From <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Mon Apr 6 17:28:10 1998 Return-Path: <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Received: from mail1.bellatlantic.net (mail1.bellatlantic.net [199.45.32.38]) by cap1.CapAccess.org (8.6.12/8.6.10) with ESMTP id RAA28822 for ; Mon, 6 Apr 1998 17:28:10 -0400 Received: from tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (TCUAVM.IS.TCU.EDU [138.237.128.148]) by mail1.bellatlantic.net (8.8.5/8.8.5) with SMTP id QAA20044 for ; Mon, 6 Apr 1998 16:20:07 -0500 (EST) Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 0811; Mon, 06 Apr 98 16:19:56 CDT Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 5139; Mon, 6 Apr 1998 16:19:57 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LISTSERV release 1.8b) with NJE id 5128 for SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU; Mon, 6 Apr 1998 16:18:56 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM (NJE origin SMTP@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 5127; Mon, 6 Apr 1998 16:18:53 -0500 Received: from ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU by tcubvm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Mon, 06 Apr 98 16:17:09 CDT Received: from mail.scouter.net (bp.SCOUTER.com) by ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU (PMDF V5.0-5 #20456) id <01IVJZY2A2JK00F0II@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU> for scouts-l@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU; Mon, 06 Apr 1998 16:17:00 -0600 (CST) Received: from buffnet.buffnet.net [205.246.19.207] by mail.scouter.net (SMTPD32-4.03) id A466A718021E; Mon, 06 Apr 1998 16:08:54 CST6CDT X-Sender: rick@scouter.net MIME-version: 1.0 X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.5 (32) Content-type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.19980406171650.00803a20@scouter.net> Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 17:16:50 -0500 Reply-To: Rick Seymour Sender: Scouts-L Youth Group List From: Rick Seymour Subject: The "Expedition" Uniform X-To: scouts-l@tcu.edu X-cc: JosephAlessi@COMPUSERVE.COM To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Status: RO X-Status: Joseph Alessi ends his post saying: > All that said, I don't think you'll see me at Philmont > wearing the class A shirt and shorts as I come in to > base camp over Tooth Ridge! Joseph, My question has to be "Why not?" What do you wear now? I am most interested in what people find to be the most practical and=20 comfortable way to dress when they do real Scouting. =20 > I would also like to see at least two "activity" uniforms > (one winter and one summer) for use out of doors. There could > be additional pieces of the "activity" uniform that could be > mixed and matched as the environment requires. =20 I think that this is an important idea. The route to change is through=20 the activity uniform, not by redesigning the "dress uniform." The=20 precedent for this already exists in the Boy Scout Expedition Hat,=20 which is said to have come out of Philmont. This hat answers those who say that the BSA could never offer a product that is good=20 looking, practical, and comfortable (at least in cooler weather). Why not extend this "Expedition Clothing Line" with optional pants and=20 shirts that look like the "Class A" Uniform? =20 Can anyone tell us the story of how the Expedition Hat was=20 developed and how it came to be distributed by the BSA? =20 > I believe that the current synthetics can wick away moisture > and keep you cooler in summer, reducing the risk of heat stress/ > exhaustion/stroke. REI offers a tan "Trekker Shirt," with breathable 2-ply ripstop nylon treated with "AquaDyn" to wick moisture. It has a mesh lining and a large back vent with a hook and loop tab. If you added patches and Velcro epaulets it would be hard to tell from a distance=20 that it is not an official Scout shirt. A shirt many not be everyone=92s=20 first choice for backpacking, but I often use one. This particular=20 shirt is shown by REI being used for canoeing. This is why I don=92t agree with those who maintain that we need a special uniform for=20 every different high adventure activity, or even separate winter and summer uniforms. Who says that an official "Expedition" shirt couldn=92t look like the=20 regular BSA "class A" and include patches of rank and office? Wouldn=92t the BSA make the same profit if the difference in price=20 of this optional shirt was only the difference in the wholesale cost=20 of the fabrics? We already have the option of a 100% cotton version=20 (which is very comfortable around town, btw). A breathable nylon version might sell very well, because you say in your survey: > It seems that those who are advocating a more practical > uniform are those who use the current one. Therefore, > changing the uniform won't increase the overall level of > uniforming. This means that the Troops who want a practical Uniform are the Troops that actually buy Uniforms! If some Troops want to "save" their Uniforms so they aren=92t=20 "mussed up" for the artificiality of indoor Troop meetings, they=20 could continue to buy the worthless present day Uniforms and still continue to camp out-of-Uniform. Troops with leaders who take=20 their training seriously, on the other hand, would now have the option of having an Expedition Uniform that could be used for both real=20 Scouting and ceremonies. The particulars of an Expedition Scout shirt would be less important in the winter, when it can=92t be seen under heavy jackets. Outdoors, it merely becomes one of a number of layers. Therefore, I don=92t see why a separately designed winter shirt is necessary. Units that want=20 to look uniform outdoors in the winter might experiment with a=20 lightweight official jacket to be worn over winter jackets as a shell. =20 For instance, in car-camping situations such as staffing a winter SMF course, I have worn my oversized red wool jack-shirt over a down=20 jacket. Speaking of layering, I would like to see a return to the practice of=20 wearing the metal rank pin on the official campaign and expedition hats, so that a Scout=92s rank is visible in the winter. =20 > We all know that for the most part the boys in the program > would rather not wear the uniform because they don't really > want to be identified as scouts. They can hide the shirt under > a jacket or sweatshirt, or carry it with them and put it on > as the troop lines up to start the meeting. It's a lot harder > to do this with the pants. The Uniform has always made Scouts a subject of ridicule. William Hillcourt reports that as early as 1909, when Scouting was more=20 popular than it is now, "Unaffected by the bickering of their elders, the boys of Britain continued to become Scouts by the thousand.=20 They proudly donned the Scout uniform and stoutly withstood the ridicule to which they were often exposed from boys of the same=20 age who had not caught the scouting =91bug=92. "A patrol or troop of Scouts marching down the street in those early days of scouting could generally expect to be accompanied by a=20 horde of jeering hooligans, yelling their contempt, =91Go =91ome and=20 wash your knees!=92 or bawling Here come the Brussels Sprouts, The stinking, blinking louts=85 "Only when the hooting was accompanied by a hail of horse dung=20 did the Scouts turn against their tormentors and scatter them by=20 brandishing their Scout staves." Pg. 298, Two Lives of a Hero. Likewise, one film biography of B-P includes an American silent=20 movie clip from about the same year. It portrays a uniformed Boy=20 Scout Patrol marching down a hill as a gang of boys prepares to=20 block their way on the bridge below. Members of the gang grab=20 heavy branches as the Scouts approach. Their leader blocks the=20 way but the Patrol leader stands up to him, face to face. The subtitle=20 reads "We=92re not looking for trouble. Suppose you get out of the=20 way?" But a fist fight beaks out that involves them all. =20 Commenting on this scene, the historian David Rain reports that =20 "perhaps the most bruising problem of all was the ridicule suffered=20 by the boys themselves. Scouts soon learned that those who are=20 open about their beliefs are also open to attack." =20 You reported that older boys say that Scout pants are "dorky." Wearing the Scout Uniform has never been easy, and it is even=20 harder on a boy if the color and design of his uniform pants really *do* make him look like a dork! Remember the Scouter who reported that the Scouts in his Troop=20 wear their olive-drab BDUs to the mall? A member of the Uniform Police said he was going to call the Scouter=92s local Commissioners. Imagine that, Scouts wearing their Scout pants to the mall! It sounds like science fiction. If only the lighting in malls was the same as the fluorescent lighting in the offices of Irving, Texas.=20 Why aren=92t Scout Shops in competition with army-navy stores for the patronage of the assorted bohemians who have always loved the practical design and comfortable fit of uniform clothing? Not only=20 would well-designed "Expedition" Uniform pants give the Scouts who wear them value for their money, it would lend great value and=20 meaning to the lives of the Uniform Police who would no longer=20 have to lurk in the shadows of the Internet, waiting for us to say the wrong thing. They could volunteer at Scout Shops all across this=20 great nation to check customers for proper Scout ID! For less than the price of a pair of Scout pants and shorts, Eastern=20 Mountain Sports (EMS) is offering olive color cargo "Zip-Off Pants" made of incredibly rugged 160 denier Cordura nylon that convert=20 easily to shorts. They feature a rear zip pocket to keep those Scouter wallets, keys, etc. safe and secure, and they are designed to be worn on land or water. All the pockets are mesh-lined for drainage and=20 ventilation. A nice feature for growing boys is that the cuff hems have a draw-string, meaning that you can buy the pants extra-long. Here is another off-the-shelf product that could be distributed by the BSA. > all of the boys I've come in contact with want their clothes one=20 > way - way too big!!!! This would lend itself to wearing Expedition pants as a shell over what-ever gear you already prefer for the winter. I have even worn large Official Scout pants over Gortex bib-pants while staffing=20 winter events.=20 > One of the "hidden methods" in the uniform is to make all Scouts > equal. Having one patrol in full uniform, one in a uniform shirt > and blue jeans, and a third in a troop T-shirt and Camo pants at an > event certainly doesn't meet this objective. An Expedition Uniform that looks like the official Uniform would make all Scouts look uniform. It would make the useless and over- priced "activity" shirt obsolete, and put an end to the ugly eyesore=20 of a Boy Scout Handbook which does not support the Method of=20 Boy Scouts in Uniform. Yours in Scouting, Rick Seymour Beaver, NE III, 137 From <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Tue Apr 14 09:06:39 1998 Return-Path: <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Received: from tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (TCUAVM.IS.TCU.EDU [138.237.128.148]) by cap1.CapAccess.org (8.6.12/8.6.10) with SMTP id JAA23161; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 09:06:39 -0400 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 6386; Tue, 14 Apr 98 07:58:32 CDT Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 7062; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 07:58:31 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LISTSERV release 1.8b) with NJE id 7056 for SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 07:57:31 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM (NJE origin SMTP@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 7055; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 07:57:26 -0500 Received: from ns1.wmdc.edu by tcubvm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Tue, 14 Apr 98 07:57:22 CDT Received: from [207.196.30.142] (LR4_8.wmdc.edu [207.196.30.142]) by ns1.wmdc.edu (950413.SGI.8.6.12/950213.SGI.AUTOCF) via ESMTP id IAA14844 for ; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 08:54:03 -0400 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Message-ID: Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 08:54:03 -0400 Reply-To: "Thomas H. Harbold" Sender: Scouts-L Youth Group List From: "Thomas H. Harbold" Subject: Thoughts on Uniforming: Part I -- Philosophical To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Status: RO X-Status: Greetings, folks! I've been following with considerable interest the various threads on uniforms, a subject which is near and dear to my heart: uniforms and uniforming are an interest which has, at times, approached a passion with me. Naturally, I have strong opinions on the subject, and certainly don't expect everyone to agree with every point I make! That said, I am committed to uniforms as not only one of the eight formal "Methods of Scouting," but as an integral part of the whole Scouting ethos. Scouts have been, are, and must continue to be a uniformed body -- which, of course, means that we have to take considerable care in the creation and promotion of our uniforms. In the second half of this "treatise," I'll go into more details on my suggestions regarding the "practical" aspects of uniforming -- materials, specific uniform items, and so on -- but in this part I wanted to open with some general, more-or-less philosophical comments on uniforming as such. The first thing which I think we have to come to terms with (in more than just uniforming) is that no matter how much we might wish it were otherwise, Scouting is never going to appeal to every boy -- in fact, it's never going to appeal to a majority of American (or any other) boys. That being so, I think we need to be *very* cautious about going overboard in our effort to "appeal to the masses." We won't -- can't -- accomplish it, and we'll dilute our appeal to our "core constituency" in the process. [Aside: It is for this reason that I have grave doubts about the so-called "Varsity Scouting" side of the program. Although athleticism in a general sense is part of the ethos of Scouting, I don't believe the Scouts should be in the business of offering and promoting team sports, per se: we are impinging on the territory of youth leagues, and in the process diluting and diverting our attention and effort from what should be our own proper focus -- the outdoors in the "wilderness" sense of the term.] The debates over so-called "activity uniforms" is of particular relevancy in this context. I happen believe that we should make available as wide a range as possible of "Scout gear" -- sport and casual clothing -- as in fact we are beginning to do; and that we should certainly allow Scouts (as we always have) to wear Scouting t-shirts, polo-type shirts, etc., for activities, such as sports, for which the uniform (any uniform) is not practical. And wearing Scout "gear" as street wear, of course, provides primo recruiting opportunities! :-) On the other hand, I do not think that we should ever confuse "gear" with *uniforms*. Much as some people are made uncomfortable by the (para)military roots of Scouting, to which uniforms clearly hearken back, the fact is that it's this very thing that has historically been part of the appeal of Scouting. In fact, "troops," "patrols," and even "Scouting" itself are words and concepts which are military in origin. B-P was a General, and his original scouting manual was intended for his troops (there's that word again... *grin*), remember? The Scouts are *not* (and should not be) a paramilitary outfit, but the distinct military "flavor" is part of the appeal of Scouts, and the uniform is a big part of that. It all goes back to what I said above, about never appealing to everyone: we're not going to appeal to, and imho shouldn't want to appeal to, kids who have bought into the whole "Nintendo generation" mindset. As Larry Faust pointed out in an excellent article some days ago, the Scouts have always been a slightly "counter-cultural" (in the sense of counter to the "pop" culture) outfit -- and that, too, is part of the appeal. That being so, I think we should consider making a conscious effort *not* to try to keep "up to the minute" -- heaven forbid "hip"! -- and, so long as we don't get too carried away with it, we might want to even consider the possibility of being *intentionally* ever-so-slightly "old-fashioned." (An example or two of what I mean will appear in my "Part II -- Practical" section of this essay.) There are at least two reasons I see for this. The first is that everyone knows that the Scouts aren't hip, cool, rad, or whatever you want to call it; if we try, we are likely -- in fact, almost guaranteed -- to come across as artificial, not terribly believable, and possibly even somewhat ridiculous. Think of an older person -- late twenties, thirties, or older -- who tries to dress like a teenager, and you'll see what I mean, I'm sure! The second reason is that consciously and *visibly* remaining connected to our roots through uniforming provides yet another touch-point, another sense of rootedness, for young people who are growing up in a world with precious few roots, precious little connectedness to the past -- precious little sense of continuity or community. The fact that kids like to pretend they don't need this doesn't mean they don't -- they pretend they don't need rules, too, remember...? In fact, we're beginning to realize the importance of this connectedness, this rootedness, more and more as time goes on (of course, it was intuitively obvious to earlier generations!), and it is something which Scouting, with it rich traditions, is in a fine position to support. Uniforms, if they're properly designed and worn, are a tangible, visible sign of this connectedness, this heritage. Now, of course, none of this means that Scouts are going to automatically want to wear their uniforms -- as many a post, and much of our experience, has clearly shown! We need to be willing to do some "marketing" (for lack of better word) of the importance of uniforms. An important starting point would be to not just encourage, but expect -- and if necessary, require -- that adult Scouters who are interacting with the Scouts, whether on outings or at meetings, be uniformed themselves. Seeing adults in uniform will not automatically guarantee that Scouts will want to be in uniform, but I *can* guarantee that if the adults are not wearing them, they are showing the Scouts that the uniform is not really important... and that, the Scouts *will* pick up on. Another stop in the right direction would be to restore the section of the Scout Handbook which deals with the uniform, and other "marks of a Scout," to where it belongs: at the *FRONT* of the Handbook, not hidden back around chapter 23, as if it were something we were ashamed (or at least self-conscious) about. [See what I mean about having strong feelings on this subject...? *grin*] I was sorry to hear that the new handbooks are apparently about ready for press, because this is something which *really* needs to be corrected, ASAP. It's not only the location, either, it's how it's presented: we can't afford to be lukewarm about this. Chuck Bramlet, in a fine post on the uniform as one of the Aims and Methods of Scouting as found in an old handbook, mentioned that "It is... really amazing what the old manuals actually _say_ about some of our 'hotly debated' questions," and I'm in complete agreement. As I've said in other fora on other subjects, only through understanding -- in fact, to a significant degree, internalizing -- our history will we be fully equipped to function in the present, and plan for the future. Therefore, I'm going to quote extensively from the Scout Handbook, Sixth Edition, Fourth Printing (September 1962) -- my brothers' Handbook (I was a seventies Scout) -- which I consider to be a fine example of the *right* way of promoting the uniform. Right in the front of the book, immediately following sections on "You -- American Boy," "You -- Boy Scout," "You -- in the Great Outdoors," "You -- Patrol Member," "You -- Member of a Troop," and "You -- Prepared for Service," comes the seventh section: "Your Uniform." It reads as follows: ---------- YOUR UNIFORM The Boy Scouts of America is the largest uniformed body of volunteers in the world. This very moment, more than five million boys and leaders belong to the Boy Scout movement in the United States and wear the Scout uniform with pride. Your uniform is part of the thrill of being a Scout. The moment you put it on you feel ready for hike or camp or other vigorous Scout activity. The Scout uniform stands for the brotherhood of Scouting, for the Scout ideals, and for outdoor life. The color blends with the hues of forest and field. The design is made for comfort, for freedom of action, and for health. Every Scout wears the same uniform -- it is a badge of democracy, an emblem of service. To the public, the uniform proclaims aloud, "Here is a boy who is a Scout" -- the people know that only a boy who is a full-fledged member of the Boy Scouts of America has the right to wear the Boy Scout uniform. ---------- I see few, if any, modifications needed; this could easily be inserted as-is into the next Scout Handbook. It then, on the next page, goes on to illustrations of the major Scout badges and a brief description of their significance (collectively, not individually): ---------- YOUR SCOUT BADGES On your uniform, you wear the badges that show that you belong, that you are a member of a certain patrol in a certain troop in the Boy Scouts of America. But there are other badges that tell of the Scoutcraft you have mastered and the rank you have reached and badges that show the world what responsibilities have been entrusted to you by your patrol and your troop. The badges you earn are the best proof of your determination to make the greatest possible use of the opportunities that Scouting offers you. ---------- Nothing half-hearted, reserved, or namby-pamby about any of this! Nothing diffident or self-conscious, a self-consciousness or half-heartedness that any Scout can't help picking up. Again, if adults take the lead -- whether in wearing the uniform or in writing about it -- Scouts may or may not (but hopefully will) follow. But if adults *don't* take the lead, or are ambivalent in their leadership, we certainly can't expect the Scouts to respond. As the saying goes, "if the trumpet give an indistinct sound, who will come to battle?" However, if we're going to say that "the moment you put [the uniform] on you feel ready for hike or camp or other vigorous Scout activity," that it "stands for... outdoor life," that "the color blends with the hues of forest and field," and that "the design is made for comfort, for freedom of action, and for health," we'd better be able to deliver on those promises (as I'm not sure we can with the current one). My specific recommendations on that score will follow, in Part II -- Practical. Always assuming anyone's still with me, of course... ;-) Yours in Scouting, Tom ------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas H. Harbold P.O. Box 1537 tharbold@ns1.wmdc.edu Westminster, MD 21158 www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/5129 ICQ # 6198968 ------------------------------------------------------------------- From <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Thu Apr 16 17:55:46 1998 Return-Path: <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Received: from mail1.bellatlantic.net (mail1.bellatlantic.net [199.45.32.38]) by cap1.CapAccess.org (8.6.12/8.6.10) with ESMTP id RAA10290; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 17:55:46 -0400 Received: from tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (TCUAVM.IS.TCU.EDU [138.237.128.148]) by mail1.bellatlantic.net (8.8.5/8.8.5) with SMTP id QAA04525; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 16:47:31 -0500 (EST) Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 8312; Thu, 16 Apr 98 16:47:29 CDT Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 8210; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 16:47:35 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LISTSERV release 1.8b) with NJE id 8201 for SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 16:46:23 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM (NJE origin SMTP@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 8200; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 16:46:21 -0500 Received: from ns1.wmdc.edu by tcubvm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Thu, 16 Apr 98 16:45:58 CDT Received: from [207.196.30.135] (LR4_1.wmdc.edu [207.196.30.135]) by ns1.wmdc.edu (950413.SGI.8.6.12/950213.SGI.AUTOCF) via SMTP id RAA16127 for ; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 17:40:36 -0400 X-Sender: tharbold@ns1.wmdc.edu (Unverified) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Message-ID: Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 17:40:36 -0400 Reply-To: "Thomas H. Harbold CSB, M.T.S." Sender: Scouts-L Youth Group List From: "Thomas H. Harbold CSB, M.T.S." Subject: Thoughts on Uniforming: Part II -- Practical (a) To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Status: RO X-Status: Greetings, folks! First I must apologize that this is so long in coming; my original intent had been to post the second part within 24 hours of the first, but events conspired against that plan. Hoping that late is better than never, I shall bash on! Those who read the first part will remember my comment to the effect that the section of the Boy Scout Handbook dealing with uniforms and uniforming had been hidden back around Chapter 23. Well, I was wrong about that... it's actually Chapter 24. Worse yet is the fact that, with very few if any exceptions, all of the "action shots" of Scouts doing their thing in the Handbook -- and nearly all of the illustrations -- show Scouts in the so-called "activity uniform." [See Part I for my thoughts on uniforms -vs- "gear." Also, if the "dorkiness quotient" is an issue, the "activity uniform" isn't much improvement over the real uniform -- the days of preppy polo shirts being "in" for Scout-age boys has long passed.] At the risk of sounding like Foghorn Leghorn, how, I say *how*, are we supposed to convince Scouts that uniforming is important when the very Handbook doesn't show Scouts practicing their Scoutcraft skills, camping, hiking, etc., in uniform??? Still, I have to sympathize. There's a very good reason for that: the fact that the present uniform is not really designed or intended for use in the field. Think about that for a minute. Consider it. Ponder the implications. For the first time in some eight decades, the uniform of the Boy Scouts of America is not designed or constructed to be appropriate for field use. That's not to say that it's not a perfectly nice uniform, for dress occasions; in fact, there's no reason it can't be retained as an option for just that function -- particularly for leaders, both adult leaders and for (let's say) SPLs, OA members, Eagle Scouts, etc. But it's not a *field* uniform, and that's a problem. What we need is a field uniform in the old style: one which looks sharp enough to not be ashamed to wear at a Court of Honor or other formal, public function, but yet one which is sturdy enough, roomy enough, and otherwise designed to be practical for field use. What shall we use as our criteria for such a uniform? Well, those who read the first part will remember that I quoted the section on the uniform from the 1962 Boy Scout Handbook. In case you don't have Part I, I will quote it again here: ---------- YOUR UNIFORM The Boy Scouts of America is the largest uniformed body of volunteers in the world. This very moment, more than five million boys and leaders belong to the Boy Scout movement in the United States and wear the Scout uniform with pride. Your uniform is part of the thrill of being a Scout. The moment you put it on you feel ready for hike or camp or other vigorous Scout activity. The Scout uniform stands for the brotherhood of Scouting, for the Scout ideals, and for outdoor life. The color blends with the hues of forest and field. The design is made for comfort, for freedom of action, and for health. Every Scout wears the same uniform -- it is a badge of democracy, an emblem of service. To the public, the uniform proclaims aloud, "Here is a boy who is a Scout" -- the people know that only a boy who is a full-fledged member of the Boy Scouts of America has the right to wear the Boy Scout uniform. ---------- Now then, as I also said in my conclusion to Part I, if we're going to say that "the moment you put [the uniform] on you feel ready for hike or camp or other vigorous Scout activity," that it "stands for... outdoor life," that "the color blends with the hues of forest and field," and that "the design is made for comfort, for freedom of action, and for health," we'd better be able to deliver on those promises. Those promises will be my premises in discussing, for the rest of this "treatise," how we might create a more appropriate uniform. If you don't accept the premises, you might not like my conclusions either (you might not, anyway!), but I hope you'll at least find it interesting. If there was one word into which I could condense all of the traits listed above, that word would be PRACTICAL. The uniform has got to be *practical*. That means that it has to be several things: ECONOMICAL, WEARABLE (comfort and cut), and DURABLE for the various Scout activities: hiking, climbing, running, stalking, etc. It also has to, I believe, "blend with the hues of forest and field," in the words of the '62 Handbook -- that is essential in a SCOUT uniform. Let's deal with ECONOMY first, and get it out of the way. Someone mentioned in another thread that the campaign hat was "a little pricey," or words to that effect. That's one way of putting it. The fact is that the uniform, period, is "a little pricey" -- in fact, it's a lot pricey, enough so that that fact alone probably keeps some Scouts from wearing all of it (i.e., pants). Some uniform pieces cost more than comparable items from Land's End, L.L. Bean, or similar sources. That, pardon me for saying so, is ridiculous. Folks, if we're going to -- as we ought -- expect the Scout to pay for his own uniform, or at least contribute to its purchase, we need to find ways to bring the price down. That's why, while I fully agree with the person who suggested that our uniforms should be made in the U.S.A. -- that's key -- I disagree that it should be union-made as a requirement. They should be made by whoever can provide the best value for the money, whether the producer is unionized or not. Next is the matter of COLOR: the uniform should "blend with the hues of forest and field," so that whether the Scout is stalking his fellow Scouts, hiding from them, sneaking up on wildlife for observation or photography, or whatever, he is as inconspicuous as possible. The uniform should also provide the psychological effect of making the Scout feel ready to "become part of nature." The current uniform is not completely off-base in this regard -- light khaki/tan and dark olive are both "natural" colors -- but I'm not sure the two-tone effect is either necessary or desirable. I suggest, instead, a single-color uniform of dark khaki: a color approximately midway between the two present colors, one which would not look terribly out of place in the North Woods (or Pacific Northwest) or the desert Southwest. I'm sorry I can't include color swatches in this! But anyone who gets one of the "outdoor clothing" catalogs such as I mentioned above probably has a pretty good sense of this color: "safari" jackets and the like are often produced in it. Making the uniform a single color might also provide the psychological boost to uniforming of making it seem to be *one* uniform, rather than two isolated components, on of which one can be easily omitted. Another note regarding color: let's begin to de-emphasize red, except as trim. The jac-shirt is a special case: it is an institution in Scouting, and furthermore has a good deal of heritage attached to it from the "North Woods" days of American outdoorsmanship. But there's no reason windbreakers, ponchos, the front of caps, and equipment covers need to be red. As my comments above suggest, a Troop or Patrol of Scouts should be inconspicuous, if not invisible, in the woods or field, and that's hard to do when they look like a bunch of bipedal fire-engines! Now then, rather than treat Wearability and Durability in separate, isolated sections -- in point of fact, they can't really be separated -- I'm going to incorporate both into two different sections: first, MATERIALS, and second, descriptions of specific, suggested uniform COMPONENTS. MATERIALS Here's where I'm probably gonna draw the most flak. Let the fun begin! ;-) It is my firmly-held belief that Scout uniform components should as often as possible be made of exclusively or primarily natural fibres. There are many reasons for this: psychologically, it all ties in with the "one with nature" ethos which we should be helping to instill in our boys. I can tell you from personal experience, and I'm sure many of you will agree, that it's harder to "blend and flow" with the natural world when one is encased in a synthetic coccoon. (Recycling and/or disposal is also an issue when one is dealing with synthetics: they don't biodegrade properly, they're problematic to incinerate, they don't make good candidates for the "rag bag," they take up room in the landfills.) Natural fibres are also more breathable than synthetics, and (assuming the right match between fabric and season) they keep the wearer warmer in winter and cooler in summer than any but the most expensive synthetic equivalents (and I would personally say, than *any* synthetic). Finally, from a woods-movement perspective, natural fibres are also quieter to move in than nearly all synthetics -- useful for stalking, tracking, hiding, etc., as well as nature observation in general. So let us presume, for the purposes of this essay, that the Scout uniform should be made exclusively or chiefly of natural fibres. Given the fact that flax-based linen is rare and expensive, and that hemp cloth has some issues attached to it due to mis-use of the hemp plant by some misguided individuals, that basically leaves cotton and wool. That's just fine, because it suits my preferred breakdown in uniforms: not between dress and "activity" uniforms -- any Scout uniform worth its salt should be suitable for either -- but between summer or warm-weather and winter or cold-weather uniforms. Someone mentioned (I'm sorry I can't cite the specific individual, my SCOUTS-L mailbox is on my 'puter at home) that, in the context of hypothermia, "cotton kills." Well, yes, it does -- but it doesn't kill at random, it kills only when and where hypothermia is an issue. And, I would hasten to add, one of the worst offenders in this regard is denim jeans... which are very typically worn in preference to uniform pants. Therefore, I would recommend a summer/warm-weather uniform being made of cotton (wrinkle-resistant and crease-retaining all-cotton weaves do exist) or a cotton-synthetic blend with a minimum cotton content of 65%, and preferably of 85%. I would suggest a heavyweight cotton for the pants, a lightweight cotton for short-sleeved shirt, and a medium-weight cotton for long-sleeved "intermediate" weather shirts. Conversely, I would suggest that winter/cold-weather uniforms should be made of a wool-blend containing not less than 65% (for warmth) and not more than 85% (for shape retention) wool. A "summer" cotton shirt could be worn with wool trousers, but if so, a wool uniform jacket (patterned similarly to a "safari" or "BDU" jacket) should be worn over the shirt -- see "Components," below. If there is any doubt at all of the conditions to be encountered, Scouts should be encouraged, if not required, to take along wool uniforms to change into. Yes, this may mean that every Scout in the country may need (at least) two uniforms -- so where's the economy? Well, economy is not just cheapness, it's value for the money. If the uniforms are well-made, durable, wearable, and smart-looking, and if we "sell" uniforming as I suggested in Part I, I suspect that Scouts and/or their parents will be willing to pay to be properly and appropriately uniformed. It's not surprising that they're not now, when uniforms, or parts thereof, are less than ideal in comfort and configuration, and seem to be optional rather than required. So much for fabric. Now, let's move on to... COMPONENTS However, this post is getting kinda long, so I'm going to break it off here, and save the section on Uniform Components (Part IIb...?) for the next post. Hope folks are finding this helpful, or at least interesting! Yours in Scouting, Tom ------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas H. Harbold P.O. Box 1537 tharbold@ns1.wmdc.edu Westminster, MD 21158 www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/5129 ICQ # 6198968 ------------------------------------------------------------------- "The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder." -- Ralph W. Sockman From <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Thu Apr 16 17:58:46 1998 Return-Path: <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Received: from mail1.bellatlantic.net (mail1.bellatlantic.net [199.45.32.38]) by cap1.CapAccess.org (8.6.12/8.6.10) with ESMTP id RAA10694; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 17:58:46 -0400 Received: from tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (TCUAVM.IS.TCU.EDU [138.237.128.148]) by mail1.bellatlantic.net (8.8.5/8.8.5) with SMTP id QAA04632; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 16:49:59 -0500 (EST) Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 8315; Thu, 16 Apr 98 16:49:36 CDT Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 8242; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 16:49:36 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LISTSERV release 1.8b) with NJE id 8229 for SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 16:48:23 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM (NJE origin SMTP@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 8227; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 16:47:52 -0500 Received: from ns1.wmdc.edu by tcubvm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Thu, 16 Apr 98 16:47:06 CDT Received: from [207.196.30.135] (LR4_1.wmdc.edu [207.196.30.135]) by ns1.wmdc.edu (950413.SGI.8.6.12/950213.SGI.AUTOCF) via SMTP id RAA16254 for ; Thu, 16 Apr 1998 17:42:36 -0400 X-Sender: tharbold@ns1.wmdc.edu (Unverified) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Message-ID: Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 17:42:36 -0400 Reply-To: "Thomas H. Harbold CSB, M.T.S." Sender: Scouts-L Youth Group List From: "Thomas H. Harbold CSB, M.T.S." Subject: Thoughts on Uniforming: Part II -- Practical (b) To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Status: RO X-Status: Here I am again, with the concluding (finally!) section of my long "treatise" on uniforming. Part I dealt with philosophical aspects of uniforming; Part II (a) dealt with such practical matters as cost, color, and materials; this section, Part II (b), will deal with specific recommendations on uniform components. COMPONENTS HEADGEAR: OK, I will admit to a personal preference for the traditional campaign hat -- even though I can't afford one, myself! Still, there is much to recommend them. In my father's Handbook for Boys, the 1938 Handbook, there is a good description of their benefits... which unfortunately I'll have to piece together from memory, as we're having the book re-bound. It mentions that they provide protection from the sun in summer, snow in winter, rain any time, and brambles and brush in moving through the woods (just procede with your head down, and you're fine...). It also points out that they evoke the "spirit of the outdoors," being typical gear for rangers and (at that time) other outdoorsmen -- and I would add also, the toughness of the "D.I." -- and that they're an easily recognizable mark of a Scout, even from a distance: if you see a boy in a campaign hat, you know it's a Scout. Still, if I can't afford one, I'm under no illusions about the chance of outfitting all our Scouts in them! That being so, I have two specific alternative suggestions. First, bring back the old flat-fold "garrison cap." You know the kind, they appear in almost all of the Norman Rockwell Scouting pictures -- at least the ones that don't have the campaign hat. Worn "down by the bow and with a list to starboard," to use nautical terminology, they look *sharp* -- a fact recognized by Scouts no less than Scouters. I wear my old one to troop meetings, and have had lots of favorable commentary on it, including one Scout who commented that it looks "a lot better than these dorky things," pointing to his current-issue olive-and-red baseball cap. I agree. Second, adopt or adapt (the color won't be quite a match, if you take my color suggestions, but it's close) the U.S. Army-style field hat, sometimes called a "ranger hat." This billed cap, with semi-rigid sides and a flat top that slopes somewhat toward the front kepi-style, comes in two styles, a fleece-lined one with pull-down ear flaps for winter, and an unlined one with no flaps for summer (if the Scouts were designing their own based on the Army one, the winter version could be wool with felt lining). It could be distinguished with the gold-and-red fleur-de-lis-in-a-diamond universal Scout hat-emblem, or (my own personal preference) worn with a metal badge of rank for Scouts, and the metal universal Scout emblem for adult Scouters. Either of these suggestions (or both, leaving the option up to the troop) would result in a stylish, practical (in the case of the ranger cap), distinctive and distinguished alternative to the expensive campaign hat, and would be a distinct improvement over the "dorky" (remember, that's a Scout's word!) current baseball cap design. UNIFORM: SHIRT: First, ditch the epaulets. They're appropriate in a dress uniform, but *not* in a field uniform. OK, so you lose the ability to distinguish at a glance whether the Scout is "regular," Venture, Varsity, or Explorer (why not restore the "ranger-green" Explorer uniform? we still have the short-sleeved shirt, for Explorer leaders...), but as others have pointed out, epaulets are *extremely* unpractical under a pack; they also get caught easily in the brush, the buttons come loose, and they're generally more trouble than they're worth. Instead, pleat the shirt pockets. Looks sharper than a shirt with plain pockets and shoulders, and is much more practical than epaulets. The shirt should be cut to be roomy, but it should be better fitted around the collar when the top button is buttoned, and it should generally be better finished. In particular, it should be neatly stitched on both sides of the row of buttons -- and buttonholes, on the other side -- and without the loose flap of fabric to tuck in or get wrinkled. That's simply shoddy workmanship -- especially considering how much the darned things cost -- and we can hardly expect a Scout to take pride in his uniform when it seems to have been hurriedly and carelessly thrown together by the makers. Before we leave the top half of the Scout, make the neckerchief bigger -- big enough to do something with, like make a decent-sized triangular bandage, lash staves together for pioneering, splint a broken leg, or the like -- and remember that it, too, should be of natural fabric. It's supposed to be useful, not merely decorative: aside from the uses above, it can (or should be able to) be used to wipe sweat from one's brow, pull up as a muffler when it's cold (that also from my father's Handbook), and otherwise be something other than just a token piece of cloth peeping out from under one's collar. [Incidentally, I also happen to think it looks *much* sharper to wear the collar turned in, neckerchief on top. It's a *neckerchief*, after all, not a tie!] OUTERWEAR: As I suggested when dealing with material (fabric) in section (a), I also think we should give serious thought to adopting a uniform jacket of "safari" or "BDU" type: tunic-style, with four patch pockets, of which the top should be pleated and the bottom two bellows-style. This could be made in wool-blend, cotton, or one of each; it wouldn't be required, but would be an option to be decided at the troop level. Unlike the jac-shirt, this would be an actual uniform component, on which badges and insignia would be worn. It would be worn with either a leather belt with the universal Scout buckle, or a web belt (wider than the trouser belt) with a similar buckle. Of all my uniform suggestions, however, this is the one I have the least personal "investment" in. I do, however, think that we should adopt a standard cold-weather coat which would coordinate with the uniform, rather than the present system of individual over-garments in a wide variety of styles and colors. My recommendation, if we're talking "off the shelf," would be the standard military M-65 field coat, which has the advantage of being highly adaptable: it has an quilted liner which can be buttoned in or removed, depending upon weather conditions. They can be obtained in bulk from the manufacturers which supply the military, and should therefore be much cheaper than trying to come up with our own version. Just a suggestion...! :-) PANTS: These should definitely be cut to have what the clothing companies call a "relaxed fit," with enough roominess to climb or crawl easily. They should, however, be straight or even tapered slightly toward the ankles; as an option, the winter-weight woolens could even have a knit cuff, to fit better into boot-tops (also see below, "Footwear"). Loose, baggy cuffs catch on things all too easily in the woods and fields. I do *not* recommend cargo pockets, despite their popularity: they're not nearly as practical as they seem. Things banging against one's legs can be annoying on a hike or stalk, and weight hanging on the legs weighs much more heavily than comparable weight carried on the back or hips. FOOTWEAR: The "standard" Scout uniform footwear should be waterproof leather or leather-and-cloth "light hikers." Such sturdy-but-light hiking boots are available in many stores, as well as catalogs, for a good deal less than most running shoes! They're light and comfortable enough to run around in, and provide enough support for all but the most "extreme" backpacking or hiking situations. It wouldn't take much, I should think, to convince some manufacturer to produce them stamped (in the case of leather ones) or embroidered (in the case of those with cloth "uppers") with the BSA logo. I would also like to suggest that the BSA consider restoring the old-style leggings. They provide extra ankle support, are (for all practical purposes) brush-and-thorn-proof, can be treated to be waterproof as well (useful when there's been a heavy dew, though they won't save you if you step into a deep spot in the stream...), and save a lot of wear and tear on the bottoms of one's pant-legs. These shouldn't be a required part of the uniform, but should (like the jacket) be available as an option. ACCESSORIES: Well, my main point about accessories was covered in the "materials" section: they should blend with the natural world and with the rest of the Scout's uniform. That goes for tents and sleeping bags as well as for ponchos and kit- and canteen-holders. Insofar as is possible, I think we should favor natural materials over synthetic ones -- not just for "ecological" reasons, but because (for example) heavyweight cotton duck lasts a lot longer than vinyl. It also mildews faster, true; but maybe that could be incentive for the Scout to take better care of his equipment...? We don't want to make things *too* easy, here, or shouldn't! :-) Even when synthetic materials are necessary for lightness (backpacking tents, etc.), we can still endeavor to ensure that the color "blends with the hues of forest and field." Part of the low-impact camping ethic is low *visual* impact: we're having a negative impact on the field experience of not only ourselves, but others, when our persons or our campsite sticks out like a neon-covered thumb. OK, I think I've said enough on this subject (what's that you say? "more than enough?" well, probably...! *grin*) for a while. As I mentioned when I set out on this trail, I don't expect everyone to go with me the whole distance, but I hope I've at least provided some food for thought. If so, I'll be satisfied. Yours in Scouting, Tom ------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas H. Harbold P.O. Box 1537 tharbold@ns1.wmdc.edu Westminster, MD 21158 www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/5129 ICQ # 6198968 ------------------------------------------------------------------- "The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder." -- Ralph W. Sockman