Eagle Scout wanting to become Assistant Scoutmaster

[gplundberg]

Hello Everyone!

 

I am currently 18 years old and about a year ago I made the decision to enlist in the Coast Guard. As of right now, I have not been able to be very active in scouting due to finishing school and working 35 hours a week on top of that. I will ship out to boot camp July 25th and I will not know where I will be stationed at until the 5th week of basic. Wherever I get stationed I would like to become an ASM at a local troop. I just have a couple of questions for some younger ASM's out there. Since I am still young and being an ASM I'm thinking that my interactions with the scouts will be much different than the other ASM's that may be some scouts fathers, how would you deal with this? I know I will still be pretty busy getting all of my qualifications done once I am at my first station for a year or so and would it be better to wait to become an ASM when I have more time to dedicate to the troop? Scouting is very big in my area (DC/Northern Virginia) I want to say about 25% of people in my current class are active in scouting and within 10 miles of my area there are probably 8 troops ranging from 50 to 100 per troop, are most scout troops about this size in the rest of the country or are they smaller?

 

I will greatly appreciate all comments and answers!

 

    

[RememberSchiff]

Welcome to scouter.com

[Col. Flagg]

I just have a couple of questions for some younger ASM's out there. Since I am still young and being an ASM I'm thinking that my interactions with the scouts will be much different than the other ASM's that may be some scouts fathers, how would you deal with this?

 

I know I will still be pretty busy getting all of my qualifications done once I am at my first station for a year or so and would it be better to wait to become an ASM when I have more time to dedicate to the troop?

 

Scouting is very big in my area (DC/Northern Virginia) I want to say about 25% of people in my current class are active in scouting and within 10 miles of my area there are probably 8 troops ranging from 50 to 100 per troop, are most scout troops about this size in the rest of the country or are they smaller?

 

I am glad you are interested in being an ASM. Being an adult is MUCH different than being a youth in Boy Scouts. The biggest issue? Letting the boys do the work and you sitting back and watching. That is the biggest problem my unit has, both with young adults who become ASMs, as well as "helicopter parents". Here's my advice:

• Get Trained: Take IOLS and Leader-specific training. Take the additional online training. Read the Guide to Advancement and the Guide to Safe Scouting. 

   

• Take Time: By this I mean take time to talk to perspective units. Find out what they need. Find a role in the troop and make sure when you commit that you are able to do what you say. Nothing is more frustrating than when someone signs up to help and does a lousy job, or worse, is a no show. Where you might be best used in my troop would be as an adult instructor for training the Troop Instructors or as a PLC advisor.

   

• Troop Size: This varies regionally. Where I live troops are the size of your area. In other areas I've seen troops of 10-20. It really depends. I think taking the time to get to know the units in your new area will help. You may have done things far differently then they do. Learning how they do things is important.

   

• Change: You are young and full of ideas, that's great! Just remember, older adults are slow to change and may be resistant to it. Diplomatically offer your ideas and do so slowly, once you are "accepted". You may even want to discuss this topic with any new SM you meet; how open are they to new ideas and change. Those who are not may not be a fit for you.

Remember, if you can't help at the unit level, maybe a local district could use you until your schedule is more certain.

[gplundberg]

I am glad you are interested in being an ASM. Being an adult is MUCH different than being a youth in Boy Scouts. The biggest issue? Letting the boys do the work and you sitting back and watching. That is the biggest problem my unit has, both with young adults who become ASMs, as well as "helicopter parents". Here's my advice:

• Get Trained: Take IOLS and Leader-specific training. Take the additional online training. Read the Guide to Advancement and the Guide to Safe Scouting. 

   

• Take Time: By this I mean take time to talk to perspective units. Find out what they need. Find a role in the troop and make sure when you commit that you are able to do what you say. Nothing is more frustrating than when someone signs up to help and does a lousy job, or worse, is a no show. Where you might be best used in my troop would be as an adult instructor for training the Troop Instructors or as a PLC advisor.

   

• Troop Size: This varies regionally. Where I live troops are the size of your area. In other areas I've seen troops of 10-20. It really depends. I think taking the time to get to know the units in your new area will help. You may have done things far differently then they do. Learning how they do things is important.

   

• Change: You are young and full of ideas, that's great! Just remember, older adults are slow to change and may be resistant to it. Diplomatically offer your ideas and do so slowly, once you are "accepted". You may even want to discuss this topic with any new SM you meet; how open are they to new ideas and change. Those who are not may not be a fit for you.

Remember, if you can't help at the unit level, maybe a local district could use you until your schedule is more certain.

Thank you so much for the advice! I really appreciate it! 

[Col. Flagg]

Thank you so much for the advice! I really appreciate it! 

 

Also check out the Podcasts at scoutmastercg.com. Clarke Green was a "young Scoutmaster" and there's a lot of good content there. While you are doing other stuff, you can do the podcasts and learn a great deal.

[gplundberg]

Also check out the Podcasts at scoutmastercg.com. Clarke Green was a "young Scoutmaster" and there's a lot of good content there. While you are doing other stuff, you can do the podcasts and learn a great deal

Will do!

[qwazse]

@@gplundberg, welcome to the forums! And, thanks in advance for your service to our country ... and the boys!

 

A few folks (the Mrs. and my adult kids) are still wondering when I'm gonna grow up, so I'm a "sort of" young ASM,   But, I started back when I was 18, before Al Gore and I began building the internet, so I know how you feel.

 

While you are roaming, you might also want to turn in an adult application to your current troop and sign on as unit scouter reserve or college unit scouter reserve. More details here: http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2017/01/19/college-scouter-reserve-lets-former-scouts-stay-connected-to-troop-crew/

 

This will allow you to maintain your registration without obliging you to take the scoutmaster specific training this year. You only need youth protection training, and maybe your state has some clearance requirements for youth volunteers (PA recently instituted some). Meanwhile, the younger scouts in your troop will look up to you any time you can drop in on a meeting or campout with a story or two about basic training.

[perdidochas]

Hello Everyone!

 

I am currently 18 years old and about a year ago I made the decision to enlist in the Coast Guard. As of right now, I have not been able to be very active in scouting due to finishing school and working 35 hours a week on top of that. I will ship out to boot camp July 25th and I will not know where I will be stationed at until the 5th week of basic. Wherever I get stationed I would like to become an ASM at a local troop. I just have a couple of questions for some younger ASM's out there. Since I am still young and being an ASM I'm thinking that my interactions with the scouts will be much different than the other ASM's that may be some scouts fathers, how would you deal with this? I know I will still be pretty busy getting all of my qualifications done once I am at my first station for a year or so and would it be better to wait to become an ASM when I have more time to dedicate to the troop? Scouting is very big in my area (DC/Northern Virginia) I want to say about 25% of people in my current class are active in scouting and within 10 miles of my area there are probably 8 troops ranging from 50 to 100 per troop, are most scout troops about this size in the rest of the country or are they smaller?

 

I will greatly appreciate all comments and answers!

The boys would love it, We have had  young military Eagles as ASMs, and if they participate with us, they and the boys love it. The problem is that most, with good intentions, start, but get busy with life.  

[Stosh]

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for your interest in serving our country.  One of my scouts just graduated recently CG basics. 

 

Anyway, register, take the online YPT training and show up as you are able.  When you get transfered, it'll cost you a buck to transfer your registration to a new unit.  I think you can handle that.

 

Who knows, you might get a shore-leave weekend and you could go out with the scouts instead of a pretty girl.  Just sayin'.

[Sentinel947]

Hello Everyone!

 

I am currently 18 years old and about a year ago I made the decision to enlist in the Coast Guard. As of right now, I have not been able to be very active in scouting due to finishing school and working 35 hours a week on top of that. I will ship out to boot camp July 25th and I will not know where I will be stationed at until the 5th week of basic. Wherever I get stationed I would like to become an ASM at a local troop. I just have a couple of questions for some younger ASM's out there. Since I am still young and being an ASM I'm thinking that my interactions with the scouts will be much different than the other ASM's that may be some scouts fathers, how would you deal with this? I know I will still be pretty busy getting all of my qualifications done once I am at my first station for a year or so and would it be better to wait to become an ASM when I have more time to dedicate to the troop? Scouting is very big in my area (DC/Northern Virginia) I want to say about 25% of people in my current class are active in scouting and within 10 miles of my area there are probably 8 troops ranging from 50 to 100 per troop, are most scout troops about this size in the rest of the country or are they smaller?

 

I will greatly appreciate all comments and answers!

Hello there!

 

I agree with all the points made so far!

 

I became an ASM at 18 after graduating High school and moving on to College. It's been extremely rewarding 6 years. It's made me a better man, and hopefully one day a better father too. Here's my advice for you, from one young gun to another:

.

1. Learn all you can. The way your Troop operated may or may not be the way your next troop operates, and neither of them may be exactly what they should be. Observe how they do things with an open mind, and compare that to your Scouting experience and training. Don't rush to make changes. I second the Scoutmastercg.com website. Conversing with Scouters here and following Clarke Green at Scoutmastercg have been the two biggest influences on me as an ASM.

 

 

2. Be realistic about what you have to give. You're going to make new friends in the military wherever you are stationed. You'll want to keep up with family and old friends. You may want to keep up some of your non-Scouting hobbies. Be honest with yourself and your new Troop about how much time you are willing to commit. It's ok to not be at every meeting and every outing. A troop can easily suck you in and chew up much of your spare time. Make sure you don't miss out on other experiences at this point in your life while you are serving a Troop.

 

3. A role as an adult volunteer is what you and your new troop make of it. Even if you are an ASM, every troop uses ASM's differently. Be open to what role's the Troop needs filled, and be upfront with the Scoutmaster about where your skills and interests are.

 

4. Scouts will treat you differently than other adults.. Since you are leaving your old troop and joining a new one, they will probably not know what to make of you at first. As they get to know you, they will tend to treat you less formally then they will adults of their parents age. That means they'll be willing to do and say things in front of you they wouldn't in front of other adults. They may come to you with problems they are having inside and outside of Scouting that they don't feel comfortable bringing to their parents or a parent age adult. They will generally more readily accept your coaching and feedback.

 

The challenge is striking a balance between being a proper role model, while also opening enough to the point where they do not view you as just another adult. A nice role for you to settle into is an Eagle Project Coach/mentor. You know what is required for an Eagle project and there's a chance you may join a Troop that hasn't had an Eagle Scout in a while. Eagle Project coach/mentor was my first real set of responsibility as an ASM.

 

When you move forward we're always happy to give you advice! Keep us up to date with what you decide!

Edited May 12, 2017 by Sentinel947

[desertrat77]

GP, you astutely mentioned the quals you'll have to pursue once you arrive at your first duty station.  Indeed, these are priority one.  They are the foundation of your profession, be it a four year enlistment or a 30 year career. 

 

That said, I'd recommend volunteering as ASM sooner than later.  Troops around bases usually understand the commitments of military life, and they'll work with you.  You'll have more time to help the troop once you are finished with upgrade training (sorry, I know that isn't the proper USCG term, but that's what we called it in the Air Force )

 

Best wishes and thanks for serving our great country.

Edited May 12, 2017 by desertrat77