Scouting America Unveils Military Service & Veterans Merit Badge on Veterans Day

Scouting America will introduce its new Military Service & Veterans Badge on Veterans Day. 

The Military Service & Veterans Badge is meant to inspire Scouts while also encouraging them to honor and understand the armed forces. The Scouting America website states that the badge is “designed to deepen understanding and foster respect, this badge connects Scouts with the heritage of our Armed Forces and the individuals who have served our nation with courage and commitment.” 

Senior Vice President of Marketing Michael Ramsey told the Daily Signal, “The Military Service Merit Badge is a way for us to provide content and information for Scouts who are interested in learning more about careers in the military and certainly a way to learn about the importance of the contributions that our veterans have made to our country.” 

There are more than 135 merit badges that Scouts can choose from as they work toward becoming an Eagle Scout. They range from learning basketry to first aid. The Military Service & Veterans Badge will be the first military-related badge. 

The program was compiled with the aid of veterans and has been in the process for about a year.

The requirements for the Military Service & Veterans Badge are available online and many Scouts have already shown interest. 

To earn the badge, the Scouts must study military history and military career opportunities. A Scout must also initiate a meeting with a veteran. Scouting America hopes the firsthand accounts will help Scouts truly appreciate the sacrifices veterans have made. 

All told, the requirements to earn the badge are broken into 10 sections: Explore Military Heritage, Understand the Cost of War and Value of Peace, United States Armed Forces, Understand Military Recognition, Military Uniforms and Insignia, Reflect on Symbols of Service, Honor Veterans, Military Academies, Inspire Service and Leadership, and Careers/Hobby.

Most of these requirements focus on the history of different military awards and symbols while also educating the Scout on military academies and careers. 

According to Scouting America, “Approximately 15% of military academy cadets and midshipmen enter the academies as Eagle Scouts.” Many Scouts go straight from Scouting America to the armed forces, and the new badge will give Scouts a chance to learn more about being in the military. It will give them a taste of what it’s really like to serve their country. 

On Veterans Day, the Military Service & Veterans Badge will officially be made available for Scouts to earn. The new merit badge is in keeping with the original ideals of Scouting America, which encourage Scouts to serve their country, as expressed in the Scout Oath: “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country … ” 

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