On Being an Eagle Scout

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My friend and fellow board member at the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America is an exemplary leader, both personally and professionally.  In addition to countless other business and community leadership roles, Frank currently serves as the President of the National Eagle Scout Association. I'm privileged to have had him present me with my NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Association award in 2016, fifty years after achieving the rank of Eagle.

Recently Frank wrote in his column in "Eagles' Call" (NESA's national magazine) that "earning the Eagle Scout Award greatly improves your ability to succeed in life." I can certainly attest to that. A study conducted by Baylor University (2010) indicates that "Eagle Scouts are more likely to:
  • Have higher levels of planning and preparation skills 
  • Be goal-oriented
  • Network with others
  • Be in a leadership position
  • Have closer relationships with family and friends
  • Volunteer their time
  • Donate money to charitable groups, and 
  • Work to improve their neighborhoods."
That has been my experience.  Scouting builds character and teaches fellowship and leadership.  It has positively impacted my life for over six decades.  Though the faces of Scouting have changed dramatically over this time span, the Scout Oath and Scout Law have remained steadfast.  It's not easy to become an Eagle, but once achieved, it's a credential that only gets better with time.  It resulted in me getting my first professional job and has provided an ethical rudder for my entire life.  It has also produced some of the finest relationships, as I share a common bond with my fellow Eagles worldwide.

 Thanks, Frank, for your leadership and congratulations to the 52,216 young men who earned the Eagle Scout rank in 2018.    

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