TAC Resurrects Local Report to Commands

TAC during the1970s through the early 1990s, presented an annual “Report to Command” to installation commanders to strengthen the partnership between Scouting and the US military. As military forces in Europe declined and the TAC mission expanded geographically, this tradition gradually faded.

TAC has revived this successful practice and is taking it one step further by engaging NATO Headquarters and US Embassies to increase the visibility of Scouting across the council’s service area. This initiative will strengthen relationships with key leaders, highlight Scouting’s impact on military families and American communities overseas. It also provides Scouts with valuable opportunities to learn about military service, diplomacy, and government leadership first-hand, while reinforcing our shared commitment to developing future leaders. Transatlantic Council’s Scout Executive/CEO Joshua Dick benefitted from similar Report to Commands during the 1980s and 1990s when he was a youth Scout in Heidelberg, Germany.

Dick was recently in the Ramstein/Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) area participating in three separate Report to Commands. The Ramstein/KMC area visits included the 86^th Airlift Wing with Deputy Commander COL Bump; HQ US Airforce in Europe, Airforces Africa Chief of Staff BG Schutte; and US Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Deputy Commander (Acting) Mr. Colbrook. The TAC Scouting units that sent representatives included Pack 232, Troop 12, Troop 156, Troop 69, Troop 1920 and Venturing Crew 42. All reports were truly special. BG Schutte was extremely kind and greeted us at the HQ’s entrance, escorted us to the briefing room and then personally brought us back to the entrance.

Report to Commands included a mission overview by our hosts of the different commands, an overview of TAC’s 2025 annual report to raise TAC’s visibility and awareness and an opportunity for Scouts and leaders to ask questions and share their name, unit, rank and favorite Scouting memory/adventure. Special thanks to TAC volunteers Dean Berck and Chris Cassem for facilitating these important visits.

Dick presented military leadership with a specially designed TAC’s Heritage in Action 250^th anniversary neckerchief celebrating our country’s key anniversary which was tied using a friendship knot symbolizing enduring unity and trust and reemphasizing that true friendship withstands the test of time. In addition, Dick presented a special wood frame featuring Scouting America’s Military Service knot along with TAC’s Council Shoulder patch celebrating our country’s 250^th anniversary. The inscription read, “Presented in recognition of exceptional service and steadfast support of Scouting America, the Military Service Knot symbolizes the strong connection between Scouting and military leadership. Both are grounded in duty, honor, character and service to others.”

Dick, along with his wife Krista, also were fortunate to visit local unit meetings and stop by Pack 232 to observe the various den meetings and even present a Conservation Award to Den 9. Pack 232 has over 105 youth and is a large/active pack led by Cubmaster Dan Park.

In addition, our Scout Executive/CEO stopped by Troop 12 to witness troop elections and congratulate the new troop leadership. He also stopped by Troop 69’s meeting and saw Scouts in action who organized the Quartermaster area, cleaned up tents and equipment from a recent campground and participated in merit badge instruction.

Be on the lookout for more stories in the future as TAC is planning for additional Report to Commands, visits with US Ambassadors, etc.