Papadaddy

Short answer is, that's up to the Crew to decide. Some crews decide to have no uniforms at all.

In my experience the only thing I recall Commissioners doing is inspecting the campsite and assessing demerits after the boys had left for program areas. It usually resulted in a ribbon at the end of the week, which the boys couldn't have cared less about. No value added, in my opinion.

So, counterfeiting government ID cards is just "acting"? We used to call it a "felony".

I'm a 58 year old Grandpa and I still have my original BS Handbook (1965 edition)...and Bear Book and Webelos book and Fieldbook. Yes, they are treasures. I have had Scouts who lost 3 or 4 books by the time they went for their EBOR.

Well, the USCG ID card (what we call a "CAC" card) is obviously fake. "LT/CMD" is not a valid abbreviation in use, and the "smart chip" doesn't look like the one on my card. I doubt that the CIA issues ID cards to its operatives...and the hologram is obviously laid over the barcode, which would defeat the purpose of a barcode. The military medals, Eagle medal, and ribbons are all commonly available on Ebay. If he is truly a spy, he's a horrible one. Probably just a whack job living a fantasy life. Hopefully he's harmless and didn't hurt anyone.

We have always been told (and taught), that the book is the "official record" in the event of a dispute.

The ignorance shown here toward obesity is astounding. Would you tell someone with severe depression to "just snap out of it". Would you tell an alcoholic to "just quit buying the stuff". Would you tell a kid with severe ADHD/ODD/ADD, or whatever the diagnosis du jour is to just "knock it off"? I have often said, if I could quit food "cold turkey", I think I could do that. But then I would die. I am currently eating less than 1500 calories a day...and not losing weight. During a bout with diverticulitis (which concluded with surgery), I lost 70 lbs due to not eating anything but clear liquids for 3 months. The Dr responded by hospitalizing me for 7 days for "TPN"...total parenteral nutrition (an IV bag). He said my brain would be damaged without it. So no, there is no "simple answer" to this complex disease, which has physical, genetic, mental and emotional components.

So, no fornicators and adulterers, either. That eliminates a large percentage of the target population over the age of 12.

Over the years, we have had guys "drop in" to troop meetings saying they wanted to get involved. When asked how they heard of our meeting, they said they were "just driving by" and saw scouts milling around in the parking lot. One guy started regaling us with his "war hero" status as an operative in Vietnam. My ASM, who really WAS special forces in Vietnam started asking him questions he couldn't answer...he got real nervous and said he had to go. Never saw him again.

Mystery man arrested at traffic stop with fake military ID...found to have apartment full of fake IDs and uniforms, including BSA. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/07/authorities-find-dozens-fake-ids-uniforms-after-arresting-mystery-man/

Thank you for your service, USAFGunner. There are many other veterans here, although I am not one. I hope you stick around and contribute to the forums. Please remember, however, that the BSA is not a paramilitary organization, although we are uniformed to varying degrees, and the kids are, well...kids. An adult who publicly corrects or criticises another adult leader is just plain rude. You will find them in any organization. And this thread illustrates the attitudes I have experienced for about 53 years. WHen it comes to bullying, it is still open season on heavy people, and no, we are not fat by choice. But if it weren't for us fat guys (and gals), who would take the kids camping, hiking, canoeing, swimming, etc?(This message has been edited by papadaddy)

As I have stated here before, Scout units are run by ordinary volunteer parents. We get a little bit of training on how to deliver the program. We are NOT psychologists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, social workers or family counselors. There's only so much we can do...or are expected to do. Schools are legally required to "maintstream" children with mental disorders...scout units are not. You don't sink the ship to save one person.

Addition: Scouts have limited time before they grow up. If we don't capture that time, someone else will.

I know a lot of people who will be shocked and dismayed that they are left behind...

If my memory is correct, green ones were actually in the catalog back in the 60's. Green for youth, red for adults and Explorers.

At Roundtable.

I was born this way. Do you think I would "choose" to live a life of being bullied? I also spent 30 years leading Scouts in the woods while their "fit" dads sat on their arses watching football and NASCAR because, as we all know, SCouting is for wimps.

From whose point of view?

Usually, medals are only worn on "formal" or dress-up occasions, like Courts of Honor, Scout Sunday, parades, banquets, etc. If you wear it all the time, it could get damaged or lost. When you turn 18, the rank patch will come off and you would wear the red/white/blue square knot. You can also wear the palm on the knot if you want, but I don't see that too often. See the BSA Insignia Guide for illustrations on proper wear of badges and medals. And congratulations!

I'm not seeing "triple crown dangly thing" in the Insignia Guide.

I agree, if OA is open to male Venturers as new members, it should also be open to females. On the other hand, if the OA is a "Boy Scout" program, it should only be open to Boy Scouts, who would then register as adults when they turn 18. I never did understand why OA considered "youth" to include scouts up to age 21...probably to accomodate the Explorer Scout/Exploring program before it became co-ed in 1970. Since the OA is based on Native American traditions, would the females be content with the historical role of females in an Indian tribe when re-enacting or performing ceremonies? Just food for thought.

In my area, the park rangers and some other organizations maintain "wish lists" of Eagle projects, so the scout just needs to pick one and do it. To me, that is taking a shortcut, in that the scout did not discern the need and plan it from conception. Since becoming a genealogist hobbyist, I have seen many abandoned cemeteries that are in sad shape, most on private property, that are in need of some TLC.

I think the restriction on fundraising is due to the fact that the BSA does not want its name or trademarks (uniforms and logos) associated with causes or groups that it doesn't endorse. As long as the scout conducts the service not in uniform and does not advertise or imply BSA involvement, he should be good to go and won't raise any red flags with COuncil. FInal approval authority is the SM and BOR at the unit level.

The flap indicates you are a member in good standing (current dues paid) of your lodge. Rules are that you may only belong to the lodge in the council of your current registration. If so, wear it with pride! I did as a Cubmaster!

My brother in law was a 6'2" "walking mass of muscle". Worked a hard, physical job mostly outdoors. Just had a DOT physical 2 weeks before. Dropped dead of a heart attack in his sleep at age 50. Smoked 2 packs a day for 35 years. Is that on the medical form, or are we just "concerned" about fat guys?