As was historical, the primary role of a scout is to gather and relay information swiftly and without direct engagement. This means: 1. traveling, 2. assessing, and 3. reporting on what has been observed. Scouts may also be called upon as messengers between units or commanders.

The East Kingdom Scout Program exists for those who desire to take the field and be active participants in the outcome of a battle while not directly taking part in the full-contact demanded of the Heavy List fighters. Scouts can be functional battlefield heralds by identifying enemy combatants by device and insignia. They may offer assistance reporting troop movements between actual fighting forces, thus freeing up HL fighters to engage enemies directly. They may be called to retrieve weaponry, elicit repairs, support ammunition replenishment, and a multitude of other tasks that support a fighting force.

Scouts are not servants nor are they simple extraneous vestiges upon the field. Bearing the mark of the "white diamond" means you are willing to become an integral part of the whole army but are not willing (for whatever reason) to directly engage the enemy. Throughout military history, kings and generals have relied heavily upon scouts to gather, relay, record and provide information. Gifted in speed, efficiency, stealth, cunning, organization, technique and tradition, the professional scout could help turn a tide of confusion into victory.

Scouting in the SCA has changed over the years. In the East Kingdom, the program has become only a spectral shade of its former self. Whereas originally Scouts merely found where the opponent was and told a passing unit, Scouts in other kingdoms are the eyes and ears of their army. By reporting timely, accurate information to unit commanders or royalty, reporting messages between commanders, and making real contributions to the success of an army in numerous spontaneous ways, the Scout can help an army transition from an armed mob (wandering randomly around from place to place looking for something to kill) to a focused, objective-based fighting force. For those interested, please email Lord Tobyn Kembold, Acting EK Scout Commander The current ruleset for East Kingdom Scouts