Not to put two fine point on it but being in the second half of my career, I’ve seen more than a few resumes. I’m never surprised to see Eagles Scout listed as an accomplishment, even if someone has gained significant advancement in their career. I can also tell you that almost every time I’ve seen it we’ve talked about it. Given the difficulty and dedication required to achieve this, that’s no surprise and it should be no surprise that eagle Scouts are some of our highest achievers across many domains.
More than just having another accomplishment, it also represents a sincere, persistent appreciation for a fundamental connection to our world, community and values. Very few things from these years of our life follow us in such a positive and demonstrable way.
Since 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has represented the pinnacle of the Scouting experience. The very first Eagle Scout, Arthur Eldred, later graduated from Cornell University and went on to serve his country in the Navy during World War I. Nine of his direct decedents are also known to have become Eagle Scouts including his great grandchildren.
Scouting families understand the value of leadership, community service and high moral standards. Since 1911 around 2.75M Eagle Scouts have been awarded, representing ~4% of all scouts. More recently, Eagle Rank has been achieved by around 6% of scouts. Why are these rates increasing?
- Eagle Scouts are roughly 55% more likely than non-Scouts to hold a leadership position at their workplace, and about 76% more likely to have held leadership positions in the local community. [1]
- Eagle Scouts are 73% more likely than non-Scouts to have voted in the last presidential election. [1]
- Adult Eagle Scouts are more likely than their peers to give to charity, volunteer their time, set and achieve goals, work with neighbors to address problems, and show respect for religious diversity. [1]
- Eagle Scouts are more likely than other Scouts and non-Scouts to indicate they have built character traits related to work ethics, morality, tolerance, and respect for diversity.
- $500k in National Eagle Scout Association scholarships annually and numerous other organizations provide Eagle Scout scholarships including the American Legion and the Sons of the American Revolution [2]
Crucially, these differences held even when comparing Eagle Scouts to other Scouts who simply didn't finish the Eagle track — suggesting that the completion itself matters, not just exposure to Scouting.
It signals something real
Unlike a travel sports trophy or a band competition medal, there's no shortcut and no buying your way in. The rank requires 21 merit badges, demonstrated leadership positions, and an independently planned and executed community service project. That combination of long-horizon commitment plus tangible deliverable is rare among youth programs.
A credential that follows you for life
Unlike most youth activities whose relevance fades after high school, the Eagle Scout designation persists on resumes and in professional networks indefinitely. Almost every college admissions office and employer will look more favorably upon an Eagle Scout candidate, all else being equal.
- In the military, Eagle Scouts enter at an advanced enlisted rank (E-2 or E-3 depending on branch) — a concrete, measurable head start.
- NESA has about 150,000 members — a real alumni network that extends across industries, government, and the military.
The company you join
The roster of notable Eagle Scouts is deep: Neil Armstrong, Gerald Ford, Steven Spielberg, Sam Walton, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, JW Marriot, Michael Bloomberg, and many more.
About 12% of career astronauts selected by NASA are Eagle Scouts — wildly disproportionate for a group representing under 1% of the male population. Of the 24 astronauts who traveled to the moon, 20 were involved in Scouting, and 11 of the 12 men who walked on the moon earned Eagle or were involved in Scouting. [4]
Why it's structurally different
Most youth activities develop a single domain — athletic skill, musical ability, academic knowledge. Eagle Scout requires competence across radically different domains simultaneously: wilderness survival, personal finance, citizenship, first aid, public service project management, and interpersonal leadership. [3]
The merit badge system is essentially a structured exposure to breadth, and the Eagle project is one of the few youth experiences that genuinely simulates adult project management — scoping a problem, assembling a team, managing a budget, delivering a result, and being evaluated by a board of adults.
"Name another youth activity where your kid will learn to manage a multi-week community project, earn credentials recognized by every college admissions office and military branch, and join an alumni network that includes a U.S. president, multiple astronauts, and a Supreme Court justice — all while spending a lot of time outdoors."
Last reviewed: March 2026. Statistics are approximate and reflect the most recently available published data. If you notice an error, please contact us.
References & Sources
- Harris, J.C., II, et al. "Eagle Scouts: Merit Beyond the Badge." Baylor University Institute for Studies of Religion.
- National Eagle Scout Association (NESA). Scholarship and membership data. nesa.org
- Boy Scouts of America. Eagle Scout rank requirements and advancement statistics. scouting.org
- NASA Astronaut Corps biographical data. Notable Eagle Scouts compiled from public BSA and NASA records.