Sabattis Log 16 July 2004

Mark, our Scoutmaster, is a former Air Force and National Guard soldier who worked as part of the ground crew for fighter pilots. Pilots use "call-signs" or nicknames not only for security reasons but because acquiring a nickname symbolizes acceptance into the fraternity of aviators.

Today, we went through a similar process. By this point, us leaders are really doing much less leading which is the way things are supposed to be. For some reason, I feel less like a distant leader but more like just one of the brothers. Anyhoo, we did assign nicknames to the boys today. I will not list the names here because I don't want to expose the boy's names to those on the 'net who would misuse the information. However, I will summarize some of the rules that we made up (on the fly) to administer the nicknames

1. One cannot assign a nickname to oneself. The scout brothers will do that.
2. The nickname cannot be degrading to the individual.
3. The nickname will most likely annoy one's mother. Oh well...
4. The nickname is intended for use by one's scout brothers. For example, one's kid sister cannot use it. Its a brotherhood thing...