In 1954 the Explorer Scouts entered field competitions and, in their first "national" competition, finished second at the VFW Nationals in Philadelphia. They repeated as runners-up at Boston in 1955. In 1956, they attended the American Legion Nationals in Los Angeles and also placed second. They were then finalists at VFW Nationals from 1957 through 1962, and also made American Legion Finals in 1958 and 1959. In the early 1960s the corps switched from Explorer Scout uniforms to West Point cadet style uniforms. While attending VFW Nationals from 1964 through 1969, they made a finals appearance only with a 10th place tie in 1966. In 1969, Bill Howard became corps director, and the corps returned to wearing Explorer uniforms. The corps made immediate improvements and returned to VFW finals in 1970 and 1971.