Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Advancement
May 20, 2003
George Denise, Scoutmaster

Tonight, we recognized a number of Scouts for their advancement; some on the Trail to First Class, some on the Trail to Eagle. As you climb the Trail to First Class, first Tenderfoot, then Second Class, finally First Class, you are learning the skills it takes to become a "first class Scout". As you do so, the badges you are earning make up the various parts of the First Class Badge. First, as Tenderfoot, you earn the right to wear the fleur-de-lis or the three-pointed background. Then, as Second Class, you earn the right to wear the scroll with the Scout motto, "Be Prepared" on it. Finally, as you complete the requirements for First Class, you earn the right to wear the entire Boy Scout badge. You are now a complete "first class scout".

On the one hand, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, said, "I do not consider a boy a real Scout until he has completed the requirements for First Class." On the other hand, he also stated "A boy should not be a badge collector, completing requirements just for the sake of earning the badge." In Scout advancement, each boy proceeds at his own speed. Your rate of advancement depends entirely on you. In Scout advancement you are not trying to get ahead of anyone else - you are enjoying the activities, learning the skills, and doing your best. You move as far and as fast as your own ambition carries you. Advancement through Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class is a natural outgrowth of your patrol and troop experiences; the skills we learn and practice at meetings, the activities we participate in on outings, even the games we play often fulfill the requirements for advancement. In Cub Scouts your den leader asked for your book each week and filled in the advancement for you. In Boy Scouts, you are expected to bring your book and once you demonstrate the skills, it is up to you to find a First Class Scout (or above) to sign off the requirements for you. In earning merit badges, you are even more on your own. It is up to you to determine what merit badge you would like to earn, find a merit badge counselor to work with, make and keep appointments with him or her, complete the work, and have the counselor sign it off.

Why do we earn merit badges? Two main reasons: to encourage you to increase your skill in things you like to do and to give you a chance to try out new activities that may result in new interests. Many men who were once Scouts feel that their entire lives were influenced by their experiences in Scouting. Former President Gerald Ford, looked upon as one of our presidents of highest integrity, was an Eagle Scout and credited Scouting's values as his greatest influence. Steven Spielberg, director of such movies as ET, Jaws, the Indiana Jones movies, and most recently, A.I., was an Eagle Scout and first developed his interest in cinematography working on Photography Merit Badge.

All of you are capable of becoming Eagle Scouts. But not all of you will. Nationally, just between one and two Scouts out of 100 become Eagles. Within our troop, the odds are a little better. Between 1989 and 1996, 29% of the boys that joined our troop, almost one-third, earned Eagle. Boys that joined after that are still in the troop and still working toward Eagle. Almost all of the Scouts who stayed in the troop for five years or longer, with just three exceptions, earned Eagle. It's not that hard. But some of you will move away and not join a new troop. Some of you will become active in other areas: sports, school clubs, band, drama, student government, and will not be able to keep up with everything. Sometimes, you just have to make choices. Some of you will drop out for no real reason at all, other than to show your independence, or to hang out with new friends who aren't Scouts.

Life is full of choices. We will all make some good ones, and we will make some bad ones. But only you can make them, and then you have to live with them.

As a Scoutmaster, I am often asked to write letters of reference for Scouts who are trying to get into prestigious schools, or into a particular college. It is not enough to simply have been a Scout, or even to have been an Eagle Scout. Most schools are looking for good grades, high SAT scores, community involvement and indications of leadership and future success. Achieving Eagle can help with these last three. On the back of every letter of recommendation, after noting the particular accomplishments of the Scout, I write the following (I have been told by several people that these letters were the deciding factor in their getting into the school of their choice):

There is a very high correlation between those that enjoy the Scouting program and stay with it, and success in later life.

Nationally, one in four boys, 25%, become Scouts. Yet a nation-wide survey of high schools a few years ago revealed that 89% of senior class presidents were Scouts, 85% of student council presidents were Scouts, 80% of junior class presidents were Scouts, 75% of school publication editors were Scouts, and 71% of football captains were Scouts.

Former Scouts make up 64% of Air Force Academy graduates, 65% of U.S. Congressmen, 68% of West Point graduates, 70% of Annapolis graduates, 70% of those who appear in Who's Who, 85% of FBI agents, and 75% of Rhodes Scholars.

In the general population, 83% have graduated from high school, yet of those who were Scouts, 98% have graduated from high school. While in the general population, 16% have graduated from college, of those who were Scouts, 40% have graduated from college.

Of the 214 former and present astronauts, 142 took part in Scouting and 33 achieved Eagle.

Of the twelve men who have walked on the surface of the moon, eleven were Scouts, two achieved Eagle.

Of the seven U.S. Presidents who were born recently enough to be in Scouting, three were Scouts and one was an Eagle. In addition, recent candidates for President who are Eagle Scouts include Michael Dukakis, Ross Perot, and Lamar Alexander.

So there it is. Another reason to stay in Scouting! Thank you. And may God be with you.