Until 'modern' servicemen start using the facilities and take an active part in promoting change by joining the committee, nothing will change. A balance has to found between maintaining standards and traditions whilst moving with the times.
From my exchange visits with Officers' Messes I have noted them to be less formal and dated. This is probably down to the influence of the wider age range of its members.
I do welcome the RAF's efforts to promote use by the younger and newly promoted by subsidising their mess dress and giving at least a 5% pay-rise to offset the costs of mess membership.
How many Cpls do you think there are on the average section these days?
Just before I left in April, there were about 6 on an entire sqn shift at Lyneham!!!
So if 2 are married, 2 fancy a quiet night & 1 does not drink, the chances of going out with another Cpl are pretty slim.
I joined in 85 & never knew many cpls using the Cpl’s clubs, we had a mass vote at Laarbruch to ban acting Cpls (coppers) & the club closed very soon after!
I am not against a Mess as such, it totally depends on your situation whether you use them & not whether you can “be bothered”
While at Leuchars the CMC was a total bellsniff & ruined many many functions, so if people decide not to use it, why should you be forced to pay for it?
I lived in the mess at Lyneham & it was a good laugh. But I’m sure a Cpl’s Club will never work today, as it struggled when the was enough serving members to fill a premiership ground, so now the RAF would struggle to fill a phone box I just don’t think there will be enough interest.