Re: [RR] Compareing GMA to *Eagle...

[Bob Triphahn]

To tell the truth Duane, I'm not sure that the military even looked at the leadership aspect of Rangers verse Scouts. According to our handbooks we promote leadership through the patrol and it's boy lead leadership (remember I said according to the handbook, real life can have a twist or turn :-).   If I read Our National Commanders speech correctly, the military saw a disorganized structure of advancements leading up to the GMA. This the did not like or were able to equate it to the advancement program of the Scouts.   Are the Ranger advancement changes for the military's sake...goodness no. In my mind if as a boy I put forth all the effort to achieve the GMA and was told that I would not receive the same rank privileges as afforded to an Eagle Scout I would be disappointed.   According to Cmdr. Mariott the new advancement program while most importantly being easier to administer and understand is also understood by the military (which then gives it's blessing for possible higher rank to a GMA entry).   Off topic slightly <G>   In my mind if we give the Rangers the overall objective and keep the boundaries on them...then let them learn and stretch on their own. Just as the Scoutmaster had to pull his boy leadership aside to put them back on the path. We too must do the same, but not by stifling their program. Am I making sense???    This has been one of the hardest tasks I have had to overcome over the last several years as a leader (and at work I might add). My new motto is "Train them to take over your job".   Of course this parallels the Reaching, Teaching, and Keeping boys for Jesus Christ... But...even here they must take over my job. For they must learn to reach, teach and keep those around them for Jesus Christ.   Time to jump off the soapbox (boy it's gotten high <vbg> :+)   Continue to be blessed my friend,   Bob Triphahn       ----- Original Message ----- From: Duane Wheeler To: Bob Triphahn Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2001 11:16 AM Subject: Re: [RR] Compareing GMA to *Eagle... *Thanks Bob for the candor... The reasoning if true by the US Millitary is BSA promotes LEADERSHIP in a real sence. In my involvement in Scouting, the boys are not pushed but come to ask for a leadership role in the troop. The simplest form of haveing the patrol field the food for themselves at an outing, is so real... that it cuts the fog of a boys selfishness.  RRangers can do this at any time and in many Outposts have tried the patrol method.. *But have they followed through to a pratical implimentation of Boys- leading boys? Scouts seem more likely, in more cases! (I admit to knowing some failed Scout troops that are Leader led and do nothing) This is done through a systematic table of organization on the multi-tasked positions for boy leaders in the troop. Recently in our Troop Scoutmaster called a "secret meeting" of the senior boys. He quietly told them they had failed to lead...  and with 12 new 11 year old scouts joining.. and with 13 years as Scoutmaster... *He would not do what *They had agreed to do. They had been trained to Lead! He went on to say they were on probation.. and would be tested individualy for leadership, and the future of the troop was in their hands.  (*Rather than be harsh, this gentalman.. loved Troop328 and wanted the boys to experiance full measure the growth that goes with becomeing a real Leader) Royal Rangers put's all this secondary to the *spiritual point. I'm afraid it questions the Commander who would hand over the reigns to the boys, and finds achievement, character building and practical factor skills training less valued than the nobel cause of *Ministry. It's my conviction that Royal Rangers must *blend with balance... all of the Gold-Red- and BLUE points to equal the BSA Eagle. *A final word from a RoyalRanger/Sailor/Scouter... Our mission is NOT to provide the US Military with prime candidates for leadership. The GMA comes very close to Eagle, but I do not think we have invested in equal measure to the secular goal they desire. I think we are right in NOT doing so! While it is true that it becomes hard for the Military to grant equal status for a GMA..that sould be how it remains. It is an example of No-more No-less (Ethics) and perhaps if we decide to equal in every way the Eagle... we might do better to fold camp and join Scouts... with a added religious requirement encompassing the Royal Ranger core values! *Other Chrsitian denominations have found a way to use scouting as their Boys adventure/Character building *program and retain a strong Christian testimony. Cdr.D.Wheeler