61page

<a href="http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette">www.mca-marines.org/gazette</a> 59 M a r i n e C o r p s G a z e t t e • M a y 2 0 0 9 just at the sound of certain simple phrases that are still commonplace outside our base gates. This does not mean we abandon the gains we’ve made in the equal oppor- tunity realm since Tailhook or toler- ate unacceptable alcohol abuse, such as driving under the influence. But we need not act like Puritans as our clubs wither away, scratching our heads as if we have no idea why the 25-year-old company grade officers would rather hang out somewhere else. Look no further than one of Gen James L. Jones’ first White Letters as Commandant in which he stated that although we should not glamorize al- cohol consumption, we need not stig- matize it either. He charged com- manders to provide suitable alterna- tives to alcohol, but also to provide creative measures, such as education and transportation, to support those who did drink in moderation—ad- vice we have yet to really heed. • Physically restructure the clubs so that the dining rooms and banquet halls are no longer the primary focus. Since squadron and battalion plaques have been replaced with oil paintings and dice cups with candles, it is no wonder our captains would rather look elsewhere for fun. The Pensacola Aviation Museum Cubi-Point Café (replica of the Cubi Point, Philippines O’Club, with actual plaques relocated from there) is a fine example of how our clubs’ “focus of effort” should look, rather than like Applebees or Golden Corral. • Rethink the way we fund, source, and manage the clubs. Recategorize the O’Clubs so they can receive the necessary funding to survive, and even thrive. And above all, remember that it’s not about turning a profit; it’s about fostering morale and esprit de corps. • Give priority to active duty units for social gatherings and PME events, and provide incentives for local units to use the club rather than obstacles that dissuade them. In 2006 an F–14 squadron lost its bid to hold a “Tomcat decommissioning ceremony” at the Oceana, VA, O’Club, because a civilian police group had offered a more lucrative offer to use the same facility. Similar conflicts occur on our Marine bases, where the focus often seems to be on weddings, civics groups, or trade shows at the clubs. Units attempting to hold PME events at the club are charged hundreds of dollars to use built-in overhead projectors, so they go elsewhere. O’Club catering costs have soared to higher levels than most out in town, so change of com- mand and retirement ceremony re- ceptions now often occur in other local establishments or on the flight- line because officers don’t want to pay the exorbitant costs. And no doubt, with the Commandant’s deci- sion to halt club dues, MCCS re- sponded with increased prices to compensate for lost revenue. This will only aggravate the decline in at- tendance and further widen the chasm between those who continue to support the club and those who have given up on it. Harry Lee Hall. (Photo courtesy of Ron Lunn.)
61page

www.mca-marines.org/gazette