“On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the scout law, to help other people at all times, and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

This is the Boy Scout oath. Weekly scout meetings are the only place in this country where young 10, 11, 12, and 13-year-old boys raise their right hand and pledge to do this. I find it fitting to write about the Boy Scouts of America since:

A)    I was one

B)     This year marks their hundredth anniversary

C)    It’s the only place where young men can practice or try-out being an adult

The Boy Scouts of America is a tremendous organization. They teach independence, self-reliance, and teamwork, and they have fun. If he personally chooses to do so, a young man can rise up rank after rank learning life lessons and principles that he can apply throughout his life. He doesn’t need to participate in a sport, where he may not be good enough to advance from the bench. As a Boy Scout, he is part of a team, whether it’s a troop or a patrol, and he contributes to the success of the whole unit.

The first time I brushed my teeth without being told to do so by my mother was at scout camp. I was 11-years-old. The senior patrol leader was Richie Crocco, a big guy of 16-years-old. He shaved. You didn’t mess with Richie. He woke the whole troop up at 6:30 to march down to the latrine so we could wash up, brush our teeth, and comb our hair briskly enough to return for morning flag raising by 6:45. Everybody went to latrine, no questions asked. When I saw Richie drag a kid out of his bunk who didn’t get up and leave him in the middle of the camp site in his sleeping bag, I suddenly felt the fear of God.

God bless Richie Crocco. After six days, I was in a routine. When I returned home from camp, my mother was amazed at my new habit. She never had to tell me again to brush my teeth. It became part of my schedule.

There aren’t many places where these positive life lessons are ingrained. The Boy Scouts of America is the best-kept secret in the United States today. In addition to the scout oath, which we said at every meeting, we also recited the scout law: “A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

During a sales/motivational talk to a crowd of about 250, I was asked, “What do you look for in a salesman?” Without realizing it, I started to say, “I look for a person who is trustworthy, loyal, helpful…” Some wise guy in the front row cracked, “What are you looking for? A Boy Scout?” I looked at him squarely and replied, “Why would you settle for anyone else to represent your company?”

The qualities establish in the scout law are characteristics we all aspire to, or should. As a business owner, having salespeople who exemplify these qualities all the time would bring me peace of mind because salespeople are the face of the company. They are out in the field day after day representing the company.

Another great thing happens in Boy Scouts. Before a boy advances in rank—completing the qualifications to move up from Tenderfoot to Second Class, then First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle—he has to sit down with the head of the troop committee and the Scout Master or Assistant Scout Master and have what used to be called a Board of Review. Today it’s known as a Personal Growth and Development Conference. I prefer “Board of Review”; it sounds less scary. The beauty of this evaluation is that the boy is asked, “Since the last time you advanced, how have you lived up to the scout oath and all the principles in the scout law?” He actually has to defend his position and give examples of what he accomplished.

Such self-examination at age 11, 12, 13, etc., is nothing short of phenomenal. Everybody passes. The purpose is that it becomes a brain drain for the young man and he asks himself honestly, “Am I doing the job?”

So, hooray for the Boy Scouts of America! Congratulations on 100 wonderful years. And thank you, thank you, thank you, to the countless good men who dedicate their time and resources to help train the future fathers and leaders of America.