THis is one thing the military is doing that is not due to political correctness. Thanks to our own MPs and new alcohol laws, people don’t frequent on base clubs anymore. Millenials like to go out later and officers are frowned at if they are seen getting a snootful at the club. It is just not a good time anymore.
Agreed. Clubs have been consolidating for decades now just to stay out of the red. If you think about it, bases used to be very remotely located, and clubs and commissaries and exchanges were necessary for the families to get basic needs without driving unreasonable distances. Today, for the still active bases, most have civilian conveniences just outside the gates. And while some bargains still exist, most items can be found on the outside (or online) at competitive or better prices.
I’m too old for this now, and too settled, (and I don’t want to get arrested or worse) but one thing for sure that you will never see in an O’club again is carrier landings (done the old fashion way). Ah, memories...
Even 30 years ago, the O’Clubs on most Air Force bases were ghost towns. The one exception was the Fly Wright annex on Friday afternoon at Wright-Patterson AFB.
This active duty Sailor concurs. Officer clubs are increasingly finding themselves relics of bygone eras, as is the military's alcohol culture in general for reasons you mentioned.
The stale-beer smelling O and E clubs of the past are being replaced by flashy new "liberty centers" complete with restaurants with full bars, lounge rooms, computers, maybe a bowling alley. There might be an enclosed room for E7-E9 and one for officers as well, but pretty much everyone hangs out together. The Millennials who are making up the bulk of today's military don't really see an issue with fraternization between officers and enlisted. It smacks of elitism. Heck, most of the enlisted these days have the same college degrees and life experiences as their officers do.