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John Oneil

John Oneil
Member since : Jan-12-2009 (Verified)
2 Ideas, 40 Comments, 112 Votes

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Ideas Posted

I am constantly being asked "where do my patches go on the new uniforms?" This is especially relevant to the "Trained" strip and the Commissioner's Arrowhead. I've seen Trained strip in multiple locations... on the arm pocket flap, under the pocket, over the pocket. It is my understanding that the Trained strip goes on the arm pocket flap. When will an updated uniform inspection form be distributed? While we're talking uniforms, can the button under the right pocket flap (for dangling your "temp" patches) be placed in the "normal" position? I've lost four patches that have falled off of the inverted button.
Moderator Comments
3/31/09
From: Gary Butler, Council Solutions Group Director

Patch placement on both uniforms are illustrated in the latest uniform insignia guide. The same illustrations are planned on the next revision of the uniform inspection form. The button issue will be forwarded to National Supply.
When checking unit rosters or individual leaders, we should have the ability to see e-mail addresses. The current applications have slots for e-mail but having these available for ScoutNet would be very helpful.
Moderator Comments
2/10/09
From: Gary Butler, Council Solutions Group Director

The suggestion has been passed on to our Membership Resources Team for consideration next time the PAS System receives an enhancement.
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Comments Posted

John Oneil 4 days ago
My Council has the "official" strip as well as two FOS donor strips each year. We had an special strip two years ago for our Council's 90th anniversary. For a 90th anniversary, I think that should get a little extra recognition. What were some of these "trivial" events you speak of?
John Oneil 15 days ago
I've never heard anyone say "We Blow" for Webelos. I may be just a DE but my volunteers would be more than happy to tell me about this if it was happening here. Are we promoting change for the sake of change?
John Oneil 16 days ago
That sounds like a great idea. There will be some angry volunteers but they'll probably be upset at the mandatory training requirements anyway.
John Oneil 16 days ago
Raptor, Shark, or Wolverine certainly does not fit in with the "Cub" theme nor does it promote a "friendly" picture for Scouts. Perhaps, instead, we reintroduce "Lion" instead of Webelos and use "Bobcat" for the Kindergarten test program. Bobcat was the introductory rank for 2nd graders until Tigers and a 2-year Webelos program was intoduced.
John Oneil 21 days ago
There was a 75th anniversary Hiker patch, I earned it as a kid but I don't remember what the requirements were. Maybe we could recycle that program.
John Oneil 1 month ago
Back in the 1980s there were Cub Activity booklets very similar to what you are proposing. I found a few buried in my Council's Resource Room last fall. I found booklets for Bobcat and Wolf but I'm sure there were Webelos & Bear books too. It is a 15 page booklet (about 6"x10") that teaches rank specific requirements, word searchs, connect the dots, etc. The mini-Boy's Life magazine follow along the same lines but the booklets are much more designed by den age and activities. The booklets are titled: "A Cub Scout Action Book" and then whatever the rank is.

The publication info is: 1988 printing, copyright 1980 BSA, ISBN 0-8395-3901-0, # 3901.-

The booklets are a little aged (late 70s "goofy") but could still work. Hope this was helpful!
John Oneil 1 month ago
this would be great for FOS presentations or giving a talk at the local VFW or Rotary Club.
John Oneil 2 months ago
Changing the socks and hat every year does seem a bit much. One generic Cub hat (like the old all-navy blue cap) and plain navy blue socks can handle it. Neckerchiefs can stay because that is a defining moment at the end of the year when the boys are promoted.
John Oneil 2 months ago
If the program is run as it should be, there wouldn't any issues. Too many Webelos DLs (after being in the program for a few years) "know better" than BSA and invent things to do. Follow the program.
John Oneil 2 months ago
Here in Florida, that's called Summer Camp!
John Oneil 2 months ago
The USMC has a required reading list for it's Marines. the reading list is presented as: "In an era of constrained resources, our professional reading program is designed to provide Marines with an intellectual framework to study warfare and enhance their thinking and decision making skills. The mind, like the body, grows soft with inactivity. All Marines must understand that mental fitness is as demanding and as important as physical fitness, for both require commitment and perseverance. In a world characterized by rapid change and great uncertainty, our reading program will act as a combat multiplier by providing all Marines with a common frame of reference and historical perspective on warfare, human factors in combat and decisionmaking. In so doing, the program will also strengthen the threads of cohesion that make our Marine Corps unique."

Obviously we are not sending our boys to war but there is some great merit in promoting books that support, enhance, and honor the Boy Scout program.

If you want to see the USMC book list: http://home.comcast.net/~antaylor1/usmccommandant.html
John Oneil 3 months ago
it's a two-edged sword. There are volunteers who complain that the Boy Scouts is stuck in the 1940s and won't update to modern times. There are others who say that we should go back to the 1940s. Bascially, "change is good" vs. "change is bad". We can't satisfy everyone but we do need to do a much better job with communications and web development. It seems that we're going down a good path, let's just stay on it.
John Oneil 4 months ago
Venturing switchback pants are coming.
John Oneil 4 months ago
If laser tag won't pass muster, how will airsoft?
John Oneil 4 months ago
I don't think Scouting's ideals rank high with Oprah
John Oneil 4 months ago
good luck getting volunteers to follow that
John Oneil 5 months ago
Many of my units automatically include Boy's Life in the annual dues/registration. That helps ensure a 100% Boy's Life unit. It isn't an option for a Scout NOT to receive Boy's Life.
John Oneil 5 months ago
Could there ever a way for volunteers to pay to download the manuals and, with a code key or password, download updates for a nominal charge? That would save some cost of printing manuals and help ensure updated information out in the field.
John Oneil 5 months ago
It wasn't that long ago that the Webelos still wore Cub Scout blue until crossover. I've never heard any complaints about the plaid neckerchiefs. The plaid does stand them out from Boy Scouts for a good reason... Webelos are not Boy Scouts. Keep it the way that it is and let's not reinvent the wheel for a situation that may or may not exist.
John Oneil 5 months ago
Instead of changing the program as it is, just implement the program as it should be. Boys in an active, fun Troop won't leave. If a Troop is losing it's 14-15 year old boys then it's leadership needs to figure out what they are doing wrong.
John Oneil 7 months ago
Local councils can make that decision, our council does it.
John Oneil 7 months ago
Speilberg has pretty much written off the BSA due to our stand on homosexuals and atheists.
John Oneil 7 months ago
It is a good idea but the idea of the MB pamphlet is that you can take it with you as you go out in the field, meet with a counselor, take notes in it, etc. You can't always take a laptop with you.
John Oneil 7 months ago
we wear regular, professional business suits in my council. The "official" BSA tie is not a good looking tie. Two or three contemporary red, white, and blue designs would be great. A tie tack or tie clasp with a fluer-de-lis can top it off.
John Oneil 8 months ago
I'm not sure if Congress is a good place to look for Scouts right now. They aren't the most popular folks right now.
John Oneil 9 months ago
Its not so much as to hold uniform inspections like a Marine Drill Sergeant, but to properly instruct and display the ranks, patches, CQU awards, trained strips and all of the other gear we wear on our uniforms. The purpose of wearing a uniform is to be "uniform", everyone's patches are straight and where they are supposed to be. A sharp looking unit represents Scouting and its goals. A sloppy unit is exactly that.
John Oneil 9 months ago
I don't think it would make a difference one way or the other. Is a boy going to stay in Scouting because of a skateboarding merit badge? Probably not but he may enjoy earning it.
John Oneil 9 months ago
As of yesterday, Scouting.org still had the "old uniform" inspections linked for download.
John Oneil 9 months ago
I agree, the wording of "join cub scouting" is not intuitive. Something simple like "joinscouts" and then have options for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing along with a short description of what each program is (age and grade levels, basic activities, etc) would be superb. Once the parent clicks onto the respective site (which can link them to scouting.org's division pages) and wishes to contact the local council, have them type in their zip code and then connect them directly to the home council's website. The current joincubscouting site uses the zip code to find local units but the list is rarely up to date. If two councils split a zip code, give the viewer a choice of the two councils with a short listing of the cities/communities each council serves so the parent can make a better informed choice before they choose the incorrect council page. Jut my two cents.
John Oneil 9 months ago
I disagree with the notion that "there just isn't public interest" for the book. I bought my sister Bear Grylls' "Man vs. Wild" book for Christmas (her request). The topics covered in his book and TV show include wilderness survival, plant and wildlife indentification, animal tracking, etc. Does this sound familiar? There is a market, we just need to hit it properly.
John Oneil 9 months ago
Instead of a medallion, we could issue a "challenge coin" to our veteran Scouters. Challenge coins are highly collectable and very sought after by many active duty and retired military personnel.
John Oneil 9 months ago
Either add more belt loops or add a "tunnel" like baseball pants have for the belt to run through.
John Oneil 9 months ago
better yet, some of those past/present NFL players talking about how Scouting made a difference in their lives. A few soundbites would be all that we need.
John Oneil 9 months ago
Say it is a $1000 to register with a LTM. Could this money stay "in house" in the home Council or would it be all forwarded to the National Office?
John Oneil 9 months ago
Video games are one of the things that Scouting activities is working against. Get outside and hike or camp instead of playing video games all day!
John Oneil 9 months ago
Allowing in Kindergarten boys can be good so long as we have a competent system for them to participate in. Allowing Webelos II boys to be added into Boy Scouts shouldn't be done. The boys are still in elementary school.
John Oneil 9 months ago
It is not the fault of BSA that the Girl Scouts are not offering a competitive, interesting program to engage young girls. BSA is BOY scouts of America. I don't want to sound "old school" but the entire point of our program to develop young boys into strong young men. There are plenty of programs for young girls to participate in besides ours.
John Oneil 9 months ago
Webelos II den should be a carrot to dangle in front of the younger Cubs as an incentive to advance. The Webelos II den should already go out at least once with a Troop. Older Boy Scouts (16-17 year olds) have enough "issues" with the younger Scouts (11-13 years old), why throw 10 year olds into the mix?
John Oneil 9 months ago
Call me old school but I purchased a $3.95 county road map and pasted it onto a cardboard display board. I marked each unit with a different colored "dot": blue for Packs, red for Troops, green for Crews, yellow for Ships. I also marked all of the county schools. It may not be as cool as Google Map but a 3'x5' board is easier to read and find locations that a 15" computer monitor. It is also easier to determine what neighborhoods are closest to each unit.
John Oneil 9 months ago
How about opening Paintball to just Venturing? I agree that younger Scouts may be problems playing against older Scouts but Venturers can handle the situation with proper training and education.