Eagle Scout - Is it Still Valued?

1SGT, it is a foundation to being organized and learning to communicate verbally, written and while leading a project. A project that is physical evidence of a good, bad or horrible job done. This is why the army gives rank to an Eagle Scout upon enlisting in the Army. If all your soldiers were Eagle Scouts, your job would be by far easier. Wow that would be a nice science experience!

A number of years back during a job interview, I met with a VP. The first words out of his mouth were “I see you were an Eagle Scout.” He spent the entire interview talking about the BSA. Got the job.

I agree, you do have posers (have the rank but not the values), but they not the majority.

CPT Jack Durish For my friends who held the Quartermaster they work as hard, and in some cases harder than I did. One guy I knew made Eagle at 14 and loved the water and EARNED the Quartermaster by near his 18th birthday. This is VERY rare!!!

I got my Eagle in 1972. I understand your point of view. I did know the issue about girls and Explorers. That as manipulation vs "stipulation". But, while it has taken time to correct that issue, it is not the case today. I just sat on this girl's 1st Class Board of Review. She is one of 2 older girls whose brothers are Eagles. Let me tell you. These girls are coming on strong and pushing the boys.

I ask my grandson when girls were approved about that. He said, "Grandpa, it is about time!" Of course I won' tell of the horrible my wife had in 1982 when we attended a Wood Badge Course together before we had children, that soured her on scouting for many, many years. She is proud of our grandson, but while she did not get in the way, she also did not encourage! This "encouragement" was 100% on m, his grandfather. It has been had, managing for ~ 40 yr what one "Professional" told my wife, who had not been exposed to scouting because her rural location, but was a very active 4-H type. Anyway some wounds for scouting have been SELF INFLICTED!!!

I just got asked to serve again on th 2021 National Jamboree staff. that will make me 65 and would be my 7th Jamboree experience (National Jamborees: 1972 - Youth; 1985, 2010, 2013, 2017 - Adult staff; and, World Jamboree 2019 - Adult Medical Logistics.) Like I shared with LCDR Joshua Gillespie the scouts I have seen at these events give me hope if we as adults can keep the - "politics" out and not screw things up!

Gentlemen,
As with everything, leadership is everything. The community in which I live in is a pocket of high Eagle Scout recipients second highest in the US. I have been by my son’s side every inch of the way, I was his den leader in cub scouts. I had to encourage him every step of the way, always asking,”are you sure you want to go one for Eagle?” Answer was always yes. I went away to Afghanistan came back a hot mess, but still encouraged my son. We live in land, with my issues that 8 years later, I am just now beginning to act human again. 9th grade I asked him if he still had Eagle as a goal, he said yes. I said that if you say yes now, I will not let you for any reason quit. I will keep at you and push you until it is done. He said it was something that he definitely wanted. Fast forward one year. He so wanted to give up on the goal, not scouts, just the goal. He didn’t want to have to manage school, fencing, Orchestra, working, church, scouts and Working on Eagle. So tell me how, perseverance, time management, history, community, communication, lifesaving, conservation are not valued? Have you gone all cynical about today’s youth? You have to keep in mind that these boys camp and do outside activities. Don’t degrade one aspect of scouting because of your preference. My son googled Eagle Scout, he had no idea that it was a prestigious award, because so many of our over achiever scouts obtain this rank. Once he realized it was something he could do for himself, by himself (with BSA and local leaders), he started that up hill climb into maturity, self-responsibility and combined effort vs friction against the inevitable. Please don’t place value on the award on what it does for those who can get ‘er done by age 15. Let’s look at how it can shape those who may need an extra push or whose parents are so fucked up that they are barely on the planet. I believe you are judging from a cat bird seat or pedi stool of your own making. Every program speaks to a different need, some get sea sickness rather easily, others would never want to be in a tent. I say thank goodness there are options for everyone and pending on the leadership something is taught or someone just checks a box. Under my command not even Cub Scouts ever just checked a box!

My heart goes out to your wife. I have put up with such nonsense my entire life and certainly my military career. Boy Scouts is no different. It is much less and far gentler when you do run across it, but I recently did run across it from another parent. He was an Eagle Scout (In tank only... he was checking a box with that rank. Had never gone camping with his son until this event his son was 15 years old). This person kept eluding to the fact that he doesn’t psycho analyze. This comment was in response to a rude Scout who was taking out what ever issues he had on his scout leadership. The scout was so rude that I felt it was disrespectful and must be deleted with as it is the collapse of command if insubordination is not felt with respectfully. We were 3 adult leaders deep but this guy keep blowing off the issue and making seem that I was some how “being a mom.” I pulled aside another leader pulled the kid over and gave him a pep talk about his behavior more about how he was a great kid whom the sky is the limit but this attitude and negativity was going to hold him back. He would get there no doubt but it would take a lot longer with this issue. Then called out specific behaviors of insubordination and followed with how he of all people, I knew knows the rules and refs regarding rank and file subordinate and leadership. I knew he knew how and what was not good for the patrol, Ect. I was so pissed at the 3rd leader... the Eagle Scout, I don’t Perform psychoanalysis either but I can see when a good kid is off his game. DUH. I That was my last interaction with our local troop. I was a Major in the Army for Pete’s Sake why do these Men always act like women have no skills and abilities. You can’t be involved in the Army for 17 years Reserve or non that is still 17 years and not learn something about leading and shaping and guiding and helping. But, I give up because I should not have to keep explaining my competently. Men don’t do it why should I?
On a positive note, Girls are now in Boy Scouts and can attain the rank of Eagle! Now that is a miracle! CPO Nate S.