My question, then, is do we not strive for the boys to have a sense of pride in a sharp uniform on Sundays or advancement ceremonies? The Navy SEAL uniform IS "functional, simple and low tech." However, it is for use in the field. They have sharp uniforms for other purposes. Dress uniforms for special ceremonies and other occasions.
Also, the Navy SEALS, Green Berets, and other special forces units have the pride of being part of a certain, elect few. Their pride comes from that and their accomplishments earning into and being part of that group. They also earn respect for the discipline they have to get where they are. A little aside comment here. We started talking about Rangers and uniforms, and Royal Rangers are NOT Navy SEALS, Green Berets or any other *military* force. My momma taught me "Respect is earned, not just given cheaply." Don't get me wrong, I respect each of the boys in my group. However, which of the boys commands more respect from other adults in the church, the one wearing a sharp uniform? or the one wearing (probably faded, possibly torn) jeans and a (well worn) T-shirt. The average adult in the church probably doesn't know that the boy in T-shirt and jeans is the Sr. Patrol Guide, or that the one in the Class B or even Class A may be the thorn in the commander's side. The attitude of respect will vary, albeit subconsciously, but the difference will be there. So to a point, yes respect is earned. Earned by wearing the proper uniform at the proper time. Are exceptions to be made? Certainly, but they should be that, exceptions, not the rule. Another long winded reply, but one I'm sure will fan the flame of this discussion. In His Grip, DJ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Star'Eyed Drifter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 11:59 AM Subject: Re: [RR] EverBody talk'n 'bout sharp dressed Commanders. > --- clint grant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > What we wear, and how we wear it, says alot about us. It becomes a > > banner that announces who we are and what we do. And not only about > > ourselves, but each other, the ministry as a whole, and, ultimately, the > > kingdom of God. > > > > Being sharp and looking that way is not something that comes naturally > > or without working at it. It takes a concentrated effort to do so, and > > it is the result of something that begins on the inside and works it's > > way out. It is only after one has made a conscious decision to be the > > best that he or she can be that this goal of looking sharp is achieved. > > One must make careful preparations and practice much discipline in order > > to attain these demanding standards. > > With mallace tword none, and openhanded fellowship.. *I agree with > this assesment to the character of a sharp dressed Commander with > reguard to attention to detail and dicipline. This is proven in long > standing traditions of Military standards of dress and conduct. It > is admired, and promoted as a virtue. > > > > > > > Bearing in mind this knowledge, I submit that one must dismiss the > > credibility of the post to which I am responding on the grounds that it > > is an anomaly. For, while it is a good post with good points, the > > inconsistencies set forth within far outweigh any truth it may bear. > > Allow me to bring up recent History during WW2 and the threat of Japs > overunning Austrialia when the USA was at a loss of resources in > gearing up for a 2 front war in Europe and the Pacific. > > Picture this- > > Back then, ..a sharp dressed Commander was sent on a mission. > To show, the flag.. to rally support for defence of Oz with > meager resources. Gen.Douglas McArthur was dispatched to train > an Army equiped with sticks and Mossberg .22's. Week by week the > Imperial army of Japan closed on the Austrailian nation. > > His "Uniform and his attention to detail" was frustrated by the > lack of support and resources to carry out his intended mission. > > Mac needed help quick! > > In time, following much adjustment to promote his "cause" his efforts > prevailed, when the logistical might of the Allied war machine turned > it attention to the distruction of the Japanese empire. *The Enemy- > > One man, in a sharp uniform.. needed others to win the war. > > > > > > > To explain myself: > > > > Looking and being sharp is the result of a good conscience and > > accompanied by a sincere desire to so be. It becomes habit, a way of > > doing things. It is an indicator of the way a person lives, and the way > > that person behaves and conducts him/herself in all manners of life. For > > a person to bear the fruits of these qualities and yet lack them, as > > suggested in paragraph four of the proceeding post, is highly unlikely. > > One generally would not possess the qualities it takes to look sharp > > without living them out in consistent daily living, and reflecting them > > not only in dress, but in the practices concerning discipline in the > > outpost meeting. > > > > So, while I can agree for the most part with the philosophy of the > > former post, I cannot fully embrace it's message since it cannot stand > > on it's own merits, due to it's inherently incongruous nature. > > > *Following WW2.. the US Military shifted to a post war belief that the > next war would be a Nucular exchange, and prepared the main line forces > for that eventuality. In 1962 a Young president who was a combat vet > of that previous Pacific war, had read the writeing of Mao se and Che > and come to the conclusion that the future held many callanges in > small brush wars in remote corners of the world. This was previous > to US involvement in Viet-nam, but Pres.Kennedy saw the future, siezed > the opportunity to alter the prevailing thinking.. > > > At that time it was > a court marshal offence for special forces to wear distinctive green > beret headgear, however Pres.Kennedy authorized the formation of units > that would act in un-conventional warfare out of the successes of > Naval UDT units and Army Ranger-Marine Scout traditions.. > > In these units, granted much freedom to act as needed and bring > effective gurillia tactics of a new era, shined shoes and snappy > uniform was secondary to the buddy system and team efforts. > > The Uniform of a Navy SEAL is multi-functional, simple and low > tech. "What works" is more important than snappy parade drill > and sharp creases in a Dicky workshirt<G> > > Just something to "think" about... > > Conventional thinking or un-conventional warfare. > > *Eyed-Drifter- > > > > > > > Please do not misinterpret the motive for this message. It is in no way > > meant to devalue the message or the messenger to which it replies, it's > > only intent is to clarify and set aright what I have found, in my > > opinion, to be an inconsistency. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Star'Eyed Drifter > > Sent: Monday, May 13, 2002 12:26 PM > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Subject: [RR] EverBody talk'n 'bout sharp dressed Commanders. > > > > > > I "wish" that by proudly wearing my uniform, as a leader.. > > and displaying my entire Ranger heritage on my chest- > > > > That it, represented my grip on "administration of my duties" > > to the boys. > > > > I want to "beleve" that. > > > > However, when we stand in front of the boys in our sharp khaki's > > and the Outpost is in chasos.. *It sheds a different light on the > > total effort to present the program as *Intended.. > > > > It says we are tolerant of disorder, and poverty. > > It says "We" are willing to go it alone. ..and that is not Ranger blue! > > > > > > HOW DO WE DEVELOP PRIDE? > > ------------------------ > > > > What I am talking about, is going back to basics of Outpost > > Orginization. > > > > *If you do not have a "clear deck" for you efforts, with the Parents, > > the pastor, the Men's ministry, the Childrens pastor,the Uth pastor > > and the Church... It would seem you are going to be left holding the bag > > as the "ONE AND ONLY ROYAL RANGER" for miles around. People being who > > they are.. do not remain loyal to a sinking ship, and the first sign > > of that is to make YOU the center and not the boys. > > > > In time, your OP council will grow tired.. > > In time, people may move on.. > > > > Job Number 1 is to work to "Replace yourself" with someone better! > > Avoid the spotlight, work to shine it on others! > > > > The "Idea" Gentalmen, is to "give away Ranger spirit" and infect > > others with the vision for the *ministry/*program. to Raise the Morale! > > > > Doc Drifter- > > > > ===== > > *High MORALE is the Index of effective Leadership. > > --------------********+********-------------------- > > Morale raises belief of the Leader in the follower, > > of the follower in the Leader, of each in themself, > > and both in the .....cause! > > > > __________________________________________________ > > Do You Yahoo!? > > LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience > > http://launch.yahoo.com > > _______ > > Let the Golden Rule be your daily rule. > > > > Please pray for your list sponsor: http://eBible.org/mpj/ > > > > To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm > > http://rangernet.orgGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : > > http://explorer.msn.com > > > > > ===== > *High MORALE is the Index of effective Leadership. > --------------********+********-------------------- > Morale raises belief of the Leader in the follower, > of the follower in the Leader, of each in themself, > and both in the .....cause! > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience > http://launch.yahoo.com > _______ > Let the Golden Rule be your daily rule. > > Please pray for your list sponsor: http://eBible.org/mpj/ > > To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm > http://rangernet.org _______ Let the Golden Rule be your daily rule. Please pray for your list sponsor: http://eBible.org/mpj/ To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm http://rangernet.org
