Quartermaster Award (Boy Scouts of America)
Encyclopedia
The Quartermaster Award is the highest rank attainable in the Sea Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America
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The blue stands for the loyalty to country; the compass suggests the importance of a carefully chosen direction in life; the wheel reminds Sea Scouts that they are the guides of their own future; the anchor reminds the Sea Scout that a truly worthy life must be anchored in duty to God.
The badge is a cloth patch bearing the wheel and compass emblem on a red background with a white border. Recipients may wear the corresponding square knot insignia, with a blue knot on a white background on the BSA uniform.
After completion of requirements, the Sea Scout needs to receive approval from the Skipper, typically by a conference, the Quarterdeck, by the Boatswain at the Quarterdeck Meeting, the Ship Committee, and the Council Advancement Committee by Bridge of Review.
In 1962 there were 26,751 registered Sea Explorers, and 124 achieved the rank of Quartermaster in that year. In 1966 there were 18,210 registered Sea Explorers, and 82 achieved the rank of Quartermaster in that year. Current statistics for Sea Scouts who earn Quartermaster are not published, however probably less are earned than the years that were published.
, the Venturing Silver Award
, and the Varsity Scouting Denali Award. Other Scouting movements and many non-Scouting organizations have similar programs and awards.
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
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Award
The award consists of a medal suspended from a blue ribbon; the ribbon is suspended from a silver colored bar bearing the design of a double carrick bend knot. The medal is a silver ship's wheel with a compass inscribed inside the wheel and bearing the Sea Scouting emblem consisting of the universal BSA insignia superimposed on an anchor.The blue stands for the loyalty to country; the compass suggests the importance of a carefully chosen direction in life; the wheel reminds Sea Scouts that they are the guides of their own future; the anchor reminds the Sea Scout that a truly worthy life must be anchored in duty to God.
The badge is a cloth patch bearing the wheel and compass emblem on a red background with a white border. Recipients may wear the corresponding square knot insignia, with a blue knot on a white background on the BSA uniform.
Requirements
After completing all previous ranks, Apprentice, Ordinary, and Able; the Sea Scout can earn the Quartermaster Award.- Ideals: Must lead a discussion on "participating citizenship" and submit a paper on the "World Brotherhood of Scouting."
- Membership: Attend at least 75 percent of ship meetings and activities for 18 months. Present a talk on Sea Scouting and complete a service project.
- Special Skills: Complete the 11 special skills required for Quartermaster, which include:
- Boats
- Marlinspike Seamanship
- Ground Tackle
- Piloting
- Signaling
- Swimming
- Cruising
- Safety
- First Aid
- Rules of the Road
- Weather
- Electives: Complete four of the following electives: sailing, engine, radio, boat maintenance, electricity, navigation, drill, piloting, rigging, yacht racing crew.
After completion of requirements, the Sea Scout needs to receive approval from the Skipper, typically by a conference, the Quarterdeck, by the Boatswain at the Quarterdeck Meeting, the Ship Committee, and the Council Advancement Committee by Bridge of Review.
Origins
It is currently unknown when the Quartermaster Award was introduced, however the first recorded Quartermaster was in May 1929. On December 12, 1930, the Quartermaster badge was approved by the National Executive board. It cost $3.00. Extensive changes to advancement requirements were made in October 1938 by the National Sea Scouting Committee. On September 1, 1949 Sea Exploring was created. The only change in name was from Sea Scouts to Sea Explorers, or Quartermaster Explorers.In 1962 there were 26,751 registered Sea Explorers, and 124 achieved the rank of Quartermaster in that year. In 1966 there were 18,210 registered Sea Explorers, and 82 achieved the rank of Quartermaster in that year. Current statistics for Sea Scouts who earn Quartermaster are not published, however probably less are earned than the years that were published.
Highest awards in other programs
The Quartermaster Award is the highest award in Sea Scouting. The highest awards in other BSA membership divisions are: the Cub Scouting Arrow of Light, the Boy Scouting Eagle ScoutEagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
, the Venturing Silver Award
Silver Award (Boy Scouts of America)
The Silver Award is the highest award in the Venturing program of the Boy Scouts of America. It requires Venturers to first earn one of five Bronze Awards, earn the Gold Award, have one year's tenure in a crew, and fulfill requirements relating to emergency preparedness, leadership skills, and...
, and the Varsity Scouting Denali Award. Other Scouting movements and many non-Scouting organizations have similar programs and awards.