Third generation joins top 5 percent in scouts

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kristine Dreyer
  • Air Intelligence Agency Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (ACCNS) --  His grandfather earned the award in 1939. His father also earned the award in 1978. Now the third generation has stepped up to the challenge.

Charles W. "Chip" Williamson IV, 17, son of Col. Charles W. Williamson III, Headquarters Air Intelligence Agency staff judge advocate, received the Boy Scouts' highest rank, Eagle Scout, in a Court of Honor at Westover Hills Assembly of God church, San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 23. 

Only 5 percent of all Boy Scouts make it to this rank.

Charles W. Williamson Jr., of Pasadena, Calif., joined his son and grandson in San Antonio, Texas, to commemorate the event.

"The Boy Scouts of America is broad based, but I have found two areas are of especial importance in the development of young boys into men," said the grandfather. "One is to enable them to make better judgments and decisions as they go through life by instilling in them the values of Scout Oath and Scout Law. Another is to prepare them with a multitude of skills which they receive from extensive training and testing as they progress through the ranks of advancement."

Boy Scouts offer boys ages 11-17 an opportunity to progress through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and finally Eagle. 

Chip began his journey in the Boy Scouts when he was 13 years old while living in Shreveport, La.

"I hadn't really done a lot of outdoor activities until I joined," said Chip.

The Boy Scouts changed that when Chip participated in his first activity - a 10-mile backpacking trip.

"It was a bit of a shock," said Chip. "Since then I have compared all of my camping trips to that one."

To become an Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges, submit a package with recommendations and go before a board who will ultimately decide if they should be become apart of the top 5 percent. In addition, he must complete an Eagle Scout service project that demonstrates leadership skills while providing a service to the community. An Eagle Scout service project can take anywhere from two to six months. Chip chose to complete a landscaping project at his local community center.

"The actual work took half a day," said Chip, "but the planning took quite a bit of time."
According to Chip, although it was a challenge to lead 25 team members, the project gave him skills he will carry throughout his life.

With the help of his father and grandfather, the 17-year-old said he stayed motivated and completed the challenge. 

"I had the same challenges with Chip as my dad had with me, which was completing the project," said Colonel Williamson. "By the time boys start working toward Eagle Scout, they get to the age where they may have other distractions or priorities. The parents have the perspective they need to encourage their son to stay focused."

All three men agree Chip's promotion to Eagle Scout has a significant place in the Williamson family history.

"This is kind of a culmination," said Mr. Williamson. "We now all three have this common thread having the same training of being an Eagle Scout."

"This shows Scouting can be a generational legacy," said Colonel Williamson. "It is a worthwhile thing to do and a worthwhile legacy to pass on." 

(Information for the story was gathered from www.scouting.org)