BSA_Ldr

I have had SM/CC training; have taught several council/district classes; give civic training on leadership & team building; and will be doing WB later this year. I started a pack, which is now the largest in my community. I have 25 years in the Army. I started as a private, digging ditches; and I just got back from Iraq commanding 200 men in combat. Education is never ending.. but I believe I more than meet the minimum education levels. As to extreme boy lead --- My issue is that this SPL has been told he is in charge complete charge. He has become disrespectful to adults, and abusive to boys. He is not a leader, he is a tyrant. Under the banner of Boy-run, these adults have abdicated their responsibilities as the Troop management team. In the Army, I give 20 year old boys command of a 5million dollar tank, 5 lives, and expect them to take charge under fire. However, no 20 year old would assume that his experience (nor rank) is equal to mine. Boys must be encouraged to grow, and explore; true for anyone, at any age. But a reality I have witnessed is that people sometimes forget that these are indeed boys. These young men lack experience, lack wisdom, and an advanced education. And before anyone says a boy can do those things, I will simply say that wisdom/experience/and repetitive education can ONLY come with age. I can not guarantee that someone over 40 necessarily has the skills to manage a troop; but I will state that a 14 year old boy does not have that experience to do so. When a boy believes that they no longer must respect an adult. then I believe a critical line has been crossed. My own son is dealing with a bad adult leader. I agree with my son that the leader is out of line. However, my son knows that any disrespect to that leader will not be tolerated by me. So I will continue to try to influence the two troops in my town. However, if they fail to rise to the standard, than I have no choi

I live in a small community with two active troops. I have one boy scout, and one web-2. I am the ASM, and have been in scouting for many years. I am very disatisfied with either of the existing troops. One is completely SM/CC run, with no input from anyone else; the other troop is so boy run, that I witnessed an SPL tell their ASM to "sit down and shut up", in his meeting. I do not believe either extream is acceptable. I am working to better the troops, and to deliver on the promise of scouting to our boys. I am working with my unit commissioner and round-table staff on ideas to improve these units, so I feel I have enough help on that issue. However, if I am unable to make the changes I feel are required in either of these troops, I am considering starting a new troop. I started a vibrant Cub Scout pack, and have been a civic leader for 25years, I can start the troop; that is relatively easy. However, how to make & keep it vibrant.. that is hard. The last thing my community needs is another poor-quality troop. So I come to this community to ask of anyone who started a new troop (do to similar reasons). I would like to know: *Were your reasons "right" (in hindsight)? *Should a new troop be the right answer, how to lesson the strain on the community (and the scouts), *What should I do in the 6-12 months prior to starting a Troop, and what to do in the 6-24 months after starting a Troop?