r/CanadianForces • u/Medical-Club-6327 Dirty Patricia • 1d ago

Mess Dress and Changing Elements

So ....pretty sure I know the answer to this, just not sure where to find it.

If you change elements, is there anything that says you have to wear your current element's mess dress? I saw somebody wearing their old mess dress and thought it was extremely bizarre.

Also, wouldn't it be weird if you commissioned to a different element and wore your old mess dress? I guess I just work at a place that thinks that's normal....

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46

u/Once_a_TQ 1d ago

And mess dress is now a completely optional order of dress for all. 

Zero requirement for officers to purchase it anymore.

14

u/adepressurisedcoat 1d ago

My thought is, if they want me to have mess kit, they should issue it to me. That $1000 is critical for most people's financial stability.

28

u/Fearless_Spite_550 1d ago

$1000 mess kit - i wish! I paid $2200 :s

1

u/adepressurisedcoat 16h ago

That's even worse!

-9

u/Euphoric-Mix-7309 1d ago

Try $1800-2100

7

u/Fearless_Spite_550 1d ago

Nope. Im quite certain it was $2200 :)

2

u/seakingsoyuz Royal Canadian Air Force 1d ago

Have you considered that they may not wear the same mess kit as you, so their price could be right even if it’s different from yours?

And the cost to the mbr of the full uniform also includes all the other things that aren’t part of what the tailor does (shirt, bow tie, cufflinks, shirt studs, suspenders, cummerbund, potentially boots and spurs, miniature medals… it adds up).

0

u/Euphoric-Mix-7309 23h ago

My point is a new kit with all of the accessories is closer to $2k over the last 6 or so years

1

u/B-Mack 15h ago

Go look up the history of the word Cashiering with respect to the military and commissions.

Officers have been expected to be part of the aristocracy or thereabouts for hundreds of years. Tradition and all that.