Al "knot"ted up

I've been out about a month, out of town and out of touch. Took me a week to
wade through the Digested SCOUTS-L, and the threads were all fascinating.
This thread is near and dear to my heart (correct uniforming), and I
couldn't resist tossing my hat in the ring.

I thought Mike's comments regarding local custom on limiting knots was quite
interesting. Actually, if my reliable sources (souses?) are correct, the
limitation to five knots was lifted in 1970, when a major revision in uniform
and insignia practice in BSA was promulgated (the 1970 Uniform and Insignia
Guide is the only one I _don't_ have for basically the past 40 years, and I
recall when it came out that it took two errata sheets to correct).

I think that the number of knots is strictly up to the wearer, provided that
duplicate knots are not worn. IMHBCO, BSA could have avoided the entire Cub
Leader Recognition knot series (six knots last count) if they would have
stuck to the earlier practice of miniature devices on the Scouter's Key and
Training Award knots and medals (practice discontinued in 1988 except for
"grandfathered" awards), rather than the pendants, (now I'm gonna hear from
every Cub leader out there who has earned the "new" awards, but that's OK
too). The knots are pretty colorful, but someone who has put in enough time
to earn all the Cub Leader program awards looks like some military general
parading around.

38??? Discounting local overhand knots, the only knots not in the 32 shown in
the Scoutmaster's Handbook to my knowledge, are the Tiger Coach Award and the
James West Fellowship. Could you elaborate, Mike?

It still goes back to what is in good taste. Some of us who have been in the
program since the dark ages like to be technically correct "christmas trees",
while others like to go the minimalist route. Either one is OK by me, if the
insignia are correctly worn.

I've been in Scouting since 1966, and have been witness to the radical
program and uniforming changes through the '70's and '80's. So, I think I
have seen just about every correct and incorrect practice since then.

Now that I've said my $0.02 worth, I think I'll air my dirty laundry on
uniforming.

For my field uniform, I currently wear the tan shirt, with Eagle (w/Bronze
Palm), AOL and Religious Award (w/Boy Scout device) knots, Service Stars for
program participation (Cub, Boy Scout, Scouter), World Crest), OA flap for
237, Universal Arrow Ribbon w/Vigil Triangle), Wood Badge nametag (boy, was
that right flap hard to button!) Gulfstream CSP, Assistant District
Commissioner Badge of Office, Trained Strip, and Arrowhead Honor.
Admittedly, the service stars and miniature devices can be a hassle on a
field uniform, if I'm wearing the shirt during physical labor or a hot day.

This is my regular meeting shirt.

For a formal uniform, I opted for the old khaki wool-poly shirt with the
following (I have backdated most insignia for 1969): Eagle medal, God &
Country medal, AOL knot on khaki (knot did not come out until 1979, so not
correct for backdated uniform. Background does match shirt, however),
Gulfstream R&W, ADC (1967 issue - rolled edge, no wording!), Trained Strip
(R&W), Arrowhead Honor, 237 S6 (old red border, NO FDL - late '60's issue),
Universal Arrow ribbon w/Vigil triangle (OK to suspend on ribbon since 1968 -
proper location outlined in 1973 Uniform & Insignia Guide), and Project SOAR
pp on right pocket (my all-time favorite temporary insignia). Note no World
Crest - was restricted during '70's to international participants, and I have
no international Scouting experience - yet!

I wear this shirt only to Courts of Honor and District/Council annual
dinners. It's a hit with the old-timers.

I also have a khaki field uniform shirt, 1970 revision: same drill on knots
(w/o miniature devices) as current, Gulfstream R&W, Neighborhood Commissioner
Badge of Office (1970 - blue & gold - I'm pulling double duty), no OA
insignia (haven't got another old 237 to spare - yet!).

Another period/conversation piece, reserved for Scout shows and the
occasional Camp-o-ree.

I also have my Troop 1 shirt, unaltered, from Wood Badge.

Lest some of you take issue with my wearing obsolete uniforming (khaki
shirts) & insignia (pre-fdl OA flaps & Project SOAR pp), remember: once
legal, always legal, unless specifically proscribed in the Insignia Control
Guide.

Boy, that was fun, and a good way to get back in the fray!

YiS, WWW, it's been a month, so I'm using the long signature block!
Randy Spradling, P.E.

Assistant District Commissioner Treasure Coast District, Gulfstream
Council(FL) Aal-Pa-Tah #237 Eagle Scout (1971)Vigil Honor (1974)(Thal-Coo-Zyo
#457)(Sukeu Woapalanne-Black Eagle)
Life Member Alpha Phi Omega Mu Tau Chapter(#589-139879/Life#5915) (WV
Tech)(Spring 1975)
I "used" to be an Owl... (SR-5).
Master Mason: Huntington (WV) Lodge #53 AF&AM
Royal Arch: Joppa (FL) Chapter #28 RAM (King)
Select Master: Tyrian (FL) Council #36 R&SM (Principal Cond. of Work)
Knights Templar: St. Lucie (FL) #17 KT (Standard Bearer)
York Rite College: John B. Phelps (FL) #31 YRC
Knight Masons: Space Coast Council (FL) #32 IKM
Huntington (WV) Consistory AASR
Huntington (WV) Chapter #8 OES
Beni Kedem Temple AAONMS
Civil/Traffic Engineer in my spare time
(To know oneself is the ultimate form of aggression)(Calvin: Do you think
that children are born sinful? Hobbes: No, but they are quick studies.)
<FREEMASON@AOL.com>
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