BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Massachusetts -- Senior Master Sergeant Marc Gauvin, 104th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance superintendent, was a boy scout growing up. He has stayed involved in the scouting community by working with his son Daniel’s troop, Troop 306 in Granby Massachusetts, as the assistant scout master.
Gauvin’s experience as a boy scout had a significant impact on him as a person, and working as an assistant scout master allows him to bond with his son while they have a positive impact on the community.
“I was in scouts growing up, some of the leaders I had, to say they changed my life is not really an exaggeration,” said Gauvin. “They were good guys. They gave up weekends, weeknights, and weeks in the summer for summer camp. To see that commitment, it was a hell of an example.”
Gauvin said many of the values instilled on scouts are similar to those instilled on Airmen in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard.
“There’s no question that there are definite parallels,” said Gauvin. “The boys know the oath, they know the law, and to be prepared,” said Gauvin. “Duty before self and all that, it’s a strong emphasis on morals.”
Gauvin recalled an Eagle Scout project Daniel was involved in at the Granby Senior Center.
“They landscaped the whole area there,” said Gauvin. “They put in picnic tables and birdhouses and really beautified the area so the senior citizens were able to sit outside and just enjoy it.”
Danielle has his own goals to become an Eagle Scout, and said he is ready to put in the hard work to get there. For now, he enjoys how scouting keeps him active.
“I learn how to make new friends and how to camp, do knots, and a lot of stuff,” said Daniel. “We go biking sometimes, and we rock climb.”
Gauvin said he enjoys being able to bond with his son through all the activities they do. They’ve traveled to numerous camps together and he specifically remembers training for a mile swim together when his son was 12.
“It’s very good stuff,” said Gauvin. “It’s being able to do things like that.”
Scouts also learn life skills such as planning, logistics and communication, said Gauvin.
“The knowledge they receive isn’t what you’d find in a school, but that doesn’t make it any less important, or pertinent, or applicable,” said Gauvin. “It’s a great program. The knowledge that they get is phenomenal.”