[RR] # 3 Final series of "PATROL METHODS"

[Jeff & Ellrena Ortner]

OK I'm back, after the aftermath of being mule kicked this last two weeks.     I looked over my files and noticed that I never sent you part 3 of the Patrol Series.  Teamwork 2 part series is next on the list. Don't miss any of them. Love you guys, and gals PATROL SYSTEM PART 3 ( subject ) The HOW, WHY and WHAT of the PATROL WORKS THE FINAL SERIES By Chaplain Jeff Ortner #446 After searching through our leadership manuals and Ranger boy’s books for constructive patrol ideas. This area has not been a strong view point within the Ranger program. IT NEEDS TO BE !! Very little information all these years has past down the line to leadership concerning: HOW, WHY, and WHAT to do within the patrol systems. Plus, I still haven’t seen the new ( Patrol Module ). So every information you are getting in these leadership series. I want you to use, abuse, cutup and copy whatever areas that best helps your situations towards your Outpost. LET’S LOOK AT THE (HOW’S) OF GETTING THE PATROL SYSTEM GOING NUMBER ONE Always remember you can’t get it done over night ( this is a long process ). It takes time, patience, and practice to get things going the right way. Having Patrols is a growing process and molds into a team, camaraderie, lasting friendships through being together, and doing things together. The high point may be a overnight camp out and they all survive (together) the thunderstorm. It may be the overnight canoe trip were each one helps do his share of the duties as a team. Or it might be that time they had competition against another Outpost and won because they did it as a Patrol, through teamwork. So leaders, here is the 3 W’s " WATCH " for leadership and opportunities to blossom within your Outpost " WAIT " on the right moments and planning to allow your boys to become leaders " WORK " towards getting your boys to be apart of belonging to a team, gang, or group within your Outpost and that will be the start of the system of a good patrol. NUMBER TWO It starts with commitment from one of your boys. Lets say, you found something to do for patrol leaders and even found the perfect Ranger boy to run it. You ask him will he do it? Then he says, "I’m gonna try." Trying is perfect for the boy but it’s bad as a patrol or Outpost. What he really is saying most of the time is, "I may not do it at all, but I want you off my back right now. So I still refuse to make the commitment and just say I'll try." If your Patrol leader will not commit how can you get his followers ( PATROL ) to commit? You must become the "YODA of STAR WARS" in The Empire Strikes Back, when he was talking to Luke when he said. TRY? HA HA, THERE IS NO TRY !!! EITHER DO or DO NOT DO! THERE IS NO TRY!! Get your boy Patrol leaders to make the commitment, then help him see it through, and you’ll be amazed at the results you get.   NUMBER THREE Take the next step towards leadership patrol training. It is conducted by "YOU", the Commander. It may last no longer than an hour after you have elected your Patrol leaders. It should cover the needs, responsibilities, job portfolios of each person within the group. Set goals, reinforce the importance of leaders, respect, teamwork etc. Plus, whatever your upcoming events needs help in. Let the boys ask and give suggestions, because they are now apart of the overall leadership program. Their commits may surprise you on how well they understand what needs to be accomplished. This is my own opinion about what JLTC needs to be doing, instead of barking orders, and getting the boys to right reports or themes all night long. Teach them patrol spirit instead of trying to break their spirits. How about a Jr. Leadership Patrol Camp called ( JLPC,). OOPS I’M CHASING TOO MANY RABBITS, NEED TO GET BACK TO THE SUBJECT OF THE PATROL METHOD. ( WHAT ) DO I DO AS A PATROL LEADER???     Lets look at "Patrol Spirit", this is the glue that holds the Patrol together. Every Patrol needs a good name. Also it’s Patrol flag is it’s trade mark, and it should be a good one too. Make something that will last and endure wear outside. There isn’t anything more inspiring than to see another Patrol looking at your Patrol staff with envy.     Strive to have a Patrol Yell, which is short and snappy, this announces your arrival at the competitions or campgrounds to other Outposts. Some have Patrol songs, handshakes, logos, bolos, secret signs. These could be identity marks after you write your name, and high pitched yell in the middle of a crowd, to a painted logo on the side of your chuck box. Here is a few tips on a good Patrol Leader. This is for the boys and the leaders to watch for in boys. ASK FOR HELP. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. You have many resources and training at your disposal. If you are confronted with a situation and don’t know how to handle it, Just Ask BE CONSISTENT. Nothing is more confusing than not knowing what the leadership wants from us. If the patrol knows what to expect from you, then they will response positively to your leadership KEEP YOUR WORD. Don’t make promises you can’t always keep. BE A GOOD COMMUNICATOR. You don’t need to have a commanding "Sergeant Pain" voice to be a good leader, but you must be willing to step out front with an effective "LET’S GO !!" A good leader knows how to get and give information so that everyone understands what’s going on. BE FLEXIBLE. Everything doesn’t always have to go as planned. Be prepared to shift to plan "B" when plan "A" fails. BE ORGANIZED. The time will come when you made plans early and you’ll thank the Lord you did. Record who agrees to doing different task. As the new program develops new leaders will be helping, such as the quartermaster job, so set your duty roster early before going camping. DELEGATE. Some leaders assume that the job will get done unless they do it themselves. Most people like to be challenged to do a task. Empower your patrol members to do things they have never tried before. GIVE PRAISE. The best way to get credit is to give it away. Just the words "NICE JOB" is all the praise necessary to make a young Royal Ranger boy feel he is contributing to the over all efforts of the Patrol and Outpost. BE FAIR TO ALL. A good leader shows no favorites. Don’t allow friendships to keep you being fair to all members of your Patrol. Find out who likes to do what, and assign duties to patrol members by what they like to do. SET THE EXAMPLE. The most important thing you can do as a leader is lead by example. Whatever you do, your patrol members are likely to do the same. A cheerful attitude can keep everyone’s spirits up.   LET’S LOOK AT THE "WHY" (REASON) FOR HAVING PATROLS It is the ESPRIT DE CORPS. You must establish a corp. of belonging. Every boy is looking for his "spot " in life. So many children today are coming from broken homes, fractured lifestyles, from abused or rejected families. Latch key kids is a common way of life for many children today. Your Outpost, and your Patrol system may become a major key in effecting a young boy’s soul for eternity. Patrols will build teamwork, effective leaderships, positive camaraderie, and friendships that could last a lifetime.  Producing an effective Patrol systems within your Outpost causes contagious enthusiasm. I know you have seen it among youth groups and churches. It can overflow within your Outpost too. But it’s not enough to just put boys into a group and give ‘em a name. If they are patrols in name only then your program will fail. So team building and bonding is important. It’s an invaluable step in character building and establishing responsibility on the individual. It is through the patrol method that we can succeed in this. Remember this " THE ONLY WAY TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP IN A BOY IS GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO PRACTICE IT." The Patrol system provides this practice by placing upon the boys the responsibilities of running their own { gangs } patrols through making them or breaking them. It gives the boy the opportunity to lead. It brings forward boys with hidden leadership abilities and awakens in others their own strengths. It gives all of them a chance. Will you? God Bless Chaplain Jeff Ortner #446