The Quartermaster Award is the highest rank attainable in the

Sea Scouting Sea Scouts are a part of the Scout movement, with a particular emphasis on boating and other water-based activities on the sea, rivers or lakes (canoeing, rafting, scuba, sailboarding). Sea Scouts can provide a chance to sail, cruise on boats ...

program of the

Boy Scouts of America The Boy Scouts of America (BSA, colloquially the Boy Scouts) is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 1.2 million youth participants. The BSA was founded i ...

Award

The award consists of a medal suspended from a blue ribbon; the ribbon is suspended from a silver-colored bar bearing the design of a double carrick bend knot. The medal is a silver ship's wheel with a compass inscribed inside the wheel and bearing the Sea Scouting emblem consisting of the universal BSA insignia superimposed on an anchor. The blue stands for the loyalty to country; the compass suggests the importance of a carefully chosen direction in life; the wheel reminds Sea Scouts that they are the guides of their own future; the anchor reminds the Sea Scout that a truly worthy life must be anchored in duty to God. The badge is a cloth patch bearing the wheel and compass emblem on a blue background with a silver border. Recipients may wear the corresponding square knot insignia, with a white knot on a blue background on the BSA uniform.

Requirements

After completing all previous ranks, Apprentice, Ordinary, and Able, the Sea Scout can earn the Quartermaster Award. * Ideals: Must lead a discussion on "the Sea Promise" and submit a report on improvements regarding the ship's program. * Membership: Meet the active membership requirements of your ship for six months. Present a talk on Sea Scouting. * Leadership: Plan and carry out a service Project and an overnight cruise. Serve as a ship's officer for six months and conduct ILSS training for your ship. Special Skills: Complete the 8 special skills required for Quartermaster, which include: ** Swimming ** Safety ** Marlinspike Seamanship ** Boat Handling ** Ground Tackle ** Navigation ** Weather ** Environment * Electives: Complete four of the level three electives in: leadership, a duty to god, sailing, paddling, vessels, racing, engine, vessel maintenance, electricity, rigging, special proficiency, ornamental ropework, maritime traditions, the

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA, USCGAUX, CGAux, or USCG Aux) is the civilian uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. Congress established the unit on 23 June 1939, as the United States Coast Guard Reserve ...

, or

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. After completion of requirements, the Sea Scout needs to receive approval from the Skipper, typically by a conference, the Quarterdeck, by the Boatswain at the Quarterdeck Meeting, the Ship Committee, and the Council Advancement Committee by Bridge of Review.

Origins

It is currently unknown when the Quartermaster Award was introduced, however, the first recorded Quartermaster was in May 1929. On December 12, 1930, the Quartermaster badge was approved by the National Executive board. It cost $3.00. Extensive changes to advancement requirements were made in October 1938 by the National Sea Scouting Committee. On September 1, 1949, Sea Exploring was created. The only change in name was from Sea Scouts to Sea Explorers or Quartermaster Explorers.

Highest awards in other programs

The Quartermaster Award is the highest award in Sea Scouting. The highest awards in other BSA membership divisions are: Cub Scouting

Arrow of Light Cub Scouting is part of the Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), available to boys and girls from kindergarten through fifth grade, or 5 to 10 years of age and their families. Its membership is the largest of the five main BSA d ...

, the Boy Scouts’

Eagle Scout Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. The Eagle Sc ...

and the Venturing Summit Award, Other Scouting movements and many non-Scouting organizations have similar programs and awards.

References

{{Scouting Advancement and recognition in the Boy Scouts of America Sea Scouting