sherminator505

You know, you sound a lot different when you're not bullying a teenager. Much more subdued. Just an observation.(This message has been edited by sherminator505)

Kawidaphoenix, I suggest that you read the "Religion/Sexuality" topic in Issues and Politics. You will be surprised to learn that a lot of the people who whomped you are actually quite conservative. You might also be surprised to learn that a liberal actually can hold his own (not to toot my own horn, but I consider my exchange with evmori to be a respectful, spirited exchange).(This message has been edited by sherminator505)

I've seen both methods work well (keeping them together vs. splitting them up early). Really, it depends on the cohesiveness of the new scout patrol. Is this a patrol that moved in from the same Webelos den or is it an amalgamation from different places? Usually, that makes a big difference as to whether the new scout patrol moves forward as a group or splits up. This is a decision best left to the boys, as they will usually trust their own better judgment in such matters.

Thank you Buffalo Skipper. I see it now.

I have seen too many Scouters wear that belt with their official uniform to say no. I'm pretty sure it's fine.

I have nothing but respect for buglers, but could someone please explain how a bugler exercises leadership?

I can think of a number of things that some Scouters do that would drive kids away far more effectively than the uniform, including losing sight of the task at hand (i.e. providing the program we promised to the boys), getting wrapped up in ideaology at the expense of common sense (and sometimes our sense of right and wrong), and forgetting that we as Scouters are being looked at as the examples of the ideals we profess to promote. I am not speaking about all Scouters or even most Scouters. I am speaking of that rare breed that create bad experiences for the boys and make them want to leave. I just hope that I am never seen as one of those.

I love the idea of oaths of office for Scout leaders. I also recall something called "investiture of Scoutmasters" but I do not remember specifics. Does anybody remember offhand where this stuff might be written down, so that the wheel need not be reinvented?

Maybe I should point out that other than the deceased friend, there are no actual established gay people mentioned in the aforementioned posts.

I had an interesting experience in one of the regular forums. One of the other posters had this to say: "Well in my opinion, scouts are not going to really like wearing the uniform in public,and around girls, until the powers that be quit making them wear uniforms that look like they were designed by some Gay fashion designer.What ever happened to the normal green uniform,with the sidecap,and Boy Scouts of America over the pocket??Also having the normal looking rank badges,Pocketless sleeves,and boots?? These are trademark scouting gear, not the semi Gay garb of today. I saw uniforms go down hill when the issed that fruity red beret in the 70's.It has never started an upward climb since. I say let REAL scouters design the uniform,THEN we might make some headway in this arena." After a few remarks about this poster's rather liberal use of the word "gay," a second post appeared: Well ******* [name redacted], I was always taught, If the Shoe Fits....... If You are Gay(I coulda used a multitude of other words for it that weren't near as nice as "Gay"), and offended, Then I hate that for you. Scouting has no place for the Gay culture-it goes against EVERYTHING Scouting is supposed to stand for.Gay tolerance should definitely NOT be taught to Youngsters that many times are not old enough to form an educated opinion of their own. REMEMBER-- Adult Scout leaders are Many times the only MALE adult figure these kids have in their lives.If That offends you-- Sorry about your luck. I HAD a friend in Scouting-- one of the best friends I ever had in my life, that came out of the closet after we parted ways for college-- And NOW he lays rotting in the grave-- a victim of AIDS.NEVER once did he act overtly to any of us, and I stayed loyal in our friendship until his death.never had an inkling he was gay until he was already dying. So I'm not a Gay basher in word, thought, or deed to any of the scouts under my care in my troop.By the same token, I don't promote touchy,feely sympathies for the Gay cause either. I feel that many kids (from what I've heard them say) view the current uniform as "sissified"-- an accurate idea in my opinion. Everything now a days is "offensive" to someone. Some people make it their life's mission to be offended at least once daily. My point was that in the fashion world Gay designers are known for Garish, needlessly complicated, designs. Such is the uniform of scouting now to many of today's kids. Also the Pricing of gearing up a Scout, like many of the other things in Scouting is UNBELIEVABLE. Scouting is getting ready to price itself out of existance very shortly I'm afraid." It brought to mind a number of questions that I would have for this poster: * If you can think of "a multitude of other words for it that weren't near as nice as "Gay," then isn't that bashing in thought? * By not teaching "gay tolerance," do you mean to say that they should be allowed to form the stunted and derogatory opinion that you seem to have? * If your friend from Scouts, who now "lays rotting in the grave," came out before you parted ways, would you still call him your friend? * Finally, how is it that you decided that both the poster you called out and the designer of the Boy Scout uniform were gay, with absolutely no information to back it up? And now, a question for the group. We may disagree very strongly on a topic, but how far is too far, and how do we keep these discussions civil, no matter how contentious they may be?

I think the app needs one more "at least" in it. Then we can all be happy and the 5th grade drop-out can join the Troop along with his little brainiac brother who can now earn Eagle before he turns 12!

I suspect that one of two things will happen. Either the BSA will issue an errata and change this in future printings, or we will have our first 11-year-old Eagle in about 18 months.

*glaring at Kawidaphoenix, sorely tempted but biting my tongue, hard* I never really liked the beret. It was already on its way out when I was a Scout because it was soooo 70's. I'm a little disappoined that the crushable hat didn't catch on better. Next to the campaign hat, this was the most practical headgear the BSA ever put out.

Sweet. The only reservation I have is the "Dry Clean Only" part. Love the styling, though.

The knot I understand the least is the NESA Life Member knot. Of all the knots out there, this one seems to be the most egregious "gimme."

Didn't the BSA create knots after WWII to clear up this confusion, and to keep this sort of mixing from taking place?

I personally feel that it is perfectly acceptable for trainers to share their own personal experiences in training, so long as two conditions are met: * the additional material is not in conflict with the material in the course syllabus, and * the discussion does not degenerate into a story-swapping session that drags and drags and takes away from the focus of the training.(This message has been edited by sherminator505)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. I'll bet it'll make a sharp family photo!

Do yourself a favor. DO NOT get the yellow plastic stuff! It unravels way too easily and does not straighten out entirely when it's untied.

Actually, GPS-GIS is more closely related to surveying. It might be a better idea to incorporate GPS-GIS into the Surveying MB...

Thanks for putting your reservations about the new uniform into words. I couldn't put my finger on why I had reservations about them, but you state it to a "T."

Thanks for clarifying your position, BadenP. I'm sorry to hear that you regard some Scouting tasks as miniscule. I think they're all important. BTW, I didn't name names in my previous post. Defensive much?(This message has been edited by sherminator505)

This reminds me of a story my Marine brother shared with me. I don't know if it's true, but it's certainly relevant. It told of a habit that some of the Marines on a particular post had of carrying horse whips. The odd thing about this was that there were no horses on the post. They came to be known as "swagger sticks" and were popular for a time. Eventually, some at the post began to see the folly in this and began to voice their strong opinions on this and a great controversy ensued. Finally the CO had to do something about this, so he issued a memo stating the following: Regarding horse whips (or "swagger sticks"): By all means, those who require this level of ego support should carry one! Soon, all of the "swagger sticks" disappeared.(This message has been edited by sherminator505)

I have a campaign hat. I bought it soon after I completed Wood Badge. I bought it for $69, which was a significant expenditure for a college student, but I did so with the understanding that I would be doing training in the future and "the hat," as I came to know it, was a fixture in the training courses in that council. Soon after, I became Scoutmaster of the Troop I was working with. At first I didn't wear "the hat" for the day-to-day troop stuff. This changed at an OA campfire when I wore "the hat." The boys immediately took notice, and insisted that I wear "the hat" on a regular basis as it had become the symbol of the Scoutmaster. This continued for two years, until I finished college, found a job, and moved to another town. Some years later, I was invited to serve on the staff of a WB21 course. I was rather stunned to learn that "the hat" was no longer a requirement and was actually frowned upon. So now "the hat" has become somewhat of an anachronism and I wonder, is the campaign hat even relevant to Scouting anymore, and if so, how?

I find it interesting that some folks in the forums can hijack a thread, have a new thread created to address their specific rant, and have nothing more to contribute to that thread than a snarky one-liner! But I digress. There are certainly a number of schools of thought here. There are those who operate under the impression that less is more. There are some that wear the knots with the idea that it encourages the boys to advance and to show off their advancement on their uniforms. There are some who have the idea that they need to look like a banana-republic general in their uniforms. And there are some that dismiss the whole notion as foolishness. What is important is not simply how you wear your uniform, if you wear your uniform, or how you feel about how others wear their uniforms. What is important is your recognition that how you wear your uniform reflects your general attitude toward Scouting. What is more important is what you do in and around those uniforms and whether it is good for the boys we serve.