Square Knot Resume

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The picture at the beginning of my blog shows the front of a Scout uniform featuring insignia known as square knots.

Truth be told I have never sewn these on my uniform because. Like every other Scouter I am not doing this merely for recognition. 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.

UPDATE

(8/09) I have my new centennial uniform shirt and I will be sewing on my square knots. Comments here and other conversations have caused me to modify my attitude. I will feel somewhat uncomfortable about showing off. On the other hand not wearing the knots is equally sanctimonious, just in the opposite direction.

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.
UPDATES

(6/08) Since I posted this two and a half years ago this square knot has garnered a fair number of comments. Some supportive and some from those who disagree. The most perplexing comments come from those who castigate me for wearing an unofficial award. They seem to miss the mention that I don't wear any square knots to begin with. It's my preference, it is within the rules,  others may certainly do as they please.

(12/08) Many people have asked me how they can get the Inclusive Scouting Award. Unfortunately the folks that offered these are no longer around as far as I can tell.

(8/09) Though the rebel in me want's to wear my inclusive scouting award I can't. The rules and regs. are clear and so I'll leave it off my uniform. It will stay on the profile picture as an expression of hope that we'll abandon the policies of exclusion.

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. Beyond that I have also staffed many training sessions. I am a Vigil Honor member of The 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.

[Steve]

As a lifelong Scout: Cub, Eagle, Adult, I believe that only official BSA awards are to sewn on the Class "A" uniform. Also, no matter what council or when you earned it is allowed to be worn. I have eanred 3 knots: Religious, Eagle, Tiger Leader and will be awarded my 4th, Cubmaster. I do not need to re-earn them at anytime. I do take offense to improperly worn whether it be non-official or incorrect placement. There is no excuse for this, as patch guides are in books and online.

[Rob V.]

My brother and I are both life long Scouts (I made Eagle at 14 and my brother at 16). Our father was extremely active in Souting during those years at the Pack/Troop level and the District level. He had several issues with our disctrict and how they came to politicize scouting. So, in turn, when he was awarded the Disctrict Award of Merit, he sewed it on to his uniform...upside down. I think it was his way of trying to remind all the adult leaders and paid "scouts" at district that Scouting is for the kids, not the adults. I think that is sometimes forgotten nowadays. The world is not an easy place, and Scouting taught me many life skills that I would otherwise have to survive without. Clarke has an "unofficial" badge. Big deal. Even if he DID wear it on his uniform, so what? It's not about him and it's certainly not about his badges. It's about helping young boys mature into men that can hopefully one day make this world a better place.

[California Scoutmaster]

Good for you for being inclusive, that is a virtue. And folks, this is a knot he doesn't even wear, so he's not breaking any uniforming rules. Forest for the trees, he is trying to reach out and include people in scouting, and that's what the program is all about, isn't it?

[Glenn]

Wearing the knots does indeed establish "street cred" with youth & adult alike. How many have had a soldier come to your meetings? Inevitably, the youth will begin to ask “tell me what your medals mean”; and often the adults are as enthralled as the adults.

I never wore knots until I joined Venturing. When I showed up at gatherings, I saw Venturing Advisors being dismissed off-hand as inexperienced. “What could he know”. Then I showed up at a meeting with a chest of knots, and the attitudes changed.

The reality is that in most organizations, rank/position has a direct correlation with experience & knowledge. My first job in Scouting as an adult was Cubmaster. One may feel they are ostentatious, but the guy with the chest of knots has definable experience. The guy in front of the meeting may have far less experience in Scouting, than the boys he works with.

[Larry Geiger]

I wear my Scoutmaster training knot and my Scoutmaster Award of Merit Knot. I think that they both say something about me and the job I do. All the other ones go in the "archive".

[Jerry Coots]

I liked the last few comments: wearing of your knots lets others(especially the parents entrusting you with their kid) that are serious about what you do and have trained to a great extent to do it. It also lets the kids know that what's good for the Scout is also good for the Scouter.
Not wearing a knot awarded to you could be seen as an insult to the folks that put you up for it.

[Justin]

I wear 2 of my knots, I only have 3 of them. The reason i wear them goes along with the credibility statements. I am a young man, 23, and the assistant scoutmaster of the troop i was in as a youth. I wear my Eagle knot because I am proud of the accomplishment, I earned it when i was 13, and i wear my religious knot. I think it's important because they spark interest in a lot of the new younger scouts. In my opinion, that early interest can be a deciding factor on how far they'll go and how hard they'll work to achieve their goals in scouting.

[Jim Thompson]

I wear exactly two knots on my adult uniform. Arrow of Light and Eagle Scout.

The rest I've earned (DAOM, SM Train, SM Key, Tiger Cub, Den Leaders, Webelos DL, JE West 'bought knot' are all in a drawer.)

I only wear my WB Beads at WB 'things'.

[Golden State Scoutmaster]

First of all, thank you for your service that the list of knots you've earned represents. I've heard and understand the sentiment that you don't wish to display them all on your uniform as the program isn't about you, its about the boys.
I take a different perspective given that one of the eight methods of Scouting is "Uniform". I expect our boys to properly wear and have pride in their uniforms, and that starts with doing it myself - including the display of achievements/honors.
Again, thanks for your service, just adding my .02

[RWooden]

There is a thread running through these comments, one that I've heard for years, a disdain for adults wearing square knots. Of course we are not in Scouting for the awards! Of course we're in it for the boys! But in the same way we encourage our Scouts to wear the uniform proudly, we must wear it proudly. In the same way we want them to wear their best uniform (medals, sashes) for Courts of Honor, etc., we should do the same. A leader who wears the square knots properly and proudly is doing exactly what we hope the boys will do. If we are contemptuous of leaders who wear the awards, the boys pick up on it, and we have set a poor example.

[Pat McCarthy]

I fondly remember my Scoutmaster when I was an active Scout, who wore his "dress" uniform with six knots attached - a very well deserved Silver Beaver, his earned Silver Award from Explorers, his Eagle Scout award, his religious award (God and Country), and his two training awards. I marveled at the effort he had expended to earn these, and that respect helped me to continue my efforts in Scouting, to eventually earn my Eagle Scout rank, as well as my God and Country award. I prize those accomplishments today (40 years later) as two of the most important things I have done in my life. Everytime I see those medals framed on my wall, I think of Scoutmaster Fred Feeney and the example he gave to so many young men who passed through Troop 210 over the years.

Yes gentlemen; wearing those insignia is important to the young men with whom you come into contact.

[Cool Dude]

My 10-year-old just crossed over, and we're done. IMO the more knots - the bigger the nerd.
None of the cool kids at school are in scouts, and although cubs were OK, I'm really glad he done.

[Clarke Green]

Hey Scouting isn't for everyone. I know very little about being cool - some folks think that it is important but I have never really understood why.

[Fred]

For courts of Honor, Eagle Courts, Scouter funerals, Parades, etc. I wear everything I have earned, on my best dress uniform (knots, beads, medals, etc)all spit shined and perfect to show respect for those being honored.

At other functions I wear either a scout activity shirt or plain uniform shirt with basics: council patch, troop numbers and scoutmaster patch--no frills.

I do this for a couple of reasons. 1.) the full dress uniform inspires the boys (and adults) by example to earn badges, ranks, take trainings, etc. and 2.)By example I am not ashamed of being in scouting--even when being comfortable and doing regular activities.

[Louisville Scoutmaster]

It is a shame that you really do not udnerstand what the program is all about. I feel sorry for your 10 year old.

[Louisville Scoutmaster]

In fact in reading your post again it points out to me that while you can have an opinion it doesn't mean you have an sense or have any clue.

[G. John Marmet]

Oddly, I do the opposite. My field uniform has all my knots (8). My full dress uniform (an old green woolie) has none. I wear only medals on that uniform. Always my OA dingleberry, occassionaly my Silver Beaver or Bronze Pelican or Community Organization medal (depending on the occassion) and once in a very great while my Scouters Training Award medal.

[DaveT]

Cag - this is why, in our troop, we say "there is the scout way, and there is the right way." This is to mean that as long as safety or youth protection isn't compromised, or a regulation, sometimes the troop has to do what is right for the troop.

A good example for our troop took place following summer camp last year. I had a scout approach me about wanting to be the troop photographer. Being a somewhat new scoutmaster I told him I would look into a position patch for it. I learned none exists - although a district photographer (or council?) patch does exist. I was told the Troop Historian should be the photographer. We already had our historian in place.

I told the scout shop I would design my own - to which they said, "you can't do that."

This scout is one that wants to step up and be in a position of responsibility and is a scout we struggle with to keep engaged. I am not about to tell him he can't serve when he's excited about getting more involved.

And speaking of things that don't exist - why is there not a sewing merit badge! With all the patches and merit badges that need sewing...it seems like a natural!