Firearms have only ONE purpose in Scouting: to teach marksmanship. Anything else is why shooting at human targets is a no-no and paintball and laser tag is too.
Nov 09, - Adam Dale, This is a good discussion. I have not researched the issue, so I don't know what the answer is. However, the Boy Scouts differentiate between firearms and simulated firearms. See, e. They mean different things. You are misinterpreting a term of art -- "firearm. Pretty common sense in most situations. However, that does not address the question regarding simulated firearms, which the non-firing ceremonial rifles would be.
To make it clear, a firearm would be capable of firing a projectile. Those drill simulated rifles cannot. A logical reading of the Unauthorized and Restricted Activities section would be that several limits were placed on the use of "firearms," but the only limit placed on "simulated firearms" would be that they could not be pointed at people. Jan 19, - Feliscia Are Scouts required to wear the uniform while participating in a flag ceremony.
We've had several incidents when a den performs a flag ceremony while some of the boys are NOT in uniform. Im under the impression that you must be in full uniform in order to participate but I can't find anything specific to support that. Is there any clear guideline from BSA that support this? This is in the Guide to Awards and Insignia on page 5. Jan 21, - Feliscia Scouter Paul, thank you for the post and the link.
It was helpful however my question was more regarding participation in a flag ceremony. I suppose that may be a civic matter that I should ask the VA about. Or maybe there are no restrictions on dress code while participating in the ceremony? Jan 21, - Scouter Paul Feliscia - If a group of scouts is performing a flag service for some other organization, such as VA, city council, high school football game, There is no BSA-specific requirement that a uniform be worn, but the organization can certainly request or require that all scouts be in uniform in order to be part of their ceremony.
The complete uniform includes socks, pants, belt, and shirt so you might ask the organization requesting the ceremony how much of that uniform they require - so that scouts don't show up in just the BSA shirt thinking that was good enough.
Jan 21, - Beverly Cook I like your pages. I use your ideas often. We do scout reach and run 5 packs every week. I find this detail very lacking. You would think this information would be easy to find. Mar 14, - Scouter Paul kwest - There is no specific, absolute manner in which to perform a flag ceremony. Scouts can create their own respectful ceremony or use scripts that others have created.
May 13, - Rick Saluting with Left hand: A soldier can salute with the left hand when the right hand is encumbered in some way, for example, a soldier with a rifle at Right Shoulder Arms; if movement of a weapon would be encumbered when making the armed salute; if the performance of duty requires the right hand for use or operation of equipment such as riding a motorcycle; if it is not possible to use the hand due to injury or amputation; when escorting a woman and it is not possible to walk on her right side.
Jun 01, - Gloria Looking for authoritative guidance on saluting. I've always learned and taught Scouts that when the flags are posted or raised that the flag detail render a salute and say the Pledge of Allegiance with the group. I've recently joined a troop that has the flag detail just stand there at attention with no salute or speaking.
Couldn't find definitive guidance on which is correct. Note: the Scouts have placed the flags in stands so their hands are free. If they were to hold the colors while the pledge was said, THEN place them in their holders, Id understand standing at attention and not speaking but this is not the case.
Sep 08, - april Question -- so if the color guard advances, post the colors and stand guard Sep 08, - Scouter Paul april - In this example ceremony, the scouts would be holding the flag poles through the recitations and would not participate. Their job is to 'protect' the flags, not be a part of the audience. They post the flags, do a quick salute, and join the audience. Nov 15, - Bob My question is what order should the flags be displayed once posted?
From the audiences perspective that is. I cant seem to find a definitive description on it. Some say the American flag in the center when flown with multiple flags and others keep it to the right at all times. We want to use the American, State and Troop flag. The U. Flag is posted on the audience's left.
I have an online review at this Flag Test page. What we did was have four fully uniformed scouts neckerchiefs, red berets, and leggings march like a military honor guard, the two on the inside carried the flags, the ones on the outside just marched on the flanks no rifles. On the commands "reverse colors- march" the honor guard re- positioned itself to face the audience, the troop flag was lowered and the national anthem was played.
The scouts on the outside simply did a scout salute and then they posted the flag and retreated. At the conclusion, they did the reverse and retrieved the colors and walked out. Parents and scouts loved it. There was, however, some joker from District who said it might be "too" military. We just ignored him. This was in the early s. They offered to make a donation to the Troop, which also seems a little questionable.
Jun 14, - Chris Meredith Recently there has been talk amongst the parents in my son's boy scout troop about bringing in more of a military style within the meetings of the troop, and we all agreed that we did not want this type of troop for our kids.
That was months ago, and we thought the idea had blown over. Well, my son told me at tonight's meeting, pretty much all they did was learn how to march. I was shocked!! Is this a normal part of being a scout and I just wasn't aware? Do other boy scout troops do this? I think it's a complete waste of time.
Jun 15, - Scouter Paul Chris - No troops that I've been involved with, nor visited, did any marching or drilling.
The Senior Patrol Leader and his Patrol Leader Council should be deciding the style of their troop, within the BSA guidelines, rules, and regulations - which are very lax in this area.
Adults deciding to have the scouts march is not Boy Scouting. As a parent, you should be attending the troop's committee meetings to stay abreast of what the adult leaders are discussing. ALL parents should be welcome at any unit meeting, not as participants but as silent observers. And, minutes from committee meetings should be distributed to all families in the troop. If you'd like to affect the direction of the troop, then you can volunteer for an adult position in the troop and increase your influence.
I would agree that spending meetings marching is a waste of time unless the troop is practicing for some presentation, such as a parade. Jul 02, - Chris Meredith Thank you for answering!! Sorry it took so long to answer back.. We will have to become more involved with that. Thank you!! Jul 21, - Lars L Bilyeu I am sad to see the politics in this discussion group. It is sounding more like a Liberal left wing discussion than members of the Boy Scouts of America.
The prejudice against firearms and honor guards as well as the prejudice against anything military is a sad reflection of how America has given up the traditions that made it great.
It is not a dishonor to have military traditions in scouting. Please don't forget that it was the boys who convinced Baden Powel to start scouting because of their interest in Military and outdoor adventures. There will always be military order and appearance scouting But, I will always be proud of my scouting and military experiences.
Some scouting training helped keep me alive. Would you take that away from your boys? Jul 21, - Scouter Paul Lars - I think it's good that you find pride in memories of your scouting and military experience. I've seen no comments here deriding military, nor promoting any political view. Yours is the first to mention "left" or "right" wing. People have asked about saluting, carrying rifles, marching, and flag posting order - all looking for clarification on what is ok or correct within the framework of the BSA.
That is the sort of discussion I hope continues to happen on Boy Scout Trail. Sep 18, - Heather Can anyone tell me what the "two" command is for? Sep 19, - Brian B Heather. The "two" command is to let audience know they may stop saluting the flag. Sep 22, - Chris Heather. Legend has it that Baden Powell taught the salute in two steps.
One was to sign to salute and two was to drop the salute. As time went on they kept the "two" as the command to drop the salute. So no boy scout should be handling a rifle period when not on an approved BSA range.
And do not say anything about simulating firing as boys are taught to never fire into the air. Remember possession of a rifle or display in public may be regulated by state laws. In CA no one can possess a rifle under the age of 18, nor can you display it in public. In this case "in front" means closer to the audience.
In other words, the audience should see the US flag, not have it occluded by the passing of the other flag s. While the flag code does not specifically address this issue, paragraph 7 d says: " The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
James Brown Dear Mr. Brown: Thank you for taking time to contact National Headquarters with your question. I am the staff member responsible for flag education and etiquette.
The following order of events is followed at American Legion Post meetings: 1. Advance of the colors and right hand salute or if the colors are in place a right hand salute. Invocation 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Benediction 5. Retire the colors and right hand salute or if the colors remain in place a right hand salute This information is included in the Officer's Guide and Manual of Ceremonies, which can be found on our WebPages.
Thank you for your patriotism and concern. I have heard two theories, one is that God comes before country and so the prayer should come before the flag ceremony. On the other hand, I've heard that you should "pray over the flag. I've carefully read the flag code itself and I don't see any reference that would directly answer the question. However, in 8 j the code says "The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.
Therefore, I would presume to show the flag the same courtesy of not starting the meeting having the opening prayer without it. So, I would say that the proper sequence would be opening flag ceremony, invocation, meeting, benediction, closing flag ceremony.
Another thing to remember is that the American Flag should be positioned in front of any other flags flown with it. Great work! By now, you should know the basics of how to raise and lower flags, as well as how to hold proper flag ceremonies in your own troop! Remember to always include the American Flag in any troop flag presentation. To reiterate its importance, here is a quote from your Scouts BSA handbook that talks about what the American Flag really means:.
As the symbol of America, it stands for the past, present, and future of our country. It represents our people, our land, and our many ways of life. With that quote in mind, run each flag presentation with as much reverence as possible. Countless American citizens have sacrificed everything to preserve the freedoms you enjoy today. Our flag is one way we honor them. I hope this article helps you and your troop to put on some fantastic and impactful flag ceremonies in the future.
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Until next time, I'm wishing you all the best on your journey to Eagle and beyond! Most scouts take anywhere from 4 - 6 years on their journey to reaching the Eagle rank, but have you ever wondered what's the quickest way you could possibly become an Eagle Scout? I know I
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