Segregated Mess/Club Activities

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:00:20 -0500

Would like to hear people's thoughts on the evolution the the U.S. Army's club systems( officers club, NCO club) and the ultimate demise of this system and the creation of all-ranks clubs and activities. The Navy and Marine Corps still have an system of segregating the ranks in these and other ways. My opinion; I wished the Army would have never created the all-ranks clubs systems. I could guess that it had a lot to do with fights. The Australian Army segregates the Mess and clubs as well and in ours I think it has, over the last two decades created an environment where NCOs have lost respect and inappropriate friendships and relationships have have been created between the lower enlisted and NCO ranks across the entire formation.

Thoughts?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2015 2:04 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:04:22 -0500

Damn! How the hell do you edit these from a phone? Sometimes I hate my phone and these little keyboards!

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 20 at 2015 2:04 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:04:50 -0500

The Army club system was losing too much money in operating three different clubs: enlisted, NCO, and officers. I do not like the word segregation but in this it was needed. Another downfall in my opinion was that club operators could not keep up with local market.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 20 at 2015 2:04 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:04:55 -0500

The club system (at least for the Army) became obsolete as the civilian world began to encroach towards bases. Why stay on base to drink when you can go off base just as easily? Also the Army has become a bit less rank segregated than the Navy (although the Navy has a valid reason why they still maintain it).

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Feb 20 at 2015 2:06 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:06:39 -0500

When I was active there was no fratornat

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Feb 20 at 2015 2:16 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:16:40 -0500

Sorry, meant to say, when I was in socializing was not allowed between these ranks and that I considered correct and acceptable. Should stay that way, as I believe it prevents a lot of problems. To get along and respect both those on each side, EM and Officers was one thing, to socialize and be their "pal" was another.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Feb 20 at 2015 2:29 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:29:37 -0500

For an Officer to tell me he was my friend, I took it in to the concept that he or she was there to help if needed, not to go partying and drinking with. The same with NCO's and EM (E4 and below).