Tonight, we mourn the loss of former Troop 1396 Scoutmaster Dan Chartier passed away unexpectedly on Friday. Mr. Chartier was a super Scouter and a dear friend. We first met when the Army had brought our two families to Northern Virginia in the summer of 2009 and by coincidence our eldest sons visited Troop 1396 on the same night (and by the end of the meeting both decided to join the Troop). We became fast friends. Mr. Chartier had previously served an Army assignment with our Committee Chair, Mr. Bortner, and it was a joyous reunion between the two. Ultimately all three of Mr. Chartier's sons earned Eagle in Troop 1396: Christian (#71), Nathan (#78), and Jacob (#83).
While still on active duty as an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Colonel, Mr. Chartier became the Troop's 11th Scoutmaster in May of 2012 and held that position for five years. Hundreds of Scouts benefited from his leadership and mentorship during those years with 19 earning Eagle Scout during his tenure. While Scoutmaster, he completed Wood Badge training, served as a Scoutmaster for a 2017 National Jamboree provisional troop, Assistant Scoutmaster of a 2019 World Jamboree provisional troop, and backpacked a Philmont trek. It is also important to note that during this time he completed a six-month deployment to Afghanistan and retired from the Army after 28 years of service, all while Scoutmastering.
After his tenure as Scoutmaster, Mr. Chartier stayed on as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor while also serving as the Prince William District Roundtable Commissioner. He was a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and a recipient of the Unit Leader Award of Merit, the District Award of Merit, and the Silver Beaver award. Outside of Scouting, Mr. Chartier was the Chief Range Safety Officer at Izaak Walton League of America Alexandria Chapter, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and an active member of his church's congregation. After his second retirement, he and his wife had established a new home in Montvale, Virginia where he was elected president of his local beekeeping club.
Mr. Chartier lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law. He was even tempered, friendly, cheerful and patient. He dedicated so much of his time to the mentorship of youth in our community and to helping out friends. We grieve his untimely loss while keeping his memory in our hearts. May we remember and emulate the example that Mr. Chartier set in the way that he led his life.
Please keep Mr. Chartier's wife, Cindy, and children Christian, Emily, Nathan, and Jacob in your prayers.
A Scout is Reverent
Monday, January 19, 2026
Monday, January 12, 2026
Scoutmaster Minute -- 13 January 2026
Some of you may be aware of Ernest Thompson Seton, an author who was one of Scouting's founding fathers in America. Prior to the Scouting movement, Seton had suffered vandalism of his Connecticut home by local youth. In response, he invited the youth to his estate for the weekend and started what would become a youth organization known as the Woodcraft Indians. Intrigued by the program, Baden-Powell befriended Seton and they shared ideas on youth organizations. After Baden-Powell started the Scouting movement in England, Seton became part of the committee that started the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. Of his writings as an author, Seton wrote the first Boy Scouts of America Official Handbook.
Seton was a prolific writer, publishing 77 books. In his 1930 publication, The Book of Woodcraft, Seton wrote:
For a man who is lost, the three greatest dangers in order of importance, are Fear, Cold, and Hunger. He may endure extreme hunger for a week, and extreme cold for a day, but extreme fear may undo him an hour. There is no way of guarding against this greatest danger except by assuring him that he is fortified against the other two.
I have read this passage two ways. First off, the way to keep those dangers at bay is to Be Prepared; have what you need so you do not have to worry, so you do not fear. Then I read it another way when I consider Seton's words "by assuring him that he is fortified…" and I think he means the power of suggestion.
Throughout life we face instances where we have self-doubt, where we just don't know if we are going to make it. The medicine of kind words and assurances from friends and family can positively affect our demeanor and give us the strength and resolve to carry on. I ask you to be that light for others, erasing their fears by assuring them that they will be all right. Let your charity give the others what they need to persevere. Seemingly little actions can have big impacts, making all the difference in the lives of others.
A Scout is Kind.
A Scout is Helpful.
A Scout is Friendly.
Seton was a prolific writer, publishing 77 books. In his 1930 publication, The Book of Woodcraft, Seton wrote:
For a man who is lost, the three greatest dangers in order of importance, are Fear, Cold, and Hunger. He may endure extreme hunger for a week, and extreme cold for a day, but extreme fear may undo him an hour. There is no way of guarding against this greatest danger except by assuring him that he is fortified against the other two.
I have read this passage two ways. First off, the way to keep those dangers at bay is to Be Prepared; have what you need so you do not have to worry, so you do not fear. Then I read it another way when I consider Seton's words "by assuring him that he is fortified…" and I think he means the power of suggestion.
Throughout life we face instances where we have self-doubt, where we just don't know if we are going to make it. The medicine of kind words and assurances from friends and family can positively affect our demeanor and give us the strength and resolve to carry on. I ask you to be that light for others, erasing their fears by assuring them that they will be all right. Let your charity give the others what they need to persevere. Seemingly little actions can have big impacts, making all the difference in the lives of others.
A Scout is Kind.
A Scout is Helpful.
A Scout is Friendly.
Monday, January 5, 2026
Scoutmaster Minute for 6 January 2026
In his 1908 book Scouting for Boys (the earliest Scout Handbook), Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell gave the definition for "Be Prepared." He said:
"BE PREPARED, which means, you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY; Be Prepared in Mind by having disciplined yourself to be obedient to every order, and also by having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it. Be Prepared in Body by making yourself strong and active and able to do the right thing at the right moment, and do it."
Later on someone asked him, "prepared for what?" He famously responded, "why, for any old thing!"
Being Prepared is a mindset. It is hoping for the best but being prepared to handle the worst. For me personally, it was the forethought to pack a wool sweater when traveling to tropical West Africa, even though the temperature was never going to drop below 80 degrees. I sure was glad to have had that sweater when a mystery illness gave me the shivers. Once again, Being Prepared and following the Troop Packing List meant that I had a jacket in July at summer camp two years ago, and let me tell you, we needed jackets two evenings because it was cold in the mountains.
Your training teaches you to Be Prepared. Don't get caught by surprise. Don't let the wish for the best conditions cause you to be ill-prepared for the worst. Prepared for what? Why, for any old thing!
Be Prepared!
"BE PREPARED, which means, you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY; Be Prepared in Mind by having disciplined yourself to be obedient to every order, and also by having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it. Be Prepared in Body by making yourself strong and active and able to do the right thing at the right moment, and do it."
Later on someone asked him, "prepared for what?" He famously responded, "why, for any old thing!"
Being Prepared is a mindset. It is hoping for the best but being prepared to handle the worst. For me personally, it was the forethought to pack a wool sweater when traveling to tropical West Africa, even though the temperature was never going to drop below 80 degrees. I sure was glad to have had that sweater when a mystery illness gave me the shivers. Once again, Being Prepared and following the Troop Packing List meant that I had a jacket in July at summer camp two years ago, and let me tell you, we needed jackets two evenings because it was cold in the mountains.
Your training teaches you to Be Prepared. Don't get caught by surprise. Don't let the wish for the best conditions cause you to be ill-prepared for the worst. Prepared for what? Why, for any old thing!
Be Prepared!
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