Posted on 11/28/2010 2:13:18 PM PST by NYer
"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the scout law, to help other people at all times, and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
These are the words of the Boy Scout oath. Recited at scout meetings across the nation, every week for the past 100 years, this is an important moment when boys aged 10 to 13 raise their right hands and promise to serve both God and country. I was a scout myself and believe that the Boy Scouts is the only place where young men can practice becoming adults.
The Boy Scouts of America teach independence, self-reliance, and teamwork -- all while having fun. If a young man chooses to do so, he can rise up through the ranks, along the way learning principles that he can apply throughout his life. He may not be good enough to play in a sport (beyond sitting on the bench), but as a scout he is part of a team, and he contributes to everyone's success.
The first time I brushed my teeth without being told to do so by my mother was at scout camp. I was eleven years old. The senior patrol leader was Richie Crocco, a big 16-year-old guy who shaved. Everyone knew you didn't mess with Richie. He woke the whole troop up at 6:30 a.m. to march us down to the latrine so we could wash up, brush our teeth, and comb our hair in time to return for morning flag raising 15 minutes later. Everybody went to latrine, no questions asked. When I saw Richie drag a kid out of his bunk and leave him in the middle of the campsite, I felt the fear of God.
God bless Richie Crocco. After six days, I had learned the routine, and when I returned home from camp, my mother was amazed at my new habits. She never had to tell me again to brush my teeth.
There aren't many places where good character is ingrained in a young man. In addition to the scout oath, which we said at every meeting, we also recited the scout law: "A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent."
Once during a motivational talk to a crowd of about 250, I was asked, "What do you look for in a salesman?" Without realizing it, I started to say, "I look for a person who is trustworthy, loyal, helpful . . ." Some wise guy in the front row cracked, "What are you looking for? A Boy Scout?" I looked at him squarely and replied, "Why would you settle for anyone else to represent your company?"
We should all aspire to keep the promises made in the scout oath. Having salespeople who exemplify these qualities would bring any business owner peace of mind because those in sales are the face of the company. They are out in the field day after day representing the organization.
Another great thing happens in Boy Scouts. Before a youth advances in rank -- completing the qualifications to move up from Tenderfoot to Second Class, then First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle -- he has to sit down with the head of the troop committee and the scout master or assistant scout master and have what used to be called a Board of Review. (Today it's known as a Personal Growth and Development Conference, but I prefer "Board of Review" because it sounds less intimidating.) The benefit of this evaluation is that the boy is asked, "Since the last time you advanced, how have you lived up to the scout oath and all the principles in the scout law?" He actually has to reflect upon the promises he has made week after week as a scout and then evaluate whether he has lived up to those promises.
The demand of such self-examination at so young an age is rare in this culture. Nowadays, no one is told he has failed; no one is asked to look in the mirror and find himself wanting. Success in the Boy Scouts means that, at every step along the way to the rank of Eagle Scout, a young man has to answer the question, "Am I doing the job?"
Three cheers and congratulations to the Boy Scouts of America on 100 years of helping to raise our young men into adulthood. And thanks, too, to the countless good men who dedicate their time and resources to help train the future fathers and leaders of America.
When I was hiring young professionals, the resumes of those who listed “Eagle Scout” in their accomplishments went on the top of the pile. I seldom got down to the others...
Scouting has giving us such great leaders as these Eagle Scouts: Marion Barry, James Brady, Stephen Breyer, Michael Dukakis, Tom Foley, Dick Gephardt, L. Ron Hubbard, Michael Moore, John Murtha, Rev Fred Phelps.
Scouts ping!
Thanks!
I have one Eagle and one AOL Scout. Both of them are in a Unit that reveres God’s Word and uses the scouting experience to build Godly disciples.
This program is one of the best things to happen to my family.
My hope is that more Scout Units will emphasize the importance of “reverence” in order to build the qualities of trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness...
God is GOOD!
ALL the time.
We weren't exactly perfect, either, but we learned a lot. Out of our patrol came a USMC Sgt. Maj., a Navy SEAL, a Fire Chief at a Naval installation, and a Geologist, as well as some fine tradesmen and business owners.
My nephew made Eagle this year. I'm darned proud of him.
That is my only charity.
I remember when I was a Boy Scout (long time ago! when "Eagle" was "Eagle" No PC BS merit badges and you had to have the "Physical Fitness" MB.) the Scoutmaster invited us to his home one evening to meet and hear from a recruiter from Syracuse University. He didn't exactly say it the same way you said it here, but he said the same thing.
ML/NJ
Oh, no, my friend. They may have tried, but they have failed. We are still turning out our country's future in the BSA!
As a supply chain professional (the guy who makes major decisions in where company money gets spent) I can tell you that even in today's economy, price is not number one in deciding where we place our orders. Dependability is.
And sales people with scout oath training run circles around those who are blessed with the gift of gab and blowing smoke out of their wazoo in my book.
My Scout Master as a boy was a POW held by the Japanese in WWII. He didn’t talk about this detail of his history to the troop, but it became known to the older boys.
While not achieving Eagle myself, I spent 13 years as an adult Scouter taking my tow sons through the program and found it the most rewarding experience I had for that time.
What a great thread!
It brings to mind the valuable experiences and many things learned in the Scouts that helped prepare me and my friends for adulthood.
Hiking, climbing mountains, NRA training and marksmanship, self reliance in the field, summer and winter camping skills, orienteering and survivsl, both self reliance and teamwork.
In times past here was no Gore-Tex or inexpensive light weight gear. Most of our gear was military surplus or home made. We knew how to pitch a shelter half and use a knife.
Most of us went on to serve in the military where we found that our Scout skills served us well.
Not to doubt you but, what is your source?
Great photos!
The troop I was in was commanded, (literally) by a couple of retired Navy SeaBees and the outfit was run very milatary-like. We did uniform inspections, knew how to march, and when we did camp-outs, our tents were in line like they were laid out with a laser. We had all kinds of drills, had a bugler and the whole experience was great and much needed. Not sure if they do things in Scouting that way now?
The funny thing was when I was drafted during Viet Nam and joined the Navy, bootcamp was a breeze. In fact, I was one of the recuit company officers and after we graduated from boot, our company commander told me he always picked Boy Scouts for the recuit officer positions; said they always worked out the best.
Funny...I was selected as a recruit officer position in my company as well, but he didn’t know I had been a Boy Scout...must be something there!
See, some people (read: Liberals) would read your account and think very negatively on it, likening it to Hitler Youth training.
I view it as discipline, and I think kids can take to it and learn from it. The same concept as in Army, Navy or Marine boot camp where they had you doing marching drill with a rifle. As sailors, we were unlikely to ever touch a rifle, and even less likely to ever march in a formation.
But it taught us how to take commands and execute as part of a team. Same goes with your tents, buglers, inspections and so on.
Valuable stuff.
In 1973, I went to the Boy Scout Jamboree in Idaho. It was a defining moment in my young life, and one I’ll never, ever forget.
To top it all off, Bob Hope was the headline entertainer, and I got to see him live.
Thanks, Mom & Dad, for the sacrifices you made so I could go!
You need new friends. We don't have any kids ourselves, but there are Boy Scout troops at both the parishes we attend. They show up in their uniforms and usher every so often.
God bless you! My son loves scouts - he works very hard to get those beads, patches and beltloops :) We are very blessed to have found a wonderful, conservative pack that meets at a local Christian school.
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