Name/Title
Constitution and By-LawsEntry/Object ID
2016x.65.03Scope and Content
The commanding officer of a regiment may enter any of his regimental messes. In practice, COs rarely enter anything other than the officers' mess unless invited, as a point of etiquette. Chaplains are usually welcomed in all messes. In addition, duty personnel — NCOs & Officers — or the military police, have access to any and all messes for the purposes of maintaining good order and discipline. These duty personnel are not required to remove headdress, belts, and side-arms, in the exercise of their duties.
Messes are run by the mess committee, a group democratically elected by the members of the mess. These positions are normally spelled out in the mess constitution, which sets out the bylaws, regulations, and guidelines for such things as the conduct of mess meetings, associate memberships, dress regulations within the mess, or booking of the mess by civilian organizations. The constitution and any amendments are voted upon by the members of the mess.