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Old 06-12-2009, 18:29   #31
ZonieDiver
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On another thread we were commenting about how the Boy Scout experience had helped us in our training and careers.
1. Yes, though my tenure was short-lived.
2. I never attained ANY rank.
3. The Boy Scout Manual of the time was my guide to life! I had one many years before I even joined a Boy Scout Troop. I would give my soul for that manual.
4. It did not guide me toward SF, but once I made that decision it was invaluable in helping me complete my goal. The fieldcraft I knew and practiced as of assistance not only in testing, but in training.
5. Good Scout leaders are essential, and in short supply (IMHO).
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Old 06-12-2009, 22:11   #32
alright4u
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Re: Boy Scouts

. Were you ever in the Boy Scouts
2. Did you obtain Eagle or what was your highest rank. (I am sure that there are several other Eagles on the board)
3. How did your Scout training help you in your military life or your Civilian life.
4. Did your Scout training guide you toward your decision to go SF.
5.... Any other comments about Scouts and the Military.
etc etc etc

1. Yes.
2. No. Explorer with all badges for Eagle. Father was transferred.
3. Authority/discipline/goals.
4. No.
5. The NCO's spent many hours teaching scouts. Add baseball, football, boxing, plus how to shoot pool. Years ago, the USMA considered being an Eagle scout as an attribute. I recall the time those NCO's spent with me.
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Old 06-13-2009, 09:17   #33
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1. Were you ever in the Boy Scouts
-Yes, cub scouts through boy scouts

2. Did you obtain Eagle or what was your highest rank. (I am sure that there are several other Eagles on the board)
-Yes, Eagle. Earned enough for a palm but never sought to get it awarded. I was too busy chasing my future wife.

3. How did your Scout training help you in your military life or your Civilian life.
-First, the leadership skills I learned in scouting has helped me from the beginning of basic through present day. Second, it helped me appreciate the effectiveness of teamwork. It's a testimony to scouting when you watch over a dozen teens erect a bivouac site that would make any drill sergeant proud.

4. Did your Scout training guide you toward your decision to go SF.
-I believe so. I think the person you are today is a reflection of the experiences you have had in the past. Working in small groups of tightly knit scouts, I think, made me seek out the same type of environment in the military. You can't get any tighter than an SFODA.

5.... Any other comments about Scouts and the Military.
-I believe scouting is a great opportunity for young kids. One of the greatest character builders in the modern times.
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Old 06-13-2009, 23:52   #34
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1) Yes, troop 599 in California.

2) Never made Eagle, attained 1st class.

3) Scout training helped in many aspects, lashings, packing stuff to be able to ruck easier, some woods skills.

4) I didn't go SF, but I think it had some effect on my desire to become a Ranger.

5) My first scoutmaster was a vietnam veteran and passed on a large amount of woods knowledge that I later recognized as field training, once I started getting taught many of the same tricks while active duty. Basically everything I did in the Scouts was directly relevant to a required skill for someone in Regiment.. Swimming, shooting, hiking, orienteering, span of control, planning... I was my patrol leader 2 months after I joined the troop and spent a year in that position, then was chosen by my peers as senior patrol leader and remained there for 4 years until I enlisted.
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Old 06-14-2009, 04:47   #35
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Re: My Rely.

Explorer No. CRS again. I was Life Scout.
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Old 06-15-2009, 01:43   #36
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1. I joined the Boy Scouts when I was 14. Late start, but I figured I needed all the "resume" meat I could get for a West Point application. Too many sports plus scouts equals bad grades in school - I enlisted as a jarhead instead!

2. Got my Eagle the week before I turned 18, by the skin of my teeth.

3. Four months after reporting into my fleet unit, we flew to Bridgeport, CA for a month of mountain warfare school. My scouting experience gave a me huge advantage over 99% (+ or -) of the battalion due to field crafts such as pioneering, survival, and orienteering. 19 year old kid as a team leader felt pretty good.

4. I'm not SF, but it definitely gave me confidence as a grunt.

5. Maybe it's just my experience on the "Left" coast, but it seems to me that much of the moral integrity of the scouts is being eroded away. I think it's the finest organization any boy could be a part of, but it's under relentless attack by deviants in America.
Quick side story: One summer camp I attended a few times; Camp Parsons. My troop was a bunch of studs and we won EVERY competition. Well, until an all-Korean troop from San Fran flew up to camp one year. These kids were ultra militant - uniforms gigged up, close-cropped hair, and motivated like you wouldn't believe! And this troop was massive! At least 100 strong. They cleaned house and stole our thunder.
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Old 08-10-2009, 13:45   #37
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My Limited Experience

1. Started as the lowliest of lows in the Cub Scouts and worked my way through the ranks of Boy Scouts.
2. I was one merit badge away from earning my Eagle. I regret it now, but for me, Boy Scouts was a venue which provided the opportunities for me to be in the wilderness and learn outdoor skills. I regret not pursuing the Eagle all the way because it let my mother down (she worked hard to help me with what I deemed were boring merit badges). That's a loss of honor that I'm trying to make better now.
3. I'm more comfortable in the wilderness than I am in the city. I feel more at home in the forest because of the campouts we went on as Scouts. It's also imbued a desire to rank-up and earn higher achievements to better prepare myself for the future.
4. Although I'm not a quiet professional, Scouting was a major cornerstone of my life and seemed to create a force that has been pushing me towards becoming SF.
5. I know my achievements are miniscule compared to the heroes I'm posting with, but this far into my IET phase of training, I've achieved the highest honors in both schools, and I attribute a large part of that to the upbringing I had from Boy Scouts. Every boy needs to join and maybe then we can save a degenerating society of new youth.
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Old 08-28-2009, 08:50   #38
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1. Were you ever in the Boy Scouts
Started in cubs and moved up the ranks

2. Did you obtain Eagle or what was your highest rank.
Yes I obtained Eagle at 17 and held almost all roles at one time in my troop, all leadership positions were elected in our troop and I held them all (except assistant scout master)

3. How did your Scout training help you in your military life or your Civilian life.
I am not currently serving yet I think it helps me every day. From the skills I developed in communication, leadership and morals they are all called upon daily.

4. Did your Scout training guide you toward your decision to go SF.
Hmm that's an interesting one, the scouts showed me how much I enjoy the outdoors, adventure and helping others and a real feeling of team spirit. So I think that although not consciously yes scouts did influence my decision.

5.... Any other comments about Scouts and the Military.
From the contacts I still have that are involved it has become very political and they are not allowed to do nearly the fun stuff we did (blowing up dead trees with tons of bottle rockets and fire crackers). A lot of the skills are still taught, yet I get the feeling that a lot was lost with all the political correctness crap they now have to do, and the council is supposedly overbearing on the troops.
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Old 08-31-2009, 12:57   #39
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I was in Scouts
Got my Eagle day before my 18th Birthday (That was a close one)
OA, though was never very active.
We had a very active troop, Attended the Natl. Jamboree in 2001 at AP hill
Did Phillmont in '04
The biggest thing about scouts that helped me in the Military was getting use to working with a group out doors. Divide and conquer so to speak. the basic field craft learned in Scouts has also helped me pick up military field craft quickly.
Getting my Eagle was the Single greatest thing I could have done with my life before the Army and I recommend that all young men get involved in the BSA.
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Old 08-31-2009, 19:59   #40
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1. Were you ever in the Boy Scouts?
2. Did you obtain Eagle or what was your highest rank? (I am sure that there are several other Eagles on the board)
3. How did your Scout training help you in your military life or your Civilian life?
4. Did your Scout training guide you toward your decision to go SF?
5.... Any other comments about Scouts and the Military?


1. Yes.
2. Eagle (I was not allowed to get my driver's license until I finished!!!).
3. It has helped me everyday in regards to being prepared, having integrity, etc.
4. I'm going through MEPS next week to start the process (I'm confident what I learned in scouts can be applied in SF).
5. Boy Scouts helped me stay out of trouble and realize that there is more to life and relationships with others than we think!
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Old 09-29-2009, 15:35   #41
Diablo Blanco
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1. Were you ever in the Boy Scouts

Yes

2. Did you obtain Eagle or what was your highest rank. (I am sure that there are several other Eagles on the board)

Mighty Mighty Webelo (keep reading)

3. How did your Scout training help you in your military life or your Civilian life.

My troop was mostly an excuse for the dad's to go camping and drink. We had no supervision. Once the sun went down the gloves came off. We spent most of our time brawling each other. I learned more about fighting a mob in the dark than a middle schooler should. My family didn't have a lot of money so I was the kid with the old school tent that required guylines and two poles to stay upright (like a shelter half, only flimsier) needless to say a few other scouts found it funny to constantly kick the lines out. I spent a lot of nights throwing fists.

Our scout master's were cheap but on the educational side. They'd throw us some raw food like eggs or meat and tell us to cook it or starve. We didn't have lighters, matches, or any training so we reinvented fire all by ourselves. One time I just cracked the egg into my mouth and called it a day. They took my tent away that night. Sleeping under the stars soon became a favorite.

One important lesson I learned was to improvise, overcome and adapt. And of course Be Prepared (I'm borderline OCD with preparedness)

4. Did your Scout training guide you toward your decision to go SF.

Didn't. Someone needs to stay with the line companies and show them the right way to go.

5.... Any other comments about Scouts and the Military.
etc etc etc


My first three badges were Wilderness Survival, Orienteering and Archery. I waited too long to make my shelter for Wilderness Survival and ended up with a teepee of just logs. It rained that night, hard. I shivered my way through the October rain and earned my badge like a champ.

My orienteering badge was earned at night (no day course). It consisted of me running full speed through the woods blindly running into barbed wire and falling into holes. I finished the course in record time with a few scratches on my thick skin.

Archery badge was earned with a bow I made myself. Not the prettiest thing in the world but it got the job done. I mentioned I didn't have a lot of money and the scout masters were cheap right?

The story of my first three badges basically sums up many of my experiences in the military. To this day I train my troops in the same manner I trained myself. I challenge them to think for themselves, create solutions and drive hard until the mission is done. I teach them that even though there is a NCO and Officer that is responsible and accountable for them it is ultimately up to them to finish the fight.
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Old 09-29-2009, 16:06   #42
Tatonka316
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1. Yes
2. Yes - My dad always regretted not making it to Eagle, so I was so glad I made it to Eagle Scout 2 days before he crossed over. After he died, I went to work to help the family, so I got out of BSA, but I never would have been ready for that responsibility as a 14 year old.
3. Independent thinking, quest for learning, adapt and improvise were all skills that I learned and have used almost everyday of my life since.
4. Going through Scouts with my dad and spending time with him and wanting to follow in his footsteps helped guide me toward the military. When Chris was young, the Scouts were not "cool", so we did the things together that I learned from my dad and Scouting, and it made a significant difference in BOTH our lives!
5. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's replies to this thread!!! It has not surprised me a bit to see so many warriors learned some of their trade initially in Scouting!!! Would be a very interesting study to look at QP's over time and their relationship to Scouting.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STARTING THIS THREAD!!!

molon labe
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Old 10-27-2009, 07:27   #43
LongWire
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1. Were you ever in the Boy Scouts? YES....Has anyone that responded said No?

2. Did you obtain Eagle or what was your highest rank? Eagle Scout 7 palms: 2 silver and a 3rd bronze.

3. How did your Scout training help you in your military life or your Civilian life? Sure has and provided me with the foundation of accepting responsibility and facing challenges for what they are.......future lessons.

4. Did your Scout training guide you toward your decision to go SF? Can't say that it did either way, I know how to push hard, but I would give more of that credit to Ranger Bn.

5. Any other comments about Scouts and the Military.
I think its a good primer for boys who may someday be in the military, as well as being a good experience for young men altogether. I know they took a major hit when they had the lawsuit for discrimination, and realistically who wants to expose their child to that type of thing. I remember there was a Naval Officer who was one of my Assistant Scoutmaster's for the 85 National Jamboree at Ft A.P. Hill Va. Found out a couple of yrs later that he was picked up for kiddy porn, Not F***en Cool.
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Old 10-28-2009, 00:38   #44
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Scouting Regrets

I am reluctant to even mention this here – it is unflattering to me, and a story that goes against what we all respect in each other – namely, guys who are expected to be hard as nails and able to take anything handed out and ask for more. That may be the case – for a young soldier, but should it apply to an 11 year old tenderfoot?

I tried scouting for about 3 months - one of the darker memories I had as a kid growing up. I subscribed to Boys Life and read about the Scouts for a couple of years prior to turning 11 when I could actually join. I will never forget the day after I did turn 11, I went up to the local Episcopal Church off of Elizabeth Ave in Fort Worth - officially joined the troop. Having read about Scouts for years, having watched all he Spin & Marty movies from Disney it was one of the happiest days of my young life.

That next day, I had a list of things I needed to buy. My uniform, a scout guide book, a scout knife, etc. My parents took me to Leonard Brothers Store in Fort Worth to get all the gear and - the next week I showed up in all my regalia. That was probably the last good day I had as a scout.

I did not know about the Initiation rites that were in vogue back then - becoming a slave for all the other guys, becoming a patsy for every joke, getting slammed to the ground repeatedly in some game we were playing in which I seemed to be the object of the game - I recognized what was going on, but wanted to be a Scout so much I just went along with it - until the Camperee two months later - a total disaster, also my last week as a scout.
Everything I had was stolen from me - my tent was torn down several times, finally it was thrown into the creek near by - without a tent, me and this other newbie had to sleep in the open - it was a cloudless night so we didn't have to worry about rain, until the eggs started flying. During the night, about every five minutes, an egg would get lobbed into our sleeping area - eventually I woke up the Scout Master and complained - he laughed and told me to just hang in there, the other guys were just having fun. Getting no help from him, the other guy and I climbed up in a tree and spent the night there - staying awake, no one saw us up there, but we saw them come looking for us - we stayed quiet, I do remember wishing I had a few bricks with me.
When I finally got home the next day, I had no hat, no tent, no knife, no scout book, just an egg stained sleeping bag and back pack. I never went back. I was young, just a few months past 11 years old.

Perhaps if my dad had been a Scout, he could have prepared me better, or taken a greater interest, or if the Scout Master had lived up to the image as portrayed in Boy’s Life – it would have been different, but as it was, I was just too green and felt no encouragement from anyone to continue. Also, I never learned whether what went on with me was normal or an abortion.

The frustration of that experience stayed with me for years - later on when I went into the Army - I kept my guard up, but that is when I noticed the difference - in Basic - we got abused, but we all did, together, not just me – it wasn’t the same. It was better – it was real. By the time I went into SF that scouting experiacne was basically forgotten - a non factor, but all the same, I made sure that nothing, no person, no amount of abuse, nor any humiliating act was going to keep me away from my goal – don’t know if that is actually a correlation or not – but that Camperee at age 11 was the last time I ever let anyone get the better of me – I don’t credit scouting for that, but I do credit my personal scouting experience as having value in preparing me, maturing me and giving me some insight into myself.
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Old 10-28-2009, 06:40   #45
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Mitch

I feel for you and yes I have seen hazing but the Troop Adult and Senior Scout leadership should have controlled it. I have seen over the years some troops out of control and I always would up with some new troop members when they saw how our troop operated.

I wish you had a better experience as what you ran into was not the norm in Scouts. Boys will be boys but they need to be supervised as to not turn away young men like you.

Looks like you turned out OK..............
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