Re: Uniforms: basic problem in design -- a rant
(no name) ((no email))
Mon, 18 Jan 1999 10:30:24 -0600
Happy King Day, everyone; I'll post separately on this special
federal "snow day" later!!
NatDavis <ndavis@VT.EDU> asked:
>To Mike Walton and others that know about national's operation:
>Many of us are clearly upset with the current uniforms. How do we
>get national's attention
In other words, whack them upside their collective heads with a
strong two-by-four, right?
>and, more importantly, their quick _positive_ reaction to making
>changes??? What do I mean by positive? Somebody listened to
>bring back the cargo pockets -- but what we ended up with is
>almost worse than no pockets at all -- that was NOT positive!
>(This is a sincere question)
And deserving of a sincere answer, which I'll answer in two parts.
Getting National Supply's attention isn't hard to do; the reaction,
however, quick and positive as you and others would like to have
it, isn't so easy.
I know very *little* about the design, cost and distribution
factors involved within the Supply Division, and I would defer any
kind of response along those lines to those that know a whole lot
more about that end than I can ever know. You would be adding to
*my daily education here* as part of this list as well as everyone
else's!!
I do know *a little*, however, about the process that National used
to bring about changes in insignia and uniform options, and it
starts with you and I and other Scouters writing to National --
finding the two-by-four and "getting their attention."
"Getting National Supply's attention" means a letter-writing
campaign, or in the case of one Scouter that strongly advocated the
return of the cargo pants, a postcard writing campaign. A couple
thousand postcards, all saying "please bring back the cargo pants"
and MORE IMPORTANTLY, expressing those *same desires* to the Scout
Executive of THEIR COUNCIL (whom, as a body once a year, meets with
the Supply Division professionals in open forum and gives
suggestions and ideas for changes or modifications during All
Hands), would do it just fine.
Like I said, that's the EASY part, and it has been done several
times over the years to bring back or take away BSA items by "the
people wearing the items"...you and me "out in the field."
What happens after those decisions are done, I'm not sure. I do
know that the Operations Group (which the Supply Division is a part
of) Committee meets and "yeas" or "nays" the larger changes, while
the Supply Division Director exercises control over the smaller
changes. Side cargo pockets that one can ACTUALLY carry a Handbook
or paperback novel or prayer book in?? That to *me* is a large
change. Bellows side cargo pockets similar in style to the
military Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) pockets? That to *me* is a
large change. Side cargo pockets similiar in style to the older
uniform side pockets...a *small change*, to *me*.
I don't know any of the volunteers on the Operations Group
Committee, and only one or two professionals whom serve as
"consultants" because of their previous background. But I do know
if there's a significant number of Scouts and Scouters out there
wanting something, the BSA's Supply Division will be raring to make
it available...after all, in *that division*, it's about, well, you
know! *smiling*
Back in either '93 or 94, I asked one of the Supply Division's
buyers just how long does it take to make something from an
existing design (I was talking then about the BSA kelly green
shirts, which were taken "out of circulation" because at that time,
it was deemed that Explorers didn't "really want to wear them."
Thanks to a letter-writing campaign, those shirts returned (and it
was a great thing, because now those shirts are being used by our
Venturing division!).
He stated that it sometimes took anywhere from a year to 18 months
after final decision on the design, color and style of the item; if
the item already exists, it's a six to nine-month matter and
basically involves him or other buyers going back to the original
manufacturer and letting them know "we're on again" after final
approvals.
This explains when uniform changes are made, it's done basically on
the same "life cycle" as program review changes are made...the
uniform and insignia has to "match up" with the program changes.
How long would it take to get the pockets in the *right place* and
the *right style*?? If a *substantial campaign* is mounted, I
would estimate that the "manufacturing curve" would take a lot less
because the BSA would find a company out there currently making the
pants style "called for", give them the color or material, and pay
for the new style pants.
I would LOVE to see a bellows- pocket pants with Velcro {tm}
fasteners in the BSA pants color (or grey for Venturers) available.
The pocket should be large enough for a John Grisham or Tom Clancy
(paperback) novel, or for a pocket Bible, or for the *current*
(new) Scout Handbook. Any smaller than that and it won't be worth
it. You could make the Cub Scout versions a little smaller (on
some Cub Scouts, the pocket would be larger than their faces
*grinning*)
Put me down as a supporter. But please understand that change in
the BSA, as it does in any other youth program (or any corporate
setting!) comes slow and careful.
(And Ted asked:
>>I wonder if things would be different if National's office were
>>in Minnesota, rather than Texas. )
When the BSA's National Offices were in New Jersey, we had a LOT
more "cooler weather items", so you may have something there!!!
Remember that the uniforms were made "universally" so that Scouts
and Scouters around the nation could wear them under differing
conditions, which does include outdoor conditions. Also remember
that the uniform is NOT designed just to be "worn by itself"; that
"Scouters' (common) sense" and outdoor/indoor conditions dictate
how the uniform would be worn, and while performing which tasks.
For instance, at our summer camps, campers are either issued or
choose to wear camp teeshirts instead of the uniform shirt; the
uniform is required during meals, ceremonies and other formalized
occassions at camp.
Settummanque!
(c) 1998 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") blkeagle@mninter.net
http://mninter.net/~blkeagle Burnsville, MN 55306-7130 (612) 435-3085
privately at kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@server.kaiserslautern.army.mil
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