National Honor Patrol Award
(Formerly called the Baden-Powell Patrol Award)

The BSA established the Baden-Powell Patrol Award at the insistence of Bill "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt. Hillcourt wanted a special award to recognize patrol team building and togetherness.

In the past, Patrols were identified with special banners proclaiming them as "Honor Patrols" but that really did not mean much to the members other than yet another thing to carry around on their Patrol flag or display in their Patrol Den or corner.

Hillcourt wanted something meaningful which could be added to the Patrol medallion, to remind members that they have earned it together as well as to provide a simple way for the award to be displayed on the field uniform. After much discussion within the Boy Scout Division, Hillcourt got his way and the Award, named for the founder of Scouting, was brought out in the start of the 1986 program year.

In 1999, the name of the Award was changed to National Honor Patrol Award for some reason. I don't know why, but it was changed.

The Award is a small yellow star on a khaki green background. It is designed to be worn in one place: around the Patrol medallion. The location - top, bottom, side - does not matter as long as it is attached to go around the Patrol emblem. Once earned, as long as the person is a MEMBER OF THAT PATROL, it is worn continuously. When a member changes Patrols, he removes the Patrol medallion AND the Star(s).

The requirements have only been modified to reflect the program changes within the Boy Scout Division over the years. Only Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts may earn the Award.

The Award is NOT earned by WEBELOS Cub Scouts.

The requirements are as follows:

Spirit: Have a patrol flag and rally around it. Put your patrol design on all your equipment. Use your patrol yell or cheer and patrol call. Keep patrol records up to date for 3 months.

Patrol meetings: Hold two patrol meetings each month for three months.

Hikes, outdoor activities, and other events: Take part in one of these within 3 months.

Good Turns or service projects: Do two patrol leaders' council approved Good Turns or service projects within three months.

Advancement: Help two patrol members advance one rank during 3 months.

Uniform: Wear the full uniform correctly. (at least 75 percent of the patrol's membership) to each troop meeting and campout the patrol attends during the 3 month period.

Patrol leaders' council: Represent the patrol during three patrol leaders' council meetings within 3 months.

Once a patrol achieves National Honor Patrol, how long do the members get to wear the award?

They wear it as long as they are members of that Patrol.

Let's say you have a Patrol called the Rockin' Raven Patrol. The Patrol consists of four members: Bill, Will, Red and Ed. All four members met the requirements for the National Honor Patrol Award when it was called the Baden-Powell Patrol Award last fall. Three months have passed and now the Rockin' Ravens have picked up Steve and and Mark. The Patrol has to meet the requirements for the new National Honor Patrol Award in order to earn a second star. They do.

So Steve and Mark wear one star and the rest of the Patrol receives a SECOND star to go around the Patrol emblem. Three months later, Bill becomes the Senior Patrol Leader. He has to remove his Patrol emblem because he's no longer a member of a Patrol. The Rockin' Ravens once again meets the requirements for the National Honor Patrol Award and everyone receives another star, except for Bill.

Even though Steve and Mark were not members of the Rockin' Ravens for the full three month period, they are still entitled to wear the Star because they helped the Patrol meet the requirements. And if Bill was still in the Patrol, he too would be able to wear the Star.

Nine stars can go around the Patrol emblem...which means (according to my non-math brain!!) that a Patrol can technically win this thing again and again for two years and one quarter of a third year. The BSA doesn't give a limit on how many times a Patrol has won this thing, and because nobody bothered to tell the Boy Scout Program Division if they've had a Patrol to win this thing more than four times, that's the current "stat".

This is a Troop program not a national program. Therefore, each unit can concentrate on those areas that they are weak in and tighten up those requirements to fit their needs. In Troop 27, the uniform standard is firm: 75 percent of the Patrol's membership must own and wear a full uniform. Now, what's a "full uniform"… read on.

What is a full Scout Uniform in Troop 27?

A full uniform consist of a Troop 27 ball cap, Scout Shirt with appropriate patch placement that is up to date, scout belt and buckle.  Pants can be long or short but must be clean and neat.  Not cut-offs or pants with insignia on them.  Footwear needs to be covered and neat.  No sandals or open towed shoes.

What is a full Scout Dress Uniform in Troop 27?

Same as a full uniform but with a correctly rolled neckerchief (troop 27 style) and merit badge sash that is up to date.  The neckerchief must have a slide.

I think I have finished the award who do I tell?

It is up to the patrol leader to let the troop advancement chair know when his patrol has met the requirements needed for the award.  Once the advancement chair has confirmed with the Scout Master and the Senior Patrol Leader that the patrol has met the requirements the patrol will receive the patch at the next troop meeting.  Formal recognition will be given at the next Court of Honor.

I have additional questions about the award – who can I get answers from?

If you have questions on any part of this please contact the Scout Master or Senior Patrol Leader for answers.