Re: Scouting's Military Traditions
Robert W. Myers (focus@FUSE.NET)
Fri, 2 Apr 1999 17:41:13 -0500
> Anthony Mako wrote:
>
> Please keep in mind that there is no such thing as an Official BSA
> Drill Manual.
Perhaps not now, but I have a copy of an official BSA Service Library book
that would astound you. It is called The Yucca Patrol Idea and was
copyrighted by BSA in 1928.
The general idea was to define the equipment and duties of a standard 8
Scout Patrol, down to the last detail, to allow them to be self sufficient
in the wilderness or "everywhere feasible but especially where trek carts
are impractical." Each Scout is numbered, his duties enumerated in detail,
the contents of his pack listed (twice, including BSA catalog numbers), and
his movements reduced to drills. The 8 drills include:
Drill A. To Pitch Tents
Drill B. To Strike Tents
Drill C. Inspections
Drill D. To Pitch Yucca Patrol Camp
Drill E. To Pitch Full Yucca Patrol Camp
Drill F. To Strike Full Yucca Patrol Camp
Drill G. To form Mess Line
Drill H. Wash Dishes (No, they don't use 3 pots.)
One in detail:
"Drill A. To Pitch Tents.
Command - 'Open Ranks Ho. 1-2-3-4'
Senior Command - 'Take Tents Ho.'
Nos. 1-3-5-7 take tents from pack and come to alert. Juniors come
to alert as soon as pack have been unshipped.
Senior Commands - 'Position Ho.'
At which time both ranks right face and march to camp-site that has been
cleared.
'Pitch Tent Ho.' Squads 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 pitch their tents.
Time taken when all squads stand at alert in front of tents."
And don't forget to time everything! :) The full page diagram that goes with
this is even more detailed and would put Vince Lombardi to shame, defining
multiple positions for every Patrol member on the field. If anyone wants to
see that page from the "playbook", I'll scan it and e-mail it separately
(pdf format) since the list is non-graphical.
What a hoot!
YiS,
Bob Myers
