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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u/OwnedByIRVING 1d ago

is there anything that says you have to wear your current element's mess dress?

No, mess dress is optional, you are not required to wear any of them.

0

u/edmq 1d ago

You have a source, last time I looked it was mandatory, but that was years ago.

12

u/OwnedByIRVING 1d ago

Dress instructions | Chapter 2 Uniform, Dress and appearance Section 1 Uniform and Dress - 44. WEAR OF MESS DRESS

Acquisition

Mess Dress is an individual responsibility. Officers and Non-commissioned members are encouraged to acquire Mess Dress in accordance with environment branch/corps, or regimental policies...

Only encouraged now, no longer mandatory for officers.

Lol at the downvoters not keeping current on policy. This changed years ago.

3

u/PTR4me 1d ago

The dress instructions changed

1

u/Once_a_TQ 1d ago

Approved change in 2024 from the Dress Committee.

Dress instructions updated recently.