Ft Hamilton District Adult Awards

Adult Awards

History of Knot Awards

Why Square Knots?

The square knot is used as the basis for 30 of the BSA's 36 recognition awards which carry an emblem for uniform wear. The actual award is NOT the square knot itself, but rather an emblem worn in recognition of the actual award. The actual award is typically a medallion suspended from a colorful ribbon which is worn around the adult's neck.

The actual reason why the square knot was chosen is rooted in the history of the BSA. The first Chief Scout Executive, James West, decided to end the long tradition of allowing BSA Scoutmasters and Commissioners to wear military medal ribbons and other military-looking ribbons to represent Scouting awards. It is rumored that he chose the square knot as the emblem to represent the Eagle, Scouters' Key and Scouters' Training Award, and the Silver Beaver (the first awards for Scouters to wear) because the square knot would remind Scouters to continue to be of service to others. The square knot, of course, is the knot associated with first aid where bandages and even tourniquets were fastened with square knots.

So, with different combinations of rope colors, and later with different background colors, the square knot became Scouting's "informal ribbons" representing national, regional, local Council, and eventually unit awards.

Each knot patch has a specific orientation. The bight (or loop) on top is always on the wearer’s right closest to the wearers shirt buttons. You may wish to view a diagram that illustrates this.

There also are guidelines on the maximum number of knots to wear and how to position them above the wearer’s left pocket.

Click on a knot or title (in blue) below for a more detailed
description of that award. All links are in PDF format.

Achievement Awards		Bravery Awards
	Arrow of Light - Worn by adults who earned the Arrow of Light as a youth member.		Honor Medal - Awarded by the National Council to those who risk their lives to save another.
	William T. Hornaday - Recognizes Scouts, Explorers and Scouters for conservation and ecology efforts in their communities.		Heroism Award - Awarded by the National Council for heroism with less risk to life.
	Eagle Scout - Worn by adults who earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a youth member.		Medal of Merit - Awarded by the National Council for heroism with little or no risk to life.
	Explorer Gold Award – Also Explorer Achievement Award.	Leadership & Training Awards
	Ranger - The highest youth rank in the Venture Scouting program. BSA ran out of stock of the square knot in 1951. The Medal is still produced.		Tiger Cub Group Organizer Award - Two years tenure and other requirements.
	Quartermaster - The highest award in the Sea Exploring Program.		Den Leader Award - Two years tenure and other requirements.
Honor Awards for Outstanding Service			Webelos Den Leader - Two years tenure and other requirements.
	District Award of Merit - Presented to Scouters at the District level for unusual dedication and service.		Den Leader Coach Award - Two years tenure and other requirements. This award is no longer offered and has been replaced by the Cub Scouter Award
	Silver Beaver - Presented to Scouters at the Council level for unusual dedication and service.		Cubmaster Award - Two years tenure and other requirements.
	Silver Antelope – Presented to Scouters at the Regional level for unusual dedication and service.		Cub Scouter Award - Two years tenure and other requirements.
	Silver Buffalo - Presented to Scouters at the National level for unusual dedication and service.		Scouter's Training Award - Basic Training and other requirements.
	Silver World - Presented to Scouters who have supported Scouting on a worldwide basis.		Scouter's Key - Three years tenure and other requirements.
	Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award - Presented to an Order of the Arrow member for unusual service on a National basis.		Sea Badge - Sea Badge Leader Training and "Ticket" (Two Years)
	William H. Spurgeon Award - Presented to Scouters rendering distinguished service to Exploring		Distinguished Commissioner Service Award - Five years tenure and other requirements.
	Whitney Young Jr. Award - Presented for promoting Scouting in the poorest areas of the country.		Professional Scouter Training Award - For professional Scouters. Four years of service, three levels of professional training, and performance levels set by Professional Directors.
	George Meany Award - Presented to labor union members who have been unusually effective in giving leadership to youth.	Religious Awards
Support of Scouting			Youth Religious Award - Worn by youth and adult members who received a religious emblem as a youth member.
	James West Fellowship Award – National Recognition for individuals who contribute $1,000 or more in cash or securities to the local council endowment trust fund. This contribution is in addition to, and does not diminish or replace, the donor's annual gift to the council's Friends of Scouting campaign.		Adult Religious Award - Worn by adults who received religious awards as an adult.