The Square Knots on the Uniform Tells a Story
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.ค. 2024
- Square knots can actually tell a story. The square knots that I'm referring to are the ones other leaders put on their uniforms above the left pocket flap. Discover the four categories in this installment about uniforms and identify leaders that can help your unit succeed. This patch although simple design can be difficult to put on correctly. There are some simple things to identify in placement on the uniform. Once a leader has earned a square knot it is a part of their record and never is removed. Many options can be used to define the achievement, award, recognition, or training.
LINKS:
🌐 BSA Insignia Guide: www.scouting.org/resources/in...
🌐 Scouting Honors and Special Recognitions (section 3) Page 64-66: filestore.scouting.org/filest...
🌐 Know Your Boy Scouts Square Knots: scoutingmagazine.org/2008/01/...
🌐 Adult Square Knots: www.boyscouttrail.com/square-...
🌐 Awards Knots: usscouts.org/awards/knots1.asp
🎬 Where Do I Stick This Patch? • Where Do I Stick This ...
🎬 The Scout Uniform Through History: • The Scout Uniform Thro...
🎬 Den Leader Training Award Square Knot: • Den Leader Training Aw...
🩳 Squair Knots on the Uniform Tells a Story Short: • The Square Knot on the...
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🛒 ScouterStan Merch: my-store-7088227.creator-spri...
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⚠️ Important: Even though this video covers quite a few Square Knots it did not cover all of them. Thair are many knots out there and some may not be BSA approved. Research a Square Knot before working towards it. Many times you only need to do the paperwork.
🔑 Show Notes:
The square knots on an adult uniform tell a story of what the leaders have accomplished and their skill set. The Square Knot (Reef, Joining, or Hercules Knot) patch is worn over the pocket on the wearer's left side of the uniform shirt. The viewer will see this over the pocket on their right side. Up to 9 square knots can be put in this area before running out of space. Although I have seen leaders with more than 9. It is easy for the patch to be sewn upside down. When looking at the patch on the left the rope loop should be over or on top. This is difficult when the rope has multiple colors. Always check a chart to make sure. Once a square knot has been earned or awarded it is permanently part of the scouter's uniform. If the scouter earns the award again in a different unit, a device is added for each time the award was given.
There are 4 categories of square knots:
1. Achievement - Arrow of Light, Eagle Scout, Venturing Silver, Quartermaster, Lifetime NESA Member Eagle Scout.
2. Awards - Medal of Merit, Heroism, Honor Medal, Community Organization, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, Silver World, Unit Leader Award of Merit.
3. Recognition - James West Fellowship, Hornaday, Youth or Adult Religious, William D. Boyce, Scouting Service, International Scouter, Venturing Leadership, Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service, Distinguished Commissioner Service, Commissioner Award of Excellence, Special Needs Scouting Service, Alumni, Cubmaster, Cub Scouter, Webelos Den Leader, Tigers Den Leader, Pack Trainer, Den Leader, Scouter Award of Merit, Speaker Bank.
4. Training - Doctorate of Commissioner Science, Philmont Training Center Master Track, Scouter's Key, Scout Leader's Training.
If you know the leaders have been in scouting for some time and certain knots are missing, then one of three character paths is on display. (1) The adult leader is not being properly recognized. (2) They're hesitant for some reason or shy. Or (3) It’s a new shirt. In Wood Badge the staff starts in plain shirts. This is to make the participants use their skills and look for leadership within, instead of looking to be led.
⏱ Time Stamp & Video Jump List:
0:00 Squair Knots on the Uniform Tells a Story
0:44 Square Knot Placement
2:42 The Right Way To Wear It
4:13 Earning It Twice
4:53 Achievement Square Knots
5:31 Award Square Knots
6:14 Recognition Square Knots
7:19 Training Square Knots
8:39 Square Knots Are Permanent
9:08 Scouters With No Square Knots
10:15 Wood Badge Staff Shirts
11:25 How To Use The Square Knots
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Before Covid, I used to work at a scout shop. We offered sewing services, and whenever a leader came in we made sure to write down in detail how they wanted their knots organized on their shirt. We took that aspect very seriously. Scouts and Scouters should feel proud of their accomplishments, and we wanted to make sure to help them with that.
PS: Here's a little trick from a former employee...if you buy a physical copy of the Insignia Guide, all the square knots, as well as their proper orientation, are listed on the back cover of the book! (Or at least they were when I was working there)
I got to go to an oa national leadership training seminar when i was in middle school. Since i was to young to drive myself, my dad took me. He was order of the Arrow as well. One of the lodge leaders saw him and asked him where his uniform was. He responded that he didn't get an invite. So the leader the him one of his spare shorts and told him that was his invite.
During introductions he said his name and said he had no clue about the knots as it wasn't his shirt. The guy who gave him the shirt to wear had 4 or 5 rows of knots.
Please remember, a square knot is a binding knot (as in a first aid knot used to bind a bandage down onto a wound). Incidentally, the current BSA GUIDE TO AWARDS AND INSIGNIA now states that "the number of knots is limited to three rows of three," unlike previous editions that expressed this guideline as a recommendation. Onward and upward!
Honestly I doubt anyone will follow this recommendation. From what I've been seeing on many Facebook sites there are tons of leaders who have decided that the uniform itself isn't that important. Sad
Nicholas: Agreed that is sad. The uniform is one of the methods of Scouting. It has been since the beginning and even the cadets of Mafeking had them. Packs and Troops should still use the traditional uniform, especially when in a parade, flag ceremony, or COH. Not that it needs to be worn all the time. Pack and troop “Class B” is a type of uniform and should be used as activities permit. YIS⚜
Troop Leader: Agreed. To quote a famous pirate movie; “The code? More like guidelines…” Rrrr! I have a friend that has 17 square knots. Who are we to tell him he needs to remove 8 of them? I just smile, and I'm thankful he is my friend. YIS⚜
FYI - in Sea Scouts, the rule is two rows of three. A little different.
Regardless, the number of square knots shows the amount of training and experience. The military also states you can wear your top most award row or all of your awards. Maybe don't be jealous.
I tried to get as many leaders in cub scouts to earn knots, because as I learned, once you get them you want another one. Caused me to go further in scouting. Fortunately I earned Eagle & Ad al dei, catholic award as a scout.
I've heard the square knot area on some uniforms referred as fruit salad because of all of the colors kinda look like a bowl of fruit salad. And yes some more seasoned scouters have knots from the top of their pocket to their epaulet loop in our area, Buckeye Council and Great Trail Council.
I saw one person at a camp last week that had 21 square knots!
That is awesome 👌🏻
I failed a seamanship quiz in boot camp because they called a square knot a reef knot and I looked at the instructor like he had grown a second head.
I always teach the square knot first. When the scout can tie it on their own I tell them, “now you know 4 knots”. The Square Knot, the Joining Knot, the Reef Knot, and the Hercules Knot. All are tied the same way and look, act, and work the same. To my knowledge, the Navy and seamen around the world have always defined this knot to be the Reef Knot. YIS⚜
@@ScouterStan once the instructor showed me how to tie it I said "That's a square knot. Why didn't you say tie a square knot?"
Didn't help my case.
Another great video!
I’ve started to just go up to Scouters who have knots I don’t recognize and ask them about it. Can be a nice ice breaker and way to get to know a new friend!
And remember not to judge a book by it’s cover - there are some amazing Scouters with amazing backgrounds who are new to scouting, and their shirt “doesn’t do them justice.” All part of being courteous and kind.
Thank you so much. Really good point, “Don't judge a book by its cover”. Yes, I have met many incredible Scouters that are truly assets to their units with no not patches at all. I've also met the opposite and can't figure that out. You can also make the square knot kind of a treasure hunt if you know a few. A good way to know everyone at Roundtable. Thanks YIS⚜
I earned the District Committee Key, but I had to go to Philmont to do that. While at that training, I was the District Newsletter Editor and the instructor told me there was no such position. I told the group, if I didn't do my job, their positions wouldn't exist either. The room was silent in agreement.
The District can create any position they wish, to fulfill a need, and most of the time it is under the purview of the District Committee Chair. The good folks at the National Training Facility at Philmont may not have thought of that. Communication is absolutely essential in every District and having someone like yourself working hard to make it happen is important. Thank You YIS⚜
As a Roundtable Commissioner I've had other Commissioners suggest we wear a plan clean uniform, no knots, maybe name tag, territory patch, and world scout emblem. To show those we are assisting at RT that we are more focused on their needs than collecting badges and pins. I keep my separate decorated uniform for court of honor and Troop activities.
The uniform tells a story through the patches and square knots. Tearing out pages of that book only to restore them later could lose the story's credibility. There are some reasons for generic uniforming. As a patrol guide in Wood Badge, we started the week in generic plain uniforms. We did not want the participants to “read ahead” in their guide Scouting story. By the end, we wore our regular uniform. I had many participants tell me that this was kind of a “gotcha” moment. I apologize for the deception as it was not my intention to mislead. I explained that I wanted them to get the most out of the course without being distracted. YIS⚜
That’s very interesting that you all wear Troop 1 insignia for your Woodbadge course, as that is my unit number.
Most units in USA chartering today have 4-digits in their unit number. Usually, the 1st digit defines what kind of unit is being chartered. The next three are the actual unit number. So for instance, if you're in Cub Scout Pack 41 your actual unit number is 3041. In this unique case of Wood Badge, “Troop 1” is only formed for training purposes. BP was the first to adopt this universal Troop number with no prefix. Even the first recognized numbered Scout Troop in the United States was Troop 31 on the East Coast. At the time having its 3-digit numbering system. In history, it's not clear what the 1st digit was that was dropped, and a lot of the units that were getting numbered already had numbers from when they formed as Woodcraft tribes. Unfortunately, a lot of the written data from that time was lost in subsequent fires. There's a great deal of controversy about who was the first Scout Troop because they existed before Scouting existed in the United States. Your unit number is something to be proud of. It is unique in your area and will bring back great memories of good Scouting. I remember good old Troop 129 of Lakevilla, IL as where I achieved my Eagle Scout. I know this is a lot more information than you're comment required but it's brought up a memory of my little old Troop. Thank you so much for contributing to our community. YIS⚜
@@ScouterStan It's great to hear the history. Dan Beard's original camp was approximately 15-20 minutes from my Troop's charter location. We're not the oldest Troop, as we were founded in 1911, but we're the only one in the US that has been continuously chartered as the older gentlemen and those who were ineligible to be drafted in our community stepped up as our leadership during the wars which all of the other Troops last their charters for due to a lack of adults. We just gave our council an award that had been presented to leaders of our unit by Dan Beard himself. It was a bear claw on a necklace. There is no doubt that Mr. Beard killed the bear himself in the woods near us.
I love the history of Scouting. Dan Beard founded the ‘Sons of Daniel Boone’ in 1905 which switched over to BSA Troops in 1911. That means your unit could be older than Scouting in America. WOW! YIS⚜
Sir, I heard the part of Wood Badge and you have brought it up before. However the administration guide says "Participants and staff members are not required to remove patches (home or square knots) from their uniform to participate in Wood Badge. However it is recommended that staff members do not where more that nine knots on uniforms." In fact the new course has an opening game where knots and position patches are taught as a matching game to encourage people to ask about others Scouting experience. If it is a local Central Florida tradition then I would imply that in your videos. Thanks and keep on Scouting!
Thanks for the heads up on the Wood Badge uniform. I thought the course director decides on how the staff's uniform looked and when changes happen during the course. I don’t know if that’s a Central Florida thing, but staff serves at the course director's discretion. It’s been my experience that if you come prancing in waiving the rule book, you may find yourself prancing out the door just as fast. If you're in doubt try it with your boss at work. Often it's best just to get along and try to be as friendly courteous and kind as possible. After all, we're just volunteers. YIS⚜
I just recently got my Scout rank and crossed over from cub scouts
Always great content!
I appreciate that! Thanks Kevin. YIS⚜
I honestly feel that, if you earn it, you should be allowed to wear them, never told how many youre allowed too wear.
Absolutely, earning something should give you the freedom to wear it proudly! YIS⚜
INCLUDING Eagle Rank Patch
Under 18 it's a round rank patch, over 18 it's a square knot. YIS⚜
If an adult achieved Arrow Of Light as a youth, what paperwork is required to wear the AOL knot on their adult uniform?
Check with your scout office service center if they have records on file. If it has been more than 20+ years most likely they have been archived and not easily accessible. In that case, the supply division only requires the word of the adult Scout leader. “A scout is trustworthy” YIS⚜
I thought the William T. Hornaday award was discounted because I was working on it and told by my scout master it had been discounted YIS
Yes, I think you're correct that the award is no longer available. However, the knot is available for those who earned it before it was discontinued. In Scouting, the awards may change requirements or be deprecated out but once it is earned it is part of your permanent record. The square knots a scouter has on their uniform represent their past awards and achievements. YIS⚜
It was removed but they replaced it and i believe the not can be worn with the new award which is called the distinguished conservational service award
Can the Eagle Scout Knot and NESA Knot be worn at the same time, or do you just wear the NESA Knot if you’re a life member?
That is a really good question. The Lifetime NESA Eagle Scout knot replaces the standard Eagle Scout knot. Both of these should not be worn at the same time as it is technically the same award. One is earned and the other emphasizes a contribution in addition to being earned. Thank you so much for your question. YIS⚜
@@ScouterStan and thank you so much for your answer, much appreciated.
Is it bad form to put yourself in for a knot? I am a Pack CC and I am the one primarily who submits awards for Adult Leaders. I believe that I may have satisfied the requirements for the Scouter's Training Award but I doubt anyone will put me in for the award. Thank you.
I don’t think it's “Bad Form” to submit the paperwork for the training/position knots. The only award you should not do the paperwork on is filling out a nomination form for yourself (District Award of Merit, Council Silver Beaver, etc.). Keep up the good work. YIS⚜
If I was to earn my Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, and Ad Atari Dei would I then wear a device on my religious square knot?
Yes, I think so. If you earned the square knot again the device pin represents that second knot. YIS⚜
If I'm in sea scouts and I'm 15 can I wear the eagle knot?
Yes, Eagle Scout Square Knot for Sea Scouts has two different backgrounds of navy blue and white. Other than that the red, white, and blue rope and border are the same. Placement is in the same area as all other square knots. Within Scouting, there are no restrictions on wearing something you have earned on your uniform. Thank you for the question. YIS⚜
@@ScouterStan Thanks I appreciate it
Follow up question to the previous question on an eagle square knot being worn on sea scout uniforms for the 15 yr old. I recently met with a commissioner from CA who stated if a youth is in an older youth program (venturing/sea scouts) and has earned eagle , they can wear them before they turn 18 as they can also wear the aol knot. I have not found anything to fully support this or refute.
Thoughts?
@jennhudson912 - The only rule I could find on this stated quite clearly that the Eagle Scout square knot is for wearing after the Eagle Scout turns 18. It did not specify which branch of Scouting this applies to. Therefore the assumption could be made that it applies to all. However, the Eagle Scout square knot is intended for adult leaders. As Venturing and Sea Scouts define an adult member as over 21. This could have the opposite intention of what the Eagle Scout was told. Maybe call your Council Service Center and talk with somebody who may know the real answer to the question. YIS⚜
Saying "if you have more than 9, wear them" is no longer correct per the most recent version of the uniform guide. I've yet to find somebody who's legitimately had more than 9 now that so many have been combined and/or without wearing a bunch of outdated/retired knots- several of which you showed here (different den levels, etc). It's always recommended to wear the most recent version, even if you earned a previous version.
Also, the Silver Award is now the Summit in Venturing.
The most I have seen is 23. Even if the knot changes over time the person who earned it can wear it from then on. There are so many that change every year it’s impossible to keep up with it and I wouldn't even try. If the District Award of Merit changed to a square knot instead of a pretzel, I would keep the one I have. "Know what I mean… nudge, nudge. Say no more…" 😁 Thank you for the heads up on the venturing update. I thought the Silver Award was old data when I saw it in the script. Thanks YIS⚜
I know the district award of merit award is really good, but it kind of really Annoys me that it’s not a square knot
Well, at least it's half of a square knot. YIS⚜
Sadly, Arrow of Light is no longer an achievement (which is a shame). It's now a rank and was that way when this video came out. Any youth can join the Cub Scout program in the 5th grade, earn Bobcat and then earn Arrow of Light. Arrow of Light use to be the culmination of the two years as a Webelos. Sadly for us that earned it as an achievement the knot is now meaningless.
I don’t know about you, or anyone else but my knots are *NOT* meaningless. It has meaning as do all the knots any of us wear. What others judge to be meaningful is not my concern. What concerns me is that other Scouts or Scouters demean others in a non-scout-like behavior (non-courteous, unfriendly, and un-loyal manner) towards their achievement. Whether you have no knots or 32 of them on your uniform it should be respected. Your personal judgment of others should be kept to yourself. YIS⚜
That's too bad. Arrow of Light really used to mean something