TAHAWK

Forgetting the rest of the world, as some do from time to time, U.S. military personnel have been involved in combat in at least fifty-one of my seventy-two years.

This story is as good as any other. The Registrar, knowing that Cadet Ulysses Grant HAD to have a middle name, assumed he was named for mother's father, Mr. Simpson, as was often the case in those days. Grant, happy for an error that eliminated the hated Hiram, made no effort to correct the error.

If there is only one side, is it "fair" to present those facts or do we have to pretend there is no story?

The General Grant National memorial (AKA "Grant's Tomb") contains the bodies of: Hiram Ulysses Grant Julia Dent Grant

Hence "potential" and "could."

This illustrates the problem of special language. Another version, out of 42,3000 hits on Google: Now I know that a rubber scraper is to be referred to as a "wookie knife." 0___0

And I did not - nine months ago - which is one problem with special language. In Googling boy scout LNT sumping, both response from BSA expressly excluded the word "sumping."

For example, were you to write a procedure involving the Scoutmaster, I predict you would refer to the "Scoutmaster." BSA may refer to the "Scoutmaster," the "Troop Leader" or the "troop leader," and leave you to puzzle out whom that might be. Were you to describe a role for your Senior Patrol Leader, you would likely call him the "Senior Patrol Leader". BSA consistently refers to someone as the "senior patrol leader" when it usually means the Senior Patrol Leader ( and not the senior Patrol Leader, who once led the troop on the relatively rare occasion of a troop activity in Boy Scouting.). English as a second language and all that. We have had entire threads here that come down to BSA's inability to write clearly. My least favorite example is the syllabus section on the Patrol Method that does not explain what the Patrol Method is - or even have such an explanation as a goal.

I forgot to mention the rubber scraper. Critical item for low-water use dish washing. The backpacking method I described, plus the scraper and perhaps use of some AP to remove residue, is the method Philmont now teaches. I learned it as a Scout in California, where some backpackers required us to pack in all the water we would use. Others "sand washed," but our troop didn't on grounds that the critters dug up the used sand and spread the mess. When I was at Philmont in 1990, they were still teaching the unsafe official BSA method (chlorine uselessly in the hot rinse water) while urging through scraping of dishes before washing. They were also trying to make the "runs" a fun part of the Philmont experience; it featured in the campfire. Ho ho ho. My three crews did not use the BSA method and the only GI problem was one episode of food [poisoning from spoiled rations. (We would not have eaten the stuff except the prior two days food had also been spoiled, and we were desperately hungry. Here's a tip. When the mac and cheese is three years out of date, don't eat it. The 30,000 calorie shortfall was expected. The spoiled food was not. I understand the food situation is much better. Calling it "sumping" adds to the special language of Philmont.

Patrols do KP separately. Three tubs as noted above - "cold" chlorine rinse as final step. Each patrol has a salvaged dish washer rack for air drying. In below freezing weather, we do use a propane burner (Think turkey frying.) to heat water for the patrols to come and get for their respective sites. We were using the three-tub method at the 85 Jamboree and waited 25 years for BSA to conform to recognized practices by adding a cold sanitizing rinse. When backpacking, the large patrol kit pot is the wash tub. Soap, brush, rinse. Dishes are rinsed over the "wash pot" with a cub or ladle of hot clean water from the hot water bucket. This adds to the wash water for larger items and items needing soaking. The only tub is for sanitizing after the hot water rinse. A patrol can often do all their dishes with 8 qts of hot water plus the cold for the final sanitizing rinse (Adults can often do the deed with one gallon of hot water.).

One potential advantage for unit-produced literature is that is could be well-written.

According to council records, I completed basic training in 1910 (before BSA arrived here) and was a District Chairman in 1932, 1933, and 1934 - of a district that did not exist until 1956. I have asked for a waiver of membership fees at a 105-year Scouter, but they are not having any of that.

As you know, Stosh, there are a number of adult-made rules that Scouts swear on their honor to follow.

For the troop and the new SM, of course.

Stosh, ever heard of BillyConn vs. Joe Lewis? Billy had good technique. Billy was the Light Heavyweight Champion of the World - back when there was only one. So he decided to take on Joe Lewis, the Heavyweight champ. Everything was going fine for Billy until Joe knocked him out. Hence: "The good big man beats the good little man.." As you are a history buff, think Finland vs. USSR, Winter 1939-40.

If you fill out all but the SM signature and MB Counselor's signature, it will be quick work for the new SM to sign his name on the cards - a couple of minutes. Negotiating partial credit on the basis of the old SM's printout is between the Scout and the new MB Counselor. The new SM need not trouble himself if its too much for him to deal with now. The panel of the Blue Card that records specific requirements met is the "Applicant's Record." This story is one about learning the "hard way," but the lesson for the new SM is that the "Applicant's Record" is for the applicant, not the troop.

What was the name of the fitness campaign a few years ago announced when Bullet Bob was Chief? ScoutStrong? There was a picture in Scouting at the top of the announcement showing us Bob, Tico, and the National President - every one with Dunlops Disease, To frighten us into fitness?

Not ours but same plan, http://mods-n-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-hovercraft-powered-by-electric-leaf-blower-127038/

Our museum has one that was built by a Scout years ago. We have used it at the Scout exhibit at the Cuyahoga County Fair. Only problem was not getting tangled in the electric cord. Max load was 150 pounds.

The pattern in this area for some time is that 1/4 to 1/3 of units are covered by functioning UCs. Honest councils will not count UCs who do not do the job.

At best, you have one chance in three to have a functioning UC. With two different troops and visits to others to teach, I have seen one at a meeting twice since 1983.

UC = Unit Commissioner.

I have found that almost any skill can be made the topic of a game. If you tell me that your Scouts have no interest in games, I suggest that you are recruiting from Area 51.

Requirements Explain what radio is. Then discuss the following: The differences between broadcast radio and hobby radio The differences between broadcasting and two-way communications Radio station call signs and how they are used in broadcast radio and amateur radio The phonetic alphabet and how it is used to communicate clearly Do the following: Sketch a diagram showing how radio waves travel locally and around the world. Explain how the broadcast radio stations WWV and WWVH can be used to help determine what you will hear when you listen to a shortwave radio. Explain the difference between a DX and a local station. Discuss what the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does and how it is different from the International Telecommunication Union. Do the following: Draw a chart of the electromagnetic spectrum covering 100 kilohertz (kHz) to 1,000 megahertz (MHz). Label the MF, HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave portions of the spectrum on your diagram. Locate on your chart at least eight radio services, such as AM and FM commercial broadcast, citizens band (CB), television, amateur radio (at least four amateur radio bands), and public service (police and fire). Explain how radio waves carry information. Include in your explanation: transceiver, transmitter, receiver, amplifier, and antenna. Do the following: Explain the differences between a block diagram and a schematic diagram. Draw a block diagram for a radio station that includes a transceiver, amplifier, microphone, antenna, and feed line. Explain the differences between an open circuit, a closed circuit, and a short circuit. Draw eight schematic symbols. Explain what three of the represented parts do. Find three electrical components to match to three of these symbols. Explain the safety precautions for working with radio gear, including the concept of grounding for direct current circuits, power outlets, and antenna systems. Visit a radio installation (an amateur radio station, broadcast station, or public service communications center, for example) approved in advance by your counselor. Discuss what types of equipment you saw in use, how it was used, what types of licenses are required to operate and maintain the equipment, and the purpose of the station. Find out about three career opportunities in radio. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you. Do ONE of the following (a OR b OR c): AMATEUR RADIO Tell why the FCC has an amateur radio service. Describe some of the activities that amateur radio operators can do on the air, once they have earned an amateur radio license. Using proper call signs, Q signals, and abbreviations, carry on a 10-minute real or simulated amateur radio contact using voice, Morse code, or digital mode. (Licensed amateur radio operators may substitute five QSL cards as evidence of contacts with amateur radio operators from at least three different call districts.) Properly log the real or simulated ham radio contact and record the signal report. Explain at least five Q signals or amateur radio terms you hear while listening. Explain some of the differences between the Technician, General, and Extra Class license requirements and privileges. Explain who administers amateur radio exams. Explain how you would make an emergency call on voice or Morse code. Explain the differences between handheld transceivers and home "base" transceivers. Explain the uses of mobile amateur radio transceivers and amateur radio repeaters. BROADCAST RADIO Prepare a program schedule for radio station "KBSA" of exactly one-half hour, including music, news, commercials, and proper station identification. Record your program on audiotape or in a digital audio format, using proper techniques. Listen to and properly log 15 broadcast stations. Determine the program format and target audience for five of these stations. Explain at least eight terms used in commercial broadcasting, such as segue, cut, fade, continuity, remote, Emergency Alert System, network, cue, dead air, PSA, and playlist. SHORTWAVE LISTENING Listen across several shortwave bands for four one-hour periods—at least one period during daylight hours and at least one period at night. Log the stations properly and locate them geographically on a globe. For several major foreign stations (BBC in Great Britain or HCJB in Ecuador, for example), list several frequency bands used by each. Compare your daytime and nighttime logs; note the frequencies on which your selected stations were loudest during each session. Explain differences in the signal strength from one period to the next.

Twocubdad, BSA has admitted to me that they know about the merit badge mills. Optimism is one thing, Ignoring fraud that you know to be going on is another thing entirely. More like glasses with stainless steel lenses. BSA's retort is that it has no power to stop merit badge mills. Nonsense. Thirty candidates for one staffer for 300 total minutes does not nearly pass the Smell Test - or the national camp standards, It goes on because BSA elects to allow it to go on. Not that everyone at National is happy with this disgrace.