thedrifter
07-28-07, 06:12 AM
Posted on Sat, Jul. 28, 2007
Military base tries to boost Officers' Club membership
By Jennifer Hlad
Jacksonville (N.C.) Daily News
The Officers' Club at Camp Lejeune, historically, has been a place of packed happy hours, bustling events and camaraderie, a place where single Marines and families alike came to eat, drink and be merry.
But membership in the Officers' Club - and the Staff Noncommissioned Officers' Club - has taken a nose dive in recent years at military bases across the country, leaving the clubs in jeopardy of closing.
Col. Adele Hodges, Camp Lejeune's commanding officer, does not want to see that happen. So she and other base Marines are taking an active role to revitalize the club system and revive time-honored traditions.
"Membership is a privilege," Hodges said. "We are trying to improve our membership by making sure it's a benefit to become a member."
Prior to April, Marines had to apply for a special credit card in order to become a member of the club, Hodges said, and many Marines complained about it.
But April 1, the dues system changed. Now Marines can pay a year of membership dues without getting a new credit card - and still get the discounts afforded to members.
Membership has seen a slight uptick since that change, Hodges said, but the focus now is on getting younger Marines into the club.
Retirees and senior officers who remember the glory days of the clubs still frequent the club, Hodges said.
But younger Marines tend to disappear from base after work, Hodges said.
Many may head off to neighborhood bars or other activities off base, she said.
"We're not taking that away, but we want them to enjoy their club - and it is their club," Hodges said.
A recently opened updated restaurant inside the club has proved popular with families, Hodges said, but few single Marines come for dinner.
Ellie
Military base tries to boost Officers' Club membership
By Jennifer Hlad
Jacksonville (N.C.) Daily News
The Officers' Club at Camp Lejeune, historically, has been a place of packed happy hours, bustling events and camaraderie, a place where single Marines and families alike came to eat, drink and be merry.
But membership in the Officers' Club - and the Staff Noncommissioned Officers' Club - has taken a nose dive in recent years at military bases across the country, leaving the clubs in jeopardy of closing.
Col. Adele Hodges, Camp Lejeune's commanding officer, does not want to see that happen. So she and other base Marines are taking an active role to revitalize the club system and revive time-honored traditions.
"Membership is a privilege," Hodges said. "We are trying to improve our membership by making sure it's a benefit to become a member."
Prior to April, Marines had to apply for a special credit card in order to become a member of the club, Hodges said, and many Marines complained about it.
But April 1, the dues system changed. Now Marines can pay a year of membership dues without getting a new credit card - and still get the discounts afforded to members.
Membership has seen a slight uptick since that change, Hodges said, but the focus now is on getting younger Marines into the club.
Retirees and senior officers who remember the glory days of the clubs still frequent the club, Hodges said.
But younger Marines tend to disappear from base after work, Hodges said.
Many may head off to neighborhood bars or other activities off base, she said.
"We're not taking that away, but we want them to enjoy their club - and it is their club," Hodges said.
A recently opened updated restaurant inside the club has proved popular with families, Hodges said, but few single Marines come for dinner.
Ellie