Each NOAC, the Order of the Arrow takes time to recognize those who dedicate themselves to servant leadership in the Order of the Arrow and Scouting America. The OA recognizes Arrowmen with the Distinguished Service Award at NOAC who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a section, regional, or national basis. Since the time the awards were first presented, fewer than 1,200 awards have been presented. This year, we recognize 53 Arrowmen with this prestigious award.
Additionally, the OA will recognize three individuals for service to the Order of the Arrow beyond the lodge level who are not members of the OA.
The stories of these servant leaders are below. No matter their background, the common bond among them is the service they have given. Take time to review the biographies, and rededicate yourself to your leadership in service that all Arrowmen are called to do. Now more than ever, the ones who chose you, need you. Whether it’s your unit, chapter, district, lodge, council, or beyond, follow the footsteps of these recipients to serve your fellow Scouts and those around you.
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
Ross M. Arnold
Tuku'ut Lodge
Greater Los Angeles Area Council
Ross is from Los Angeles, CA and Tuku’ut Lodge. Ross served on NOAC staffs for each event from 2004 to present, typically providing leadership in the training arena, and staffed a number of Jamborees, all as part of a long history of national Scouting service. Ross has served as Section Adviser of W-4N from 2013-2016 and served from 2018 to 2020 as Adviser to the Western Region Training Chair, serving on several NLATS staffs. As a youth, Ross was a Lodge Chief.