Officer Ranks
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Introduction
All Ranks and Insignias are commissioned by GSL within the Group without exception. Rank is the basic measure of “Authority”. While each Sectional Leader may have discretion on the difficulty in achieving each rank with GSL’s approval, Sectional Leaders may not on their own accord grant/promote/demote any ranks (Though Sectional Leaders are fully authorized to grant Positions.) A Sectional Leader may however ‘suspend’ a person’s rank in extreme situations, subjected to a testimony in the next Scouter Council with full disclosure. Each section may have their own subset of Member Ranks and Insignias with the approval of GSL. Officer ranks are for warranted leaders serving at Group Level only and universal for all sections. Insignias are standardized and may not be altered.
Officer Ranks can occasionally be used to make a quick judgement call when a vote is not the best course of action. Though generally in 6th Kowloon Group, our culture tries to limit "rank pulling" to a minimum, and instead, lower rank officers should try to understand why a superior officer might be making a decision that they may not agree in. Disobeying a superior rank, like in any organization is frowned upon, and will likely lead to disciplinary action if necessary.
Colonel
Grade: O-7 Colonel Position: Group Scout Leader
GSL is the Colonel (O-7) of 6th Kowloon Group, incharge of all ranks under. GSL is appointed by Group President and approved by District Commissioner (DC). GSL is the warranted Leader of the Scout Group, where the ultimate point of responsibility is at. GSL reports group progress to both Sponsor (President) and District/Region Commissioners, and will communicate the Group's constitution with DC to ensure it is continuously supported. GSL will maintain all sections’ training and administration standards, appointing Sectional leaders and making sure each section’s training and regulation is in compliance with this Constitution. GSL has the responsibility and obligation to ensure the Sectional Leaders are up to standard, thus requiring a Sectional update from the Leaders in Scouter Council regularly. GSL is also the Judge/Jury of the Disciplinary Court, and required signer of the Group Treasury.
Lieutenant Colonel
Grade: O-6 Lieutenant Colonel Position: Assistant Group Scout Leader
AGSL will be given the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (O-6) upon appointment. Usually chosen from very seasoned SL from a section. As the troop reaches a large critical mass, AGSL's role is to assist the GSL in carrying out his command in respective sections. An AGSL might watch over 1 or 2 sections. An AGSL that watches over more than one section will have an insignia with 2 stars. AGSL is promoted via appointment by the GSL, and might be dedicated to assist the Group Chairman's management of the Lay committee as well.
Commander
Grade: O-5 Commander Position: Scout Leader
Section Commander/ Scout Leader will be given the rank of Commander (O-5) upon appointment. SL is capable of running the section independently, occasionally requiring GSL / Council approval for certain matters . SL is via Appointment of GSL only, usually chosen from Active ASLs of 6th Kowloon Group. Min age is 21. SL’s role requires active duty service, and a retiring SL may choose to return to ASL for relief. Reports to GSL. The Scout leader is responsible for running the entire section's activities and incharged of all matters within. Special deviation that requires GSL intervention will be usually either a 'disciplinary action', or 'promotion recommendation'.
Lieutenant Commander
Grade: O-4 Lieutenant Commander Position: Assistant Scout Leader
The rank of O4 is given to an ASL that have served multiple years of active service who have experienced a full cycle of students and handovers. This is special recognition promotion given to an ASL with the level of experience and commitment. A special distinguishment is also made among the O4 who has the most seniority with an extra star on his/her insignia. The Scout Association's Wood Badge program will be used as a tiebreaker among candidates of equal qualifications.
Captain
Grade: O-3 Captain Position: Junior Assistant Scout Leader
Non-students/Old-Boys returning to serve the scout group will start as O-2, and will graduate into O-3 (Captain) upon showing steady commitment for 3 months (12 meetings). O-3 is the learning phase of being non-student leader, O3's are expected to be very responsible and pro-active, and maybe assigned a specific branch to focus in to start with. Min age is 18 for warrant issue. Approved to sign achievements in Chief Scout Award.
Lieutenant
Grade: O-2 Lieutenant Position: Student-Leader/Instructor
The Rank of O-2 is given to a Group Officer who is either. 1, The Student-Leader of a Scout Session, who has completed his training. 2, An Adult leader helping as an instructor of a Scout Session. Should this person be dedicated to help the Troop/Cubs, then the Position of Instructor will usually be granted as well.
Cadet
Grade: O-1 Cadet Position: Student-Leader/Instructor
The Rank of O-1 is given to a Group Officer who is a Student-Leader of a Scout Session, who is currently in training. Often given will be a Position of Instructor in the Scout Troop/Cub Pack, or the Student-Leader/Chairman of VSU.
