Face of Defense: Eagle Scouts Soar in Intel Battalion

American Forces Press Service | Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke, USAF

[SandRat]

[cblue55]

As the proud mother of an Eagle Scout - God bless ‘em!

[oyez]

I was really enjoying reading that untill I got to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates part. It seems he like forgot a lot of what Scouting tought him.

[Squantos]

I earned the Eagle award in 71. Opened many career opportunities for me. I owe it to my parents who kept me in Scouting.

83 in one unit.....Wow !

[Bullfrogg]

I am a proud scoutmaster...Troop 332 ROCKS.....!

[Hotdog]

Received my Eagle Scout award in 1963...it’s been a blessing in my life since...Thank You BSA for teaching me the values of God, Life and Liberty!

[Squantos]

Salute !

Tough job these days. I am not a scoutmaster but I teach wilderness survival to scouts an their families....

Hope yer well....

[Squantos]

It really does give one good base for leadership an ethics to expand on the rest of our lives.

My medal an certificate along with congrats from Nixon are framed an on my den wall....

I see a lot of the eagle patches but have not attended a court of honor in years. Does the BSA still award the medal ?

[Bullfrogg]

Thanks!

Teaching young boys how to survive in the wilderness
is awesome. They may need it one Day....you are a
true scouter. Keep up the good work...

Bullfrog

[kbennkc]

During a recent meeting with civilian employers, Price said, he asked all the Eagle Scouts in the room to stand. Almost half of his unit stood up. So during the next battalion formation, the Eagle Scouts were asked to stay behind for a group photo. That is when they counted off as 83 Eagle Scouts representing all ranks and many military occupational specialties.

I would have been having deja vu as I was leaving the room as asked. Did he just say "You Webelos go cut some nice green willows. Just wait outside, we will roast hot dogs after the meeting". Talk about a kick in the slats.

[Jenny217]

I can’t get enough of hearing about Boys Scouts. I’m the proud Mother of two Eagle Scouts, they are the best!!

[Hotdog]

I gave a speech for a young man receiving his Eagle Award about 10 years ago...they did give the metals out then...what I noticed was the back side of the Eagle was ground off flat (mine has full feathers on the back)...I mentioned this to my son who is involved in Scouts and he said they now award the Eagle Metal that looks like mine...I guess someone thought it would be a cost savings but it didn’t last long...Let’s face it...for those that have earned it know how hard it is and they should receive the “full” bird...

[Squantos]

Yep....mine is full bird as well....

Grateful for the info.

Nite !

[aliquando]

“You can trust them”, Only until it comes to chow time baby. We are a hungry bunch in the field. Awesome story! Thanks SandRat.

[aliquando]

Just checked mine. Full Bird! May, 1983. Proud Asst. Scoutmaster and father of a Life scout (in two months).

[mike70]

I earned mine in 1963 as well. I pinned it on my son in 2003. One of the proudest days in my life.

[bert]

I took a training course at Philmont dealing with various aspects of older boys, venture, explorers and in a regular troop. There were several leaders from Utah, all were Mormons.

The Mormon church places Scouting in high regard and has troops at many churches. They early recognized the problem with keeping older boys interested and developed solid retention programs and activities.

Since the Guard unit is from Utah, Probably mostly or all Mormon, the fact there are many Eagles is to be expected.

Taking training at Philmont is a fabulous experience. You stay in a leaders tent village, have classes in the Phillips mansion and meet great scouters. All you need is to ask your council office and they will likely get you hooked up.

I’m an Eagle since about 1956 and am a 47 year veteran scouter

[Squantos]

Worked at Philmont three summers when I was a scout an attended it twice with my troop.

Stationed in NM later in in military an I was up there or around it as much as possible.....

Awesome country to hike an camp in.

Still go hunting mulies an elk around there every year....m

NM politics suck yet it is a beautiful landscape...

[RonF]

Yes, the BSA still awards the medal. The presentation kit includes the medal, a patch, a pin, a mother’s pin, a father’s pin, and a mentor’s pin. That last, new since any of you earned Eagle rank, is awarded by the Eagle to an adult who he views as having been important to him. Some Eagles buy one or two more from the Council office and award more than one, although it is not usual.

I do not have the medal or patch. I do have a father’s ping. I have about 5 mentor’s pins.