ParacordMan1220

It always sounds funny to me when the BSA mentions to stray away from a military image. After all, that is where their origins begin. Maybe if we'd go back to the tradition, things would might better organized.

I can see that. However, that's a bit of a stretch for carrying an unapproved knife in an outdoor environment. LE would probably chuckle at that one

You really hit the nail on the head. But most of these leaders you'll see running around out there will look at it an say "you can't have those, they're illegal." Just like the ignorance you'll see involving gun control and banning different aspects of them regardless of what they do. Hopefully this removal of a statement in the Guide to Safe Scouting will make more camps follow suit like the one you speak of. It makes me happy to see people gaining some common sense regarding knife safety and "safe blade." I don't think the camps can really enforce those rules though. They may be "banned," but that's like a small business making a "No Guns Allowed Inside" sign in their window. They can't really do that and write their own laws, but they can ask you to leave. If LE gets involved, I guess it would be easier to leave and up to whatever they say, but you can't "make your own laws." Maybe they could say you're trespassing, but that's quite a stretch when you've already paid to be there. But they shouldn't really see that you have one, like a gun. Keep it concealed and there will be no issues. Are they going to call the camp police and kick ya out? It's just kind of silly and ignorant to me.

I like how this was meant to be a coming of age thing. It brings more traditional approach, and maybe give them a more sentimental/spiritual bond with their equipment. Might help them take better care of their gear. However, I was just using an example of the fixed blade movement in scouting, I didn't mean to get caught up in the details. I believe any piece of steel that has no moving parts are safer, and just overall easier to care for.

Well by my experience, somewhere down the line a stigma was created and everyone soon had then same outlook on it. Sheath knives are bad, they aren't safe and aren't allowed to be carried, etc. While it really doesn't do anything, it seems to be starting the move forward involving camps. This is 100000000% true! We'll just pass them the ideas and they can help us through this process Well it is the symbol of scouting for both boys and girls of Finland, but when looking at something holistically you must consider what the 'coming of age' process consists of. Is it when someone begins a career? Becomes an Eagle Scout? Or passes basic knife/blade safety? I'm not sure, but it seems that your comment is derogatory towards these knives being sold on a scout site. Since we aren't Finnish, I'm not sure the same cultural norms apply here

There have been changes made to the 'Guide to Safe Scouting,' and the part discouraging "sheath knives" has been removed. Now ScoutStuff (dot) org is selling Helle knives similar to the Scandinavian Puukko designs. Is anyone else excited to see this as a step forward? Being an avid BushCrafter/Survival Enthusiast, and what could be considered a connoisseur of blades, I'm excited to see the scouts carrying better styles of knives. These are better incorporated in the wilderness environment, rather than the folding ones which are more suited to the urban environment. Plus their cheap BSA chinese knives really sketch me out when they try using them. I'd rather see them put the same amount of money towards the quality of a Mora. Or are we still on the path that sheath knives are 'frightening' and say 'I can do the same things with a sheath knife that I can do with a Swiss army knife.'

I really don't like the "Official" scout pants. They don't look sharp, and I don't really think that they're that functional. That's just my 2 cents I like the Vertex Tactical pants, or "Tacti-cool" pants. They're about the same price as Official pants, but they are WAAAAY more functional. The green matches pretty well too

There has never been a male scout uniform shirt that is not supposed to be tucked. That just goes to show how great those designers are at making our uniforms.. Good Job National . NOT

They are made in China, probably made by little Chinese kids in sweat-shops all over their country, just like everything else that has BSA written on it:)

Uniform shirts should always be tucked in no matter what is going on. If you are not doing drill or PT and you are still wearing your uniform shirt, it should still be tucked in. The only time it should not be tucked in is when you are not wearing it

I didn't say anything about "following" the "National standards" did I? I just wanted to see if any troops have set their own.

First you do realize that B-P explicitly stated several times scouting is not the Military, right? Second, all for seeing someone develop a new award. But if your going to call out an organizations uniform standard as not high enough and then intend to implement "shoulder cords" in contradiction to those very standards I think your a hypocrite. I also need to observe that this program is about Knot tying, a skill so basic to scouting that not being able to tie them means one does not advance in rank and you think people should be given uniform decorations for that? Third, If you like fancy uniforms, and the idea of the Knot Ninja program, take a look at the Sea Scout program. It is challenging, more structured than Boy Scouts and it has a variety of Uniforms. Sorry, but that's just my personal take on it. I don't think my views will change once I am older either. You don't like it? That's fine, can't be happy all the time right?

Good for you... but you have practiced those skills A LOT, right? It is hard to practice all of these skills with only one, 2 hour meeting a week and a camp out about every 5-9 weeks, but we do our best. I guess since I am in the new age of scouting, they don't have skill awards anymore (unless I know them by a different name). Can you please explain to me what a skill award is and how it is earned?

Your Troop seems to be lax on teaching the Scout Oath and Law also. Perhaps you should have them implement a new award where they stop you once a month, and have you prove you know what they are, what they mean, and that you actually do try to live by them. Unfortunately, from your comments here, you seem to be sorely lacking in the Courteous part, along with a few others. Young man, being on an internet board, and feeling that you are "immune" to consequences, does NOT excuse the above behavior. Especially on a Scout forum, from someone claiming to be an under 18, Boy Scout, and a leader in his Troop. BTW - I HAVE read both - the Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America (pub 57-191), and the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America (pub 57-492). Sorry base, I misunderstood your comment. You are forgiven, lol

What do you mean you bailed, Base? Anyway, thank you for posting a relevant comment MattR, i appreciate it more than you know.

Thanks for posting some good ideas! I' ll definitely take those into consideration!

But now you say: So a lanyard doodad is ok, but a button doodad is not ok? Now you are just contradicting yourself. The best way to see how a scout performs is to SEE how they perform and ask them some questions (which you are loathe to do). That process does not require another doodad on the uniform. But you've already been told that, so...it's sort of pointless to talk with you from here on out. But somehow I got elected for two terms (1 year), and had to be taken out of election or else I would have been SPL for many more terms (no one else would get leadership experience).

First you do realize that B-P explicitly stated several times scouting is not the Military, right? Second, all for seeing someone develop a new award. But if your going to call out an organizations uniform standard as not high enough and then intend to implement "shoulder cords" in contradiction to those very standards I think your a hypocrite. I also need to observe that this program is about Knot tying, a skill so basic to scouting that not being able to tie them means one does not advance in rank and you think people should be given uniform decorations for that? Third, If you like fancy uniforms, and the idea of the Knot Ninja program, take a look at the Sea Scout program. It is challenging, more structured than Boy Scouts and it has a variety of Uniforms. Sorry, but that's just my personal take on it. I am not going to waste my time trying to be nice, when all that I get back is the opposite.

Your Troop seems to be lax on teaching the Scout Oath and Law also. Perhaps you should have them implement a new award where they stop you once a month, and have you prove you know what they are, what they mean, and that you actually do try to live by them. Unfortunately, from your comments here, you seem to be sorely lacking in the Courteous part, along with a few others. Young man, being on an internet board, and feeling that you are "immune" to consequences, does NOT excuse the above behavior. Especially on a Scout forum, from someone claiming to be an under 18, Boy Scout, and a leader in his Troop. BTW - I HAVE read both - the Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America (pub 57-191), and the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America (pub 57-492). Take a look at ScoutNut's comments: "Since it seems that you mean that you do not take Scouting, or at least BSA uniform standards, seriously at all, I have to wonder why you are a member of the organization. " I found this to be rude. I don't really see how this comment ties in with anything, except for the uniform standards part (I personally think the rules and reg, etc. are a joke). "If a Scout is wearing a rank patch, you SHOULD EXPECT that he has completed all of the requirements to actually EARN that rank. If the Scouts in your unit are not earning their ranks, then yes, that is very sad. However creating more awards (that very possibly will also not be properly earned) is not the solution." Assuming that my scouts don't actually earn their ranks. Basementdweller: "how sad for your scouts. You do understand that it supposed to be boy led" Insulting my leadership skills Is that enough proof? I also had to repeat most of this stuff over and over again, trying to get them to understand how I've seen (by my experiences) other troops act, treat scouting and the uniform.

But now you say: So a lanyard doodad is ok, but a button doodad is not ok? Now you are just contradicting yourself. The best way to see how a scout performs is to SEE how they perform and ask them some questions (which you are loathe to do). That process does not require another doodad on the uniform. But you've already been told that, so...it's sort of pointless to talk with you from here on out. Well the button thing was obviously a joke, but that comment was probably one of the best in the thread (being on topic) Dedkad, I'm not mean, but I don't put up with BS. I think this attitude is perfect for making better scouts, maybe not by your standards though.

Sorry, maybe I should have put a smiley face in there to show that I understand There is also time for fun and time for seriousness, and I think the troop fun level is way above the serious level (just thought I'd let you know.)

First you do realize that B-P explicitly stated several times scouting is not the Military, right? Second, all for seeing someone develop a new award. But if your going to call out an organizations uniform standard as not high enough and then intend to implement "shoulder cords" in contradiction to those very standards I think your a hypocrite. I also need to observe that this program is about Knot tying, a skill so basic to scouting that not being able to tie them means one does not advance in rank and you think people should be given uniform decorations for that? Third, If you like fancy uniforms, and the idea of the Knot Ninja program, take a look at the Sea Scout program. It is challenging, more structured than Boy Scouts and it has a variety of Uniforms. I am in fact a cadet in Army JROTC... maybe being in the program has set my standards too high. Anyway, did you read the whole post above you, I have not singled out knot tying, as it isn't the only skill that is important. I am sorry that you are troubled with my opinion on what is important, but I do practice all 12 points but I am only Friendly, Courteous, and kind to those who deserve it. To answer your 2nd to last question, I am a member because I think it is a great organization. I have also learned countless skills that I use on a daily basis. However I have found that my troop does WAY more than ALL of the others. I also think this organization would run a lot better if all of the stupid politicians at National would get their selves squared away.

Your Troop seems to be lax on teaching the Scout Oath and Law also. Perhaps you should have them implement a new award where they stop you once a month, and have you prove you know what they are, what they mean, and that you actually do try to live by them. Unfortunately, from your comments here, you seem to be sorely lacking in the Courteous part, along with a few others. Young man, being on an internet board, and feeling that you are "immune" to consequences, does NOT excuse the above behavior. Especially on a Scout forum, from someone claiming to be an under 18, Boy Scout, and a leader in his Troop. BTW - I HAVE read both - the Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America (pub 57-191), and the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America (pub 57-492). It is not the answers I am being given, rather the way they are worded. But when I use the same type of response, I get talked down to.

I think I'll pass on the button crap, But I like to see my scouts outperform all of the other troops.

First you do realize that B-P explicitly stated several times scouting is not the Military, right? Second, all for seeing someone develop a new award. But if your going to call out an organizations uniform standard as not high enough and then intend to implement "shoulder cords" in contradiction to those very standards I think your a hypocrite. I also need to observe that this program is about Knot tying, a skill so basic to scouting that not being able to tie them means one does not advance in rank and you think people should be given uniform decorations for that? Third, If you like fancy uniforms, and the idea of the Knot Ninja program, take a look at the Sea Scout program. It is challenging, more structured than Boy Scouts and it has a variety of Uniforms. I realize that the BSA is not the military, although I personally think it would run a lot smoother if it was like it. I think I'll work on the important points first and come back to the lesser important ones after I have got them squared away with more important skills (such as Wilderness Survival, Knot Tying, First Aid, etc.) Thanks for the recommendation, although, with one meeting a week and a camp out every month and a half, I don't think I can provide ENOUGH opportunities to hone their skills.