Re: [RR] The New RR program (revised)

[Jose F. Rodriguez]

To Bob Triphahn:     I first heard about the new changes during our 2000 Sectional Pow Wow.  A boy from another outpost (who used to go to our outpost) told me that they were going to change the Royal Ranger program and make it more like the Boys Scouts.  I was shocked and talked to a commander who the boy told me had more knowledge about the changes.  I remember telling my Senior Commander at the time and he even said that he would leave the program if they change it.  I eventually found out that they were in fact going to change the program on the internet.  Finally this year I went to a commanders meeting where they showed a power point presentation of the new program.  I saw things that surprised me like the "missionette" colors of the boys new vests.  After the meeting I talked to the sectional FCF rep. who was disappointed with the changes to the FCF program and wished he had attended the national conferences.  I have gotten the same disappointment from other commanders.       Don't get me wrong I have nothing against the BSA, I used to be a Boy Scouts myself.  However one thing I liked about the Royal Ranger program was how different and unique it was compared to the Boy Scouts.  I felt the RR had a more organized look and structure compared to the BSA.  And most importantly it is centered around Christ with emphasis on Christian teaching and living.  The purpose of the Royal Ranger is to reach, teach, and keep boys for Christ, this is the main difference between us and the BSA. I as a Christian will agree with any changes if they will bring more to Christ. I feel the national office failed to proof exactly how removing what made the RR program majorly different from the Boy Scouts will accomplish this. Now we have no unique program to offer unsaved kids. If they had to pick between two programs that are very similar, except one is a "Christian Boy Scouts" they will most likely pick the secular version. The original RR program had more intrigue and had other features that would attract unsaved kids. Another concern is what happens if we get a new national commander and he decides to change everything again (Low income churches can't tolerate this). What really needs to change is the command structure of the national office one with checks and balances and will have more involvement from churches when such decisions are made. God Bless!       ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Triphahn To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 9:27 PM Subject: Re: [RR] The New RR program Jose,   At first I was skeptical of the changes. As I listen to what is in store I became excited. Why? The changes in teaching methods, especially for those of us with few leaders and small outposts. Plug a new boy in where you are and if he wants to do the work you have already done then he goes back and completes it on his own. How many times have you as a commander been frustrated with thinking you've got all your boys on the same page and then a new recruit comes in and he has to start from scratch, upsetting the whole game plan.   Patches for the merits did seem to be a bit much to me at first. Especially since you could not wear them on the uniform. But, since the Ranger can wear colored class B ribbons on the uniform there is nothing to say that you do not buy the patches and only stick with the ribbons. Merit patches will be in the $0.69 range. Merit ribbons cost $1.95 each, not including the bar to hold them. Vests can be made inexpensively. Make a Ranger project out of it.   Question for you. How did you hear about the new changes, as well as the commanders you have spoken to who do not like them? (And what's wrong with wearing a American flag on our uniform? I think it's a great idea, Boy Scouts having them or not :-)   God Bless,   Bob Triphahn Sr. Cmdr. O/P 312 Victory Church St. Clair, Mo.