Gonzo1

1982-1998------ U. S. Navy and Navy Reserve, helicopter aircrewman performing anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, operations management, weapons and tactics employment and personnel management. 1998 to 2006--- U. S Army Reserve, Medical Service Corps officer, Executive Officer in a 500 bed hospital surgical unit, Aide to a Brigadier General and Medical Supply warehouse manager. 2000 to present ---- Chiropractor.

ScoutingEMT, You should continue to set the example by wearing your uniform. It seems the scouts have uniforms if they wear them for COH and summer camp dinners. Try working with the PLC, if cost is the issue, encourage scouts to earn the money by pushing a lawn mower or snow shovel. Some used uniforms are available online. Good luck.

Sheesh, John-in-KC: Please send me a PM with your private email address. Sure, adults teach some skills, usually once, I think it's OK to ask for assistance from another troop too. Fgoodwin, I think brass on brass looks better, it's not a requirement though. Nowadays, youth don't wear shoes that need polishing (in general). I think some things can be taken way too far, like laces and headgear.

I think it depends. Adults have to teach some skills, right? If thte boys don't have the skills (any skills), who will teach the skills? On the other hand, the first scouts were trained to do some of the tasks that soldiers couldn't do at Mafeking because of a shortage of manpower, right? I know I'm not the best Scouting historian, but I think this is right. Also, today, the BSA frowns on scouts wearing camoflauge because of a military conotation. But then again, Sea Scouts get surplus Navy uniforms, whites, khaki and blues. I think it's OK if boys are taught to say yes sir i

Baden, I agree, the troop that marches everywhere looks dorky. Let's face it, they're dorks. On the other hand, when we marched in parades, we looked OK, we didn't win any prizes, we started atopped together, Nothing looks worse than a gaggle going from one place to another. Scouts are scouts, not Young Marines or Sea Cadets (not Sea Scouts), or JROTC. Having been former enlisted, I rather like marching, but I'm not teaching it to the scouts. Boy lead is the way to be!

Baden, It's not about turning them into little soldiers, I think it's more about standing at attention for as long as it takes to do a flag ceremony. How about walking in straight lines, on the same step during a parade. You know, attention, forward march, halt, at ease, etc. I don't think they should be expected to out perform The Old Guard. I just don't don't sqirming and talking "in ranks" during colors or announcements, or day I say 'formation'. They probably don't need to do 'dress right, DRESS' but they be in lines. Gonzo1 CPT, USAR, Ret.

Eamonn, I too haven't much to do with GSUSA except for buying Thin Mints from a girl at church. I used to never really think much about the Character Development part of BSA until my oldest daughter got in trouble recently. Her mother and I have been divorced for 16 years - we're both married to different people now. I tried to get her into Brownies and Girls Scouts, but the ex-wife wouldn't have much to do with it, it took too much time I guess. About 7 or 8 months ago, my oldest girl, now 20, started running with the wrong crowd. She met a crack & meth smoking dirt bag, got pr

On the other hand, I like the 'smartness' of a well done color guard. Sloppy colors presentations irk me.

I'm not a big fan of 'drinkin' da swill water'. Beavah's other suggestions are great, as always. Here's another suggestion: When the food comes off the fire (or stove), put on wash water with detergent and rinse water. Some people even like a third pot with bleach or sanitizer in it, so have 3 going if you like. After eating all you can from the bowl, dish, plate, whatever, Use 1 or 2 squares of toilet paper, we'll call it All Purpose paper now. Wipe out as much as possible. Then using another 1 or 2 squares of AP paper, continue wiping. Wipe until the bowl, plate, pot, pa

I tend to agree with RangerSteve. It also depends on the military experience and attitude of the adult leadership in the unit. For example, when I enlisted, because of my BSA experience (we marched in parades) I knew how to stand at attention and do some basic marching. When I was a boy, my dad and another dad (both veterans) taught close order drill (marching basics) to us for a couple weeks before parades. My SM was in the Coast Guard and we called the floor the 'deck' and all ropes were 'lines'. However, we used a latrine or KYBO, not the 'head'. CAP, ROTC youth programs, et

OK, it's admirable that boys are paying for their trip to Philmont. If they have the means, perhaps the boys could push a mower or snow shovel and earn a few bucks. There is popcorn sales out there or some other unit fundraiser also. Maybe the troop could pay for some campouts for the less fortunate, say, every other month or something. I can see the troop paying for the state park youth group area fees, but check to see if that can be waived with a service project, they're usually fun and they wear out the boys.

There's something as bad as cheating to make Eagle, that's claiming to be an Eagle when you're not. I just met a guy maybe 35 years old who just seemd to be an Eagle Scout, we talked about scout stuff and enjoyed a few laughs. A couple days later, the same guy said he had something to admit to me. I said "Don't tell me you're not an Eagle" and he agreed, he wasn't and had only his project remining to do as a boy. He never finished. I was immediately disappointed because he lied. If he had said that he had been a Life Scout, it wouldn't be an issue. I admit, when I shake a scou

Calico, While I agree that Phelps or anybody else for that matter has the right to protest, Phelps should have the decency not to. Let's give a big 'adda boy' to the bikers and angels groupd that block the protests.

The most important things I got were the reinforcement of patrol method, scout spirit and dealing with adults on a different level.

Too bad Phelps doesn't have anything nice to say or do, some 'minister' he is.

ddhanso, I agree that boy lead is the way to be. I personally don't see going to the movies as a campout activity because it's raining. I have camped at Freeland Leslie in Wisconsin, Also Wolf Lake, but I think Wolf Lake has been sold. We go to BSA/Council properties, National Forests, State Parks and some private property.

Since when do scouts go camping at a cineplex? How about doing the program, oh, never mind. I bet going to the movies is a cool, rad, hip thing that appeals to the youth of today. I guess tons of kids want to go camping and see movies. I suppose the troop paying something must be on a case by case basis. For example, if the troop wanted to go somewhere that require chartered buses, the troop might pay for the buses. If the troop camps at a place with a fee for youth groups camping area, the scouts who go should build that into the fee., Just my opinion.

Brian, Where's your comment about your dislike of neckerchiefs? Also, why are you so hung up on some decline in numbers/ Look at it this way - I run a business, sales go p, sales go down. That's life. If your troop is losing scouts, change something, invite guests, have a cool, rad outdoor program, or have mp3 players, or whatever. Change it at your level, not mine. Peace out! or whatever cool, rad, hip, phase is for 'see ya, don't want to be ya.'

Now here is where John in KC and I agree. It takes practice and application of skills. IOLS or another course like maybe BALOO might help, but an adult without prior scouting experience can not learn this stuff in a couple of weekends. Maybe study an older field book also as well as older scout handbooks. Learn and master orienteering, pioneering, cooking, hiking, camping in bad weather, first aid also. It just takes time. Attned your district outdoor Leader Skills training course and then the course for other districts. Be careful not to burn out and upset the Mrs. with all th

Brent, Brian and Ed, When I was a boy, my troop had 2 neckerchiefs. Both were the same color, but when a scout joined, he got a blank light blue neckerchief. But, when he earned Tenderfoot, he traded that one for one that was customized with an embroidered patch, town name, troop number. We all wore them. Today, my old troop still uses them with the same tradition. BTW, I kinda like the 'newer cowboy hat' as well as the old campaign hat. Brian, I have both!

Brian, What's your gripe with neckerchiefs? Many troops use them, some don't, big deal. Almost all cub scouts wear them.

Wow, this is great. Eamonn, is that really you in the video? Brianbuf, What's with the polo shirts, ipods, gameboys, etc? Follow the advice and YOU recommend your suggestions to national. It seems that the rest of us (for the most part) like the way things are, deliver the promise, have an active, outdoor program. Good luck. What's you objection to a neckerchief? I think they're nice, especially the custom made ones.

After seeing on several threads that many troops offer a New Parent Orientation or packet, what does you troop do to teach new parents? What info do you include? Thanks, G

Accidently posted twice, duplicate removed.(This message has been edited by Gonzo1)

Wow, I guess it's cut and paste and gang up on Gonzo Day!!! Let me clear this up. I have not attacked anyone personally, professionaly or called anyone any names. I have not attacked you or started threads with your name in the title. I haven't called anyone rude or impolite. Some of you have suggested (and invited me) that I attend WB again. i attended already. I've been to several 'corporate' leadership and management courses. I retired as an Army Captain. The thing about military leadership is that it's not about the yelling, it's about the leading. I currently serve