[Scoutmaster]

Yes, you have to request an Eagle Scout recognition letter from the President - but I don't think that's the issue. The issue has been that the official certificate each Eagle Scout receives from the Boy Scouts of America (and the certificate each Quartermaster in the Sea Scouts receives) is traditionally signed by the Chief Executive of the Boy Scout of America and the President of the United States. The signatures, of course, are printed on the certificate.

I don't know all the details - I currently work in International Scouting and am not an active Scoutmaster dealing with new Eagles - but the White House took almost eighteen (18) months to give approval for President Obama's name to appear on Eagle Scout CERTIFICATES.

As a result, young men who earned the rank of Eagle Scout and young men and women who earned the rank of Quartermaster (and I assume the same holds true for Venturing's Silver Award) from President Obama's inaguration until late this spring/early summer did not have the President's signature on them because the White House wouldn't approve it.

If someone knows more details - or if I get a break on Monday and can call some contacts in Irving, Texas - perhaps I'll know the real scoop.

[dleach]

According to the BSA the delay is common when switching presidents because of licensing requirements of the president’s signature.... Not a delay on his part... but it is true that a number of the certs don’t have his signature (my youngest son’s doesn’t)... If the Eagle Scout wishes to have a cert signed by the current president all he has to do is ask for a duplicate certificate and he will get one free of charge.

Look, I don’t like Obama’s policies and direction but promoting these rumors doesn’t do us any good.

David