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
![Eek! :o :o](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f631.png)
.
Regards,
Wes