Boy Scouts
The Marine Corps League Good Citizenship Award
The Marine Corps League Good Citizenship award is presented to those Eagle Scouts that have shown great honor and citizenship to their organization and community. All Eagle Scouts are eligible to apply. After the application has been approved, contact will be made to confirm the date, time, and location for presentation (usually done at their Eagle Court of Honor).
SOME OF YOU MAY BE ASKING YOURSELVES WHY THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE IS SO INTERESTED IN BEING A PART OF THIS PROGRAM. WHY DO THEY HAVE THIS SPECIAL AWARD FOR EAGLE SCOUTS? WHAT IS IN IT FOR US?
IT IS SIMPLE REALLY! IT IS IN OUR COUNTRY’S BEST INTEREST TO RECOGNIZE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME LEADERS IN OUR SOCIETY.
THERE ARE SO MANY COMMON THREADS IN BOTH SCOUTING AND SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY…
WE BOTH HAVE OATHS:
BSA: On my honor, I will do my duty to God and my Country. To obey the Scout Law. To help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
OATH OF A MARINE OFFICER: I do solemnly swear that I will defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties to the Office on which I am about to enter, So Help Me God!
WE BOTH HAVE MOTTO’S:
BSA: ‘BE PREPARED’ MARINES: SEMPER FIDELIS (ALWAYS FAITHFUL)
WE BOTH WEAR A UNIFORM:
AND WE WEAR THEM WITH PRIDE!
WE BOTH UTILIZE RANK AND INCENTIVES TO DEVELOP LEADERS.
(Rank is a valuable tool to provide incentives for a young person to achieve)
BSA: YOU HAVE MERIT BADGES.
USMC: WE HAVE RIBBONS, MEDALS, AND BADGES
(To learn and demonstrate skills and rewards for acts of merit and heroism)
The combination of badges and ranks also are utilized to develop young men by moving them from novices and into leaders. Giving them goals and a set of standards, they will learn life skills, then pass them on as they gain experience, which, therefore, teaches them responsibility; a great work ethic and teamwork. (The ultimate goal is to teach them to mentor others.) This is the very definition of leadership.
There are many correlations between us. What we appreciate about the scouting program is that it has the ability to teach these young men leadership skills. That will only strengthen our country.
WE BOTH ESPOUSE THE SAME PRINCIPLES OF HONOR COURAGE AND COMMITMENT:
BSA: THE SCOUT LAW: 12 POINTS – Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.
USMC: 14 Leadership Traits: Justice, Judgment, Dependability, Initiative, Decisiveness, Tact, Integrity, Enthusiasm, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, Endurance, and Bearing.