Ceremonies - Admissions

Note: Other scripts may also be used (such as Appendix K of the 1997 printing of the Sea Scout Manual.)

The BOATSWAIN'S MATE FOR ADMINISTRATION is in charge of the ceremony, under the guidance of the First Mate. The ceremony is carried out aboard a landship or in a room with chairs set to outline a landship.

The BOATSWAIN'S MATE FOR ADMINISTRATION instructs the CANDIDATE beforehand in his/her part of the ceremony. If there is more than one CANDIDATE, they are handled as a group and speak out in unison. Chairs should be set up on the outside of the landship for parents and guests. They should be sent invitations and be ushered to their seats by Sea Scouts before the ceremony begins.

The following items are necessary for the admissions ceremony:

The National ensign
Sea Scout Promise poster
Small table
Ship's Logbook placed on table
Ship's Code
The Sea Scout Manual
Recruit's membership certificate

Sea Scout ships can add a special touch to their admission ceremony by using lighting effects and recorded background sound effects (e.g., sound of breaking waves). They can use their imagination so long as they remember that the purpose of the admission ceremony is to give both the CANDIDATE and HIS/her parents a serious look at the ideals and responsibilities of Sea Scouting as well as the program opportunities.

The admission ceremony generally follows the regular opening ceremonies of a Sea Scout ship. It is a short and impressive ceremony with the entire membership standing in formation (either at ease or at attention, as directed by their officers). The YEOMAN and CREW LEADER of the crew to which the CANDIDATE is assigned take part.

The BOATSWAIN'S MATE FOR ADMINISTRATION begins the ceremony by inviting the parents of the RECRUIT to come aboard. The Honor Guard then escorts them over the port gangway to the quarterdeck where he/she introduces them to the SKIPPER and then offers them seats for the ceremony.

The BOATSWAIN'S MATE FOR ADMINISTRATION then calls for the RECRUIT and meets the new RECRUIT at the port gangway and escorts him/her to the FIRST MATE, who is stationed at the mainmast. Stationed also at the mainmast is the BOATSWAIN'S MATE FOR PROGRAM, rolled up under his/her arm, the Sea Promise Poster and the Sea Scout emblem poster. As the RECRUIT approaches, the BOATSWAIN'S MATE FOR PROGRAM unrolls the Sea Promise and holds it in full view.

BOS'N'S MATE: "HONOR GUARD. Escort the RECRUIT's parents aboard Ship." (The HONOR GUARD escorts them over the port gangway to the Quarterdeck where he/she introduces them to the SKIPPER and then offers them seats for the ceremony.)

BOS'N'S MATE: "Will the new RECRUIT please come forward to the port gangway." (The BOS'N'S MATE meets the RECRUIT at the port gangway and escorts them to the FIRST MATE, who is stationed at the main mast.)

BOS'N'S MATE: (Approaches and salutes the FIRST MATE) "Sir, I present SEAMAN RECRUIT _____ for membership in our Ship."

FIRST MATE: (Shakes hand with the RECRUIT) "Welcome aboard. "You now see before you the Sea Scout emblem. This is the dynamic emblem of Sea Scouting that calls in turn for your dynamic support of our Ship. You can best give that support by ever seeking to abide by the motto, 'Our best today - for a better tomorrow.' BOS'N'S MATE, will you take the SEAMAN RECRUIT to the bow of the Ship." (There, at the bow of the Ship, the BOS'N is stationed with a rolled-up copy of the Sea Promise poster under his/her left arm.)

BOS'N'S MATE: (Salutes the BOS'N) "Mr. BOS'N, I present SEAMAN RECRUIT _____."

BOS'N: "Welcome aboard, SEAMAN RECRUIT _____." (BOS'N unrolls the poster and reveals the Sea Promise.)

BOS'N: "SEAMAN RECRUIT _________, I now ask you to listen to the Sea Promise." (The BOS'N reads the Promise from the Poster.)

BOS'N: "Do you subscribe to that Promise, SEAMAN RECRUIT _____?"

RECRUIT: "I do."

BOS'N: "BOS'N'S MATE, take the SEAMAN RECRUIT to the SKIPPER on the Quarterdeck."

BOS'N'S MATE: (As he/she approaches, salutes the SKIPPER) "Sir, I present SEAMAN RECRUIT _____."

SKIPPER: "Thank you, BOS'N'S MATE. SEAMAN RECRUIT _____, I welcome you aboard our Ship." (SKIPPER turns to the ensign)

SKIPPER: "Loyalty to our nation and respect to the flag are basic parts of Sea Scouting. With that in mind, I would ask you to be ever mindful of the heritage and freedoms we share in this great country." (Briefly in own words, the SKIPPER outlines to the RECRUIT and his/her parents first the privileges of membership and second, the responsibilities of membership.)

SKIPPER: (Turning to BOS'N'S MATE) "Take the SEAMAN RECRUIT to the YEOMAN's station."

BOS'N'S MATE: (Salutes) "Aye aye, sir." (THE BOS'N'S MATE then presents the RECRUIT to the YEOMAN.)

BOS'N'S MATE: "YEOMAN, I present SEAMAN RECRUIT _____ for membership in our Sea Scout Ship."

YEOMAN: "Welcome aboard, shipmate! Before you sign the Ship's log, you must agree to act by our Ship's articles, which we call our Ship's Code, Minimum Standards and Bylaws. I shall now read them to you." (In a loud, clear voice, YEOMAN reads the article to the RECRUIT and to the entire Ship's company and guests.)

YEOMAN: "Do you subscribe to the Code, Minimum Standards and Bylaws of Sea Scout Ship [number], the S.E.S. [name]?"

RECRUIT: "I do."

YEOMAN: "You will now sign your name in the Ship's log."

RECRUIT: (Signs their name in the Ship's log. After which BOS'N'S MATE then guides CANDIDATE back to the SKIPPER.)

BOS'N'S MATE: (Salutes SKIPPER) "Sir, SEAMAN CANDIDATE _____ has signed the Ship's log."

SKIPPER: (Returns the salute and then shakes hands with the CANDIDATE) "Welcome aboard, SEAMAN CANDIDATE _____. On behalf of the officers and crew of this Ship and the Boy Scouts of America, I present you with your certificate of membership. The Sea Scout Manual, which you received earlier, should be your guide as you become a participating member of this Ship's company. BOS'N'S MATE, take this seaman to his/her assigned crew."

BOS'N'S MATE: (Salutes the SKIPPER) "Yes, sir. This way, SEAMAN CANDIDATE _____." (BOS'N'S MATE takes CANDIDATE to assigned crews and presents CANDIDATE to the CREW LEADERS.)

BOS'N'S MATE: "CREW LEADER _____, SEAMAN CANDIDATE _____ is now a member of this Ship and is assigned to your crew."

CREW LEADER: (Salutes the BOS'N'S MATE. Then facing CANDIDATE): "Welcome to our crew."

BOS'N'S MATE: "HONOR GUARD. Escort the parents of the CANDIDATE ashore." (Parents of the CANDIDATE are escorted ashore off the port gangway and the HONOR GUARD return to their crew(s).)

BOS'N'S MATE: (Reports back to the BOS'N and salutes him/her): "Sir, the CANDIDATE is now an official member."

BOS'N: "Very well, BOS'N'S MATE, I am ready to relieve you of command."

BOS'N'S MATE: (Salutes) "Aye aye, sir."

BOS'N: (Turns and faces the SKIPPER, salutes.) "Sir, the admissions ceremony has been completed and the CANDIDATE is now an official member."

SKIPPER: "Thank you. Carry on."

Awards and other business is conducted at this time