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Why Are Uniforms Important to the Brigade Experience?
It’s always good to examine why we do what we do. Are uniforms for boys in Stockade and Battalion meeting their purpose? I was asked if any groups were changing to a custom T-shirt. You’ll see that my answer is in line with the training, using reasons why uniforms for boys are important.
Uniforms are closely connected to the Stockade achievement program. Showing progress in ranks, blockhouses and stations, as well as what is being learned in modules. Without the badges and pins, recognition of growth is missing, maybe some incentives as well that the leaders and parents can use to encourage boys to achieve. What else could be done with patches and pins? That takes creativity!
It’s an identity with the Christian Service Brigade program on the boys’ age level. For boys, it shows they belong to a recognizable group. It has long been noticeable as a factor of group order when boys are wearing a uniform. Isn’t there an element of self-discipline that comes along with being in a uniform?
Putting on the uniform, and wearing it well, is a custom across the range of units in the Capital Region as seen at the annual Camp-O-Rama and Regional Derby. It would also seem inconsistent to promote some boys to wear a uniform and allow others to come to Stockade without them.
CSB T-shirts have been around for a long time as casual wear, but not made to replace a uniform. Adding a T-shirt may be a good idea for a secondary choice for activities, but not whenever “Battalion, Fall In” or “Build the Stockade” is called.
This is always the choice of the church unit and leadership. T-shirts are an option, but I would not replace the uniforms. Once they are an established custom in a unit, replacing would be to regress.
Hope this is helpful, but I’d want to be open to suggestions as well.
Arden Musselman
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1 Reply
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Uniforms have always been an important tradition of our Unit 2733 in Rock Hill, SC! They not only allow our guys to “show off” their achievements, encouraging others to achieve as well, but they also help to connect us to the brotherhood of other units across the continent. This becomes very evident when we participate in regional events with other units. This is a photo of our Battalion 2733 as we attended the Capital Region Camp-O-Rama at Camp Hemlock in Wardensville, WV. Our battalion is posing along the camp bridge we helped build for a service project. A sharp-looking team, if I do say so myself! 😉
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