Quote:
Originally Posted by rob love
... You know the old joke: How does the Navy separate the men from the boys? With a crowbar.
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No longer done in the Navy (so sayth an old tar whom I chat with from time to time when bored senseless). They now use hot water.
Back to reality - yes, permission is required by former members to wear mess dress at functions including weddings and mess dinners. My naval acquaintance recently went through this process, which turned out to be a fairly easy "evolution".
Personally, since I no longer fit my mess dress (no, not a real dress), I won't wear it. Instead, I wear a dinner jacket (and pants - for those who would find it necessary to take the time to ask) and black tie.
It would be fun to see a Military Policeman running in a retired senior officer for wearing his mess togs without authorization...