Assessing credit for "YOUNG MARINES" participation

[RedLeg6]

We have a new scout who has previous membership in the YOUNG MARINES program offered by the Marine Corps League. As troop advancement chair for our committee, I would like to help this young man get any credit for his accomplishments applied to his Boy Scout record. Any advise or instruction is greatly appreciated.

[riverwalk]

Your post made me think he's no longer in the Young Marines? In my mind, ongoing participation in each program would probably allow service to be recognized for something. It will be interesting to see opinions and ideas. But I'm thinking his prior activities won't be considered by some, as qualifying for advancement requirements.

At some point however, his Bio can express how he was involved in both programs. Sometimes one can't use experiences to get more boxes checked off....but these memberships paint an over-all picture of someone's service to others.

[Nuts4Scouts]

Activities done before becoming a member of BSA do not count towards BSA recognitions.

Most of the requirements start with "while a XYZ Scout". Should a camping trip taken while a Wolf Cub Scout count toward the Camping MB? Should a service project completed with the church 2yrs before joining BSA count?

Of course not.

While I am sure he had a great many worthwile experiences as a Young Marine, none of them can be directly used to fulfill BSA requirements. The experience & training he received however, should come in very handy in his BSA experiences.

One other thing to consider, if you make exceptions for this young man, you will have to do the same for all of the other boys in the Troop. I really doubt you want to open that can of worms!