Sea Scout Ship 25

Washington, DC Coast Guard Auxiliary Maritime Youth Program

Home » About » Scout Oath, Scout Law, Sea Promise

Scout Oath, Scout Law, Sea Promise

Oaths and the Ship 25 Code

In Ship 25, we voluntarily hold ourselves to the behavioral standards of Scouting and the Auxiliary. This is not hard to do if everyone involved remembers to respect the rights of everyone involved in the things we do. The Scout Oath, Scout Law and Sea Promise are things we memorize and say at the start of each of our meetings. They are the rules we follow in running the Ship and in leading our daily lives. Because we are a new Sea Scout Ship, our first set of elected youth officers will develop and adopt a simple Ship Code with some business practice and behavioral standards. Prior to that, the Ship 25 Committee has provided a simple list of behavior standards.

Scout Oath

On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law

A Scout is:

  • TRUSTWORTHY. Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you.
  • LOYAL. Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.
  • HELPFUL. Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward.
  • FRIENDLY. Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you.
  • COURTEOUS. Be polite to everyone and always use good manners.
  • KIND. Treat others as you want to be treated. Never harm or kill any living thing without good reason.
  • OBEDIENT. Follow the rules of your family, school, and Ship. Obey the laws of your community and country. 
  • CHEERFUL. Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do tasks that come your way. Try to help others be happy.
  • THRIFTY. Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely.
  • BRAVE. Face difficult situations even when you feel afraid. Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying.
  • CLEAN. Keep your body and mind fit. Help keep your home and community clean.
  • REVERENT. Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others.

Sea Promise

As a Sea Scout, I promise to do my best:

  • To guard against water accidents;
  • To know the location and proper use of the lifesaving devices on every boat I board;
  • To be prepared to render aid to those in need; and
  • To let those less able come first.

Behavior Standards

When elected, the Ship 25 youth officers will draft and present for approval a proposed Ship Code outlining election procedures, business practices and behavioral standards. Prior to that, the Ship 25 Committee has issued the following behavioral standards, which supplement the guidance provided by the Scout Oath, Scout Law and Sea Promise:

  1. Sea Scouts will wear the complete uniform of the day, initially as specified by the Skippers Staff (and when elected, the youth Boatswains).
  2. Sea Scouts are permitted to bring and use their personal electronics to meetings and activities, but should not use them during training or operations activities. Sea Scouts should not take photographs of others without their permission. Sea Scouts should not take pictures in the Harbor Patrol Headquarters or at any Coast Guard property without confirming security clearance from the Skippers Staff.
  3. Sea Scouts should not post on social media any image, name or personal information of any member of Sea Scouts, the Coast Guard Family (Coast Guard, Reserves or Auxiliary) or the Harbor Patrol. The youth-elected Media Specialist in consultation with the Administrative Skipper’s Mate will manage such social media postings.
  4. Sea Scouts should treat everyone with full respect and shall refrain from foul or offensive language. Sea Scouts should not engage in public displays of affection with any other Sea Scout during any Ship 25 activity or while on Scouting, Coast Guard or Harbor Patrol property or boats. 
  5. Sea Scouts shall follow the anti-COVID and other health directions of the Skippers Staff and Ship Physician.