The Eagle Scout rank

What It Means To Be An Eagle Scout

It means that you have the ability to be a leader. A leader of like-minded individuals that uphold a creed, a sacred oath. A passion for life and the principals that founded the United States of America. Patriotism is a loyalty you will never break. If called upon, you would voluntarily give your life for your country. But more importantly, you will work to make it better. Duty to God is an ongoing learning and incorporating of similar moral values that ensure that you will be a compassionate and productive citizen.

Eagle Scout is not a patch, an award or certificate to hang on the wall. It is a way to live your life. Although the trail to Eagle is hard work and fun; it is much more. The Eagle rank is an education. Each rank is a chapter. The conclusion is that by earning the Eagle rank the individual has the tools to be a responsible consciences citizen who would gladly advance the group before the individual.

The Eagle Rank is the highest rank a boy can attain in Scouting. You can be proud of your Eagle badge. It stands for your Scouting adventure, the skills you have acquired, and the service you are prepared to give to others. Maybe you once thought as you started up the Scout Trail that you could never hope to reach the Rank of Eagle. But you are now standing on the top of the mountain.

Of any one hundred boys who become Scouts, it must be confessed that thirty will drop out in their first year. Perhaps this may be regarded as a failure, but in later life all of these will remember that had been Scouts and will speak well of the program.

Of the one hundred,

Only rarely will one ever appear before a juvenile court judge
Twelve of the one hundred will be from families that belong to no church. Through Scouting, these twelve and many of their families will be brought into contact with a church and will continue to be active all their lives. Six of the one hundred will become pastors.
Each of the one hundred will learn something from Scouting. Almost all will develop hobbies that will add interest throughout the rest of their lives. Approximately one-half will serve in the military, and in varying degrees profit from their Scout training. At least one will use it to save another person's life and many will credit it with saving their own.
One of the one hundred will reach Eagle rank, and at least 25 percent of the Eagles will later say that he valued their Eagle above their college degree. Many will find their future vocation through merit badge work and Scouting contacts. Seventeen of the one hundred boys will later become Scout leaders and will give leadership to thousands of additional boys.

Only one in four boys in America will become Scouts, but it is interesting to know that of the leaders in this nation in business, religion and politics, three out of four were Scouts.

This story will never end. Like the "Golden Pebble" of service dropped into the human sea it will continue to radiate in ever-widening circles, influencing the characters of men down through unending time.

Scouting's alumni record is equally impressive. A recent nation-wide survey of high schools revealed the following information:

85% of student council presidents were Scouts
89% of senior class presidents were Scouts
80% of junior class presidents were Scouts
75% of school publication editors were Scouts
71% of football captains were Scouts

Scouts also account for:

64% of Air Force Academy graduates
68% of West Point graduates
70% of Annapolis graduates
72% of Rhodes Scholars
85% of F.B.I. agents
26 of the first 29 astronauts