Jr Commanders

We only have one ER who is finishing his freshman year. I've been talking to him about taking more of a leadership role at Rangers as he's the oldest. He doesn't have a ton of merits because he started in RR when we started the OP. He is good with the younger boys. We don't have any other boys his age and I'm afraid as he progresses through his teens that he'll start to feel even more removed from the younger boys. I don't want him to feel like he doesn't have a place, so I've been thinking that I need to intentionally help him feel more like a part of leadership than just a ranger. Obviously we're a young OP so we don't have any experience with this step. Any suggestions about how to help him transition into a jr commander from a ranger? 

I think he'll really start feeling the age gap in June when the new ARs come in.

That completely depends on the Character of the Young Man.

MOST Adolescent Males are incapable of working as Junior Commanders with younger boys, and some are embarrassed to because they are concerned about their "manly projection".

However, for the few who can do it, they can be a blessing; especially when you are short of help.

In general, I think that the Official R/R Position has been to back off from encouraging boys to be Junior Commanders, because of the potential for trouble due to Immature Leaders having Authority.

But with close monitoring, it can work.  S.O.P.'s are GENERAL guidelines to be followed GENERALLY.  They can be Modified, if the Situation Dictates, if there is Good Reason, and if Those in Authority remain Accountable.

Some years ago, I ran my oldest boys through a Basic JTC course that seemed to pretty much cover what a junior leader would need to know. Naturally, they all went to youth group a few months later. I think I still have the CD and a few patches. I'd be willing to send it to you.

Don't have my references here, but I think the book says a Jr Commander is supposed to be a GMA recipient. RRs used to have a position called Senior Guide (3 bars), but I'm sure it was superseded...once or twice at least.

I our outpost, all Jr Cmdr have to go through Rangers Basic and they will be place in-charge of preparing devotion (with guidance), games and assist in bible and merit lessons. He or she will be under probation for about a year and will be promoted after he or she attended NTC (to be determined by our Senior Commander).

A person with tons of merit does not means he/ she is capable or "qualify" him to become a leader. Remember, God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called. I guess, identity (always in alignment with God) and knowing why he or she serve is important factor as one will be willing to go down to their knees and allow God to mould, stretch and shape to the perfect leader he/she is called to be.

Jr Cmdr needs to be a GMA yes. Sr Patrol Guide is absolutely a position the young man could be placed in, based on Sr Cmdr approval. I kind of thing of the patrol guides as the NCOs in an outpost (Sgt's and such).
Regardless of the title you give them, I would dare say the duties are similar. Start with small things, assisting teaching a merit, running a pre meeting game. Talk with them about their gifting. Work with them to tie their gift into the outpost.

Some other leader roles, Communication Specialist is a good role for the Techy inclined, and sounds a lot better than Secretary.
Quarter Master - Gear Manager, hey someone needs manage that stuff.
FCF Scout - I'm saving this one for someone to reach buckskin first, but, would be great.

Just some ideas

joecool wrote: I think I still have the CD and a few patches. I'd be willing to send it to you.

I'd be interested in the CD also.

strods wrote:Jr Cmdr needs to be a GMA yes.  

With all due respect, this is another example of "National" making a Ruling Requirement that has Nothing to do with the Situation.

Again, with all due respect to the GMA and Effort & Perseverance required to achieve it, being Issued the Medal does not Guarantee Good Judgement in a young man.

In my opinion, Arcliner's Outpost has it much closer-to-"right".

"Authority can be delegated.  Responsibility cannot."

Even a Jr Cmdr is always to be under supervision of the adult Lt/Asst Cmdr.  He is not a full fledged cmdr until 18. The role of Sr Guide is also appointed and he could be Sr Guide or Sr Patrol Leader as TPTB call it now. Start him there with 3 bars and see if he is qualified for Jr Cmdr. 

The GMA recipient rule was started during JB's early days. Generally speaking a GMA was 16-17 yrs of age and hopefully more mature than a freshman. Unless the GMA is given to him without meeting reqs then it should demonstrate he can set a long term goal and reach it. In my day it wasn't show up do 6 lessons, attend 2 sunday school lessons, and six merits and you got 1/3 of your GMA reqs done just by participating. Much of the work was initiated by me with support of my cmdrs. I could not have done it just by attending weekly meetings. Nowadays GMA is not necessarily the benchmark of a future leader (in the USA).

Thanks for the input. Sounds like Sr Patrol Leader is way to go with this. It'll give him a degree of separation and will enable us to see how he does with additional responsibility. Thanks.

I have the "Basic Junior Training Course" CD in my hand. The sub-title is "Training boys how to serve in the local outpost." Philip, you've got first crack at it. If you want it, send me your address via yulluvmt2@msn.com.

If you don't want it, Strods is next in line.

If needs be, I have the ability to copy and burn

I'm sure Strods is more technically advanced than I am, so maybe if he can get it, then I can get a copy from him.

What ever works, I meant if it's popular

SOMEBODY send me an address.

Send it strods, and I'll send you mine.

I have used the Jr. Commander position in our Outpost without the lad having a GMA.
He was just ready for the job after close to 4 years of Junior Leadership, 2 years as Sr. Patrol Leader (multiple terms during DR & AR groups) This young man was close to Silver Medal. It worked out well for us.

Reviewing the JTC disc and current GPH material. The JTC patches may not be available, but upon review of RR.com and GPH site, the training material looks like it would be good to teach: Junior Leadership Foundations, Item Number: 72TW9093

ccm2361 wrote:I have used the Jr. Commander position in our Outpost without the lad having a GMA.
He was just ready for the job after close to 4 years of Junior Leadership, 2 years as Sr. Patrol Leader (multiple terms during DR & AR groups) This young man was close to Silver Medal.  It worked out well for us.

Ah the freedom of non-chartering   

Further review of the material. It is a bit out of date. I'll be sending the orig back to you. Question though? Would you like it updated a little. Clip art, etc?

I could even be a big rebel and keep the Trail of the Grizzly added in?

I'd like to see what you could do. I used that booklet you had for primitive shelters. That was nice!

strods wrote:

ccm2361 wrote:I have used the Jr. Commander position in our Outpost without the lad having a GMA.
He was just ready for the job after close to 4 years of Junior Leadership, 2 years as Sr. Patrol Leader (multiple terms during DR & AR groups) This young man was close to Silver Medal.  It worked out well for us.

Ah the freedom of non-chartering   

Tis true we have gotten pretty far off the rails.   

Haven't forgotten. Been reading, thinking, praying. Starting to work on material now. give me a few