By: John Moale
(Editor’s Note: This is the second story in the series about “The Merit Badge That Changed My Life.” Since 1910, Scouting America has offered hundreds of merit badges—each one a doorway to new skills and life-changing experiences. In 1911, the Photography Merit Badge was added to the original list of 14 “Badges of Merit,” bringing the total number of Merit Badges that could be earned to 57 (27 of which, including Photography, are still in use). While earning the Photography Merit Badge, Scouts learn about compositional techniques, perspective, and light sources, and learn to tell stories through photography. This month’s story is written by John Moale III—an Eagle Scout from Georgia who recently celebrated his 70th year in Scouting. John earned the Photography Merit Badge in 1965.)
The date is January 12, 1965, and I have just completed the last of my 31 Merit Badges as an Eagle Scout. It was the Photography Merit Badge that sparked my interest in learning how to process and print pictures, then sell them in my neighborhood.
In the Summer of 1965, I applied for a staff position at Camp Sebring (a Scout camp in Florida) and was hired as the Trading Post Manager and Photographer. Being able to process the film and deliver prints the same day was very rewarding and appreciated by the staff.
Later, during my three-year enlistment in the U.S. Army, I was assigned to the 18th Airborne Corps as a camera repairman and photographer. My primary job as photographer was to take photos of paratroopers as they jumped out of C-130 military transports and floated to the drop zone. I was later transferred to Korea for my last year during the Vietnam War Era. While serving in the Army, I was able to help the local Scout Troop as an Assistant Scoutmaster.
After I was Honorably Discharged in 1969, I worked on a college degree majoring in Film and Mass Communications, while employed as a college newspaper and yearbook photographer. In 1972, I graduated and was hired as a still and movie cameraman, producing studio and TV commercials for a marketing company. I continued in Scouting as a Unit Commissioner.
My first big break was when I was hired as the Chief Photographer of a daily newspaper in South Florida. Among other things I was able to cover in that role were events that took place in the local Scout District, including Courts of Honor, Camporees, and Order of the Arrow events; sometimes with full-page coverage.
My second break came in 1980 from a major Japanese camera company in Atlanta. My experience as a camera repairman in the Army helped secure that job, and I eventually became the Southeast Regional Service Manager. During this time, my wife and I raised our family in Scouting, and I served in a number of roles, including Tiger Coach, Cubmaster, and Committee Chair. Our son became an Eagle Scout, our daughter became a Pack Committee Chair, and our granddaughter will soon be a Webelos.
I have been fortunate to be able to give back to Scouting by staying active all these years (this year I celebrated 70 years in Scouting—and over 51 years of marriage). I currently serve as a Merit Badge Counselor for 20 Merit Badges, including Photography. Looking back, I can definitely say that the Photography Merit Badge changed my life.