Editing Mess (section)

== Canada ==
Messing in the [[Canadian Forces]] generally follows the British model (see [[#United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] below), from which most traditions have descended. Basic regulations regarding the establishment and administration of messes is contained in the [[King's Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces|King's Regulations and Orders]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.admfincs.forces.gc.ca/qr_o/vol1/ch027_e.asp#27.01 |url-status=dead |title=QR&O Chapter 27 - Messes, Canteens and Institutes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518053256/http://www.admfincs.forces.gc.ca/qr_o/vol1/Ch027_e.asp |archive-date=2006-05-18 }}</ref> and the [[Canadian Forces Administrative Orders]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.admfincs.forces.gc.ca/admfincs/subjects/cfao/027-01_e.asp |title=CFAO 27-1 -- MESSES |access-date=2006-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719140121/http://www.admfincs.forces.gc.ca/admfincs/subjects/cfao/027-01_e.asp |archive-date=2006-07-19 }}</ref>

As in the British Forces, there are normally three messes: the officers' mess (called the [[wardroom]] in naval establishments), for [[officer (armed forces)|commissioned officers]] and [[officer cadet]]s; the warrant officers' and sergeants' mess (Navy: chiefs' and petty officers' mess), for [[non-commissioned officer#Canada|senior non-commissioned officers]] and [[warrant officer#Canada|warrant officers]]; and the [[junior ranks]] mess, for [[non-commissioned officer#Canada|junior non-commissioned officers]], [[private (rank)|private]]s, and [[Seaman (rank)|seamen]]. Some bases, such as [[CFB Kingston]] in the 1980s, had a [[master corporal]]s' mess separate from the junior ranks'; all of these, with the exception of the [[CFB Valcartier]] master corporals' mess (known as the {{lang|fr|Mess des chefs}}), have been amalgamated with the junior ranks' messes. Certain other bases, mainly training establishments such as HMCS ''Venture'' have messes known as the gun room for the use of subordinate officers (naval or officer cadets).

Most bases and stations have three messes (officers', warrant officers' and sergeants', and junior ranks'). Many of these establishments have lodger units (such as air squadrons, army regiments, etc.) who also have their own messes. All of [[His Majesty's Canadian ship]]s have three messes aboard; this extends to Naval Reserve divisions and other naval shore establishments which bear the title HMCS (see [[stone frigate]]). Due to limited budgets and declining revenues, many messes have been forced to close or amalgamate: for example, at [[CFS St. John's]], the junior ranks' mess of the Newfoundland Militia District closed, its members moving to the station's junior ranks'; the station's officers' mess and warrant officers' and sergeants' mess later amalgamated.

Headdress is not worn in Canadian messes,{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} except:
* by personnel on duty, such as a duty or [[watch officer]], or the [[Canadian Forces Military Police|military police]];
* as permitted on special occasions, such as during costume parties, theme events, etc.;
* by personnel for whom wearing headgear is mandatory (e.g. for religious reasons).

All Canadian Forces personnel, regular and reserve, must belong to a mess, and are termed ''ordinary members'' of their particular mess. Although normally on federal property, messes have been ordered to comply with the [[legal drinking age]] laws of their province;{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} for example, an 18-year-old soldier may legally consume alcohol in a Quebec mess, but not in one in Ontario, where the legal age is 19 years. However, despite being underage, the soldier may not be prohibited ''entry'' into the mess.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}

Canadian Forces personnel are normally welcome in any mess of their appropriate rank group, regardless of element; thus a regimental sergeant-major of an infantry battalion is welcome in a chiefs' and petty officers' mess (inter-service rivalries notwithstanding). Personnel of a different rank (except as noted below) must ask for permission to enter; that may be granted by the president of the mess committee, his designate, or the senior member present.

These restrictions are normally waived on certain special occasions, when the messes are "opened" to all personnel, regardless of rank. These occasions may include (and will be locally published by the mess committee):{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}:
* [[New Year's Day]], January 1, called a ''[[New Year's levee|levée]]''
* [[Canada Day]], July 1
* [[Remembrance Day]], November 11

The commanding officer of the establishment or unit that owns the mess is permitted access to all his messes; thus a ship's captain has access to the vessel's chiefs' and petty officers' mess, the commanding officer of a regiment may enter any of the regimental messes, and the base commander is welcome in any of the base's messes. In practice, commanding officers rarely enter anything other than the officers' mess unless invited, as a point of etiquette. In addition, duty personnel — such as a duty NCO or officer of the watch — or the military police have access to any and all messes for the purposes of maintaining good order and discipline. Chaplains are usually welcomed in all messes.

As in the UK, Canadian messes are run by the mess committee, a group democratically elected by the members of the mess. One exception is on warships, where the president of the junior ranks mess is appointed by the commanding officer. The committee members are generally the same as those of their British counterparts, with the addition of special representatives for such things as sports, housing, morale, etc. These positions are normally spelled out in the mess constitution, which sets out the bylaws, regulations, and guidelines for such things as 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.