Purpose of the Sea Scout Leadership Award
The Sea Scout Leadership Award is presented by councils, territories, and the BSA National Council to Sea Scouts and Sea Scouters who have made exceptional contributions to Sea Scouting and who exemplify the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, and the Sea Scout Promise.
To be eligible for the SSLA, one must:
- Be registered and involved as a Sea Scout or Sea Scouter for at least one year.
- Hold a leadership position or an office at the unit, district, council, service territory, or national level.
- Show exceptional dedication and give outstanding leadership and service to Sea Scouting and to Sea Scouts (at the level appropriate for the award).
Nominations
Nomination Deadline
- Council – Dates are set by the local council; turn forms in to the local council.
- NST – March 15 to the National Sea Scout Program Chair
- National – March 15 to the National Sea Scout Program Chair
You must email territory and national nomination forms to: bengmferil@gmail.com
You must send the Council nomination forms to the local council, NOT to national.
Nomination Suggestions
The following are suggestions to include in the nomination packet:
- A narrative that justifies the nomination, including where the nominee went “above and beyond.”
- Multiple letters of recommendation (2 to 4) from different areas of the nominee’s life to give a more well-rounded view of the nominee. These could include an instructor, coach Skipper/Commodore/Boatswain, or a church/community leader.
- A list of all of Scouting positions (specifically list all Sea Scout positions and year held). Even if the position did not have a title, serving as the chair of a large project should be listed.
- A list of any involvement outside of the Scouting program (sports, community groups, etc.).
- A list of awards received in Scouting.
- Nominations carry more weight if a youth submits the nomination form.
- Parents are not allowed to submit nominations for their own child.
- This is a personal award, not a group award.
- The nominee nor any of their family members should not be made aware of the nomination.
Selection
Selection Committee
The selection committee will comprise past recipients of the SSLA and leadership at the national level, with youth and adult representation.
Quotas
The national Sea Scout Committee will establish the number of awards to be granted at each level. Currently, the numbers are:
- Council – 2 per council (1 youth/1 adult) with up to 5 ships, 1 for each additional 5 ships or fraction thereof
- National Service Territory – Up to 2 (1 youth/1 adult)
- National – Up to 6 (3 youth/3 adult)
There will be a balance of awards; if more than one award is presented, at least 50% of the awards will be presented to youth. For example, if 2 awards are presented at least one must be awarded to a youth; and so on.
The National Sea Scout Committee recognizes the importance of recognizing the leadership in the Sea Scout program. In exceptional cases, the National Commodore and Director can review petitions from a selection committee and extend the quota.
Selection Committee Report
Once a selection committee selects the award recipients, the Commodore of the appropriate level must submit the signed Sea Scout Leadership Award Nomination form to the Office of the National Director. The Office of the National Director will then mail the certificate out to for presentation. As with all Territorial- and National-level BSA awards, there is no guarantee that a nominee will be selected.
Recognition
- Council Sea Scout Leadership Awards
- Medallion suspended from blue and white ribbon, No. 636183
- Certificate, Awarded by the Office of the Sea Scout Director
- Knot, No. 14220 with a miniature Sea Scout device, No. 931
- PAS Code, 855(Youth) 856(Adult)
- National Service Territory Sea Scout Leadership Awards
- Medallion suspended from green and white ribbon, No. 636185
- Certificate, Awarded by the Office of the Sea Scout Director
- Knot, No. 14220 with a miniature Sea Scout device, No. 931
- PAS Code, 859(Youth) 863(Adult)
- National Sea Scout Leadership Awards
- Medallion suspended from red and white ribbon, No. 636186
- Certificate, Awarded by the Office of the Sea Scout Director
- Knot, No. 14220 with a miniature Sea Scout device, No. 931
- PAS Code, 862(Youth) 864(Adult)
Awards should be presented at an appropriate event for the level such as a Council Awards Banquet, a NST Bridge of Honor, or the Boy Scouts of America National Annual Meeting.
For Council Award Committees only: after approval by your Council Award Committee, to obtain the award certificate, send the form with appropriate signatures to the National Sea Scout Director (Check link) along with instructions for where to send the certificate. The medal may be purchased from National Supply (check link) – obtaining the medal is the responsibility of the Council.