Sea Explorer Medallion, SE-08Sea Explorers (1949-65)
Overview
In 1949, along with the rest of the Senior Scouting program, Sea Scouts became Sea Explorers.  For the most part, the changes was in name only.  There were only minor changes to the program.

Program
Apart from minor changes to the uniform and unit structure, no changes were made in the basic program at this time.  Sea Explorers continued with the traditional Sea Scout program from 1924.

Uniform
Sea Explorers continued to use their naval inspired blue and white uniforms.   The youth had an additional uniform.  The Senior Scout fatigue uniform was continued as the Sea Scout fatigue uniform, replacing the prior dungaree uniform. However, the shirt strips would now read "Sea Explorers BSA" instead of "Sea Scouts, BSA", and the locations of some insignia was changed to more conform to other programs in the BSA.  To save space, only the white on blue insignia will be shown for the most part.

Sea Explorers, BSA shirt strip, white on blue, SE-1Sea Explorer shirt strip on white, SE-02

Sea Explorer uniform, 1950sSea Explorer Navy Blue uniform, 1949-on

Advancement Program
Sea Explorers would continue to use their advancement program of Apprentice-Ordinary-Able-Quartermaster.  However, they could no longer earn advancement in the other Explorer programs.  The alternative path to Eagle for Sea Explorers continued, but it consisted only of allowing those who had earned Ordinary to go on to earn Star, Life, and Eagle.  Star and Life badges continued to be made available on blue and white cloth.
 
 

Sea Explorer Advancement

Apprentice Sea Explorer, SE-29

Ordinary Sea Explorer, SE-30

Able Sea Explorer, SE-31

Quartermaster Sea Explorer, SE-19

Quartermaster Medal, circa 1970, SE-32

Quartermaster Lapel Pin, SE-34

Quartermaster Knot, SE-35Quartermaster Knot, SE-36Quartermaster Knot, SE-37

 

Unit Organization
Also during this period, the organization of Sea Explorer Ships were brought in line with other BSA units.  The positions of Coxswain, Boatswain's Mate, and Boatswain were changed.  No longer were they used to denote Crew Leaders of certain rank.  The position of Coxswain's Mate (Assistant Crew Leader), was also created, so the position patches changed a little.  Not sure if these leadership positions were appointed or elected.
 
 

Boy Scout and Sea Scout Unit Comparison

Boy Scout Troop

Sea Explorer Ship

Scoutmaster

Skipper

Assistant Scoutmaster

Mate

Senior Patrol Leader

Boatswain [Bo's'n]

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

Boatswain's Mate [Bo's'n's Mate]

Patrol Leader

Coxswain (Crew Leader) [Coxs'n]

Assistant Patrol Leader

Coxswain's Mate (Assistant Crew Leader)

Scribe

Purser


 
 

Sea Explorer Ship Office Insignia

Ship Committee Chair patch, SE-21

Ship Committee, SE-24

Skipper, SE-14

Mate, SE-13

Boatswain, SE-12

Boatswain's Mate, SE-11

Coxswain (Crew Leader), SE-10

Coxswain's Mate (Assistant Crew Leader), SE-09

Yeoman, SE-18

Bugler, SE-15

 

 

Council/Regional/National Organization
The structure of committees developed at the Council, Regional, and National Levels continued.  See the Sea Scout page for 1924 for pictures of their office insignia.

Miscellaneous
National would continue the use of "Standard Explorer Unit" awards from the previous "Standard Senior Scout Unit" awards.  These awards were given to any Explorer unit (Post, Ship, Squadron) which meet certain criteria at the local, regional, or national levels. To see the requirements, go here.
 
 

Standard Explorer Unit

Local Standard Explorer Unit

Regional Standard Explorer Unit

National Standard Explorer Unit

Sea Explorers would continue to have the "Long Cruise".  This was for a shipboard trip of at least a week in duration.  Special patches were issues, along with arcs for additional Long Cruises.  Red arcs for additional Long Cruises, white for 5 additional Long Cruises.
 
 

Long Cruise

Long Cruise on blue, SE-49

Long Cruise on white, SE-50

Arcs
NO PICTURE

Literature
During this period, the Seventh edition of what was now called the Sea Explorer Manual was produced.  It was a revision of the prior sixth edition.

While no new printings or editions of the Skippers Handbook was produced, there must have been enough left over from the previous edition, as they were listed as available with other Explorer literature of the time.  No new Crew Leader Handbook was produced, and it was not listed as available.
 

Literature

Sea Explorer Manual (7th Edition) (#3229)
 1     1950,Oct      30000
 2     1952,Sep      25000
 3     1954,Sep      20000

 4     1955,Sep      20000     (also hardbound)
 5     1956,Dec      15000
 6     1958,Aug      20000
 7     1960,Mar      15000
 8     1961,Aug      15000
 9     1963,Nov      18000

paperback, 640p


 

Statistics

year

membership

units

Quartermaster awards

1949

22557

?

?

1950

22148

?

?

1951

20338

?

?

1952

19619

?

97

1953

18954

?

57

1954

20791

?

80

1955

21816

1361

96

1956

23283

1419

75

1957

24823

1482

69

1958

26702

?

124

1959

24912

1506

115

1960

24229

1477

121

1961

25812

1523

105

1962

26751

1576

124

1963

25136

1532

113

1964

23404

1484

119

1965

20032

1320

109

Statistics taken from BSA Annual Reports to Congress

Updated: 12/09/2008mrb