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Hasta La Vista BSA and SEMPER FI!: A Final Memorandum From Pappy


Hiromi

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Dear fellow scouters,

 

This will be my last entry on this forum. Thank you for all the interesting debates and conversations, they were illuminating.

 

My former ASM is an inactive United States Marine. He and I researched the Young Marines, did a lot of soul searching (He didnt have to do any hand-wringing over this- he thought the scouters and units in our area were all pretty lame), and we have decided to form a Young Marine unit and not re-charter the scout and cub units we currently run. We are working with our Battalion commander getting trained and our paper-work in order. We have 12 people lined up to be on our staff. We will be called the Spoon River Valley Young Marines, and we begin Boot Camp in January 2009.

 

I receive NRA training as Range Safety Officer next Saturday, and I will continue my training to eventually be an NRA instructor. This is so we can build and operate a firing range for our unit at Camp Bravo Romeo. There we can train for bb, 177 air rifle, and 22 small bore. I want our Young Marines to have the opportunity to have safe year round training and to compete nationally in 4-position NRA/ Winchester competitions. (Rifles once a year at Counsel summer camp doesnt cut it for me or my boys).

 

Also- We will have a thirty foot deep 2 acre private Lake, a swimming pool, and a Certified Scuba instructor on our staff as well, so the boys and girls (it is coed) can have a decent and long term scuba diving program. We will be using the PADI SEALS TEAM national training curriculum for our diving program.

 

Camp Jim Hill, our 50 acre private wilderness site is going great , and will be transferred from Scout to Young Marine control in December. We now have a winter shelter and a 30 foot observation tower (what a blast to have an unlimited supply of locust trees to fell and no tree hugging scouters to tell us to leave no trace!). With those locusts we have dammed the creek, built three bridges, and have begun constructing a cope-like obstacle course for our weekly PT.

 

I have been cramming on survival books, especially the SAS encyclopedia on survival so we can teach a robust military-style bushcraft/survival program. (Yes, we will snare and hunt game, what fun.).

 

I am no longer the scoutmaster as I was asked rather unceremoniously by my principal after my district exec notified him via a post it note to "remove me as scoutmaster immediatly". No surprise there, of course, - but what a gutless wonder the District Exec is (He hadnt spoken to me in a year- never returned an e-mail or telephone call, and has not put our scout unit on the District website it two years). My staff was never consulted, and I was never notified by Counsel- I still get the Popcorn promotion stuff in the mail though. His major complaint about me to the principal was that I didnt follow BSA rules, and the only major infraction he could site with any proof was that I ran a PT program in violation of scouting rules and traditions. Apparently everyone knows that PT is not for scouting. (I told my wife to put on my tombstone that I was fired as a scoutmaster for having boys do PT.)

 

My ASM (teh inactive Marine) became SM and I am now his ASM. He will soon be the Young Marine Commander, and I will serve as his logistics and training officer. By virtue of this organization only a current or former marine can serve as CO. Awesome- I can never be in charge.

 

Young Marines can march with replica rifles, and they wear woodland camouflage USMC uniforms and are allowed to wear class A B and C Marine Corps uniforms with the Young Marine insignia patch. So I think I may have found my way home. Only downside is NO CAMPAIGN HATS- in the USMC that is reserved for the Drill Instructors.

 

I cant tell you how nervous AND psyched I am to be a part of getting this program going. We have 9 parents, a truck-driving retired Viet Nam Vet Marine, and a Catholic Priest (who formerly served in the 82nd airborne before taking his vows), on our staff. They didnt need much selling of the relative strengths of our program- they know too well of the problems of late with BSA AND GSA and Brownies and the need in our community and society for the values and manners direly lacking in kids that scouting doesnt seem to address anymore.

 

For five years I have had my scouts asking me pleading with me- to hunt- To wear camouflage, to play paint ball. I tried to keep their testicles in place with improvised stuff that skirted and played a little loosey-goosey with the rules, like pugil stick fighting, dodge ball, and I even invented polystyrene tipped arrows to keep archery safe enough to practice right out in front of our school. We called them Pugil-Darts. We made blow guns and shot 16 penny nails up to fifty feet into Styrofoam animal targets. (That was a blast.) Their favorite game was search and evade, going on trail-less hikes wading through streams and wetlands, using rope to go up and down steep terrain, and basically roughing it- on a weekly basis. They wanted to be outside making fires, felling trees, buidling structures, and marching inparades in step and with Campaign covers.

 

But every step of the way I got grief by the other BSA people in other troops and packs (never from a parent in our unit) even though the gutless wonder District Exec told the principal that it was a parent complaint that prompted him to expel me. (He expelled me because he had gotten word that we were going to change over to the YMs and he wanted to curtail losing a troop and pack to another organization). Fat chance.

 

I must say that my experience with the BSA personnel has been the most regrettable part of scouting. They are strange and seem to consistently never exercise the values laid down in the scout law. The DVD and Power-point training presentations were bizarre and completely off-putting. The more training I received, the more I found myself politely backing out of the room. I found the parent-volunteers to be arrogant and patronizing to scout parents. The derbies were insane exercises in boredom that turned off many parents to scouting. (Four hours sitting on a gym floor on a sunny Saturday- only two cars allowed to race at a time- over 65 kids racing- dads getting into heated fights over results- no snacks provided- no alternative activities- no promoting of scouting to parents who were captive audiences- it was a disaster). This kind of mediocrity and inanity passes for the Status quos- worthy of patches for "quality unit"- but dads who try to make their programs actually exciting for their kids get post it notes stuck on principals doors saying that we are bad for boys. Good grief. What an organization.

 

My first impression of the Young Marines, on the other hand, was pretty impressive. My wife and I were at an air show in Peoria some three years ago. She spotted them first. Young boys and girls in woodland camouflage with Marine Corps caps and Cadillac-black polished boots. Their bearing and demeanor were, well, Marine Corps squared away. All YES SIRS! And YES MAMS!- like the scouts in the old Frank Capra films used to speak- or the kids in Follow Me Boys. We were both floored. My wife has been pestering me over the years to consider the Young Marines every time I would pull my hair out over the idiots at Counsel. With my ASM being an inactive Marine it made the decision to go Young Marine pretty easy. We had our requisite Marine.

 

So good bye Scouters. The Young Marines are calling me home.

 

Pappy

 

A little more about the Spoon River Valley Young Marines

 

So Who Are the Spoon River Valley Young Marines?

 

Young Marines is a challenging and exciting program that is dedicated to providing high quality physical, mental, and character building experiences to improve American youth. Young Marines offers amazing adventures and world class educational and travel opportunities including an intensive leadership laboratory that is second to none.

 

Young Marines are trained to properly address others by using impeccable manners, good posture, and a strong assertive voice. They are expected to do their chores at home without having to be asked. Young Marines form quality relationships with veterans, political and civic leaders, and members of the business and professional community from around the country. With the help of our trained staff Young Marines will also have opportunities to learn the fundamentals of aviation, meteorology, telecommunications, economic development, logistics, engineering, and human physiology.

 

New recruits, after successfully completing a 26 hour training regime called boot camp earn the right to wear the Young Marines Uniform along with the right to wear the Class A, B, and C uniforms of the United States Marine Corps (with young Marine insignia patch). The Young Marine rank advancement is also modeled directly after the enlisted rank of the United States Marine Corps.

 

The Spoon River Valley Young Marines is a community organization chartering with the Young Marines, a not-for-profit 501 © (3) national youth education program for boys and girls ages 8 through the completion of High School. Currently the Young Marine Program is the fastest growing youth program in America! The Young Marines focus on character building through a combination of teamwork and leadership, self-discipline, and the promotion of a healthy drug-free lifestyle. Young Marines are required to maintain academic proficiency or improvement, respect for elders/parents, and a respectable appearance.

The Young Marines strengthens the lives of America's youth by teaching the importance of self-confidence, academic achievement, honoring our veterans, good citizenship, and community service. Upon joining, the youth undergo a demanding 26 hour orientation program spread out over several weeks. This orientation program is called "Boot Camp." The youth learn the general Young Marine subjects such as history, drill, physical fitness, customs and courtesies, and military rank structure. After graduation from "Boot Camp," Young Marines are eligible to start learning more new skills, earn rank and ribbons, wear the Young Marines uniform, and participate in Unit Activities.

 

Spoon River Valley Young Marines has a large staff of dedicated volunteers. Our staff give freely of themselves, their families, and careers by being mentors to assist in helping our Young Marines achieve success in their lives. We do this by providing a curriculum of activities to personal foster growth, teamwork, and leadership. We build self esteem and character with a sense of pride of being a Young Marine. All of the staff have a sincere interest in our Young Marines and are willing to assist in any way possible to make their tenure in the Young Marines a positive experience. We receive by giving of our time, ourselves, and our own personal experiences to reach out to our leaders of tomorrow; to see our Young Marines go on to have successful careers built upon a foundation of what they have learned in the Young Marines. Young Marines work very hard and this work pays off by instilling in them a sense of values, morals, and accepting responsibility of ones actions in dealing with peer pressure in the lives of our Young Marines at school, at home, or at play. Last but not least, is instilling the love of God, our Country, our families, and our corps that have made the United States, the home of the brave and the land of the free.

 

Spoon River Valley Young Marines have two local wilderness training facilities: Camp Jim Hill in East Galesburg is our 48 acre wilderness outpost and survival skills training facility, and Camp Bravo Romeo in Cameron serves as our Aquatics training facility (Boating and Scuba) and Rifle Range. Camp Bravo Romeo also has a resident certified Scuba instructor, a 30 foot deep lake for year round training opportunities, and is the home port of our fleet of plywood training vessels, including the 16 foot dory and our 25 foot trimaran.

 

Most Units conduct PT (physical training) which will consist of push-ups, side straddle hops, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a one or two mile run. Some units will also conduct teamwork or agility drills as well as close order drill, color guard drill, and/or rifle team drill. Often times classes may be given on first aid, citizenship, map and compass reading, military history, and survival skills while in the field. Units will plan camp outs (encampments) not just for the summer but all year. Units will also plan other outings such as parades and community service. Fundraising is an important part of the Young Marines business since money is an important asset in keeping the unit functional within its' daily operations.

Throughout the year there are often Battalion, Regimental, Divisional and National encampments where units from around the regions and country get together.

 

During the summer months, our Young Marines have the opportunity to attend Summer Programs such as Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and schools (SPACES) offered by the National Headquarters. Last year the Young Marine National Headquarters spent nearly a million dollars on the summer programs for Young Marine Youth across the nation such as Scuba School, Senior or Junior Leadership School, Flight Aviation School, Band School as well as many other programs offered.

 

YOUNG MARINE LEADERSHIP TRAITS

Bearing, Courage, Decisiveness, Dependability, Endurance, Enthusiasm, Initiative, Integrity, Judgment, Justice, Knowledge, Loyalty, Tact, and Unselfishness.

 

Once these Leadership Traits are understood and exercised, there is link between these traits and the principles of leadership. The following 11 principles are introduced to provoke thought and action. Do not be concerned about the words and phrases used, it is more important that the application of these principles are understood. When you get right down to it they are all common sense items.

Click on a principle below for more information:

1. Take responsibility for your actions and the actions of those you are responsible for.

2. Know yourself and seek self improvement.

3. Set the example.

4. Develop your subordinates.

5. Ensure that a job is understood, then supervise it and carry it through to completion.

6. Know your people and look after their welfare.

7. Keep your people informed.

8. Set goals you can reach.

9. Make sound and timely decisions.

10. Know your job.

11. Teamwork.

 

Unit Activities

 Community projects to honor Veterans

 Hiking and camping

 Physical fitness activities and training

 Character building and life skills

 Community Service Participation in parades and community events

 Drug resistance education First aid and CPR

 Leadership training and practical application

 Marksmanship and firearm safety

 Scuba Training and under water adventures

 Climbing Training and outings

 Seamanship training and open water adventures

 Aviation Training and hands on experiences

 

What we are NOT

We are NOT babysitters

We DO NOT take the place of parent involvement in the Youth's lives

We are NOT a recruiting force for the U.S. Armed Forces

We are NOT a program for hard-case children with counseling needs. We accept only voluntary recruits and expect

 

Spoon River Valley Young Marine Scuba Training

We are affiliated with the PADI Seal Team program. Designed for young divers (kids eight and older), this program is built around action-packed AquaMissions!

What's an AquaMission? It's an underwater pool adventure where kids learn scuba activities. Take AquaMission: Inner Space Specialist for example, here kids learn how to float underwater like an Astronaut. And AquaMission: Snapshot Specialist, this is where PADI Seal Team members take pictures of each other scuba diving.

Supported by a video, manual and logbook, the PADI Seal Team program is broken into two parts. Part one, AquaMissions 1 - 5, teaches kids the basics of diving - things like buoyancy control, mask clearing, regulator recovery, etc. After building a solid foundation of scuba skills, kids move on to part two.

Part two is full of Specialty AquaMissions. These cool dives teach kids different scuba activities. Here's a list of the Specialty AquaMissions:

Creature ID Specialist

Environmental Specialist

Inner Space Specialist

Navigation Specialist

Night Specialist

Safety Specialist

Search & Recover Specialist

Skin Diver Specialist

Snapshot Specialist

Wreck Specialist

 

As you can see, PADI Seals get to sample a wide variety of dives. And the best part of the Specialty AquaMissions, they reinforce save diving skills while the kids are having fun. Get involved today - pool diving has never been this adventurous!

 

Marksmanship and Firearm Saftey: The Spoon River Valley Young Marines are affiliated with the WINCHESTER/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program and the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Young Marines will train year around in the safe handling of BB gun, 177 Air Rifle, and 22 caliber Smallbore Rifle and have the opportunity to compete in National raking four position rifle competitions.

 

Climbing: Young Marines will learn basic techniques in rope use, climbing, and rappelling. They will have the opportunity for advanced training and will have many opportunities to use our zip line and training course at camps Jim Hill and Bravo Romeo.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This section was designed to answer some of the questions most often asked about the Young Marines of the Marine Corps League. If your question is not listed, please send an email to our information desk so that we may direct your question to the appropriate staff member.

________________________________________

 

Q: What are the Young Marines?

The mission of the Young Marines is to positively impact America's future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls that nurtures and develops its members into responsible citizens who enjoy, and promote, a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

The program focuses on character building through a combination of self-discipline, teamwork and leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Young Marine units are organized into local units located in nearly every state in the United States.

Although the Young Marines is the U.S. Marine Corps' official focal program to the Department of Defense for youth Drug Demand Reduction, the Young Marines is not a recruiting force for the U.S. Marine Corps. We strive to instill the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment adopted by the Marine Corps to each of our members.

 

A: The Young Marines is a not-for-profit 501©3 youth education and service program for boys and girls ages 8 through high school.

Q: What are The Spoon River Valley Young Marines?

A: The Spoon River Valley Young Marines is the designation of the company of marines serving the greater Galesburg Area. They are under the Battalion command of the Midwest Central Young Marines located in Peoria Illinois. Every Company or unit of Young Marines has a title that usually signifies its geographic character. There are over 300 Young Marine units in the United States.

 

Q: What age groups are represented and what are the requirements to join?

A: The Young Marines is for boys and girls ages 8 through completion of high school. The only enrollment requirement is that a youth must be in good standing at school.

 

Q: Is the Young Marines a resident program?

A: No. The youths do NOT attend a "military-style" resident program. This is not a program where you send your children for an extended period. On average, units meet once or twice per week year round.

 

Q: Is the Young Marines similar to other community-based programs? A: Yes. Young Marine units are community-based programs run by dedicated adult volunteers in over 300 communities across the United States, and overseas. Young Marine units are similar in nature to Boy/Girl Scout councils or Camp Fire chapters where the units meet once or twice a week.

Q: Where do Spoon River Valley Young Marine units meet?

A: Our Young Marine unit meets at various venues depending on the time of the year, the particular activities planned, and the weather.

Q: How many Young Marine units are there?

 

A: There are over 300 Young Marine units nationwide, including international units and affiliates in Okinawa, Japan, Germany and Australia.

 

Q: Who runs the local Young Marine units? A: Each Young Marine unit is an independent community-based program lead by dedicated adult volunteers. Many of these volunteers are former, retired, active duty, or reserve Marines who believe passionately that the values they learned as Marines had a positive affect on them. They volunteer their time and make every effort to pass positive values on to those under their charge before other destructive influences take root. New volunteers are always welcome to apply, regardless of whether or not they have a background in the Armed Forces.

Q: How long has the Young Marines been in existence?

A: In 1959, members of the Brass City Detachment of the Marine Corps League formed the very first Young Marine unit, the Young Marines of Waterbury Connecticut. By 1960, the Waterbury unit's membership had grown to over 300 boys and 20 adult instructors.

The Young Marines started gaining national attention in 1962 when the program had grown to 10 cities with over 1,500 members. The Marine Corps League officially chartered the Young Marines as a national youth organization on October 17, 1965. This date is the official "birthday" of the Young Marines.

By 1975, membership was extended to females and in 1980, the Internal Revenue Service granted the Young Marines status as a not-for-profit 501©3 youth educational organization. Since the Young Marines humble beginnings, current membership has grown to over 12,000 youth and 3,000 volunteers in 42 states nationwide, and overseas.

 

Q: Who can I contact if I have more questions?

A: Your best resource is to contact the Young Marine unit nearest you directly. The contact person/volunteer at the local unit level can give you more information about their unit's activities, meeting locations and enrollment dates.

________________________________________

Joining the Spoon River Valley Young Marines:

o Who can join the Young Marines?

o How do I join the Young Marines?

o What is Young Marine "Boot Camp"?

o What happens after Young Marine "Boot Camp"?

o How much does it cost to join?

o Do I have to join the military if I join the Young Marines?

Q: Who can join the Young Marines?

A: The Young Marines is for boys and girls ages 8 through completion of high school. The only enrollment requirement is that a youth must be in good standing at school.

Q: How do I join the Spoon River Valley Young Marines?

A: First, locate a Young Marine unit near you. You can find the unit nearest you by visiting our unit locator. Contact the unit directly to learn more about enrollment dates, meeting times/location, unit dues. etc.

Q: What is Young Marines Boot Camp?

A: Upon joining a local Young Marine unit, the youth undergo an orientation program, generally spread out over several weekly meetings. This orientation program is affectionately called "Boot Camp." The youth learn the general Young Marine subjects such as history, close order drill, physical fitness, customs and courtesies, and military rank structure. The youths do NOT attend a "military-style" resident program. This is not a program where you send your children for an extended period. On average, units meet once or twice per week year round.

 

Q: What happens after Young Marines Boot Camp?

A: After graduating from "Boot Camp", Young Marines continue the character building process and begin a life-long pursuit as productive and contributing citizens in their community, During the summer months, Young Marines have the opportunity to attend Summer Programs of Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and Schools (SPACES) offered by the National Headquarters.

Q: How much does it cost to join the Young Marines?

A: The cost varies from unit to unit depending on the location and economy.

Q: Do I have to join the military if I enroll in the Young Marines?

A: No! Our members have no commitment to serve in the United States Armed Forces as part of their membership in the Young Marines. Young Marine members enroll in the program, they do NOT enlist. The Young Marines is a youth education and service program, not a recruiting tool for the U.S. Armed Forces. While it's true that some of our former Young Marines DO choose to join the Armed Forces or attend military academies, the majority of our former Young Marines pursue their own career paths most that interest them.

________________________________________

 

Volunteer with the Young Marines: I'm interested in volunteering with the Young Marines. Do I have to be in the military?

Q: I'm interested in volunteering with the Young Marines. Do I have to be in the military?

A: Each Young Marine unit is an independent community-based program lead by dedicated adult volunteers. Many of these volunteers are former, retired, active duty, or reserve Marines who believe passionately that the values they learned as Marines had a positive effect on them. They volunteer their time and make every effort to pass positive values on to those under their charge before other destructive influences take root. New volunteers are always welcome to apply, regardless of whether or not they have a background in the Armed Forces. If you'd like to volunteer, contact the unit nearest you directly.

Q: I would like to volunteer --How do I get involved?

A: Call 351-1981 to find out how you can be involved in this exciting program.

SUMMER OFFERINGS

 

During the summer months, Young Marines have the opportunity to attend the Young Marines National Summer Programs of: Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and Schools (SPACES). Schools consist of leadership courses. Adventures, have a historical emphasis and are designed with the younger child in mind. In contrast, older Young Marines can participate in Challenges. Challenges consist of training in areas such as survival skills, wilderness training, and water-based activities. Young Marine Encampments provide the opportunity for Young Marines of all ages to gather together and train as a large unit of up to 700 youth at a time. Over 3,000 Young Marines participate in the SPACES programs each year.

 

Summer Programs (SPACES):

I've seen the acronym SPACES, what is SPACES?

o What summer programs are offered?

o Do I have to be a Young Marine in order to sign up for SPACES?

o How do I apply for SPACES?

o How do registered adult volunteers apply to be chaperones for SPACES events?

o Can I attend a SPACES events with my children?

o Visit the S.P.A.C.E.S. 2007 page for activity and application information

If you have any questions about the Young Marines summer programs (S.P.A.C.E.S.), contact our Training Department at: training@youngmarines.com

A: SPACES programs generally consist of the following types of activities as seen below. Application information and requirements for 2007 will be available in December. The application process will begin on January 2, 2007. Visit our S.P.A.C.E.S. 2007 page for more information.

 

ADVENTURES CHALLENGES ENCAMPMENTS SCHOOLS

Civil War Adventure

Revolutionary War

Space Academy

Aviation Mach II

Mountain River Adventure Canadian Cadet 1

(Canada)

Canadian Cadet 2

(USA)

Aviation Mach III National Encampments

Division Encampments

Reg. Encampments

Battalion Encampments Advanced Leadership School

Senior Leadership School

Junior Leadership School

 

Q: Do I have to be a Young Marine in order to sign up for SPACES?

A: YES. Each program has a set of application requirements, but one thing is common among all S.P.A.C.E.S. programs, the applicants must have graduated from Young Marines "boot camp" and have a minimum of one year in the Young Marines program.

Q: How do registered adult volunteers apply to be chaperones for SPACES events?

A: Registered adult apply in the same manner Young Marines apply, through the Young Marines Database System.

 

Q: Can I attend a SPACES events with my children?

A: If, after the close of the application period we still need adult chaperones for an event that your child has applied to, we may allow it. However, we try not to do this as we want your child to learn to interact with others independently and we have had parents that attend just to be with their children and we need adults there for all the Young Marines in attendance.

 

 

 

 

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Actually it is up to the chartering organization you said chartered the unit as to whether or not the unit recharters, not you. The charter was never between you and the BSA but with the BSA and the chartering organization . They are free to carry on with the Scouting program without you. Please remember that all the unit funds and equipment are the property of the Chartering Organization and not yours to take with you.

 

I hope you enjoy your new activity.

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Pappy,

 

Sorry to see you go. I wish that the scouting program was more like it used to be. But it sounds like you have found a program that suits your needs. I hope the best for youu and your son, and that you get what you are looking for out of your tenure in Young Marines. Even for an Army Combat Medic like myself, it sounds like the young marines would be an interesting program. I just hope that you do no run into all the propaganda and legaland ethical issues that the BSA has.

 

I personally look towards improving the Pack that I am in. Building a QUALITY program. I am setting goals of more campouts, more hikes, and maybe putting the OUTING back in Scouting. I look forward to joining the Boy scouts and when my son is the right age, being able to attend the high adventure camps, philmont, seabase, northern tier. Also making good use of our local seabase, pamlico seabase.

 

I hope things work out for you and your son.

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Fellow Scouters,

 

Greetings!

 

I have heard about the Young Marines (as well as other national pseudo military programs, auxiliaries, and cadets for both youth and adults). They do have some positive similarities, and also some vast differences with the BSA.

 

I do find it humorous that Pappy felt that he had to write a final memorandum to the Scouter Forum. We're not his Commissioner, Chartering Organizations, or specifically the parents.

 

I'd prefer to read that Pappy is starting a Young Marines unit; rather than not rechartering a Cub Pack and Scout Troop in order to have the youth to begin the Young Marines unit.

 

It sounds more of what the leaders want, and less of what the boys want. Hopefully the youth and parents are happy with the change.

 

Good Luck Pappy.

 

Scouting Forever and Venture On!

Crew21 Adv

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Best of luck to you the young marines have a great program and not as testosterone laden as one might think as they are coed. We hosted young marines at our summer camp for a while and they are great on the range the sir yes sirs resound. We typically had a bb gun range for the 8-11 and rifle for the 12 & up. The girls typically outshoot the boys maybe its all the fidgiting.

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Yah, Pappy, thanks for da update, eh?

 

I think yeh chose the proper route, and it seems like the chartered organization agrees with you (I assume your 82nd airborne priest is the IH?). That is the way things should work. If a CO does not find the BSA helpful as a partner, or does not find the BSA program fits its needs, it should look elsewhere for a different program and partner and make the change.

 

Opening such adventures up to being co-ed is also interesting, and I bet you'll have good luck recruitin' scouts, former scouts, and other children in your area.

 

Please do check back in every now and then and give us a brief update on your unit's successes and challenges, eh? We can always learn from each other. I've been familiar with Civil Air Patrol and some JRTOC programs for many years, but not Young Marines.

 

Good luck to you in your endeavors, and thank you for your work on behalf of young folks in the U.S.

 

Beavah

 

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Years ago, I remember reading a note from someone that referred to the BSA as a paramilitary organization. At first, I bristled at the notion -- my own troop, when I was growing up, was most decidedly not paramilitary (although there were troops in the council that were much more so than ours). I ended up deciding that an outsider would probably think of the BSA as paramilitary, with the uniforms, and saluting, and (at times) marching in formation, and stuff like that.

 

I also came to realize that in the 1950s and 60s, lots of troops were run by adult leaders who were WWII and Korea veterans (and later on -- such as one DE I knew -- Viet Nam era vets). In absence of proper training, and insight into the program, they probably reverted to their comfort zones, which may have been to practice formations and marching, military style "chain of command" and everything else. I'm not really bothered by it, really. It was what it was. Lots of those dads probably only knew camping related to their wartime bivouac experiences. Certainly, outdoor equipment (like the canvas pup tent halves my troop started out with) was more easily procured at local Army-Navy surplus stores, than it was from other sources. In my own experience, REI mail order was a godsend (I have a very low co-op number!).

 

There is no question about BSA policy -- the BSA is not paramilitary. I respect the many adult leaders, veterans included, that volunteer their time to this organization, but it kind of behooves everyone to accept the program as it is, and by design (and despite it's military origins more than 105 years ago) it isn't a military or paramilitary program. That isn't meant to disrespect anyone who serves, or has served (I haven't, but two of my older brothers, also scouts, did).

 

But, as others have said, good luck Pappy. If you'd like PT, and marching and "sir, yes sir" discipline, the BSA is obviously not for you. If I'd run into the same thing, circa 1971, I wouldn't have lasted long, and I wouldn't be here today (and I had, and still have, plenty of testicular fortitude).

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