Mess Etiquette?

[el_grimley]

Afternoon,

I'm in the process of applying for Air Traffic Control with the Fleet Air Arm and I have my aptitude test in the next few weeks. I've managed to skip the whole URNU thing at university so I have no reference as to what is appropriate with regards to mess dress. Opinions I have got off of forces based mates include. "Get a blazer and chinos", "Get chinos and wear your suit jacket" and "Just wear your suit". Any advice?

Thanks

Graham

[Sonne]

Try the BRNC Website http://www.britannia.ac.uk

And specifically http://www.britannia.ac.uk/britannia%20 ... ficers.htm

The last link is a rough guide for young officers.

Sonne

[el_grimley]

Thanks very much. I'm sure that will come in most handy.

Graham

[Dickie]

I had a read through that, and it all seems to give the impression that everything is extremely formal as an Officer? Would that be a fair deduction? I understand that there has to be a degree of formality, but reading that I'm almost wondering whether to rethink what I'm planning to do after university as I'm not sure I could cope with it, or fit in at all.

[BlondeLaraCroft]

I realise this is 5 months ago but I thought I'd reply anyway.
I've only had one experience of a navel mess - WO and senior rates on Trafalgar Night this year, and yes everything was extremely formal, ie obivously mess dress and ball gowns, but I thought it added so much class to the evening, I mean, I never realised how much tradition the navy actually have and I think it's great, dressing formally added to this as well which I believe is valuable to upholding tradition. The evening really impressed me.

[BlondeLaraCroft]

well... it coinicided with ladies night so we could go if we were escorted by your partner, men weren't allowed to go alone though which was funny when they got charged!!

[got1]

[quote="flo"]The only problem with ball gowns is if you are anything like me the damn thing is covered in port and the hem has been stood on numerous times by various inebriated mess members. Your wrap is soaking wet because it fell down the heads and your £25.00 hair do is flat as a pancake because duty transport didnt turn up.

And as for not letting you up to go to the 'POWDER ROOM' well !!!!!!! [/quote]

Flo, first mess do.
I'm in the pub and the wife comes in and says I have to see this ball gown in the shop. I go down the road and she parades in this "gown".
The shopkeeper says she's going to be the prettiest lady at the ball, my reply after seeing the price tag, "and I'm going to be the poorest husband".
Why can they only get one "do" out of a dress, after all our mess kit never changes.

[BlondeLaraCroft]

ooo yes getting another dress for the cristmas ball as well, can't wait Then gona make the 300 mile journey to it grr they should move the base!!!oooo and it means I've got to get ANOTHER one for the CCF dinner as well hehe the credit card will definitely be out

And of course you can only wear a dress once in a row, would be scandalous if you did shocking to even think about suggesting it