Missouri Military Academy Cadet Mason Brooks Achieves Eagle Scout Rank

Missouri Military Academy Cadet Mason Brooks ’25 from Henrietta, Texas, has achieved the status of Eagle Scout, marking a significant milestone in his scouting journey. For his Eagle Scout project, Cadet Brooks addressed a pressing need on MMA's campus by installing trail markers on the back campus, enhancing navigation in challenging areas.

“Scouting has given me unforgettable memories, new experiences and valuable skills,” Cadet Brooks says. “Becoming an Eagle Scout required hard work but was also a lot of fun. I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment and the many skills the program has given me, and I will cherish them for life.”

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Rob Silbaugh, MMA vice president for institutional advancement and Boy Scout Troop 1889 scoutmaster, and Cadet Mason Brooks on MMA's back campus.

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An Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program, a distinction earned by only four percent of Scouts since the program's inception in 1911. To reach this prestigious rank, Scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges, fulfill leadership roles, demonstrate outdoor skills and complete a comprehensive service project in the community.

“As an Eagle Scout myself, it is one of my greatest honors that I have received,” says Rob Silbaugh, MMA vice president for institutional advancement and Boy Scout Troop 1889 scoutmaster. “It has taken Cadet Brooks years of preparation to be able to obtain this rank. He joins a very small population of Scouts who have earned this rank.”

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Cadet Brooks works on his Eagle Scout project, installing trail markers on the Academy's back campus.

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In his daily life, Cadet Brooks exemplifies the principles of the Scout Law, embodying traits such as trustworthiness, loyalty and kindness. Becoming an Eagle Scout not only signifies personal achievement but also showcases qualities highly valued by colleges and employers, including perseverance, leadership and accountability. Additionally, it opens doors to higher ranks in the military and exclusive college scholarships.

The Adventure Begins

Cadet Brooks's Scouting journey intensified when he enrolled at MMA in the fall of 2021, where he found the support and resources to pursue his Scouting goals more seriously.

“At MMA, I've learned not only outdoor skills but also teamwork and leadership skills that I find extremely useful and enjoyable,” he says.

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Brooks's Eagle Scout project improves MMA's back campus by providing navigational markers for his fellow cadets, current and future, to use.

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His involvement in Scout meetings and volunteering at scouting events allowed him to hone his leadership skills, which have proven invaluable in his leadership roles at MMA.

“This is what Scouting is all about — learning life skills, learning leadership skills — all things he learns at MMA,” Silbaugh says.

Eagle Scout Project 

“The back campus of MMA has been in dire need of trail markers for some time,” Cadet Brooks says. “As a result, my Eagle project aimed to install several signposts that would indicate specific locations that were difficult to navigate on back campus.”

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MMA's campus covers 288 acres. The back campus includes obstacle courses, a cross-country course, a paintball field, a rappel tower and more.

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Planning the project required careful consideration and consultation with various stakeholders. Despite encountering obstacles like adverse weather and scheduling conflicts, Cadet Brooks persevered. 

“Nevertheless, we overcame the obstacles and finally placed the signs in February, which was the most rewarding part of the project as all the hard work finally paid off,” he says. 

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MMA's Scout Troop 1889 regularly uses back campus for activities.

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The newly installed trail markers on MMA's back campus ensure that future cadets and visitors can easily navigate campus for years to come.

Looking ahead, Cadet Brooks plans to pursue a degree in economics before commissioning into the Army and eventually transitioning into a career in business. 

“My advice for Scouts aiming for the same goal is always to be persistent and stay committed, as becoming an Eagle Scout is a significant and worthwhile achievement,” Cadet Brooks says. 

About MMA Scout Troop 1889

For more than 100 years, both Missouri Military Academy (MMA) and Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have been helping young men reach their full potential through a curriculum of academic and leadership skills and by imparting values of duty, honor and selfless service.

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Cadet Brooks (center, holding book) with fellow scouts at MMA.

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MMA cadets are invited to join the Academy’s BSA Troop 1889 (named in honor of the year of MMA’s founding) for fun and challenging experiences that will enhance their positive character development and leadership skills. MMA’s unique environment – both campus and culture – provides the optimal structure, consistency and opportunities to advance as a Scout while enhancing the MMA brotherhood experience.

Progress within Boy Scouts may also have a positive impact on a cadet’s rank advancement within the corps. The commandant’s office is notified of merit badges earned and Scout advancement. Cadets may utilize their Scout and MMA experiences to graduate as an MMA Corps of Cadets leader and obtain Eagle Scout rank.

For more information about MMA’s Troop 1889, please contact Silbaugh at Robert.Silbaugh@MissouriMilitaryAcademy.com