Class A? Class B?

[Region 7 Voyageur]

I am guilty of often telling scouts and scouters that there is no Class A or Class B uniform in scouting. I feel that we are all better served if we use correct terminology.

 

Then to my surprise I read in an old (copyright 1989) Order of the Arrow Handbook talks about both a Class A and a Class B uniform. (page59)

 

Did BSA at one time use this terminology or was this a mistake that slipped past the proof readers? Does anyone have any historical knowledge on this?

[Region 7 Voyageur]

I am sorry, I was not paying attention to what catagory I posted this thread in. It should have been under Uniforms.

[scoutldr]

I agree with our new friend from Malta in another post. We need to get a life and channel all this energy into things that matter. Next time someone asks me for a Kleenex, I will say, "No, sorry, you'll have to ask someone else, all I have is a Scott Facial Tissue." But now that I know that Field uniforms are officially only for meetings and ceremonies, I won't have to constantly remind them that "Class A's are required for dinner" at summer camp. Heck, we won't even take our uniforms with us.

[Bob White]

My guess is it was a proof reader error. here is the problem with A and B. Everyone understands that A is the complete Field Uniform. But there are as many definitions of a B uniform as there are stars in the sky. Some say it is the Field uniform with jeans, some say it's a scout t-shirt with scout pants. Some say it's a Scout shirt and anything else, etc. etc.

 

So the BSA makes it simple. For Boy Scouts there is a field uniform and an activity uniform. The activity uniform offers a unit several options for customization. But the Field Uniform is very limited in options. A Field Uniform shirt with jeans is not "in uniform", and while a leader should not embarass a scout for not being in uniform (or for any other reason), they should not alter the uniform standards and proclaim it the uniform of the unit.

 

Let's use the uniform to create a feeling of team, an understanding of dressing appropriately for the occassion, and a sense of self-discipline and self-respect among other things.

 

 

[packsaddle]

Bob White, To build on one of those rare times that we agree, I would like to add that I support the uniform concept because it also levels the field, so-to-speak. This troop has boys from widely disparate economic backgrounds. But because of the uniform (at least partly), in this troop they all appear and work from the same starting point and the only visible difference is that which is earned through advancement. They go home in different vehicles to different houses. But in the troop those differences don't matter and all the boys wear the same uniform and have the same opportunities.

Sorry for this short rant.

[VentureScoutNY]

Before I entered my troop I heard stories of what happend to scouts that did not show up in FULL Uniform.

 

He had a pocket full of quarters. And if you did not show up in FULL uniform( not including socks and shoes ) he would take a quarter, flip it on his thumb, put it on the table where you were sitting, and you would than know you had to go out in the hallway where the pay phone was and call home to have your mom pick you up and bring you home, OR bring you what you were missing.

 

I loved the fear. It was never done to embarrass anyone, never with any malicious intent. Just done to enforce a rule. It worked well.

[Fat Old Guy]

"Then to my surprise I read in an old (copyright 1989) Order of the Arrow Handbook talks about both a Class A and a Class B uniform."

 

The tenth edition of the Handbook refers to the "Field Uniform" and the "activities uniform."

 

The ninth edition of the Handbook only refers to "the Uniform" as do early editions of the hand back to the 5th.

[Fat Old Guy]

" We need to get a life and channel all this energy into things that matter."

 

Last time that I checked, I do have a life and part of that life includes Scouting. "Get a life," is an insult hurled by people who can't attend to details because details get in the way of having fun.

[dan]

VentureScoutNY

Are you aware that a uniform is not required to be in the BSA program? Are you aware that your troop made these rules which conflict with the BSA?

My issue with the Class A or B terminology is that it just gives units another excuse to write more rules. If the units would just say field uniform and a new scout asked what that is, they could just say it on Page number 12 of your handbook.(This message has been edited by dan)

[VentureScoutNY]

I have never heard of a Boy Scout Troop that did not require a Uniform... We had a Uniform Exchange that if you needed anything like pants or shirts you could get them for FREE. Our Troops rule was a scout had to be in his uniform at meetings, if not go home and get it. None of the families had any kind of money situation that stopped them from buying a Uniform. Plus back to the exchange if they did not want to buy one, they could get one for free.

 

I have never heard of a Boy Scout, or a Boy Scout Troop that did not use a uniform.

[Fat Old Guy]

Venture Guy,

 

As much as I would like to see the uniform made a required element just as it is for many sports leagues, the sad truth is that it isn't.

 

I guess the the good thing is that your troop accepted that rule without question.

 

I fight continual battles with parents about what are the important parts of Scouting. To most of them, it is advancement with their eye on Eagle. Fundraising to pay their way? Nah, their son can't be bothered so dad will just write a check. The uniform? Gee, that's too expensive because we spent all of our money at the casino on our last cruise.

 

We have one father who spends more on a bottle of wine than an entire uniform would cost but he bought his son a shirt three sizes too big so he wouldn't have to replace it.

 

One family whines about paying $200 for summer camp but flies to Colorado for Christmas break so they can go skiing.

 

Maybe the problem is that Scouting has lost its importance to many because there is too much emphasis on badges and not enough on growing into a man (oooooo. . . I sound like Wheeler).

 

What do I mean by that? Too many times, I see no penalty for a Scout not doing what he is supposed to do. No, I'm not advocating a public flogging but there are no consequences. When a PL doesn't arrange (or cause arrangements to be made), some adult steps in at the 11th hour and provides the gear (can't let the kids suffer). If the Service Patrol doesn't show up to set up the tables and chairs, the adults do it and shanghai other Scouts who then don't want to show up early. If the Librarian allows the library to fall into disarray, he still advances in rank.

 

How many times have adults been sent scrambling to find advancement records or merit badge cards for an Eagle application because a Scout didn't bother to hang onto them despite being told numerous times to safeguard them?

 

[Eagle Foot]

FOG...you are right!!! I thought I was the only person with these thoughts. Adults and even scouts tried to make me feel guilty about being "To much by the book" meaning if you aren't paying attention, your gonna miss out. If you don't turn in that permission form by the said date....you really are not considered going!!!

 

I adhear to the method "Never do something a Scout could do" when it comes to scouting.

 

The second issue is advancement...Scouts should know their stuff.

 

The first issue is the uniform and all of the discriptions reguarding Class A, B, & C...diden't know there was a class C untill last month!

I've always called (class A) the Field Uniform, and it will open doors for you.

 

Scouting is what it is...do it the way that it is presented and what you learned in training.

 

Consider the task

Consider the resources available

Consider the alternative procedures

Write the final plan

Put the plan into action

Evaluate and Celebrate

 

Keep the aims of scouting in front of you

 

Work the methods of scouting

 

It is a test, to challange your abilities and personal behavior, it contributes to disapline and development. Just because most of us volunteer doesen't mean be slack. Keep in mind the thought "what you do when nobody is watching"

 

"CHARACTER"

 

(comments by Eagle Foot)

 

 

[evmori]

So we call them Class A and Class B or Field uniform and Activity uniform. As long as we know what we are refering to, what's the difference?

 

Ed Mori

Troop 1

1 Peter 4:10

[dan]

evmori

If you call them Class A or B, someone will have to explain to the new scouts what Class A or B is. Why not have them use their handbook. Just tell them Field uniform and tell them page 12 in the handbook.

[Bob White]

There is "going by the book" and there is "being a program leader". IF you use the methods, resources and program of the book to achieve the goals of scouting that's fine. After all the books say that scouting is fun. So Scouting is designed to be able to follow the rules and methods, and for the adults and the scouts to have a lot of fun while doing it.

 

But if your focus is on the the content of the books rather than USING the contents of the books you cannot have fun, the scouts cannot have fun, and you cannot fulfill the mission of scouting.

 

The reason to know the contents of the scouting resources is to better do your job as a leader NOT to make scouts toe the line.