Explorer uniforms and ranks -Reply
Bruce C Johnson (bjoh@loc.gov)
Fri Jun 05 06:02:43 1998
Craig:
As the person responsible to maintaining the Sea Exploring literature (and
by extension the uniforming standards), may I say that you seem to be
reading something to advancement guidelines to extend to uniforming
standards. Speaking only for the Sea Exploring uniform, the left pocket is
reserved for Sea Exploring (not Boy Scouting) advancement patches. The
uniforming standards are quite specific that one may not move insignia
around within a uniform, nor may they wear insignia that is inappropriate
for the uniform. A First Class rank patch is a Boy Scout advancement badge
and should not be worn on a Sea Explorer uniform. The only youth rank
badges from Cub or Boy Scouting that are appropriate for Exploring uniforms
are the square knots for Arrow or Light and Eagle. No, these are not
restricted to adults. They are so restricted in the Boy Scout program, but
not in Exploring. When my Ship produces an Eagle Scout (and we've had 8
over the years), we present the young man with the normal Eagle
presentation kit, along with a couple of Eagle knots on white for his Sea
Scout uniforms. The oval patch is just a souvenir.
Bruce Johnson
Skipper, SSS Columbia Ranger
Columbia, Maryland USA
Commodore, Sea Scouts
Northeast Region, BSA
commodore@seascout.org
>>> Craig Bond <craig00@inu.net> 4 June 1998 4:55 pm >>>
With all due respect to my colleagues on the net, I find nothing that
forbids wearing Boy Scout ranks on an Explorer uniform. Quite the
contrary, since you may continue to earn rank above First Class as an
Explorer (Venturer after 8/1/98), it is entirely appropriate to wear the
rank you hold since, having been earned whilst an Explorer it becomes an
Exploring rank. If you are still registered with a Boy Scout troop, it
would be more appropriate to wear the rank on that uniform, but there is
certainly no restriction.
The same logic would apply if the youth continued to earn rank toward Eagle
while in the Sea Exploring program. And if he's earning both ranks as a
Sea Explorer, why not both?
See below for quoated sections from the Advancement Policies and Procedures
Commitee Guide relative to Explorer Advancement. And look for similar
concept language to apply after 8/1/98 and beyond.
Other knots he could wear are the religious emblem and any lifesaving
knot(s) awarded.
Further, the Eagle knot to which others have referred is an "adult" symbol
and should be worn only *after* you turn 18. Also, at that time, the Arrow
Of Light knot becomes appropriate wear.
***************
>From the Advancement ... Guide:
Any male Explorer who has achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout in a
troop or Varsity Scout in a team may continue working toward the Star,
Life, and Eagle ranks up to uis 18th birthday. He must meet the
requirements as prescribed in the Boy Scout Handbook and the current Boy
Scout Requirements book.
Position of responsibility requirements may be met by the Explorer
serving as president, vice-president, secretary, or treasurer in his post,
or as boatswain, boatswain's mate, yeoman, purser, or storekeeper of his
ship.
The Scoutmaster conference will be conducted by the Advisor or
Skipper.
As the Explorer meets the requirements for the Star and Life ranks, a
board of review is conducted by the post or ship committee. The Eagle
board of review follows the procedure established by the local council.
Sea Exploring is the only Exploring specialty that has its own
advancement program. This program is outlined in the Sea Exploring manual.
Sea Exploring advancements are approved by the ship's quarterdeck. In
the case of the Quartermaster Award, the application is reviewed by the
ship's committee with a member of the district advancement committee as
chair.
Since the Quartermaster Award is an Exploring recognition, it may be earned
by any young man or young woman registered as an Explorer up to his or her
21st birthday.
Craig Bond
Lufkin, TX http://www.etexscouts.com
Anyone can count the seeds in an apple;
only God can count the apples in a seed.
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