Eagle Scouts

I was a lousy Boy Scout and though I loved camping I was more interested in goofing off and hanging out with my friends. So it is safe to say I never became an Eagle Scout...not even close. I first regretted not becoming an Eagle Scout when I joined the army and learned that if one is an Eagle Scout you earn your first promotion from E-1 Private to E-2 Private.

Last week I was reminded of my regret when I attended my first ever Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Can you believe that? I have been in and around Boy Scouts my entire life yet I have never attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor! I'm now an Assistant to the Scoutmaster trying to help young men make this accomplishment and being in the environment has made me fascinated by Eagle Scouts and realize how hard it is to receive the award.

I now appreciate how hard it is to become an Eagle Scout. The time and energy these young men are required to put in is quite remarkable. Mike Rowe, the host of the Discovery Channel's addictive show "Dirty Jobs" is an Eagle Scout. He described the difficulty of the achievement when he explained, "the Eagle Award is not really meant for people who need to be dragged across the finish line. It's meant for a select few."

I truly wish I was one of those few. It is an accomplishment that never diminishes. This was described effectively by the late Prof. Randy Pausch in his book "The Last Lecture." He wrote:

When I think of someone who is earnest, I think of a Boy Scout who works hard and becomes an Eagle Scout. When I was interviewing people to work for me, and I came upon a candidate who had been an Eagle Scout, I'd almost always try to hire him. I knew there had to be an earnestness about him that outweighed any superficial urges toward hipness.

Think about it. Becoming an Eagle Scout is just about the only thing you can put on your resume at age fifty that you did at age fourteen - and it still impresses. (Despite my efforts at earnestness, I never did make it to Eagle Scout.)

To all those Eagle Scouts out there good job. I mean it. I envy your accomplishment and you should be proud of your hard work. I will encourage and help my own boy follow in your footsteps.