Re: Looking for the Uniform Police

In your message of 29 Nov 1995 at 1257 EST, you write:
>
> No. The BSA is NOT the military, but it DOES have a "rhyme and reason" for
> it's uniform usage and insignia location...so much so, that it has a separate
> publication, called the BSA Insignia (Control) Guide, which has been published
> since 1972 to assist Scouts and Scouters in wearing their uniforms the
> "right way".
Note that the pub is called a guide, not a law or regulation..By the
way, what is thepenalty for not following the guide to the letter and
has it ever been enforced. As opposed to the military where you
receive a monthly allowance for uniforms, the BSA does not have the
luxury of this benefit.
>
> >Second, if you give me any group of 100 scouts or scout leaders and I
> >can virtually guarantee you that ALL will be out of uniform if we want
>
> I would take that bet, Steve. What do we bet on? CSPs?
A close review of any issue of the Scouter Magazine would prove the
point. Second place to look is any roundtable, next, troop meetings,
and a really good source of creative uniform ideas is any jamboree or
local camporee.
>
> Council event will attend in as complete a uniform as they can personally
> afford, with all insignia
> correctly in place at the proper locations. Now, if you are going to go
The key here as you mention is whatt they can afford. Personally, I
have three sets of uniforms but thats a holdover from a habit I
developed with my previous employer. As fast as junior high kids grow
I don't expect most parents to buy their son's new or used pants every
six months.
> yes...you will
> have some discrepancies.
Ah, you agree. And I say so what!. My disagreement is with the
nitpicking uniform police who take issue with direction of knots and
minor points that mean a lot to them but not to anyone else.
>
>
> "referees". The Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment,
> the "Old Guard", prides itself that no matter the size of the soldier, or
> the sex,
> that EVERYTHING is there in an uniform place, that EVERYTHING there has a
> reason and
> purpose and that EVERY PERSON wears the insignia in EXACTING detail.
Although not a marine, the only organization I have ever seen who
could wear the uniform with utmost perfection was the USMC. As for
the rest, I've been to innumerable military installations and all you
have to do is stand outside the BX or CHow hall to encounter infinite
variations of the uniform of the day! It doesn't happen even in open
ranks inspections prior to major parades. Been there...done that.
>
> There's a big difference between "exacting detail" and "identification".
And that is the point, the uniform is for identification. (period)
>
>
> The BSA DOES have that "formal regulation", Steve...it's called the Insignia
> Guide, and it's available from your local Council office or from the nearest
Again, you make my point, it is a GUIDE...Not at regulation.
>
> worry about that question at all... *broad grinning, looking at Scout shirt*
>
> Seriously, Steve, whether you like it or not, the BSA is a uniformed
> organization and wearing the uniform is a great part of the program. It
> serves as the "billboard" to promote our program, as the "frame" in which a
True, never did disagree with this point. I only take issue with the
nitpickers who need to tune in on some of the more pressing issues
facing our scouts like school, single parents, obsessive sports
programs, and all the other issues which are robbing them of their
youth and potential.
>
Mike, I have a personal challenge for you. I would be willing to send
you a free CSP (or maybe 2) if you could boil your signature block
down to two lines (we all have it memorized and you've done a lotta
stuff) and limit your posts to two pages. If you can do this for the
next 30 days I will send you two Simon-Kenton CSPs.

Steve in Newark

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