Each student chooses their own standard for excellence. If they believe they pushed themselves, and then went even further, they accept the pin/patch. Though if they sense that they could have done more in times of hardship, they might decline the token. In moments such as these, our instructors remind the student that the lessons we put them through were only training for life – and they are now Outward Bound. Should they meet the standard of leadership and excellence they set for themselves, whether in one year or ten, then they are welcome to come back to base to claim their pin/patch – and they do.
Thank you, and onward.