Square Knot Resume

The picture at the beginning of my blog shows the front of a Scout uniform featuring insignia known as square knots. I display them here because they represent recognitions I have earned

Truth be told I have never sewn these on my uniform because I am not doing this for recognition and I don't want to look like someone who does (in my experience there are a lot of people who do). As  Mark Twain said "It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not to deserve them." I put them here because they have some 'street cred' in Scouting. Other scouters know they mean a fairly long tenure ( Scoutmaster since 1984), recognition of work I have done at the district and council level, and participation in training. In short; I've done this work faithfully all of my adult life.

Here is what the square knots represent;

Top to bottom, left to right

Silver Beaver
Presented for distinguished service to young people within a BSA local council.

Inclusive Scouting Award
The Inclusive Scouting Award identifies scouters who are supportive of those currently threatened with exclusion from Scouting. Not an official BSA award the knot is worn to promote inclusion and tolerance. It is available here.

District Award of Merit
Awarded for five or more years service to youth in the District. The nominee's attitude toward and cooperation with the district, division, and/or council is to be taken into consideration.

Boy Scout Leader's Training Award
Recognizes that a scouter has completed a course of intensive training.

Scoutmaster Award of Merit
Awarded to Scoutmasters who have a record of proper use of the Boy Scout advancement program, resulting in a majority of troop Boy Scouts attaining the First Class rank, Development of boy leadership through the patrol method, Positive relations with the troop's chartered organization, extensive outdoor program including strong summer camp attendance, positive image of Scouting in the community and a troop operation that attracts and retains Boy Scouts.

I should also mention that I staffed at our summer camp for twelve years in various directorships including two seasons as the camp director. I have worked with literally thousands of scouts and leaders and have administered a staff of eighty counselors. I am also a vigil honor member of Octoraro Lodge 22, Order of the Arrow. It has been quite an education.

Comments

[Dean Whinery]

Nice piece on the square knots. For years (now more than 50), as I took training and received recognitions at virtually all levels from Tiger Cubs to District Commissioner, I wore only two or three knots Scouter's Key, Silver Beaver, etc.,(and my Wood Badge beads), tossing the rest into the "archives". When I moved to a new unit, I was informed repeatedly that I could not wear any of these things until I "re-earned them all in THIS council". I finally exhumed all my knots and began wearing all 11 of them. Spiteful, ain't I?
Frankly, we have so much insignia that we begin looking like walking Christmas trees or Russian generals.

[cag]

When I moved to a new unit, I was informed repeatedly that I could not wear any of these things until I "re-earned them all in THIS council".

This is a great, yet sad, example of the pissery and b-s-ification that throttles the enthusiasm of good people by imposing bizarre, nonexistent rules. What the heck were these idiots thinking they would accomplish?

I have mused about setting up a uniform with every possible patch I have a right to wear. I would look like some sort of ridiculous patchwork quilt.

[bob greene]

Scoutmaster of troop 218 in indiana....what can I say, you rock dude.

[Jeff Rhoads]

I never understood the point of knots and do not bother to put them on my uniform. I have no problem with those that do. I do however have a problem with Scouts and Scouters who think they can wear what ever they want on their uniform as well as award themselves any number of "special" knots, merit badges, patches, etc. These things should be reserved for class b uniforms. In fact the very word uniform is supposed to indicate that everyone follows the same standard. We have a set of standards for every aspect of Scouting and when we alter these standards be it uniforms or advancement, for our own particular gratification, the program dies a little... in my opinion.

[Fred Goodwin]

When you signed on as an adult leader, you agreed to follow the rules and regulations of the BSA, and I'm sure you are aware that the "Inclusive Knot" is not authorized for wear on the uniform.

I'm curious how do you square those two facts?

[Clarke Green]

Fred asks -

When you signed on as an adult leader, you agreed to follow the rules and regulations of the BSA, and I'm sure you are aware that the "Inclusive Knot" is not authorized for wear on the uniform.

I'm curious how do you square those two facts?

A careful reading of the post reveals that I don't wear any square knots, so the inclusive scouting knot isn't on my uniform to begin with.

[Louisville Scoutmaster]

The extent of your service is wonderful. However, as I read your material, it is fairly clear that you follow the same path I find in many activists for homosexuals. Tolerance is defined by these groups as anything that agrees with them.