I have been trying to research the history of the Chief Mess but I cannot find any history on The Mess. any old salts want to take a crack?

As far as the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer, this may be of some help. You've got to remember, the grade of Chief Petty Officer in the Coast Guard did not exist until 18 May 1920. So for the Coast Guard, the Chiefs Mess or Quarters did not exist until then.

In the Revenue Cutter Service Regulations of 1894 make the mention of the "Petty Officers of the First Class". Their insignia is illustrated in the 1892 Uniform Regulations for the RCS.

The 1894 regulations have , to the effect:
Petty Officers of the First Class, and when desirable, Petty Officers of the Second Class, shall be in a separate mess from the crew. When not, Petty Officers of the Second Class will be in the Seamans or Firemans mess.

It goes on to state to the effect:

Petty Officers of the First Class shall be in rooms in the forward part of the ship, otherwise in hammocks.

By the very early 1920s 5% of each Cutter crew was authorized as CPO grade. Ship design by that time would have included separate quarters and mess for CPOs.

The USN grade of CPO was established 1 April 1893. I'd bet the early arrangements would be similar, but will defer to the USN.

On the other hand, are you referring to this "organization" that each CG District seems to have? That, I believe, is something that grew out of the very early 1990s when moves were made by headquarters types, in a response to political correctness, and the Total Quality Management movement to eliminate the CPO initiations of old as being a bad influence on the current Coast Guard. And that is not really needed to be hashed over with our Navy bretheren. They went through the same thing.


Do a search for BERTH DECK MESS. You'll run across a NY TIMES article from 1898 or so that describes how the old messing system worked prior to the "general mess" system in place since early 1900s. That might help to explain the set up of a mess, dues, mess cook tips etc etc etc.

Last but not least. Chief, would you post what you've been able to find out. There are quite a few semi-geezers, and at least one certified geezer, that poke in here from time to time and just might be interested in what you found out.

Thanx,

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastersmate,

go to the goatlocker site on the 'net. I believe it talks about it.

Chief. I believe you're right. The "Mess" info from the Goat Locker is probably more in line as to what he's looking for.

Good find

That is a great site for info, it will take a long time to dig out all the tidbits and tivia.

Hi ya'll. My dad was a CPO when he was discharged a few years ago. I was actually looking for some information that maybe someone could help me with or at least point me in the right direction. He keeps saying that I can go to school from him being in the Navy and I dont know were to begin to look. Can ya'll help me? Please!! <3

May want to pose any questions at the Veterans Section. The Education Help Board folks most likely can get you the straight skinny on education benefits.
http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/cfrm/f/293191012