Sea Scouts (Boy Scouts of America)

Sea Scouts is a program within the Boy Scouts of America's Venturing Program. It is a nautical program for young men and women ages 14–21. It is the BSA's implementation of the Sea Scout program first developed by Baden-Powell in England. The program today was developed originally in 1912. The advancement scheme for Sea Scouts places an initial emphasis on nautical skills before encouraging the youth to take a major role in planning activities in the unit.

Aims and principles

Sea Scout Promise
As a Sea Scout, I promise to do my best
To guard against water accidents;
To know the location and proper use of the lifesaving devices on every boat I board;
To be prepared to render aid to those in need and;
To seek to preserve the motto of the sea, "Women and children first."

Note that in modern times, this historical maritime phrase is not meant to be sexist, but is taken to mean that those who are trained and most capable should give special assistance to those who are not.

In addition to the Sea Promise, Sea Scouts also learn and subscribe to the Scout Oath, Law and Venturing Code.

History

The Boy Scouts of America implemented the Sea scouts program in 1912. The program was basically a nautical/naval program for older youth.

During the early years of the program, the program was poorly defined. Each new national leader making changes.

In 1917, scouter James "Kimo" Wilder came on board as Chief Seascout. He revamped the program and tried to make it successful. He didn't succeed, so stepped aside in 1923 for Commander Thomas J. Keane. Keane would revamp the Sea Scout program. This is the same basic program that exists today. Keane developed the naval-style uniforms, office title and insignia, four level advancement program of Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and Quartermaster, and the like.

In 1935, Sea Scouts became part of the larger Senior Scout Division of the BSA.

In 1949, Sea Scouts were renamed Sea Explorers, as part of the renaming of Senior Scouts to Explorers.

In 1964, minor changes occurred to the Sea Explorer program to more fit with the new Exploring program. Over the years, National stopped promoting the Sea Explorer program. It was only through the dedication of many Sea Scout leaders that the program survived.

In 1971, along with Exploring, Sea Explorers became officially coed.

In 1998, with the new Venturing program, Sea Explorers returned to their name of Sea Scouts. Also, the program was revitalized and better promoted.

Organization

In Sea Scouts, youth are called "Sea Scouts", units are referred to as "Ships" and many ships have adopted names in addition to their ship numbers (ex: "Sea Scout Ship Eagle", "S.S.S. Liberty", etc.). The ship's adult leaders are called Skipper (analogous to the Advisor in Venturing) and Mates (Associate Advisors). Each ship also has a ship's committee comprising several adults, typically parents of the youth in the ship, one of whom must be a representative of the ship's sponsor/chartered organization. Sea Scouts emphasizes leadership; so the youth in the ship hold the offices of Boatswain (President), Boatswain's Mate (Vice President), Crew Leader, Assistant Crew Leader, Yeoman (Secretary), Purser (Treasurer), and Storekeeper (Quartermaster).

Above Sea Scout Ships, Sea Scouts have a series of committees which are organized to support the program. Each level also has their own terminology:

Squadron (Council)
Task Force (Area)
Flotilla (Region)
Fleet (National)

Uniform and insignia

Individual Ships have traditionally worn US Navy or US Coast Guard uniforms, or a polo-style shirt or T-shirt worn with regular clothes.

The current edition of the Sea Scout Manual (#33239C, 2002), sets down what are the current, approved Sea Scout uniforms. The use of these traditional Sea Scout Uniforms (based on modified US Navy uniforms) are mandated for Regional and National events. These uniforms were standardized by Commander Thomas J. Keane, a U.S. Naval Officer, who revamped Sea Scouts in the mid-1920s. Because of a recent (2006) decision made by the U.S. Navy to replace their coverall and work uniforms (the so-called "dungaree" uniforms for enlisted members and "working khaki" for Officers and CPOs) with a non-tactical MARPAT-style cammoflague uniform, the non-dress uniforms worn by Sea Scouts and their leaders will eventually take on an "antiquated" appearance.

Youth members wear US Navy enlisted-style uniforms: the so-called "Cracker Jack" uniforms in white or navy blue, and for all other activities, the "dungaree" style work uniform, which is a light blue shirt worn with dark blue trousers with a baseball-style cap. To avoid confusion with Naval personnel, changes are made to these uniforms. The center strip on the navy cracker jack jumper is removed, and small Sea Scout emblems (called 'bugs') are added over the stars on the tar flap on both the blue and white cracker jack uniforms. The 'dixie cup' hat is also worn, sometimes with the dungaree uniform in place of the baseball cap when worn away from Ship functions.

Adults wear US Navy officer-style uniforms: the dress blue, khaki summer work uniform, and summer whites (similar to the US Navy's "tropical white-long" uniform--a short-sleeve white shirt with detachable soft epaulet loops with the adults position embroidered on them, with white trousers, belt and shoes). A white combination cap is worn with blues and whites, with a baseball cap (or the combination cap with a khaki cover) being worn with khakis. The wearing of adult uniforms is optional for those with the Quartermaster rank, but only at the local council and unit level, as the National and Regional officers must wear the "Cracker Jack" uniform. If worn, the uniform is worn in the same manner as that of a Navy Chief Petty Officer.

Insignia are as follows:

All badges are white on blue for navy blues, dungarees and khaki, and blue on white for whites. One does not wear contrasting insignia on the uniforms.
On the left sleeve, a patch for the local council the ship belongs to is worn. This is the same patch worn on the Boy Scout and Venturing uniforms.
Below the local council patch, the ship numerals on either white or blue. Use of ship's numerals is no longer part of the 'official' uniforms, but many ships continue to wear them for tradition, then the badge of office is worn. Adults in dress blues, and Quartermasters who opt for wearing the adult uniform wear their badge of office 2 inches from the cuff of the sleeve. Below this is worn the Long Cruise patch, with segments in white and red for addition cruises (white=1 additional award, red=5 additional awards).
On the right sleeve the U.S. Flag patch is worn.
Below the flag patch, the Ship's identification "crest" is worn. This crest, special to each unit, has the ship's name, number, and location (city & state) on it. This replaces the unit numeral patch (which had a white number on black for blues and black number on black for whites), which was worn prior to 2003, but ship crests have been around since the 1920s. If the Ship has no crest, or the individual works above the ship level, the generic Sea Scout emblem is worn. Leaders at the flotilla and regional levels (except for the BSA Western Region – they are divided into areas with an Area Sea Scout Committee) wear the Regional emblem of the region they are working in.
The "Standard Sea Scout Unit" patch, a red and blue patch with white letters, is worn underneath the crest. This is the Sea Scouts equivalent to the Quality Unit.
Above the left breast pocket, Sea Scouts and leaders can wear up to six square knots or five pin-on medals on the dress blue or white uniforms, with the badge of rank being worn on the pocket itself. No knots are supposed to be worn on the summer tan uniform, tho many do. Quartermasters wearing the "Cracker Jack" uniform wear the Quartermaster square knot, a dark blue knot on white background, in place of the rank insignia. The Sea Scout Advance Leader (SEAL) "double dolphins" pin is worn above the knots.
Above the right breast "pocket," the distinctive "SEA SCOUTS B.S.A." strip is worn. This strip is available on white, navy blue, khaki, and chambray blue. The nametag being worn above it. The adult Sea Badge pin is worn above the nametag.
On the collar of the adult's khaki uniform, the adult wear "collar marks," showing position of office, in the same manner as that of US Navy officers.
On the shoulders of adult summer white uniform, black soft shoulder epaulet covers are worn on the shirt's epaulets. These have the position of office embroidered (or use the metal collar marks).

Other notes

While not mandated, many wear the World Crest patch above the left pocket on their uniforms.
Wearing of Wood Badge beads is not allowed on Sea Scout uniforms. This is due to safety reasons.
Wearing of campaign ribbons is not allowed on Sea Scout uniforms. This is due to avoiding looking like Naval personal. This means the Venturing Bronze and Gold ribbons may not be worn on the uniform.
Wearing of OA Lodge flaps is not allowed on Sea Scout uniforms (though some do wear them).
Those that attend National Scout Jamboree, especially those staffing the Sea Scout exhibit, will wear the Jamboree patch on their uniforms above the right pocket, at least during the Jamboree.

Adult insignia

Many are confused by the insignia used by adult Sea Scout leaders. The position of the adult is indicated by insignia that uses the Sea Scout Badge (Boy Scout First Class badge superimposed on an anchor), and then a combination of ropes and stars to indicate the position and level.

The level of a scouter is indicated by the stars.
1 star ( * ) is Ship level
2 stars ( ** ) is Council level (Squadron in Sea Scout terminology)
3 stars ( *** ) is Region/Area level (Task Force & Flotilla, respectively)
4 stars ( **** ) is National level (Fleet)

The position of the scouter at these levels are indicated by either the presence or absence of a rope diamond or rope oval around the Sea Scout emblem. A rope diamond indicates the person is the Ship Committee Chairman (rope diamond with 1 star) or Squadron, Flotilla, or Fleet Commodore (rope diamond with 2, 3, or 4 stars). A rope oval indicates the person is a Ship Committee Member (rope oval with 1 star) or Squadron, Flotilla, or Fleet Vice-Commodore/Committee Member (rope oval with 2, 3, or 4 stars). At the Squadron, Flotilla, and Fleet levels, the absence of the rope oval or diamond indicates a professional scouter working at those levels. At the Ship level, the Skipper is indicated by a star and bar ( *| ) below the Sea Scout badge, while the Mate (Skipper's assistant leaders), have just a star.

Advancement/recognitions

The Sea Scout rank system consists of Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and Quartermaster. Quartermaster is the highest Sea Scout rank, and only about 15-20 youth a year receive it. The Quartermaster rank is also the oldest award in the Venture program. Youth who do earn it are recognized by both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. For those who enlist, this is usually by immediate promotion after recruit training to the rate of seaman (E-3).

In addition to the traditional seamanship skills required for rank advancement, Sea Scouts currently may earn two seamanship knowledge and skill qualification recognitions: the "Qualified Seaman" and "Small Boat Handler" badges.

In addition to obtaining the boating licenses or safe boating training certifications that may be required by many States, Sea Scouts are also encouraged to qualify in the programs offered by organizations such as the Red Cross (first aid, CPR and lifesaving), the United States Sailing Association (any US Sailing qualifications), SCUBA certifications, and to become apprentice (youth) members of their local U.S. Power Squadrons. Sea Scout ships are encouraged to affiliate with a local Power Squadron and the adult leaders join also as full members. This program enables both youth and adults in the Sea Scout ship to obtain the excellent member training offered by the USPS, and the USPS gets new members.

There is also the "Long Cruise Badge." It's earned by Ordinary rank Sea Scouts or above and adults who complete a two week cruise, or a series of weekend or longer cruises adding up to 14 days.

ONLY youth who are members of Sea Scout Ships may earn Sea Scout advancement. Venturers not in Sea Scout Ships can not earn these awards. However, all Sea Scouts may earn any Venturing Awards. Those who entered Sea Scouts as a First Class Scout in the Boy Scouts can work on requirements and merit badges for the rank of Eagle Scout, provided that the youth is under the age of 18 at the time of the completion of requirements.

Activities

As a nautical program, most ships engage in several activities in this area, such as sailing trips, scuba dives, and other boating activities. Ships also have to work on maintain their boats and equipment.

If there is a Squadron structure in their council, there may be Sea Scout Regattas and Rendezvous organized among local Ships, usually with sailing competitions.

There are also many local Sailing Cups, Regattas, and Rendezvous organized that bring Ships from surrounding councils.

Several areas and regions also organize annual regattas and rendezvous as well.

At present, there is no National Sea Scout event.

There is also the biannual William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup, which is the only international Sea Scout event. Participants crews must place at one of the regional qualifying events. This event is held at different locations around the US.

Training

Training in Sea Scouts largely makes use of the existing Venturing Training. However, there are some Sea Scout-specific training for youth and adults.

Youth Training

There is a specific training for youth called SEAL (Sea Scout Advanced Leadership) Training. This is a week-long training event held at sea around the country during the summer. About 4-5 courses are held. Once completed, the youth are award the SEAL training pin – a "double-dolphin" badge identical in design to the U.S. Navy's enlisted submariner badge, but with the submarine replaced with the Sea Scout emblem on a disc. It is the only Sea Scout badge that can be worn on the adult uniform if the adult completed the training as a Sea Scout youth, or has qualified to be a Course Director or Assistant Course Director.

Adult Training

Sea Scout adults take the same training as Venturing adults, but also the Sea Scout Officer Specialized Training to be considered "Basic Trained" and have Sea Badge available to them, which is considered the top-level leadership training for Sea Scout leaders. There is also Sea Scouter Advanced Leadership Training (SALT) available at the Philmont Training Center.

References

Venturer Application 28-303K: Venturers registered in a crew or ship prior to their 21st birthday may continue as members after their 21st birthday until the crew or ship recharters or they reach their 22nd birthday, whichever comes first.

The Sea Scouts BSA website

External links

Boy Scouts of America | 1912 establishments

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