The Keefe Report: A Badge Worth Having

by
posted on April 5, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bsa.jpg

According to Scouting magazine, the Rifle Shooting merit badge was number two of the non-required badges earned by all Boy Scouts cross country last year with 43,196 Rifle Shooting merit badges sewn on sashes. Since 2009, again according to Scouting, nearly 350,000 Rifle Shooting merit badges have been earned. That’s a lot of merit badges—and a lot of .22 Long Rifle downrange.

There are 11 required merit badges needed to become an Eagle Scout, and it's no surprise that First Aid came in overall as number one. But with 10 of their merit badges on the path to the Eagle Scout rank, Scouts get a choice. And they often take the easy route, which is Fingerprinting (43,743 in 2015)—a badge that can be done in a few hours. But after easy, Scouts select one of the toughest badges—a badge that has been part of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) since the first Boy Scout Handbook in 1910, Rifle Shooting. Think it’s an easy one? Far from it. Check out the requirements.

Back in 1910 to earn the “Marksman” Badge of Merit, you had to "Qualify as a marksman in accordance with the requirements of the National Rifle Association." And NRA and the BSA of have had a strong partnership for more than a century, and both organizations remain committed to teaching firearms safety and marksmanship. And that 350,000 number represents just the boys that completed the badge—millions more shot safely through the Scouting program. Today, Scouts can shoot .22s and shotguns (Cub Scouts and Webelos shoot BB guns and air rifles, respectively), but Ventures and Explorers can shoot any firearm legal in the state in which the unit is chartered. And they do so under the watchful eyes of NRA Certified Instructors. A friend of mine, Kevin Dawson, ran a Venturing Crew that shot NRA Highpower Rifle with M1 Garands, M19103s and M1 carbines.

Many companies over the years have produced guns specifically for the Boy Scouts. Ruger commemorated the BSA’s 100th anniversary with a limited-edition 10/22. Remington and Beretta have also done special Scout guns. And there is even an Eagle Scout commemorative made by Henry Repeating Arms Co. And I think I wrote the closest thing to a tear-jerker blog I've ever produced regarding one of those guns.

As a volunteer with the Goose Creek District for many years, I still regularly sit on Eagle boards of review. And when Mr. Keefe is across the table from you, and the question of what your favorite merit badge was comes up, Rifle Shooting is always the right answer.

Top image: Winchester commissioned this painting for .22 Long Rifle ammunition packaging to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Boy Scouts. 

 

Latest

Gotw Rra Lar 22 Tactical Carbine Web
Gotw Rra Lar 22 Tactical Carbine Web

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

2025 Optic Of The Year: Burris Eliminator 6

Even as new generation after new generation of Burris Eliminator continued to add more advanced technology and functionality, it remained odd-looking—until the launch of this year’s sixth-generation product, which is the first in the line that can mount atop a rifle using standard 34 mm scope rings.

I Have This Old Gun: Star Model B

Of the many Spanish-made firearms to emerge throughout the 19th and 20th century, one of the most recognizable is the Star Model B, largely due to its similarity to the Colt Model 1911.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.