was like 4 when i saw the longest day for the first time)


I guess it must suck or being boring or w/e but shouldnt the co‘s find ways to promote unit cohesion, which would start at the basis of the mess hall? i know thats what i would do (and hope to do if i make it). anyway i dont know what im talking about so yeah lol..!

 

[Ghillie]

As a former CO, I found the best thing I could do to promote an active mess was provide the most interesting and challenging training both in armoury and field. This would give the lads war stories-well stories anyways to talk over later when the kit had been cleaned and turned in.

We were a small unit and on occassion would have all rank parties like medival nights where our partners could meet the other members of the unit.It was all tremendous fun. You must also remember that each mess has an executive which every member is encouraged to try out. Our mess also had family celebrations like Santa for Christmas and an end of year wrap up bar-b-que.

I can also tell you the mess was one of my biggest headaches as young soldiers were just beginning to be responsible for keeping track of inventory and accounting books. but even in this there were good skills to be learned and lessons to be relearned.

I felt an active mess went hand in hand with an active unit.

BG

 

[Beezer]

Thank you for the replies.

Our unit‘s training and regimental family spirit is by far the best in the brigade I just wanted to bring the mess life up a notch.

I know and see how important a mess is to unit and how much participating in its activities can be but it just upsets me to see people sneaking out the back door or simply not setting foot in the mess for whatever reasons.

Before the budget cuts and the lack of training it caused we had parties and activities on a monthly basis. Other units from the brigade would plan their parties around our schedule. We organize a ski trip, paint-balling, movies and all kinds of parties from St-Patrick Day party, Disco Parties, Beach Parties, Haloween parties and a whole bunch more.

With all those said activities how would you get more people to stick around and understand the importance of mess life?