Eagle scout dedicates 130 hours of service to local police department range

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township teen received his Eagle Scout award last month, which is the highest and most prestigious rank in Scouting. James is the youngest Eagle Scout from Troop 39 since the Troop’s re-charter in 2014.

James Michael Komsa, 14, of Troop 39 in Brick, was conferred his ranking at a Court of Honor on August 19, 2018, at La Bove Grande in Lakehurst. James Komsa, began his scouting journey in Cub Scouts as a member of Brick Cub Scout Pack 33 at the age of 7. After rising through the ranks in Cub Scouts, James joined Boy Scout Troop 39 in the Fall of 2015. Troop 39 is sponsored by First Baptist Church of Laurelton in Brick, NJ.

James, who has earned 23 merit badges, completed his community service project at the Manchester Township Police Firearms Range. His project included much needed improvements to the outdoor facility where police officers throughout the State conduct firearms training. Improvements included, site work, rebuilding bleachers and the construction of brass sifters. The sifters are used by the police department to sift dirt and debris from spent brass shell casings. The bleachers, which were in a state of disrepair, are used for instruction and events that occur at the facility.

Approximately 130 of hours of work were devoted to the project, with 18 fellow Scouts and leaders pitching in to complete it. James used the life skills he obtained during his scouting career to plan, coordinate and carryout the project. Donated materials and an online fundraising campaign were utilized to fund 100% of this project.

James is currently a member of the Order of the Arrow Japeechen Lodge and he currently serves as Troop 39’s Senior Patrol Leader. He has also held the positions of Patrol Leader, Scribe, Quatermaster and the National Jamboree Contingent Assistant Patrol Leader. Additionally, he has successfully completed National Youth Leadership Training.

“I like the adventure as well as the life and leadership skills that I’ve learned over the years,” James said is statement referring to what he enjoys most about scouting. James is a Freshman at Brick Township High School where he is enrolled in honors level courses and he plans on studying engineering.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout must: progress through the ranks in order; earn 21 merit badges; serve six months in a troop leadership position; plan, develop and give leadership to a service project; take part in a Scoutmaster conference; and successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review, according to the Boy Scouts of America website. It’s a daunting task, and not every Boy Scout reaches the Eagle Scout pinnacle. Nationally, only 4% of those in Scouting obtain the rank of Eagle Scout.

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