So who is in charge of the patrol?

[Bob White]

Based on a perfomance checklist used in a troop and shared on the forum I would be curious as to who is percieved as in charge of the patrol? The PLS, the SM, The SPL, the PL? I ask because it seems in many situations the PL is used a mouthpiece for other leaders to get their directives done within a patrol.

 

So who should be determining patrol activity and operations?(This message has been edited by Bob White)

[FScouter]

I'd say the Patrol Leader is the mouthpiece for the patrol members.

[evmori]

The patrol leader is in charge of the patrol. Hence the name.

 

Ed Mori

Troop 1

1 Peter 4:10

[SWScouter]

What is a PLS?

[Bob White]

OOPS! Sorry, I meant to type PLC (Patrol Leaders Council).

BW

[Eagle74]

Here's my take:

 

It's a two-way street.

 

The Patrol is led by the PL (in charge is one way of saying it), the PLs are led by the the SPL (and ASPL), and so forth. So yes, at times the PL does carry out the directives of a higher level of leadership.

 

The SM serves the SPL (and PLC), the SPL serves the PLs, and the PL serves the patrol.

 

The PL should direct patrol activity and operations, such that they meet the objectives, goals, aims and values of the troop and the boy scout program.

 

The PL is similar to a low to mid level manager's position - it's not an easy job standing in the middle of a two-way street!

 

I liken the PLC to the knights of the round table - a cohesive group/gathering where all can function on an equal footing, youth leader and adult leader alike, with a common goal(s), but steered by the senior leader (SPL).

[Bob White]

You have fallen prey to some common misconceptions eagle74.

 

The Troop is similar to the United States

Each Patrol a state

The PL is like the Govenor a State.

The SPL is the President

The troop officers his cabinet

Each patrol (state) is totally independent yet recieves and shares resources through the Troop.

The SPL has no power over the PL. His job is to coordinate the eforts of each patrol for the good of the troop.

 

The troop only exists as a gathering of patrols. Just as the United States only exists as a gathering of independent states.

 

At a PLC Roles change slightly but the civics model remains intact. The SPL takes the role of the Vice-President and acts as the leader of the Senate. The PLs become Senators representing their individual independent State but charged with governing for the good of the Country.

 

Always look at scouting as a microcosm of the adult world. That is how it was designed. It is a living civics lesson.

 

So who is incharge of the Govenor of the State?

 

 

(This message has been edited by Bob White)

[hacimsaalk12]

the PL in in charge of the patrol. the SPL and SM tell him what needs done, but he determines who does it, how its done, when its done, ect. in the patrol, even the ASPL, and the SPL are under the PL, except in certain instances where problems arise, and the SPL/ASPL needs to stand up and take care of it.

[Bob58]

Checking for the source now but I've always liked the idea that

 

"A leader is one step in front of the people he's following."

 

Said w/ a smile.... This works well in small groups where as the physicians used to say they will 'do no harm." There are times at which the leader cannot be merely the voice/face of the crowd.

 

Not spinning off ...

"tyranny ofy the majority"

that will have to be another day.

 

Live today well,

Bob

[Bob White]

"the PL in in charge of the patrol. the SPL and SM tell him what needs done, but he determines who does it, how its done, when its done, ect."

 

That is from a Scout, and that makes my point. If all the PL does is hand out orders from the SPL and SM then he is not in charge of his patrol he is simply a communication device for the SM and SPL and that is not supposed to be the focus of his job. The SM and the SPL are not supposed to be determining what happens in the patrol that is the patrols job.

 

If others are telling the PL what to do then they are in charge of the patrol and not the PL.

 

 

[evmori]

That is from a Scout, and that makes my point. If all the PL does is hand out orders from the SPL and SM then he is not in charge of his patrol he is simply a communication device for the SM and SPL and that is not supposed to be the focus of his job. The SM and the SPL are not supposed to be determining what happens in the patrol that is the patrols job.

 

If others are telling the PL what to do then they are in charge of the patrol and not the PL.

 

Don't agree. One can be told what to do but not how to do it. The SPL can tell the PL to get an ax yard put up. It's up to the PL to get it done how he sees fit. The PL is still in charge of his Patrol.

 

Ed Mori

Troop 1

1 Peter 4;10

[FScouter]

If the SPL tells a patrol to set up an axe yard, that doesn't sound like the PL is in charge. If the SPL tells the PL to set up an axe yard, and the PL complies, he is just doing the bidding of the SPL. That's not being in charge either. Like Bob said, if the SPL hands out an order to the PL, the PL is nothing more than a communication device.

 

By the way, if the patrol wants to set up an axe yard, why would the SPL have to order that it be done?

[evmori]

So then by your example a platoon leader isn't in charge of his platoon because he get orders from someone else?

 

Disagree.

 

The PL is in charge of his patrol. He is the one who is held responsible for their actions. If he is told by the SPL to have his patrol complete a task it is th PL's responsibility to make sure it is done.

 

Ed Mori

Troop 1

1 Peter 4:10

[FScouter]

If a patrol plans an activity that involves chopping wood, they will set up an axe yard. The patrol leader will be in charge. If a patrol has planned to go fishing and the SPL orders them to set up an axe yard instead, the SPL has taken control and is now in charge. The PL is not the puppet of the SPL or anyone else. A puppet is not in charge.

Why would an SPL order a patrol to set up an axe yard if the patrols plan is fishing?

[evmori]

Maybe this patrol who is going fishing is the best patrol to set up an ax yard & the SPL was just utilizing his resources? They can go fishing after the ax yard is set up. Remember, the ax yard is just an example!

 

Ed Mori

Troop 1

1 Peter 4:10