Here's how to hack your Eagle award. Some people might want to do this to show support for a change in policies within the Boy Scouts of America.
Step 1: Cut Fabric
Cut your ribbon. I ordered some 35mm grosgrain ribbon. Measuring ribbon in the US is usually English measure, so I ordered 35mm ribbon from an ebay supplier in the UK. I measured about 80mm in length of the rainbow ribbon.
Step 2: Fold and stitch
Gently fold, without crimping, the rainbow ribbon in half. Stitch it by hand or with a machine. I used red thread, as that's the standard thread used in the original medal.
Step 4: Place onto the motto
On this medal, the top bar of the medal had a cut in it, which I was surprised to find. I bent it slightly so that I could slide the ribbon back into the medal. Red on the right, as presented to the public. I gently folded at the stitch side, so it was more likely to lay flat.
Step 5: And make it nice
Bend the metal that's now in the ribbon back into a straight position. Make it meet up like it did before. Be careful not to bend it too far. It's soft metal.
Step 6: Stitch to hold the ribbon
The ribbon needs to be stitched together on the sides to avoid the ribbon from sliding around. If you don't stitch it, it'll fall and slide and make a mess. I continued to use red thread. I machine stitched on a zero length stitch, but in the next one, I'll hand stitch it. Then prep the ring and the medal for re installation.
Step 7: Insert the ring
Insert the ring back into the bottom of the ribbon. Push the middle of the ribbon (yellow and green) out toward the front to make it lay right. Make sure that the red or purple don't get folded under and get a crimp in them.
Step 8: Final assembly
Attach the Eagle back onto the ring. Bend the ring back together to close it off. It wasn't soldered at all, just bent into place to begin with.
That's it. You're done. You can stitch it by hand if you want. In fact, the side stitches are better done by hand to assure that it's a good stitch. Well, maybe you're better with a machine. The red thread does look a little weird on the purple background, but it looks just as odd on the BLUE background of the original medal. Again, hand stitching would have made this look a little nicer. I am not patient enough for hand stitching in most cases.
That's it. You're done. You can stitch it by hand if you want. In fact, the side stitches are better done by hand to assure that it's a good stitch. Well, maybe you're better with a machine. The red thread does look a little weird on the purple background, but it looks just as odd on the BLUE background of the original medal. Again, hand stitching would have made this look a little nicer. I am not patient enough for hand stitching in most cases.
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This may seem like a small point of rebelion to you, but to me, it is part of a growing voice in our world. It is my hope that this voice will someday reach the BSA and they will become as all inclusive as they were claimed to be. Someday, being gay won't make you evil, morally corrupt, or a boogeyman.
So, thank you. Hopefully all the bad comments aren't getting you down :)
Most of the negative comments are related to one of a few things. Against my right to modify my own property, am unworthy of the rank (once and Eagle... ), homophobic or merely people yelling loudly to cling to their own notions of their right to exclude people because they're afraid of them. It is, at this point, mostly entertaining to re-read some of the vitriol that some supposedly "courteous" and "kind" people have spewed.
When one stirs up this kind of controversy, chances are, they're onto something good.
Thanks for the positive reinforcement. Someday... someday we'll get there.
It does not give you the right to obtain their highest award and desicrate it publicly.
I am sure that all the parents and leaders who spend their time and effort over the years to help you achieve this honor would not be pleased by this instructable.
I sincerely hope that someone in your troop or council finds this instructable and takes back your medal.
But no, the damn hypocrites are just looking for an excuse to act up and pretend they have honor and are straight.
Enjoy your stagetime and the little attention smart people grant you here on the great internet, you poor sod. I don't need to look at your profile to pity you for your poor, valueless life of lies.
> council finds this instructable and takes back your medal.
Once an Eagle, always an Eagle. And if I lost the medal, if I sold the medal if someone stole the metal, a group of militant eagle medal hunters wanted to hunt down my medal and take it away, I would still be an Eagle.
I've said it several times in the past and a brilliant DESA recipient recently said this "It's not the medal, it's the mettle."
I've heard from plenty of Eagles, plenty of parents, plenty of leaders that appreciate this hack. I've heard from plenty of gay eagles, atheist eagles and those that are neither, but still support this kind of method of protest.
This is MY award that I've hacked. Because it's mine, it's not yours. Because it's not yours, I can't desecrate it. If I hacked yours, you might have a legitimate reason to call it desecration. But this is mine, and I'm entitled to do with it what I want.
A scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.
On my Honor, I will, do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country and to obey the scout law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
These are the Law and Oath that every scout learns and follows. If you don't believe in God, you arent following the oath you are making and you need to leave the organization. If you stay, then you are not being Honest and Trustworthy. I'm not even gonna get started on being obedient, as those who push this agenda can't understand that.
If you do believe in God yet are pushing this change in the BSA, then you are not being morally straight according to the morals taught by the Bible, which declares that sex between anyone but a man and his wife is adultery, and therefor sinful. While we are all sinners, the difference is being a wilful and unrepentant sinner versus being a repentent sinner who is trying to avoid sin.
If you disagree with me, you are entitled to your own opinion, but I am using the dictionary definition of the words that the scout makes an oath to follow. If you want change, that is your choice, but to break the oath you make in forcing that change is to show dishonor to the very award and to your own honor.
If you haven't earned the award, I'm not interested in your opinion either.
A scout must be encouraged to develop a conscience. If that conscience leads him not to want to follow a religion...seems contrary to the values of scouting to say he is bad for honestly professing what he believes to be true.
I never really imagined "reverent" as practicing religion. Just didn't make sense. I was in a troop with Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Scouts, as well as various other belief systems. Obviously I am not expecting my Buddhist friend to go to church on Sundays. I always thought "reverent" meant you always adhered to your own belief system (whatever that may be) and respected that of others.
If you aren't interested in anyone's opinion who has not earned the award, then I'm not interested in your opinion.
P.S.: I WONDEr, HOW COMe YOU BEHAVE LIKE A 10-YEAR-OLD AND FIGHt FOR YOUR KIDDIE aWArD LIKE IT WAS ALL YOU HAd ON THIS EARTH?
Sometimes the greatest respect one can express is to counter the status quo and support human rights.
http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/bsa_gay_policy.html
Seriously, you need to relax and learn to respect those around you.
Nicely done Instructable! I love it, and I hope you keep it up!
The introduction of religious fundamental structure dates to the very beginning of scouting. Baden Powell's original Oath in 1908 included the same promise to "do my duty to God" that the Oath has today. If scouting was "poisoned" by religion, it wasn't the Mormons, but the founder himself who did it. Boy Scouts have always been encouraged to believe in God and take an active role in the religious organization of their choosing.
That has nothing to do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormons"), except that it may have been part of what prompted them to sign on as the BSA's first chartered organization in 1913.
The rulings in the 1970's were due not to changing policies of the BSA, but instead stemmed from increased acceptance of homosexuality in society. BSA policies from the beginning until the 70's were in line with the views of the general public--open homosexuality was taboo, so no need to defend anything. It wasn't until the 1970's when open homosexuality had become more accepted that the BSA actually had to defend long-held beliefs. It certainly wasn't because Mormons had just joined the party.
It's interesting that you know all the parents and leaders in the organization are homophobic bigots. Can I borrow your crystal ball?
Being an Eagle Scout is most certainly not about obtaining the physical medal. I sincerely hope that someone in your community finds this comment and helps you understand that it's okay for people to have differing opinions.
So do you want a dictatorial state? See the big picture please
It's okay for people to have differing opinions. It is not okay for someone to change what an award means to make it fit thier opinion when that goes against everything that the organization and those who have sacrificed so much for the award stand for.
I will however say that I am fairly positive that if a person posted an instructable showing how to hack a Purple Heart, all the outcry would not come from "right wing nutjobs" (as I am sure you would label them).
By the way, I live in New Rochelle, NY. Troop 15.
In other programs (Venture is our older youth program, Sea Scouting a subset thereof) have awards like Ranger or Quartermaster, though those apex youth awards have changed over the years (Silver Explorer, as one example).
The most recognized apex award in scouting is, however, the Eagle Scout award. Until 1952, adults could earn the Eagle Scout award. Since then, it's a youth only award.
It is not the "military air" nor is it medals on display. It is highly coveted, hard earned actions. That's why they give out so few Medals of Honor, because if it were easy then the medal would have no value.
The Medal of Honor with a rainbow field is just not the same and it's not a Medal of Honor. Neither is the Eagle Scout award an Eagle Scout Award with it's field changed to a rainbow one. This is about the Red White and Blue not about what your sexual orientation.
If you don't like the way they award the Eagle Rank, then find an organization that allows what you are looking for and join them. It isn't a bad thing to strive for a higher standard.
Annie
Mother of an Eagle Scout
Wife of a retired Naval Officer
Former military
Daughter of a Decorated Army Officer
Turning the scouts into a red-white-and-blue band of parole-singing and flag-swinging molestors and disciminators is what took place in the US.
A disgrace to international boy (and girl) scouts.
Unfortunately you will disagree and thus be unable to see how this could expose the severe hypocrisy in your complaint. And how all this fits in with your family's obsession with organizations that sell honor and glory cheaply to people with low standards.
It is like anything, if you want to modify it and make it yours, sure, go ahead. But it ceases to be an Eagle Scout Award.
That is not ignorance.
Just personally, I feel like the BSA policy is a betrayal of what the Eagle stands for. For me, this is a way to say "I'm an Eagle and I disagree with this." The fact that I would modify the Eagle medal itself is a statement of the depth of my feeling. It's OK with me if you disagree, and I appreciate your insights.
To get back on topic though, this instructable is about @bobkrispen expressing his displeasure about the BSA's policies, and it has already started a debate about something that needs to be talked about and I completely support him/her.
Irish Scout Leader
Holder of Chief Scout's Award (Irish equivalent of Eagle)
FYI, Scouting Ireland's statement: http://www.scouts.ie/news/article/press_statement_on_the_stance_taken_by_bsa-562.html
When I don't agree with my governement, should I leave my country ? or just show my disaprobation ? would 45+% of the population leave the USA when either Barrack or Mitt get elected ?
It seems like some people try to force their view on others, it is in some way political but very natural, everything evolve over time.
"The Medal of Honor with a rainbow field is just not the same and it's not a Medal of Honor". I disagree, what is important, the bit of metal or what it represents ? He earned his eagle, even if he changed the ribbon, you can't deny he earned it !
For me, the message is clear: "I am proud to be a scout, I am proud of my achievement, but I wish a few things were different . . . "
You do honor to both the BSA and our miltary services.
Will the Instructables staff now feature other politically or religiously sensitive Ibles?
A Pandora's box has been opened and I seriously doubt they will feature any Ible that is against homosexuality.
Good workmanship as an Ible yes, but bad form for featuring it.
most people here have better things to do in their time than explaining to you why everything you say is invalidating itself and how your small intellect falls prey to poor education. but hey, why don't you print out your witty replies, pay some kids to find logical flaws in your reasoning. they will have an easy time and they'll be willing to help you cheaply. it also easier running away from them (and their ugly truth).
The most American display of free speech is to burn ones own flag, its a display that would result in sever punishment in many places in the world.
The BSA is not a Christian organisation it is secular, the only requirement is that a scout believe in a higher power. As such I believe that some one else's religious text should not be taken as the final say on any topic.
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/ReligiousAwards/chart.aspx
Lastly as this is a transformative criticism and possibly parody alteration to a copyrighted emblem it is fully covered under copyright laws due to fair use.
Your very words show your goal was not to be a part of an (American) PRIVATELY owned and free organization to fulfill ITS stated agenda.
Rather your own opinions wrongly became the focus.
If you truly want the BSA to be forced into the opinions of others - then you rob a proud American institution of the freedoms it is guaranteed under the Constitution.
Rather start your own organization with your own opinions. And i can guarantee if you did, you would, rightly so, be the first one to fight against it when someone tried to tell you you WILL change to suite their opinions.
See the bigger picture. This is a liberal ploy of getting rid of our freedoms.
You say:
The most American display of free speech is to burn ones own flag, its a display that would result in sever punishment in many places in the world.
no one who knows the actual history of our country - and actually KNOWS the freedoms they enjoy would do such a thing. However, it IS allowed b/c of our freedoms.
In the same vain of thought - we need t make sure our government and public opinion cannot ever dictate to us what we will and will not agree with/believe. And the absurd removal of a patriotic symbol from this medal.