Scouting & the Military

Gentlemen (I think the questioners were both male!)

Someone is relocating to Ft.Benning, GA. That is where I am. If you could
tell me what you want to know, I'll try my best to find the answers.

Someone else is joining the Air Force and wants to know how well scouting is
supported there. I can only speak for the army. But, I think, this is
pretty true servicewide. Dept. of Defense is cutting back on its budget.
As it makes do with less, some programs suffer. And as the current emphasis
appears to be on single soldier (airman, etc.) programs less is done for
family programs (read scouts) Scouting is not discouraged, but there is
less done to encourage it. In times gone by, soldiers used to be given TDY
leave to teach at summer camp. We used to have a camp building and bus
system for day camp. Unit leaders were even given some time off to attend
to functions. I know of one cubmaster who no longer tells his chain of
command of his upcoming scout functions because he always ended up with duty
on those days. Obviously, this is an extreme case of lack of support in
this man's unit. On my own base, units have difficulty getting meeting
places, and getting support from chartered units. Add to this the fact that
MANY service families have to have both parents working to make ends meet
and you end up with a lack of leaders. When all is said and done, how well
scouting will be supported on your base depends mostly on how well the
commanding officer supports it. If he supports scouting, the base will
support it, as will most of the lesser officers. If he does NOT support
scouting, then it will be seen as a green light by other officers to do the
same. This unfortunately is the case at this time where I am stationed.

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