Drill Team?
Philip Conroy (pconroy@CADVISION.COM)
Fri, 23 Jul 1999 22:33:16 -0600
Jim,
I'm afraid that I have to disagree with you. This is not a political
correctness issue. I do see where you are comming from.
I think it is best summed up by Baden-Powell himself in his book "Aids to
Scoutmastership" ( I will only quote a couple of sentences).
"Furthermore, drill is all a matter of instruction, hammering it into the
boys, and is in no way an educationwhere they learn it for themselves.
As reguards drill for Scouts, I have frequently had to remind Scoutmasters
that it is to be avoided-that is, in excess. Apart from militarist
objections on the part of some parents, one is adverse to it because a
second-rate Scoutmaster cannot see the higher aim of Scouting (namely,
drawing out of the individual), and not having the origionality to teach it
even if he saw it, he reverts to drill as an easy means of getting his boys
into some sort of shape for making a show on parade."
What I interprit here is, BP telling us that ceremonies ar good but don't
get too heavy with drill. After all these are boys not soldiers.
This is no insult to your leader that was a drill sergent. He should
understand the diference. I do, and I spent 20 years in the military. Don't
forget that BP was also a career officer.
I hope this helps you.
YIS
Phil Conroy,
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
