Tiny1pj

Thank you so very much for your prayers and those who are helping to locate "experienced uniforms". Let me take this time to encourage those who think they have "insurmountable" problems, that, in my opinion, anyone can help our boys. God bless all, Paul Johnson Lander, WYoming

I have to agree with overtrained. My den meets in the same location as my troop. We were used to using the Troop colors for the opening and pledge. My scoutmaster had removed them for storage because we are selling the church building (and building another), so we had no flag to salute. I asked the boys what to do, and they decided to stand in a circle, saluting the flag on each other's shirt. Then had no thought that they were saluting each other, only trying to show respect to the flag. In a similar note, and one that probably only those with military experience will understand. I was o

Now to the Jacket/Coat - Why not the less expensive, easier to care for, and attractive "Polartec", "Polarfleece" or similar coats, instead of spending $100 or more for the "official" pendelton wool shirt-jac? They can be found online and in local stores, even here in Wyoming, for around $20-40, in all sizes. Look at Sierra Trading Post, Cabellas, Sportsmans Guide, etc. The addition of the "BSA" patch on the left chest area, make it the official troop uniform. Just MHO - God bless, Paul Johnson

Speaking of hats - I have worn all the differant forms of hats the BSA, Army, and Navy have used since 1973. Given that, here IMHO: 1. Beret - Looks cool when worn properly - Takes time and effort to train, and not really a useful item in the field. More of a "Dress" or Honor Guard/Color Guard item to me. 2. Overseas Cap (Envelope looking thing) - Easier to wear properly, looks good for formal activities, but NO useful purpose in the field. 3. Ball Cap - Most common and least expensive hat option. Not much more useful than the beret for keeping warm or cool. Lots more opti

With the cost of uniforms so high, and living on Social Security Disability, I am having trouble finding experienced uniforms. Since July of last year, when I had surgery to help me lose weight, I have lost 185 lbs. I now need 2xl shirts (if the shoulders were larger, I could wear XLs) and 44x32/34 pants. If anyone out there has some they are willing to part with, please let me know. I have adjusted my old shirts as much as they can. Thanks, YIS Paul Johnson, (307) 332-5957, paj@wyoming.com

Way to go! Just remember your training. It may seem like a big job, however you can do it!!! Paul Johnson

This is a very important topic to me! As the father of 2, one now in the troop and one in the pack, it can sure be a challenge. I became my oldest's den leader when the person who volunteered did not do her job. That was 5 years ago. 3 years ago I was approached to start a troop as an option from the Morman troops and the 1 non-morman, but not boy led troop. I am now the committee chair for that troop, with 4 active boys. Last year I was approached to be the Cubmaster for the pack! So now I am a leader within BOTH troop and pack, so have to be careful of how I am seen by the boys whe

Good for you Tim. I know that it is hard to take a stand, however, you are starting to reap the benefits of that. It is very unfortunate that some people are so stuck in the way they do things that they are unwilling to change. It goes both ways, in that BSA may be wrong and the unit leaders may be wrong. We need to be open, and use what we have learned to incorporate the PURPOSE and INTENT of what we have learned in training. 1) BOYS FIRST. If the boys are not why we are here, then we need to leave 2) BOY LED. Some of our leaders (at all levels) have forgotten this. If we do al

I hope no one thinks that I do not want to support council. My troop has been gold card for 2 years (we are 2 1/2 years old as a troop). Our Pack sends almost $1,500 a year to council from FOS donations. It is the fact that the boys are forced to wait until March to get the commission that they have returned in November. That is 4 months after earning it that they get paid. How many of us would accept that from our employer. Even as a consultant, I was always paid withing one month of completing a project. I have several adults who are ready to say that their sons will not sell popco

After reading all the posts, including mine, I wish to offer the following observations from MY district and council. The Council Executive is the individual who was hired to raise money (1st) and numbers of units and boys (2nd). He seems to understand very little about our state and especially the rural areas (which is 90+% of the state and council) Our DE is a very fine woman who is as helpful as anyone I have met. If she has a fault in her job, it is thinking that everyone knows where she has arranged to have our meetings is located! Our district include the entire county of Fremo

I guess I just better go to bed! Sorry for the last post, as this is the right location for the one before that.

Sorry for this last post, it belongs in another forum! I am not sure how it got here. PJ

OGE asked: "The quesiton is do you (scouts and scouters) beleive that your council/disrict professional staff is more interested in providing a quality program or pumping up funds and units regardless of quality and why? " Please note, I am answering this one before reading other responses. So please forgive me if I upset anyone. pj That is an easy one. Our DE cares about nothing (that I have seen) but meeting or beating a monetary amount and increasing numbers of units and boys. He has never said anything about the program. Any time we hear from him it is about FOS/Sustaining Memb

It sounds like some leaders at best were ignorant, and probably just plain idnored rules and local laws. If they are found to be guilty, they can be charged the ENTIRE amount of fighting the fire. Next time you have a leader that does not want to follow policy or laws, bring up the monetary aspect. That usually gets more attention. On our campout last weekend, we were allowed to have open fires, but only in established campgrounds, in the provided fire rings. I had personal phone contact (not messages) with the BLM person in charge of the campgrounds. We cooked over both a camp stove

Our troop VOTED on the following. Fatigue (class C or field use): High quality Ts with screen printed unit info on the left chest pocket area. This cost us $7.50 each plus $10 for the screen setup. Hat: Black boonie with metal rank insignia. Other pins may be added, but the current rank is in front center. The boys voted on the boonie after discussion of the costs and benefits of all the availble hats. The second choice was the beret, and third the expedition hats. If the cost was reasonable, I think they would have preferred the expedition hats. As for the other, these are