PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Few youth programs provide a greater benefit to a Post than involvement with a Scouting or JROTC unit. Both programs annually produce individuals with an appreciation for patriotism, civic responsibility, and the likelihood of future military service. As Boy and Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts, Venture Scouts and JROTC cadets, these individuals are often a tremendous asset to a Post by helping with Post projects such as placing flags on graves on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, helping with Post maintenance and fix-up efforts, helping distribute "Buddy”® Poppies, providing color guards and assisting with VFW public events.

 

As young adults, participants in these programs are much more likely than others of their age group to enter the military and, ultimately, become eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

 

CRITERIA: 

Criteria for Civil Air Patrol and Naval Sea Cadets

• Good academic standing
• Satisfactory progress in the cadet program
• Outstanding achievement in community service and/or the cadet program
• Outstanding leadership in the cadet program
• High moral character
• Exceptional professionalism in appearance and actions (Officer Award)
• Outstanding military bearing and conduct in and out of uniform (NCO Award)
• Involvement in patriotic programs, drill team, color guard, etc.
• Demonstrated potential and willingness to assume higher levels of responsibility

• Positive attitude toward the ROTC program
• For JROTC, must be enrolled as a 10th - 12th grade JROTC student
• For SROTC, must be an undergraduate student enrolled in Military Science I through IV
• Must maintain a "B” average in ROTC curriculum and a "C” average in all remaining subjects with no failing grades in the previous semester
• Active in at least one other student extracurricular activity (music, athletics, government, etc.)

• Be the recipient of the Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scouts Gold Award, Venture Summit Award or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award.
• Be a registered, active member of a Boy or Girl Scout Troop, Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship at the time the above award was received.
• Have demonstrated exemplary citizenship in school, Scouting and community.
• Prior National Scout of the Year winners are ineligible. Applicants still in high school who reach their 18th birthday during the nomination year remain eligible if otherwise qualified. A Scout may enter through only one VFW Post.