Type and Eligibility Criteria. Membership of the Officers' Mess is voluntary and is awarded upon application and subject to the criteria and categories established in these Bylaws. The type and eligibility criteria for Officers' Mess membership is determined by applicant's appointment and place of duty station or employment. Such information must be provided to the Membership Coordinator when applying for membership. The Membership Coordinator will evaluate the membership application using the criteria defined in these Bylaws.

Categories of Members and Criteria:

(1) Regular Membership: This membership shall be for a period of at least six months and is restricted to:

(a) Military Officers. All NATO and PfP military officers assigned to HQ SACT, Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF), Combined Joint Operations of the Sea Centre of Excellence (CJOS COE), or attached in support of HQ SACT, including NATO Communications and Information Agency's CIS Support Unit (NCIA CSU) Norfolk, and National Liaison Representatives (NLR) from NATO and Partner nations.

(c) NATO US Civilian Personnel. Regular US Civilian Membership is available to NATO International Civilians (NIC) and Temporary Civilians who are US citizens or ordinarily resident in the United States employed by HQ SACT, JFCNF, or NCIA CSU Norfolk. NICs or Temporary Civilians have the choice of either joining the Officers' Mess as Regular Members or being considered for Enlisted Member status.

(2) Associate Member: This membership may be granted by the Mess Committee, after submission of an application for consideration. There shall be no more than 15 Associate Members at any time; however, as the number of current Associate Members exceeds this newly imposed threshold, the OM shall reduce the number of Associate Members to 15 within 12 months of COS endorsement of these Bylaws. Associate members have similar privileges to regular US Civilian members. Associate Membership may be offered to:

(a) Military Personnel. International military personnel of officer status serving at US Joint Staff Suffolk.

(b) Civilian Personnel. Civilian personnel, grades GS-11 and above, serving in military organizations in Norfolk. Justification for civilian personnel must include a letter from the employing officer (usually a Branch Head), which clearly states that the applicant has officer status.

(c) Contractors: Individuals employed by a company with which HQ SACT, JFCNF, or NCIA CSU Norfolk has a current contract and who are performing services at HQ SACT, JFCNF, or NCIA CSU Norfolk.

(4) Honorary Member:

This membership may be awarded to persons ineligible for Regular or Associate membership, but who has made particular and outstanding contributions to the Officers' Mess (typically having previously served in support of an Officers' Mess activity).

An Honorary Membership may be awarded, on case-by-case basis, to friends of the Mess, ineligible for other memberships. Any member of the Officers' Mess may propose candidates for the Honorary Membership. Award of Honorary Membership requires unanimous endorsement of the Mess Committee and approval by the Honorary Mess President (COS). Normally, the President of the Mess Committee (PMC) will be awarded this membership upon completion of their duties as PMC. Recipients will pay no contribution or administrative fees. They have similar privileges to regular US Civilian Members. There shall be no more than fifteen (15) Honorary Members in the Officers' Mess at any given time.