Eagle Scout
| Eagle Scout | ||
|---|---|---|
| Medal | Badge (Youth) |
Square Knot (Adult) |
| Eagle Scout Palms | ||
| Bronze | Gold | Silver |
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable by a Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and is used as a title of a Scout who has achieved this honor. From its introduction in 1911, the rank of Eagle Scout has been earned by more than one million Scouts, many of whom have gone on to lives of great distinction. A cloth badge with the Eagle Scout sign may be worn on the uniform. The rank is comparable to Queen's Scout in other countries.
Eagle Scout in everyday life
The highly respected Boy Scout rank of Eagle Scout is considered to be a significant honor, is looked upon as an achievement even much later in life, and is the only Boy Scout rank that may be worn on an adult Scouter's uniform.[1]. About four percent of Scouts attain the rank, and many have become notable for accomplishments in their later life and career.[2] Eagle Scouts are expected to set an example for other Scouts and to become the leaders in life that they have demonstrated themselves to be in Scouting. They are disproportionately represented in the military, service academy graduates, the major professions, business and politics. [3]
Eagle Scouts can join the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA), an organization that serves as a fellowship and communications board for all Eagle Scouts. The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) is a special award, given only to Eagle Scouts, for distinguished service in their profession and the community for a period of at least 25 years after earning the Eagle Scout rank.
History
In 1911, Scouting's highest award was conceived of as the Wolf Award, but was quickly changed to Eagle Scout. The medal shown in the Official Handbook for Boys (1911) was a profile of an eagle in flight, but was changed to the current design before any were issued. As originally conceived, Life Scout, Star Scout and Eagle Scout were not ranks, but part of the merit badge system that recognized Scouts who earned a number of merit badges. Eagle Scout was awarded to any First Class Scout who had earned 21 merit badges.[4] Eight of the first nine Eagle Scouts did not earn Life Scout or Star Scout.[5]
The first Eagle Scout medal was awarded in 1912 to Arthur Rose Eldred, a 17 year-old member of Troop 1, Oceanside, Long Island, New York. In a letter from Chief Scout Executive James West, dated August 21, 1912, Eldred was notified that he was to be awarded Eagle Scout. The design of the Eagle Scout medal had not been finalized by the National Council, so the medal was not awarded until Labor Day, September 2, 1912. Eldred was the first of three generations of Eagle Scouts: his son and grandson are also Eagle Scouts.[6] [7] Since then more than one and a half million Boy Scouts have earned the rank. In 1982, 13 year-old Alexander Holsinger, of Normal, Illinois, was recognized as the one millionth Eagle Scout. 49,328 Scouts attained the Eagle Scout rank in 2002, more than in any other year.[8]
Eagle Scout requirements have evolved over the years. A requirement to earn specific merit badges was added in 1914. The Life–Star order was reversed in 1924, apparently because the 5-pointed star of the Star Scout insignia could be associated with the 5 merit badges required to earn the first rank after First Class Scout.[5] In 1927 the transition from Eagle Scout being a super merit badge to a rank began with the first requirements for tenure: the Scout had to be an active First Class Scout for one year. The ranks of Star and Life became mandatory in 1936 along with an increase of required merit badges to 13– this is when Eagle Scout became a full-fledged rank. In 1952, age limits were set so that adults could no longer earn Eagle. 1958 saw another increase in the number of required merit badges to 16 of the 21 needed to obtain Eagle. In 1965 the requirement to perform community service was added, as was six months of troop leadership requirement while a Life Scout. The Improved Scouting Program in 1972 increased the number of merit badges needed to obtain Eagle to 24 while reducing the required merit badges to 10. Until 1972, Explorers who were also registered as an assistant Scoutmaster in a troop could work on Eagle until age 21.[9] In 1978 the total needed for Eagle was dropped back to the original 21 with a change of required merit badges to 11 and eventually to the current 12 in 1999.[5]
Eagle Scout hat pins have been produced since 1921 with several variations.[10]The cloth badge was introduced in 1924 for the Eagle Scouts attending the World Jamboree in Denmark. Since Eagle Scout was part of the merit badge system, the badge was worn at the top of the merit badge sash. Eagle Scouts who earned more merit badges were recognized by the Eagle Palms introduced in 1927. Adults who had earned Eagle Scout began to be recognized in 1934 with a red, white and blue ribbon bar. In 1940, an eagle device was added to the bar. Ribbon bars were replaced by embroidered square knot patches in 1947.[11] Over the years, the knot was produced with various background colors to match the different uniforms.[12] When the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award was created in 1969, a gold eagle device was introduced for wear on the Eagle Scout square knot. The Eagle Scout Mentor pin was introduced in early 2004 in a gold-plated version, and was changed in early 2006 to pewter to match the mother and father pins.
Eagle Scout requirements
The rank is awarded when the Scout:[13]
- Has six months active tenure as a Life Scout.
- Demonstrates Scout Spirit
- Earns 21 merit badges, including 12 from the required list
- Serves for six months as a leader in the troop, team or crew.
- Plans, develops, and gives leadership to a service project (generally known as Eagle Project). This is a major point of the award and the requirement best known by the general public when Eagle Scout is mentioned: it demonstrates both leadership and a commitment to duty.
- Takes part in a Scoutmaster conference before his eighteenth birthday.
- Completes an Eagle Scout Board of Review.
Scouts with a permanent mental or physical disability may use alternate requirements, based on the Scout's abilities, and approved by the council.
Eagle Scout may be awarded posthumously, if and only if all requirements are completed before death. A board of review may be held and the award presented to the Scout's family. Such Scouts may also be considered for the Spirit of the Eagle Award.
Venturers who have attained First Class as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout in a troop or team may continue working for the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks and Eagle Palms while registered as an Venturer up to their 18th birthday.
Eagle Palms
Eagle Palms but are not themselves a rank, but are awarded as an additional recognition to an Eagle Scout for earning more merit badges and completing tenure and leadership requirements.[14] Palms are awarded in the order of bronze, gold, and silver, repeating for additional palms.
Insignia and apparel
The Eagle Scout medal is worn on the left shirt pocket flap of the uniform. The medal is usually only worn on ceremonial occasions, and can be worn by both youth and adults. The medal may be worn with the badge or square knot on special occasions. The Eagle Scout badge is worn on the left shirt pocket by youth.[15] Beginning in 1947, adult leaders who earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a youth may wear the square knot on their uniform, sewn above the left shirt pocket. [1] Eagle Scouts have always received an Eagle medal, but it was not until 1924 that they also received a cloth Eagle badge.
The Eagle Presentation Kit has changed over the years, but currently includes the Eagle Scout medal, the Eagle Scout badge, a mother's pin, a father's pin and an Eagle Mentor pin. A variety of caps, belt buckles, pin, neckerchiefs and slides, bolo ties, rings, jackets, t-shirts and other items are also available for purchase.[16]
Other opportunities
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) is a special award, given only to Eagle Scouts, for distinguished service in their profession and the community for a period of at least 25 years after earning the Eagle Scout rank. Only about 1/10th of 1% of all Eagle Scouts have been honored with this prestigious award.
Eagle Scouts who enlist in the US military may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.[17][18]
Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for Eagle Scouts:
- Elks National Foundation: Elks' Eagle Scout Scholarship[19]
- National Jewish Committee on Scouting: Eagle Scout Scholarship Programs[20]
- Sons of the American Revolution: Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Scholarship[21]
History of the Eagle Scout badge
| 1924-1932 | 1933-1955 | 1956-1972 | 1972-1974 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975-1985 | 1985-1986 | 1986-1989 | 1989-present |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
From its introduction in 1924, the Eagle Scout badge has undergone several design changes. Scouting historians have classified eight different designs, with several minor variations within each type[22]
- 1924—1932 The cloth Eagle Scout badge was introduced in 1924 and was based on a hat pin from 1921– the design is quite similar to the current badge. As with other patches of the time, the badges were embroidered onto rolls of fabric and then cut. The edges were folded under before sewing the badge to the uniform. The first versions were specially created for Eagle Scouts attending the World Jamboree in Denmark. Initially produced on tan cloth, it later switched to olive for the Boy Scout uniform and white, black and blue to match the various Sea Scout uniforms.
- 1933—1940 The text "Eagle Scout" and "Boy Scouts of America" was added to the border. These badges were embroidered with silk thread, switching to cotton in 1940. A version on green cloth was added to match the Explorer uniform.
- 1956—1972 The production of badges and emblems changed to the rolled edge now in current use, thus the various colored backgrounds were eliminated. The outside oval changed to red.
- 1972—1975 With the introduction of the Improved Scouting Program came an overhaul of many badges and emblems. The new stylized Eagle Scout badge was a major change that proved to be unpopular.
- 1975—1985 The badge design partially reverted to the type 3 version.
- 1985—1986 The badge now reverted to the type 3 version with some minor differences. The border and the eagle were done in silver Mylar and the "Be Prepared" text was in blue.
- 1986—1989 The Mylar eagle changed back to silver thread due to problems with wearing. The scroll and text were enlarged.
- 1989—present The Mylar border was changed to silver thread. Later variants increased the thread count of the white stripe to eliminate the visible background.
Awards similar to Eagle Scout
As Eagle Scout is the highest award in the BSA's Boy Scout program, it is considered comparable both to the highest awards in other BSA programs as well as to the highest awards in other Scouting organizations.
In other BSA programs
- Arrow of Light, Cub Scouts
- Silver Award, Venturing
- Quartermaster Award, Sea Scouts
- Wood Badge, a leadership program for adult Scouters
In other Scouting organizations
- Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of the Philippines
- Gold Award, Girl Scouts of the USA
- Gold Medal of Achievement, Royal Rangers
- King Scout, The National Scout Organization of Thailand
- Queen's Scout or King's Scout Award, United Kingdom and several other countries
- Queen's Venturer Award, Scouts Canada (formerly the Queen's Scout Award)
- Springbok Scout Award, South African Scout Association
See also
- List of Eagle Scouts
- List of Distinguished Eagle Scout Award recipients
- Advancement and recognition in the Boy Scouts of America
- History of merit badges (Boy Scouts of America)
Footnotes
- ↑ a b Insignia Guide 2005. Boy Scouts of America, 2005, #33066E.
- ↑ Eagle Scouts. In: BSA Fact Sheet. Boy Scouts of America, abgerufen 12. Februar.
- ↑ One Hundred Scouts and More Scout Statistics. Troop 923, 2006, abgerufen 19. Mai.
- ↑ BSA Editorial Board: The Official Handbook for Boys. Doubleday, Page and Company, Garden City, NY 1911.
- ↑ a b c Robert Peterson: Evolution of the Eagle Scout Award. In: Scouting Magazine. Boy Scouts of America, 2002, abgerufen 22. Mai.
- ↑ The BSA’s First Eagle Scout: Arthur Rose Eldred. In: Eagle Scout Resource Center. 2006, abgerufen 6. März.
- ↑ Ray, Mark: Eagle Scout Heritage Celebration Brings History to Life. In: Eagletter. Vol:31. Jahrgang, No:3, S. pp: 8–9.
- ↑ Famous Eagle Scouts. In: Troop 179. 2006, abgerufen 19. Mai.
- ↑ Mike Walton: When Eagle Age Limit Was Imposed. In: Scouts-L Archive. 1996, abgerufen 7. März.
- ↑ Craig Murray: Eagle Scout Miniature Badge Pin. In: Boy Scout Badge History. Abgerufen 24. Mai.
- ↑ George Crowl: Illustrated History of BSA Square Knot Evolution. (PDF) Abgerufen Format invalid.
- ↑ Craig Murray: Eagle Square Knot. In: Boy Scout Badge History. Abgerufen 24. Mai.
- ↑ Eagle Rank Requirements. U.S. Scouting Service Project, abgerufen 17. Mai.
- ↑ Eagle Palm Rank Requirements. U.S. Scouting Service Project, abgerufen 17. Mai.
- ↑ Boy Scout/Varsity Scout Uniform Inspection Sheet,Item #34283. (PDF) Boy Scouts of America, 2000, abgerufen 6. März.
- ↑ ScoutStuff.org. Boy Scouts of America, abgerufen Format invalid.
- ↑ AFRS Instruction 36-2001, Recruiting Procedures for the Air Force. (PDF) US Air Force, 2005, abgerufen 6. März.
- ↑ Military Personnel Procurement Manual, Volume 2, Enlisted Procurement. (PDF) US Marine Corps, 2004, abgerufen 6. März.
- ↑ Eagle Scout Awards. Elks National Foundation, abgerufen 24. Mai.
- ↑ Eagle Scout Scholarship Programs. National Jewish Committee on Scouting, BSA, abgerufen 24. Mai.
- ↑ Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Scholarship. In: Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Scholarship. Sons of the American Revolution, abgerufen 24. Mai.
- ↑ Craig Murray: The Eagle Badge. In: Boy Scout Badge History. Abgerufen 21. Mai.
References
- Eagle Scout Resource Center. 2006, abgerufen 6. März.
- Craig Murray: The Eagle Scout Medals. In: Boy Scout Badge History. Abgerufen 6. März.
- Eagle Scout Requirements: A Comparison of the BSA's Eagle Requirements since 1911. In: Troop 97. Troop 97, 2003, abgerufen 6. März.