With everything happening in VA, I thought it might be a good idea to see if there was any interest here in MA for an ABB group. I asked @Ben for permission to repost, and got it, so here it is:
Direct copy from
this thread.
All,
Due to excessive PMs from individuals asking for information about how to start a Battle Buddies group, I am pushing out the below. It is still being determined between myself and several current participants which name (or combination of names for higher and lower administrative levels of the organization) we will go with. I'll update the OP as soon as we've hammered that out. I will also update with further details on specific courses of instruction and recommended goals for members and groups. As of now, the below is basic guidelines for how to qualify for a given rating. It was previously posted in another thread, but there have been some notable provisions. Please see below.
Updates to follow. Thanks!
American Battle Buddies Handbook
1.Rules for participation.
a.ABB is an apolitical public service outdoors/scouting organization. Any person participating with ABB must refrain from engaging in partisan political speech or activity during ABB activities. This does not, however, restrict discussing legislation which would directly impact ABB activities or the organization as a whole.
b.Participation is limited to persons 18 years of age or older, except persons 16 years of age may participate with their parents notarized written consent. Individuals aged 13 through 15 may participate only if their parent or legal guardian is physically present during the activity in which the minor wishes to participate. Any commissioned officer of the armed forces, or public notary, may certify a parent’s consent for their minor age 16 or above to participate.
c.No person who has been convicted of a felony may participate in ABB activities without being granted a waiver, with any specific restrictions, in writing from ABB senior leadership. Senior leadership who may grant such a waiver will consist of a board made up of at least one law enforcement officer or former law enforcement officer, one armed forces commissioned officer or former commissioned officer, and either one ABB civilian rated Leader or Senior Leader or enlisted/former enlisted E-6 or above ABB member. The board will seek advice from an ABB lawyer if necessary when rendering a decision.
2.Battle Buddies Ratings.
a.Ratings are not ranks, they are an indicator of a member having achieved proficiency in certain basic tasks to a given level.
b.Ratings Available to Civilian and Military Members.
-Provisional
-3rd Class
-2nd Class
-1st Class
-Junior Leader
-Leader
-Senior Leader
c. Other Ratings.
-Any member of the organization may choose to adopt the title/rank held during their most recent term of honorable military service.
-Any member who is a medical doctor by profession may choose to adopt the title of “Doctor”, and any member who is an engineer by both degree and profession may select the title “Engineer”.
3.Standards to achieve ratings.
a.Standard Hike Conditions: Minimum 35lbs pack (dry weight, excluding water) and long gun, or 45lbs pack without long gun; covering a minimum of 6 miles while maintaining an average pace of no less than 3mph (including any rest time).
b.Provisional.
1.In order to achieve a Provisional rating, a prospective member must complete one hike, 3 miles in length, with at least two other persons unrelated to them as witnesses. The prospective member must complete the hike in under an hour while carrying 25lbs (excluding water weight) in a pack, and a long gun. The prospective member may choose to omit the long gun and instead add an additional 10lbs dry weight to their pack.
c.3rd Class
1.In order to achieve a 3rd Class rating, a Provisional member must;
-Within 90 days of their first hike, complete at least two additional hikes, each covering a minimum of 6 miles while maintaining an average pace of no less than 3mph (including any rest time),
-Have completed cumulatively 18 miles of qualifying hike distance, not including any hikes of a distance less than 3 miles, and
-Complete the above 3rd Class requirements while carrying a minimum 35lbs pack (dry weight, excluding water) and long gun, or 45lbs pack without long gun (Standard Hike Conditions).
d.2nd Class
1.A candidate for 2nd Class must complete one of the following;
a.Complete a Navy Physical Fitness Test based upon the male standard (regardless of the candidate gender) for their age group with a minimum score of “Satisfactory” in each event (or Army or Marine Corps PFT equivalent) or,
b.Complete a NRA or CMP Service Rifle Match (whether firing “in” or “out” of competition due to equipment restrictions) with a minimum score of 70%.
2.The candidate must also complete at least one additional hike of no less than 3 miles, with the same weight and pace requirements above listed as standard hike conditions.
e.1st Class
1.Candidates for 1st Class must complete the second option from the 2nd Class qualification ([a] or [b], whichever was not selected for their 2nd Class qualification), and complete at least one additional hike of 6 miles or more under standard hike conditions.
f.Junior Leader (JL)
1.After having achieved ABB 1st Class, a prospective JL must organize (3) ABB hikes with participation by at least 3 other attendees not related to them. During each of these hikes at least 3 of the 4 or more participants (including the prospective JL) must complete the hike under standard hike conditions, and
2.Complete accredited Basic First Responder and Stop the Bleed medical training, and
3.Obtain a license to operate amateur radio of Technician Class or higher, and
4.Have been an active ABB member of Provisional rank or above for a period of six months.
g.Leader (in progress)
h.Senior Leader (in progress)
Reserved for recommended group training;
Wildland Firefighter
Pioneer/Engineer Skills
Search and Rescue Skills