What is an Eagle Scout?

Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. The Eagle Scout Rank; has been awarded to over two million Scouts for over 100 years. The rank of Eagle takes dedication and determination as it is a detailed process that takes place at the end of the individuals scouting career. A scout must obtain the Eagle Rank before turning 18 years of age.

Does every Scout become an Eagle Scout?

As mentioned above, more than 2 million Scouts have earned the rank of Eagle Scout since it was first awarded. Seems like a lot, yes? However, it equates to roughly one Scout in every 172. Since 1912, only 4 percent of all Scouts have earned this award. Yet, oddly enough, over 15% of all US astronauts are Eagle Scouts and so are 10% of the cadets at both West Point and the Air Force Academy.

Eagle Scout is the most significant honor a Scout can earn, in or out of the Scouting program. It marks the scout for life! An Eagle is an achiever who will always do great things. An Eagle is a leader who will always be ahead of the group. Society will always expect much from an Eagle, and the scout will deliver. The Scout soars high for all to see. Their vision is clear and sharp. Their bearing is majestic. Their direction is certain and their flight swift and sure. Such is the eagle, our nation's symbol. Such is the Eagle, our nation's future.

Eagle Scouts who enlist in the US Air Force start out one rank higher than others who enlist and with about $100 more pay each month.

Here are some well known Eagle Scouts!

Neil Armstrong - I find it quite fitting that the first man on the moon was also an Eagle Scout. Armstrong led the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon in 1969. Of the 312 NASA astronauts, 39 are Eagle Scouts.
Gerald Ford - The first and so far only Eagle Scout to be President of the United States of America, Ford led the country as the 38th president. He served from 1974 to 1977.
Robert Gates - This man was a director of the Central Intelligence Agency and Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. I had the privilege to see him address thousands of scouts at the National Order of the Arrow Conference at Michigan State University in August 2015.
Mike Rowe - This Distinguished Eagle Scout is most famously known for being the host of “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe” on the Discovery Channel. I was also lucky enough to see him speak at both the 2010 and 2013 National Scout Jamborees.
Steven Spielberg - Filmmaker responsible for famous cultural phenomena of cinema like “E.T.,” “Jaws” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Spielberg started filmmaking early on as he filmed his scout troop for his photography merit badge.
Sam Walton - The founder of “Wal-Mart” was indeed an Eagle Scout. This now deceased businessman is also the founder of “Sam’s Club”
Willie Banks - This Olympic athlete used to be the world-record holder in the long jump and triple jump. At the age of 56 in 2012, he became the oldest American to clear a six-foot high jump.
Jon Heder - Yes, Napoleon Dynamite himself is an Eagle Scout and an enthusiast at that! While he is famous for many absurdly comedic roles, he is now a scoutmaster and family man with three kids.
Wallace Stegner - Novelist and environmentalist, Stegner won the Pulitzer Prize for his book “Angel of Repose” about a man who loses touch with his family and writes about the adventures of his grandparents.
Michael Bloomberg - The former mayor of New York City and owner of Bloomberg L.P. is our final notable Eagle Scout on this list, but there are plenty more. Search for yourself, and you might find that one of your favorite heroes or celebrities is also an Eagle Scout.