Photo: Todd Krainin/NY Times
Boy Scouts's motto "Be Prepared" apparently extends all the way to modern day's terrorism. In this post 9/11 world, you can't be too careful, so the Border Patrol in Imperial County, California, has a - shall we say, unique - program for the Scouts:
The Explorers program, a coeducational affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America that began 60 years ago, is training thousands of young people in skills used to confront terrorism, illegal immigration and escalating border violence — an intense ratcheting up of one of the group’s longtime missions to prepare youths for more traditional jobs as police officers and firefighters.
“This is about being a true-blooded American guy and girl,” said A. J. Lowenthal, a sheriff’s deputy here in Imperial County, whose life clock, he says, is set around the Explorers events he helps run. “It fits right in with the honor and bravery of the Boy Scouts.”
The training, which leaders say is not intended to be applied outside the simulated Explorer setting, can involve chasing down illegal border crossers as well as more dangerous situations that include facing down terrorists and taking out “active shooters,” like those who bring gunfire and death to college campuses. In a simulation here of a raid on a marijuana field, several Explorers were instructed on how to quiet an obstreperous lookout.
Jennifer Steinhauer of The New York Times has more: Link
As a martial artist of 14 years (jeet kune do), I know that it isn't about the frequency in which a person has to tap on those skills. We live in a pretty peaceful nation in America, and most people can go their whole lives without a seriously violent altercation. But, if the need were to arise, I would rather be trained for it, rather than peeing my pants.
Although this could be construed a public service of sorts, serving citizens by helping them with errands and dressing their wounds when they are ill or weak, using radios for emergency communications, helping keep citizens CALM and things of this nature are just as important as shooting guns around if there were some sort of widespread public emergency. I'd much rather see them serve this sort of role and letting law enforcement do the job they are supposed to do.
My son wanted to join the cub scouts last year and we gave it a try. I was shocked to see in the past thirty years scouting somehow to devolve into nothing more than popcorn sales. Training our boys to be a door-to-door sales force is a total waste of an institution. Frankly I think it's a dearth of meaningful activity in today's scouting (lack of imagination on the leaders' part, most likely) that lead to out-of-whack craziness like this.
Sounds like fun, actually. Maybe if the situations were more generic than stereotypical, it would be a good thing. And comparing it to the Hitler Youth is silly. BTW, I had a boss once who was in the Hitler Youth in Germany. There are lots of other paramilitary organizations this could be compared to. We had the Air Cadets when I was growing up.
The only 2 explanations: (1) the organization is formed to cater to the delusions of the children's parents or (2) the organization is formed to shunt children into a life of collusion with the military industrial complex.
Hear, hear for training kids in constructive life skills, even survivalist ones. Boo on teaching children paramilitary combat techniques....
http://tinyurl.com/m5jja9
to be taken seriously.
Truly one step beyond.
Do AmeriCorps NCCC members wear uniforms?
Yes. You are required to wear a uniform. Uniforms are issued to members when they report to the campus. The uniform colors are gray, black, and khaki. At a minimum, all members will receive the following items:
1. BDU (battle dress uniform) pants--black & khaki
2. Khaki shorts
3. T-shirts (short and long-sleeve)
4. Polo shirts (short and long-sleeve)
5. Hooded sweatshirt
6. Winter parka
7. Steel-toed work boots
8. Baseball cap
9. Fleece vest
10. Coveralls
Other uniform items may also be provided depending on the campus where you are assigned.
What?
No armband?
http://wallpapers.dpics.org/36_~_Scooby-Doo%2C_2002%2C_Freddie_Prinze_Jr.%2C_Sarah_Michelle_Gellar%2C_Matthew_Lillard%2C_Linda_Cardellini.htm
(hope that worked)
Has our entire nation gone mad? There is no reason for this if you have an armed public. That is the main reason why America has never been invaded.
Isoroku Yamamoto said in World war 2 that "You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass."
Let the citizens protect this country - not government agents!
Besides it is better then getting pregnant in high school and smoking weed.
I commend these young men and women. Most of you couldn’t fight your way out of a wet paper bag.