Issue 605 – June 25, 2019

Dear Andy,

Can I ask you some questions? In addition to being in a Scouts BSA troop, I’m also a Sea Scout. I’ve earned Eagle Scout rank and also received a bronze palm at the court of honor. Can I work on additional palms through my Sea Scout Ship instead of my troop? I’m still pretty active with my troop, but I’m spending most of my time with my shipmates right now. I have just enough time between now and my 18th birthday to earn a silver palm (I’m working toward my gold palm right now), but my new “blue cards” are from my troop; not the ship. Does it matter where the blue cards came from? I’m also confused about whether I can have a Scoutmaster conference with my Skipper or with my Scoutmaster, partly because the blue cards are signed by the Scoutmaster. Can you help me figure this out? (I’ve cc’d a parent here) (Scout’s Name Withheld, Patriots’ Path Council, NJ)

Here are the current requirements for Eagle palms: After becoming an Eagle Scout and receiving the Eagle Palms you are entitled to, you may earn additional Palms by completing the following requirements: (1) Be active in the Boy Scouts of America for at least three months after becoming an Eagle Scout or after the last Palm was earned, (2) Since earning the Eagle Scout rank or your last Eagle Palm, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law; tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life, (3) Continue to set a satisfactory example of accepting responsibility or demonstrating leadership ability, (4) Earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle or last Palm, (6) While an Eagle Scout participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

So now let’s review…
Requirement 1 says that you will “be active in the BSA.” It does not require being active in a specific unit type. This means that, as a Sea Scout active with a ship, this can count toward Requirement 1.

Requirement 3 doesn’t specify where you “continue to set a satisfactory example of accepting responsibility or demonstrating leadership ability,” so that if this is done as a member of your ship, this would certainly count as “satisfactory.” This requirement could also be met by you as a member of an OA lodge or chapter, church youth group, student government at school, or other youth organization, since it doesn’t specify that this requirement be met in a Scouting unit!

Requirements 2 and 5 can be accomplished in the same conversation, specifically with your Scoutmaster. Here, you can describe to your Scoutmaster how you accepted responsibility or demonstrated leadership ability in whatever youth group or groups you choose (refer to req. 3).

So, since you’ll be registered in your troop for no less than the next six months, and this is where you earned your Eagle and first palm, my overall recommendations are…

(a) Have a conference with your Scoutmaster right away, to review this conversation between you and me—especially reviewing the requirements—and reach an agreement with him on how you’d like to proceed.

(b) Keep your Skipper informed of what you’re doing.

(c) Remain registered in your troop till your 18th birthday (this should be simple!).

(d) Continue your activities with your shipmates.

(e) Preschedule your Scoutmaster conferences so that they match your necessary dates.

(f) Pick merit badges that would be FUN and then enjoy your new knowledge!
==========
Hi Andy,

My father said I should ask you… My Eagle court of honor is next week and there’s an “Eagle Scout Mentor” pin in the presentation box. What am I supposed to do with this? Can I present more than one mentor pin, or just one and that’s all. Are there any rules on who to give it to? Thanks! (BTW, my Dad is copied on this email) (Scout’s Name Withheld, North Star Council, AK)

Thanks for reaching out! The GUIDE TO AWARDS AND INSIGNIA says that the Eagle Mentor Pin is “For (a) non-parent who was instrumental in the Scout earning (his) Eagle; for non-uniform wear.”

I checked the “BRYAN ON SCOUTING” BSA blog, and the only reference there (10/11/13) said that this pin “Isn’t appropriate for (the new Eagle Scout’s) troop-mates,” but doesn’t go on to specify or suggest anything further. I also checked the BSA’s online resource, “Awards Central” (https://www.scouting.org/awards/awards-central/) and was surprised that this recognition wasn’t listed…or maybe I just couldn’t find it.

So, in the absence of any further official guidance, I’m going to give you my own thoughts, in a sort-of chat…

Let’s start with what we do know. First, we know that this isn’t a pin for Mom or Dad because they each receive a special pin of their very own to signify their support of your quest an attainment of the rank. And we know it’s apparently not for other Scouts (although I might argue that a fellow Scout—your Patrol Leader or Senior Patrol Leader, for instance—may indeed have played an important role in your earning Eagle). It looks like it’s specifically for adults. And we know that it’s not for uniform wear, although you’ve already probably seen lots of Scouters wearing them (oh, well…this isn’t the Marines!). Beyond these guidelines, it’s pretty wide-open!

You might say that every single adult you’ve encountered—your Scoutmaster and assistants, your troop’s Eagle advisor, and maybe even all the merit badge counselors who mentored you through the 21 necessary for this rank should get this pin. After all, they’ve all been “instrumental” in your earning Eagle. Yup, that’s a lot of pins, but with “instrumental” as the guidance, this is actually an option. This might even extend to a coach or music director who excused you from practices or rehearsals at critical times so you could complete your Eagle Service Project.

But to me, even though these pins cost only $3.99, their significance goes way beyond their price. I’d have to say they’re not really for handing out like they’re Skittles or M&Ms.

A close friend and fellow commissioner I’ve known for my entire Scouting life and beyond recently received an Eagle Scout Mentor pin—something of a rarity for a commissioner. He already wears so many “square knots” on his uniform that he’s had to raise and re-sew the World Crest over his left pocket at least three times, yet he told me, “Of all the recognitions I’ve earned or received, the Eagle Scout Mentor pin stands alone: It’s the one and only recognition that was ever given to me by a Scout. It means more to me than all the rest.”

This tells me it should be special. Yes, I know your Scoutmaster’s always been there for you, but isn’t that what Scoutmasters agree to do when they sign on for the job? Same with all other Scouting volunteers; they’ve all signed on to serve the youth of their Scouting unit, community, district, and council.

So maybe this is easier than we thought! Maybe it’s a matter of just asking this one question…

“Who, in my experience, went beyond their normal Scouting role—went above and beyond—to play a crucial role in my deciding to and then achieving my goal of earning the pinnacle rank Eagle represents.”

I think that if you approach it this way the answer will reveal itself. Very best wishes, Brother Eagle.

Happy Scouting!

Andy

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Write to askandybsa@yahoo.com. Please include your name and council. (If you’d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that’s what we’ll do.)

[No. 605 – 6/25/2019 – Copyright © Andy McCommish 2019]