John-in-KC

Well, Maybe not thumbing my nose.... But certainly first sticking my tongue in my cheek, then sticking it outward and going Thhhhbbbbbbbbbbbttttt!! One of my very best friends is a well seasoned Texan. He long ago taught me a most wonderful phrase: "John, you're pole vaulting over mouse turds!" If I am lucky, I see TWO men from Irving a year: One at Commissioner's College, and one at PTC, if I get to go. I see my Council exec a little more often ... but still, he's in the yes, sir department. Heck, he's the head of a multi-million dollar non-profit. I see my District Director, Senior DE, and DE at least monthly, and my District Commissioner more than that (amazing what happens when you're his physical arrangements man for roundtable, and your district roundtable needs space to grow from 250 up to 500 Scouters a month). I see the Program Directors for our two reservations several times a year ... and I see one of the head rangers every workday. My points are this: Scouting is about FUN, even for us Scouters. If raising young men and women cannot be rewarding and fun, why do it? We have lots of challenges to worry about: Leader selection, leader training, mentorship of our Scouts, raising the money so we don't leave a Scout behind, keeping the youth safe, ad infinitum... All of these are serious. We are preparing the next generation of American young men and women for life. So, yes, I've decided: The difference between Field Uniform and Class A, Activity Uniform and Class B, definitely falls under "pole vaulting over mouse turds." My local professionals don't sweat it. They use the term in OFFICIAL Council materials. They use the term in their regular lives. Hence, I'm not going to sweat it anymore. And besides, to quote my original post: "Uniform IS NOT A METHOD OF VENTURING." YIS

Just remember, Uniform IS NOT A METHOD OF VENTURING. Your Crew may opt for any uniform that it chooses. You may also opt for no uniform whatsoever. My sons' Crew has opted for: Green Venturing shirt with knots for Courts of Honor, Boards of Review (many are Life--->Eagle still) and certain business functions (recently a Crewman went to local City Council to present his views on an issue ... he wore a Class A uniform). My sons' crew has also opted for a standard, year round uniform of: - Locally purchased T-shirt. - Blue jean, docker, or Columbia shorts in summer. - Blue jeans in winter. Did I say "Class A?" Yep, sure did. If it's good enough for my 300 series Council Director of Field Service and his 2 Program Directors, it's good enough for me.

I would ask your DE or Council Scout Executive for Council or BSA policies. BSA INTERNET policies have some very firm guidelines about posting pictures of youth and associating names to pictures.

At my council camp, the medical recheck is done at the pool, immediately before the BSA swim test. If there's a showstopper, med staff and aquatics director go into a huddle with the SM concerned (youth) or the Scouter directly concerned (grownups).

Ken, That particular page is OBE. Of course, PERSCOM is OBE too. It's Human Resources Command, now. Here is the ALARACT (All Army Activities) message the Chief sent out a year ago February: UNCLASSIFIED FM DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE-HR-IRP// TO ALARACT INFO RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE-HR-IRP// UNCLAS ALARACT 018/2004 SUBJ: WEAR OF THE REVERSE-SIDE FULL-COLOR U.S. FLAG CLOTH REPLICA A. AR 670-1, 5 SEP 03, WEAR AND APPEARANCE OF ARMY UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA. 1. THE NATION IS AT WAR AND WILL BE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. AS AN EXPEDITIONARY ARMY, OUR SOLDIERS' COMMITMENT TO FIGHT AND WIN OUR NATION'S WAR, AT HOME AND ABROAD, IS BEST EXEMPLIFIED BY PERMANENTLY WEARING THE U.S. FLAG INSIGNIA ON THE UTILITY UNIFORMS. ADDITIONALLY, WEARING THE U.S. FLAG PERMANENTLY ALSO REDUCES THE IMPACT OF SEWING AND REMOVING THE U.S. FLAG INSIGNIA ON UNIFORMS. 2. TO THIS EFFECT, THE CURRENT POLICY OF DEPLOYED SOLDIERS WEARING THE U.S. FLAG ON UTILITY UNIFORMS IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL SOLDIERS THROUGHTOUT THE FORCE REGARDLESS OF DEPLOYMENT STATUS. THIS MESSAGE SERVES AS IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTIONS TO A CHANGE TO AR 670-1 ON THE PERMANENT WEAR OF THE U.S. FLAG INSIGNIA. 3. THE INTENT OF THIS POLICY IS FOR ALL SOLDIERS TO PROUDLY WEAR THE U.S. FLAG INSIGNIA ON UTILITY UNIFORMS: (BDUS, DESERT BDUS, THE MATERNITY BDU, THE COLD WEATHER COAT (FIELD JACKET), AIRCREW BATTLE DRESS UNIFORM, AND THE COMBAT VEHICLE CREWMAN UNIFORM AND JACKET (COLD WEATHER). 4. LEADERS MUST ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING POLICY CHANGE: A. PERMANENTLY WEAR THE U.S. FLAG INSIGNIA ON THE BDUS, DBDUS, MATERNITY BDU, THE COLD WEATHER COAT, AIRCREW BATTLE DRESS UNIFORM, AND THE COMBAT VEHICLE CREWMAN UNIFORM, AND JACKET (COLD WEATHER). B. WEAR THE U.S. FLAG SEWN 1/2 INCH BELOW THE RIGHT SHOULDER SEAM OF THE UTILITY UNIFORM. WHEN THE SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA-FORMER WARTIME SERVICE (SSI-FWTS) IS WORN ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE UTILITY UNIFORM, THE U.S. FLAG INSIGNIA IS PLACED 1/8 INCH BELOW THE SSI-FWTS. 5. HOW TO OBTAIN: A. THE U.S. FLAG PROCUREMENT AND ATTACHMENT ON BDUS AND COLD WEATHER COAT FOR ENLISTED SOLDIERS WILL BE AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE, USING OMA FUNDS. B. THE U.S. FLAG PROCUREMENT AND ATTACHMENT ON BDUS AND COLD WEATHER COAT FOR OFFICER SOLDIERS WILL BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL. C. THE U.S. FLAG PROCUREMENT AND ATTACHMENT ON DBDU, MATERNITY BDU, AIRCREW BATTLE DRESS UNIFORM, AND THE COMBAT VEHICLE CREWMAN UNIFORM AND JACKET, COLD WEATHER FOR ENLISTED AND OFFICER SOLDIERS WILL BE AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE, USING OMA FUNDS BASED ON CTA-50-900 ALLOCATIONS. 6. THE NEW POLICY IS IN EFFECT UPON THE COMMANDERS' ABILITY TO PROCURE THE INSIGNIAS AND ALLOCATE FUNDS, AND THE OPERATIONAL TEMPO DUE TO UPCOMING DEPLOYMENTS/RE-DEPLOYMENTS; HOWEVER, MANDATORY WEAR DATE OF THE U.S. FLAG INSIGNIA ON THE UNIFORMS LISTED ABOVE IS NLT 1 OCT 05. 7. ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF AR 670-1, PARAGRAPH 28-18(B), AND C(2) (WEAR OF FULL-COLOR U.S. FLAG CLOTH REPLICA) WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED. 8. THE ABOVE STATED CHANGES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT REVISION TO AR 670-1. 9. POC FOR UNIFORM POLICY IS SGM WALTER MORALES, DSN (omitted); COMM. (omitted). E-MAIL IS (omitted). 10. THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE CHIEF OF STAFF, ARMY. 11. EXPIRATION DATE CANNOT BE DETERMINED. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`` ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Army messages are all caps. To NLDSScout: It's technical name is a "replica." (This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

No, Mother Army, in the person of the Chief of Staff Army (GEN Schoomaker), specifically ordered that the flag patch for Battle Dress be made so the stripes trail. We who are Soldiers (Active, Reserve, Guard, and Retired) are in an Expeditionary Army these days. We go in harm's way. The symbology is that we take the Colors, and the values represented by the Colors, wherever we go. BTW, as the Army migrates to its next generation uniform, the Flag patch will become subdued. Battle experience from the two sandboxes: It's an aimpoint There is nothing wrong with the Flag patch on the BSA uniform. John Lieutenant Colonel, Field Artillery Troop Committee Chairman out in flyover country(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

Michael, The college coach who took me through my WSI told me to measure conditioning not on sweating but on pulse. 220 - age = ideal max heart rate. Usually, 80% of max rate is hard aerobic conditioning. FWIW. YIS.

From the Heart of America Council 2005 Leader's Guide for the H Roe Bartle Boy Scout Reservation: "The Boy Scout uniform builds pride. The Scoutmaster's attitude toward wearing the Boy Scout uniform will be reflected in the dress of his troop. Scouts should wear their uniform to and from camp with prid. Scouts and Scouters who have their Class "A" uniform shall wear it to camp-wide flag ceremonies, as well as campfires, Mic-O-Say Ceremonies (if not in tribal attire) and church services. THose who do not own a complete uniform should wear their Class "B" uniform. EVALUATION: Class B may not be a term National Council uses, but local councils sure as heck do!!!

fotoscout wrote: "All of our Camp employees have to be 14 years old. For the first few years in BS program the boys can not work as Den Chiefs because of this age restriction." WHAT??? Give the 11-13 year olds Den Chief training, give them "camperships" (ie, free attendance), and let them be Den Chiefs under supervision of J-Staff and adult staff). Let them attend as youth. Granted, you may have more flowing through because they can't commit to whole summer, but they're getting training and a taste of a POR. This isn't rocket science.

They're not just for Cubbies either. My almost 16 year old, working his way down to 1 MB to Eagle, still makes projects with them ... and yes, I still do the lego shuffle John

Has anyone thought of offering young Boy Scouts Den Chief Training before the camping season, then offering them opportunities as Den Chiefs during the Day camping season? You're then supporting advancement and leadership for younger Boy Scouts (and letting a few of them be away from the house during summer). In writing this, I assume ... J-Staff minimum age is 14 Your Day Camp program operates using the Cubbing model of Dens... As far as program v "commercial day care" operations, if the Council has the wherewithal and staff support to afford a full season M-F day camp, go for it. From what I remember as a youth, local YMCA did same thing. Mom/Dad sent me for 3-4 weeks running to get me out in God's Good Air.(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

Have to agree with Semper on ingraining service as a positive. At the same time, each young man is different. As they approach 12-13, there are paths to explore ... time with youth Den Chiefing, entering OA and accepting leadership and responsibility there ... God and Country program ... exploration of career paths through the merit badge program (have someone interested in a career in the building trades take carpentry, painting, home repairs, metalwork ...) The ADVANCEMENT method doesn't have to strictly mean TF-Eagle. It means helping a young man structure his growth and development. Look at each Scout individually. Give them lots of mentorship. The rest will follow.

Second wingnut's motion... except my RT is Thursday.

I don't want our moderators to change anything they're doing either. Eamonn: When I learned the Scout Oath here, the Seventh Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook defined "Friendly" as: He is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout. That was early 1968.(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

From the old requirements, when youth had to work their way THROUGH the strands of our Constitution, taking folks through the interrelationship of state and Federal government was part of the discussion. You may have hit a place where I can fit that in within the new context. Thank you

Because I work with Scouts in my unit, within my District and in local MB colleges, I have an array of support materials for Citizenship in the Nation. Alas, many of them are OBE (overcome by events) with the 2005 requirements changes. So... I did a learning analysis. Without adding to or taking from, how do I get an 11,12,13,14,15,16,or 17 year old get something from an "academic" MB: Below are my thoughts: ~~~~~ 1. Explain what citizenship in the nation means and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of a responsible and active American citizen. JOHN: Discussion in both seminar and small group modes. Short version is voting, paying taxes, staying informed, military service, government service, communicating with representatives. ~~~~~ 2.Do TWO of the following: a. Visit a place that is listed as a National Historic Landmark or that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tell your counselor what you learned about the landmark or site and what you found interesting about it. b. Tour your state capitol building or the U.S. Capitol. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and the history. c. Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation. d. Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent's permission), and other resources, find out more about the monument. Tell your counselor what you learned, and explain why the monument is important to this country's citizens. JOHN: (1) Seminar mode: This must be a prerequisite. My personal thought is counselors should encourage A-C, with (in Kansas City area) Jeff City, Topeka, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, Abilene: Eisenhower Center, 18th and Vine Jazz District, and Truman Library all in day trip proximity. In isolated areas (family members of Soldiers stationed in Europe for example), D becomes more important. (2) Small group mode: Show and tell. ~~~~~ 3. Watch the national evening news five days in a row OR read the front page of a major daily newspaper five days in a row. Discuss the national issues you learned about with your counselor. Choose one of the issues and explain how it affects you and your family. JOHN: (1) Seminar mode: This must be a prerequisite. We will have to set a time frame probably the two weeks before the seminar. Discuss is a write out item. (2) Small Group mode: Set a date for Scouts to do this, then Scouts come back to counselor. ~~~~~ 4. Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your counselor how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one. a. Declaration of Independence b. Preamble to the Constitution c. The Constitution d. Bill of Rights e. Amendments to the Constitution JOHN: Seminar and small group modes: Do with Scouts. This requirement changes the emphasis FROM how the Foundations of Freedom work TO what they do for Americans. ~~~~~ 5.List the six functions of government as noted in the preamble to the Constitution. Discuss with your counselor how these functions affect your family and local community. JOHN: Seminar and small group modes: This is a new requirement. Allows discussion of what the Federal Government DOES: - Form a more perfect union (commerce clause, relationship of Fed/states, - Establish Justice (Judiciary, Dept of Justice) - Ensure Domestic tranquility (Homeland security) - Provide for the Common Defense (DOD, Armed Forces, National Guard) - Promote the General Welfare (HHS, Trans, Ag, Commerce) - Secure the blessings of Liberty (Courts, Rights under Constitution) ~~~~~ 6.With your counselor's approval, choose a speech of national historical importance. Find out about the author, and tell your counselor about the person who gave the speech. Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given, and tell how it applies to American citizens today. Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why. JOHN: Seminar mode: Counselor needs some control over the material the Scouts will use, since he/she meets them for the first time at the seminar. Seven below are worthy - Kennedys Inagural http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/presiden/inaug/kennedy.htm - Gettysburg Address http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/gettyb.htm - Martin Luther King I have a dream http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/treatise/king/mlk01.htm - Declaration of WWII http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1647.html - FDR first Inagural http://www.hpol.org/transcript.php?id=2 - MacArthurs farewell to West Point http://www.nationalcenter.org/MacArthurFarewell.html - Washingtons Farewell http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/washing.htm Small Group mode: While this list as a start point, Scouts can research a speech and get counselors OK. ~~~~~ 7. Name the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch. For each branch of government, explain the importance of the system of checks and balances. John: Seminar mode: Basic Constitution (with the housekeeping amendments) and the Scholastic Rock video Im Just a Bill are good starting points. As a prerequisite, though, students have to READ and BRING a copy of the Constitution to seminar. White board is a useful tool in mapping the constitutional functions of the three branches. Small group mode: In first discussion, Scouts get told to read the constitution. Use the video in a group session. ~~~~~ 8. Name your two senators and the member of Congress from your congressional district. Write a letter about a national issue and send it to one of these elected officials, sharing your view with him or her. Show your letter and any response you receive to your counselor. John: Seminar and Small group modes: No change here, other than this requirement is now last in order. For seminar mode, this is a pre-requisite. Hope this helps someone out there. YIS

Hunt, I'm also an advancement coordinator. Yes, it's my job to know requirements. I'm also a Roundtable staffer. We're going to wrassle with how our Merit Badge Corner helps leaders identify changed MBs. Maybe an annual letter in the troop mailboxes....

CNY, You need to have your son put his hands on the requirements he WAS working on. Then, have him go to BSA Requirements or www.meritbadge.com, and COMPARE requirements ... not numbers, the actual wording of the requirements. THEN, he'll have an idea of the work he's done, and the work he needs to do, under both old and new. Usual practice is that a MB Counselor, having started a youth under a set of requirements, will finish him under the same set of requirements... That said, Counselor may well say "I'm sorry, you are STARTING this MB with me" and only accept that work that fits in. My concern is that your sons' old MBC may be more than one edition of requirements behind, or that the old MBC was "making stuff up." We like to think it doesn't happen, but it does.

I just tried the hornses' mouth. Called the Supply Division 800 number, and pushed two for the retail catalog team: After 7 rings,... "Your call has been answered by Audix. The 'Retail Catalog" mailbox is full. Goodbye." So, I ask again: Who has actually sent off an item that wore out to fair wear and tear, and received "in-kind" replacement from Supply Division in the past 12 months? YIS

LPC-T, Thanks for the clarification of my post. I have to wonder if the young man was working Communications and Personal Management concurrently. There is a resume required for Communications ... my son is working to close THAT MB out (and then it's on to Personal Management and a Leadership Service project). John(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

First things first. You need a long, heart to heart talk with the Scoutmaster. This guy needs to come off your units' MB counselor list. Next, there is an issue for your District Advancement Committee: Guys who don't stay current need either RETRAINING or decertification as MB Counselors. Third, if the MB Counselor is unwilling to pony up the youths MB card, there is yet another reason to drop this guy from unit and council rosters. Fourth, your son needs to go and crosswalk requirements. Troop library should have a copy of the MB pamphlet. Another youth might have a copy. Someone in the troop should have an older copy of BSA Requirements. Compare content! After all this, he'll be ready to go to the SM and ask for a new PM Counselor Then and only then do we get to this question, which your son must ask the new MB Counselor: I started under Mr X on xx/yy/zz. He had to drop being an MB Counselor due to work. If I show you my work to date, are you willing to accept me under old requirements? Policy is once a youth starts a badge, he gets to stay in that requirements set. Challenge is if your youth kept his work in hand. (This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

When did someone last do this? Has anyone recently (last 12 months) exchanged something that was used up through fair wear and tear? Has anyone attempted to exchange an item they outgrew (youth length, adults girth)? Our Scout Shop is a BSA Supply Division store: The manager, who is a National employee, told me "fair wear and tear" isn't covered. Trying to reconcile this thread with what the man said.

Not a new badge, but I would like to see Cooking brought back into the "Eagle Required List." If necessary, I'd be willing to trade an optional badge within the existing 21 to get it back on the list, or I'd be willing to see the National Advancement Committee up the bar to 22 MBs to Eagle. Why? I honestly believe cooking is an essential life skill for a young man. Whether he be a college student, a young adult in his first employment, or a dad who has lost his bride to death or divorce, a man needs to know cooking. Take a look at the current badge laydown to Eagle. It gives young men a good basic skillset, to wit: Citizenship skills: Citizenship in Community, Nation, World. Fitness skills: Personal fitness and one of (Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling) Outdoor skills: Camping Emergency management skills: First Aid, Lifesaving, Emergency Prepardness General Knowledge: Environmental Science, Family Life, Personal Management, Communications. Cooking, as structured, falls under both outdoor skills and general knowledge. It's a useful tool in the young man's toolbox.

Chaplain Patch is still in use. IF you are designated a Chaplain by your unit committee (Troop/Crew .. don't know that Cubbing has a Chaplaincy), then you wear it as any other adult leader patch, left shirt sleeve. YIS

PE, Then it's time for BSA to take the Requirements book out of the realm of the printed page as primary medium, and instead bring it into the world of digits. With either FTP or www, National can update as needed, and then send a note to the Regions, Areas and Councils to "get the word out" through training and Roundtables. As it is now, it's a once-a-year process, with changes posted to someplace amorphous. YIS