From: Kurtenbach, Daniel (DKurtenbach@FDIC.GOV)
Date: Fri Jan 28 2000 - 16:28:12 CST
I think the real problem is that we only have one official uniform, and its
design makes it poorly functional for a majority of our activities. We need
something to wear for formal occasions, such as Courts of Honor and public
ceremonies, an "everyday" uniform for regular meetings and activities, and a
"field" uniform for camping and dirty work. BSA suggests that one uniform
will do it all. The application to become a Boy Scout states: "Your
official Scout uniform is made to go anywhere and do anything. The tough,
easy laundering material will bounce back from rugged camping trips looking
like new." But when we've invested $40 in a pair of uncomfortable pants
with pockets that are too small, and when we've spent hours of arduous labor
and spilled blood sewing insignia on a shirt, there's a natural reluctance
to not wear them for a weekend in the woods. And no, they don't bounce
back looking like new. The current official uniform is designed to be a
formal uniform that will look good in photographs, meetings, and ceremonies
(at least for the first dozen or so launderings). It is adequate as an
"everyday" uniform (sans sashes, neckerchiefs, and pins or doodads that
might fall off during vigorous activity), but again there is always the
chance of damage or stains during a troop activity or game. And the
uniform, and particularly the pants and shorts, are just unsuitable as a
comfortable, functional "field" uniform.
If it were up to me, the official Scout uniform would be designed for
comfortable, rugged outdoor wear (a few issues of Backpacker magazine will
provide all the research necessary), with several shirt options, minimal
sew-on insignia, and a truly functional neckerchief/bandana (we do, after
all, need to maintain some tradition). That same outfit would double as the
"everyday" uniform for meetings, with a sash or vest for insignia. For
formal occasions, we'd all have to dig in our closets for our "civilian"
dresswear, a Scout tie or scarf (perhaps gold fleur-de-lis on red?), and
pins, medals, or ribbons for unit number and rank (boys) or position
(adults). Let the uniform fulfill its team-building function out in the
field and in regular troop meetings where it is really needed (and where we
spend most of our time), rather than on ceremonial occasions.
This comment has strayed quite a bit from the original question--what do you
do about pants? My personal view: Leaders ought to have a pair for
meetings and public events, but a boy only needs them for his Eagle Board of
Review (and, we hope, his Eagle Court of Honor). So ignore the absence of
official uniform pants. If the pants were only $12 a pair (still twice what
they are worth), my view would probably be different.
Yours in Scouting,
Dan Kurtenbach
