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Benefits of Earning the Eagle Scout Rank

There are many advantages to earning the Eagle Scout rank including the skills learned, the leadership learned, and the general demonstration to yourself and everyone else that you can commit to a long term, extraordinarily difficult task and get it done. The main advantage to being an Eagle Scout, in addition to the skills learned and displayed above, is that people generally understand that it is a great achievement accomplished by very few—it sets you apart.

There is nothing else that can be accomplished before the age of 18 that will still be listed and discussed into adulthood. You will never see "captain of the HS football team" on the résumé of a 50 year old man applying to be CEO of a large corporation—but if he is an Eagle Scout it will be there, it will be noted, and it will often be the difference between that guy and all the others with similar education and experience.

The principal benefits that a young man gets when he earns the Eagle Scout rank can be found in the Scout Law, and that makes him a man of strong character. These traits will help him in everything he does, from being a good husband and father, a valuable employee or entrepreneur, or community leader.

• Eagle Scouts display perseverance, discipline, motivation, leadership, accountability, and achievement—and those lead to tangible benefits.

• College admissions officers recognize the award and often consider it in their decisions. Being an Eagle Scout will not make up for poor grades, but it will give a boy an advantage. The officers may not know about other awards a young man has won or other organizations he's in, but they recognize the Eagle Scout rank and the BSA.

• Some colleges offer special programs for Eagle Scouts—like Texas A&M.

• Eagle Scouts are eligible for many scholarships.

• Every branch of the U.S. Military allows Eagle Scouts to enter at a higher rank and pay grade than those who are not Eagle Scouts.

• Many employers/employment recruiters look for "Eagle Scout" on a résumé or application. Employers are looking for the traits and experiences that Eagle Scouts possess.

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout will continue to open employment doors throughout a man's life. It is often the only high school accomplishment that is listed on his resume regardless of his age. When a Boy Scout becomes an Eagle Scout, he enters into a brotherhood, Eagle Scouts united by their commitment to the ideals of Scouting.