Tennessee Military Department Hosts Merit Badge University

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Military Department hosted its 4th Annual Merit Badge University for nearly 300 Scouts who wanted to live up to their motto, “be prepared,” on April 12. 

Held at the Tennessee Military Department’s Joint Force Headquarters in Nashville, more than 30 Soldiers, Airmen, and volunteers from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard, offered 17 specialized merit badge classes for Scouts to earn. Participants from the Middle Tennessee Council of Scouting America, and from across the state, were invited to attend.  

“Scouting provides a tremendous foundation for leadership, and we see the benefit it had on many of our Soldiers and Airmen,” said Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee’s Adjutant General. “We value the opportunity to host this event, knowing that we are helping these young men and women become better leaders and citizens.”  

The merit badges offered ranged from those required for Eagle Scout to professional based programs. For example, Army mechanics taught auto maintenance, and Tennessee’s Staff Judge Advocate taught law. Other merit badges offered included personal fitness, engineering, first aid, and many more. Retired Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Tennessee’s former Adjutant General and founder of J Holmes Architecture, taught Architecture Merit Badge.

“Many of the badges we taught today are not often available during meetings or at Scout camp,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ken Weichert, the Merit Badge University coordinator. “They were also taught by Guardsmen who are specialists in their subjects with years of real-world experience. This is a great opportunity for Scouts to learn different skills and about different professions from those who do it every day.”  

During the classes, Scouts learned those skills while completing various tasks to meet the badge’s requirements. Most scouts ended the day with at least one new badge, with many of them one step closer to earning Eagle Scout, the highest rank a scout can earn. After the day-long event was over, more than 300 merit badges were completed.  

“This was our 4th university, and it was incredibly successful,” said Weichert. “We look forward to hosting this for many years to come.”