Mandatory Scout Uniform at Eagle Scout Board of Review
Rodger Morris (rodger@FISHNET.NET)
Tue, 30 Dec 1997 17:05:12 -0800
At 04:57 PM 12/29/97 -0500, Tom E Sullivan <tsully@JUNO.COM> wrote in
re the issue of an Eagle Scout candidate wearing a Scout uniform to
his board of review:
...
>For the issue in hand, why couldn't national say something like the
>following: "BSA national policy in this issue is that the scout should
>wear the uniform to all Boards of review and scoutmaster conferences.
>(Period!) These are the final steps in rank advancement and it is
>important that the scouts learn the importance of looking their best at
>these type of events." That would cut down on the e-mail traffic by a
>factor of ten. I see no harm in national providing this level of
>clarity. The local organizations can make exceptions when they feel it
>IMPORTANT. I stress that the reason should be important because I feel
>when these things are left loose, ther is a lot of freedom taken and
>whimsical decisions are made.
...
This would have disqualified a Scout of mine who had his Eagle Scout
board of review whilst he was on Christmas leave from Navy boot camp.
In obedience to naval regulations, he was dressed in Navy service
dress blue uniform.
Doubtless, there are other legitimate exceptions to general policy that
crop up from time to time.
<SIGH>
So, what do we do, folks? Do we pile exception upon exception and get
all anal retentive about the whole matter, as some Scouters would have
us do, or do we use common sense and apply some general principles as
Lord Baden-Powell strongly recommended? The answer to this one
_should_ be clear.....
Yet again, I quote the "sanity clause" contained within the Naval
Aviation Training and Operational Procedures Standardization (NATOPS).
This is the "Navair Bible" for naval aviators, naval flight officers and
enlisted naval flight crewmembers that is the naval aviation equivalent
of the all-encompassing, anal retentive ni plus ultra operations manual
that some Scouters here on SCOUTS-L and elsewhere seem to want. It says:
"The NATOPS shall be adhered to in all respects. Nevertheless, blind
adherence to the NATOPS shall not replace the exercise of good judgement."
Think about it.....
...
>In conclusion, if this isn't national's responsibility, then what is?
>
...
General policy is "national's responsibility", except where life, health
and/or safety are concerned. How best to implement these general policies
is (I believe wisely), left to the Scouters who must implement these
general guidelines.
As always, "your mileage may vary".
Yours in Scouting,
Rodger
Rodger Morris <rodger@fishnet.net>
Asst. Scoutmaster, Troop 808 Wood Badge 416-18
Ventura County Council at Philmont, 1973
Camarillo, California, USA "I used to be a Beaver..."
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
