OOW Studios

There is a progression that one makes as a man. It can be summed up through fabric and stitching in the form of ranks and merit badges. You begin your trek by earning the right to be called a simple Scout, a plebe by all accounts. You memorize a bit of key scouting information and doctrine and you earn your right to be among their ranks. Secret handshake is optional.

Your identity begins to take root as you taverse the trials of the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class. Each step requires more exposure to life and the acquisition of more merit badges. There is a myth that must now be destroyed. Underwater basket-weaving is nowhere to be found in their knowledge base. A vicious rumor. Wilderness Survival works well with Environmental Science as long as you do not have a bear trampling your camp. Beware! Do not spill food on your sleeping bag.

When you reach the rank of Star, you are rising above the masses. By this time, you have been a Patrol Leader for some period of time and have had a chance to lead your own group of Boy Scout initiates. As the banker for your patrol, you may have had the opportunity to create your own social hierarchy while on your various trips. Perhaps, the Hershey’s candy bars were intended solely for the patrol royalty, of which you preside as king. Do not let this go to your head. You are a Boy Scout and must rise above such base acts, although these lessons do carry universal application outside of your Troop.

Life is the rank you acquire next. You are asked to experience more of the same, accept more responsibility, earn more badges and tie more knots. The Bowline is my personal favorite because it can be used to separate the novice from the Scout whose star is on the rise. You see, it’s called the ‘King of Knots’ for its strength and inability to slip or jam. And, because it’s king it’s hard to tie, but that is not what makes it the elite knot. While it’s called a Bowline the actual word is pronounced Bo’lin. So, should one want to tie this knot there is more than one way to humiliate him in the process. After all, life has an occasional humiliation and a Life Scout must ‘Be Prepared’ for this situation. Damn, I’m good.

To become an Eagle Scout, you will endure your most difficult task and in my opinion, gain practical experience with which you can apply to much of your life. You will organize a service project and come face to face with bureaucracy in all of its splendor. Imagine, if you will, trying to organize young boy scouts with the intention of painting a mural of the continental United States for one of your community schools. Yelling is a must at this point. You may have to untangle a pair of brothers who are fighting over who will wield the sponge brush. And, everyone wants to paint your home state of Arizona. When the service project is complete it is you who will be able to take all the credit. Again, a powerful life lesson to say the least.

But, you will not become an Eagle Scout until a board of review hears your plea and can vouch for your personal integrity and commitment to living by the guidelines held so dear by the organization. It’s at this time that you really need to focus on concealing any of your personal faults. Within the troop, there is an unspoken code that forgives any indiscretions. Twisty-tying someone in their tent thereby forcing said someone to shit their pants is written off as camp hijinx. All incidents of throwing knives, brandishing ninja stars and starting fires are forgiven. And with pride, your Troop shares in the glory of having assisted another boy scout in his quest for the rank of Eagle Scout.

It’s simple to see how the life of a scout mirrors the trials of everyday life. An Eagle Scout is well-prepared to communicate effectively with his environment. He is a superb negotiator and an even better salesman. He can secure your cargo, lead you through treacherous woods and make it home in time to cook dinner. His skills are innumerable and his senses keen. The next time you meet a scout, don’t be intimidated. We are simply men, just like you.

Greg Stuetze