T.V's in Reserve messes

[Phillman]

On a parade night I usually spend just as much, if not more, time in the mess than actual training. This includes the time before we start training for the night as well as the time spent after dismissal.

As for the T.V., its usually on but hardly anyone really watches it, unless of course Wild On is on. ;D

 

[Jarnhamar]

If i'm on break and I don't want to stand around getting in the way of officers or get put on a work party I'll head up to the mess and have a seat, maybe watch a bit of simpsons or CNN.

I know I've seen guys bitch out other guys for watching TV instead of crowding around the bar. I figure if someone is sitting down *IN* the mess watching TV having a coke or a bag of chips who cares.

Also I think it's better to have people in the mess watching TV and maybe have to send someone up to call the guys down to work instead of trying to track everyone down. Plus if *I* need a work party i know where to find people

 

[1feral1]

My 'Two Bob' - For Armyboi69, There is more to a parade night than a few hours of work, and the Army is more than a job, its a lifestyle, and socially the ORs meet at the JRs for a few drinks, and socialising, and yes there is a TV too.

If there is a TV or some pool tables and a lounge with some comfy soft places to lay back, who really cares. TVs are ther for a number of reasons such as sporting events, etc. Plus video nights and the rest of it.

Its all about being social and blowing off a bit of steam. I remember my days in the Regina Grn ORs Mess. The place was open 5 or 6 nights a week (and later on Sunday afternoons), and was the hub social centre for 6 Units.

I remember the wicked and wild theme parties, such as Halloween, Christmas, Grey Cup, toga parties, winter beach themes, etc. This is not including change of comd parades, 11 Nov, and other days such as St Barbara, etc. That mess made $$$$, which bought a new bigger TV and a stereo, and the latest bar stuff at the time (1980s).

It was always packed, and was a mecca for meeting heaps university girls, who were 'invites' at all the social functions. For me as a younger bloke it was my second home, TV pool table and the lot of it.

I was back there in July of this year, and it had not changed much. It smelled the same (stale beer and funk), but appeared smaller than I remembered.

So, Armyboi69, I know you are only a 14 yr old right now, but when you get to be 16 or 17, and should you join the Militia, and get to be a paying mess member, I too ensure you'll enjoy the Mess, and will sit back like anyone else and watch TV.

Currently in our SGTs and WOs Mess, we have a TV and a stereo, as does the JR's Mess too. every time I am in there, they are always on.

Frankly I have never been in a proper Mess that did not have a TV, and I have darkened a few Messes in my almost 29 years of service .


Regards,

Wes

 

[Spr.Earl]

I'm old fashioned.   TVs in TV rooms are fine - they are never appropriate in the Mess at large.

Harumph says the old fart...

This old fart agrees with you, Phrttttt*
Oh no there goes the colostomy bag!!

 

[pbi]

This old fart agrees with you, Phrttttt*
Oh no there goes the colostomy bag!!

My position exactly.TV for those who need it, conversation for those who don't, with the Mess arranged to accomodate both. Even a relatively small Mess can be set up in this way. Cheers

 

[Spr.Earl]

Yup nothing worse like trying to have a pint and a conversation and competing with Hockey Louts!!

 

[pbi]

Roger that! I have a particular irritating brother-in-law, who, upon arrival at any family gathering, immediately plops his fat arse in front of the living room TV, cranks up the game, then starts yelling at everybody else to shut up and get out of his way so he can see the screen. I don't want to see this sort of BS in the Mess. Cheers.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I think it's important to take into consideration the difference between reserve and regular force mess's.

A regular force soldier will probably have access to a few different options. He can head over to the mess (probably in a different building), he can head over a TV room or he can probably go over to a canteen (which might also serve as a TV room).  In the reserves our mess is going to be in a corner of the armories. It's a mess, TV room and canteen all in one for us. We can head to the mess for 5 or 10 minutes where as in the force i don't think many people just drop by for 10 minutes, considering it's in another building.

 

[Pte. Bloggins]

Wait till you're old enough, join the reserves, and you'll find out. Until then, feel free to ask questions but don't make judgements on stuff you know nothing about.

 

[dutchie]

ARMYBoi:

Here it is, listen up.

Reservist arrive for a parade night one night a week (say Thursdays). We start at say, 1930, train until 2230 (if not later), and then we are free to go.

AFTER WE ARE DISMISSED, we all head up to the Mess, on our own time, and socialize, carouse, drink, and generally have a good time.

We don't forgo training to go 'play games'. It is not called a 'canteen' (there is one in the regs, but it's still not a mess), and we don't call it a 'Corps' - we call it the 'Unit' or Regiment'.

As previously advised, post all you like, but keep your judgements about something you know less than nothing about to yourself. Remember you have two ears and one mouth - you should therefore be listening twice as much as you speak.

 

[Jarnhamar]

When I didn't have a vehicle i used to walk over to my armories on a thursday night after work, i'd get there around 5:30 or 6. I'd shower shave get dressed then hang out in the mess for an hour watching TV before training.  I used to always go in eairly and hang out, see who was there. Now I drive 2 hours into work every thursday. I don't want to get to work right at 7 so i give myself lots of time to relax and get ready, again i'll spend time in the mess. After work it's the same thing. Hang out, relax, have a drink and catch up on whats going on with friends.

If your on a course you can head to the mess to study your notes.(before work, after work or during a break) Go over lesson plans, go over the parts of the C6, radio proceedure, recruits can head there to study or more importantly, keep out of the way. Some units have people in work doing administration stuff. Your 2 hours of work can actually be as much as 6 hours for some people.

 

[bossi]

Well then *please* explain to me what you do that you even need a mess... If you're there for 3 (sorry... to my knowledge Reservists at my unit trained for 2, but I could be wrong) hours a night, then why do you want to be at the Canteen or playing games?   What do you do every Parade Night?

Have you ever heard the expression "seen but not heard" ... ?  Try it.
Another one is "better to remain silent and appear ignorant, than to speak and remove all doubt".

You're welcome to ask clearly articulated questions, with the proviso that you cease and desist from making erroneous statements and assumptions (i.e. just ask the question - don't add "... I heard that ...").

The mess is a place for adult peers to relax and socialise after work - it's their "home", not an imitation of a commercial canteen/snack bar/restaurant/whatever.  It's a venue for "brothers-in-arms" to share friendly discussion, advice, debate, and entertainment.

 

[rounder]

Have you ever heard the expression "seen but not heard" ... ?  Try it.
Another one is "better to remain silent and appear ignorant, than to speak and remove all doubt".

You're welcome to ask clearly articulated questions, with the proviso that you cease and desist from making erroneous statements and assumptions (i.e. just ask the question - don't add "... I heard that ...").

The mess is a place for adult peers to relax and socialise after work - it's their "home", not an imitation of a commercial canteen/snack bar/restaurant/whatever.  It's a venue for "brothers-in-arms" to share friendly discussion, advice, debate, and entertainment.

Right on Bossi

 

[1feral1]

I think this armyboi69 is just trying to stir shyte, and I regret even responding to his post :

Wes

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Quote from armyboi,
and I'm just here to post like anyone else...

I think you will find though is that most are here not so much to post as they are here to read and learn.
...and if there is one thing the staff here prides ourselves on is the amount of correct info that is presented here.
Check out some profiles and you will see that you have more posts than some that have been here for years[and some of those are moderators]
Just try spending a few days reading instead of posting and you will see what I mean.
Thanks

 

[Korus]

My position exactly.TV for those who need it, conversation for those who don't, with the Mess arranged to accomodate both. Even a relatively small Mess can be set up in this way. Cheers

I agree... My mess, which I described eariler, although only one room, is set up with the TV in a corner and a couple of couches around it, but tables/chairs set up  throughout the rest of the mess for shooting the shit. Good times  ;D

 

[QORvanweert]

I am here mainly to try and get an early education about some things I can expect for the Reserves.

Armyboi69, I do not want to just give you ****, but this should be your first lesson ever if you want to survive the CF without some EXTREMELY fit staff member constantly making you do PT; don't ever talk, don't ever ask a question to a superior that someone else can answer for you and never ever ever make generalisations/assumptions about something. if you do then they will make you and your entire section/platoon suffer greatly for it. thus said, good luck but remember, these are the nicest people you are ever going to meet in/related-to the CF, once you are in that uniform and subject to CSD, QR&O, and a bunch of others then will get a chance to practise what you have apparently read.

 

[pbi]

if you do then they will make you and your entire section/platoon suffer greatly for it.

.

Really.....? And what happened to our "policy" on collective punishment?  Cheers

 

[pbi]

Perhaps we should just lay off ARMYboi69 for a bit. I think the point has been made. We all make mistakes. Cheers.

 

[rounder]

Yeah... so  I started this post saying TV's in reserve messes... anyone else have anything to say??