The president of the Boy Scouts of America requested that NESA convert its award into a Scoutmaster Award of Merit that could be earned by all Scoutmasters. The award used a white knot for uniform wear. His rationale was that there is a need for recognizing Scoutmasters relatively early in their work in that position, before they qualify for the Scouter's Key. This was discontinued in 2009 and replace by the Unit Leader's Award of Merit no longer a NESA Award since it covers all of Scouting.