Re: A suggestion on Uniforming

Actually the uniform B-P chose was based on his design for the Royal South
African Police - a paramilitary colonial police agency. But then he chose
the uniform for the police to be a functional outdoors uniform based on his
military experience as a " Scout " - literally a soldier who goes behind
enemy lines preparing the way for the main force. In a sense B-Ps military
Scouts were the " special forces " of his day.

Remember also that one of the things that led to his idea of " Scouting for
Boys " was the role of the Mafeking Cadet Corps in support of both the
military power during the Siege of Mafeking.

I am not advocating either miltary training or uniforms these days ... times
and attitudes have changed. Now pre-military training is regarded as the
province of the Cadet Forces / JOTC / academies, and Scouting has emphasised
its role as an non-miltary, but explicitly patriotic, organisation.

Ian N Ford

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What's become of SCOUTER Magazine, the print publication?

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