Queens Commission

[McMouse]

In this day and age is it necessary to maintain the distinction between commissioned officers and other ranks?

[Lonnie]

I believe so, in that they should have their own Messes etc, but not to the extent, as they do now, of recruiting other ranks as waiters etc, and I think at least once a week, they should eat and mix with the other ranks in their mess, so they can listen to their concerns etc.

[Mr Chipps]

Sorry, I don't agree. Could a waiter make the momentous decisions about people in his charge that an officer is trained for? I think not.
After 23 years in the RAF I recognised that there must be a hierarchy, not only to maintain discipline, but to maintain the society in which the forces operate. I didn't want officers to eat with me, I knew where to find one if I needed to air my concerns and I was happy to mix with people of my rank - much more fun.
Not all officers are good ones, but they do have the responsibilities that go with the rank and the training to apply it. In my experience an officer that mixes almost always comes to grief.

[Dolly1308]

Yes.

[gary2411]

yes because if not there would be no order some one has to lead and some have to follow thats how the british army work and nothing willchange it