SHIELD
Per chevron gules and azure, in chief a pale or between two arrows palewise argent and in base an anchor or between two flashes pilewise argent.
CREST
On a wreath of the colors (or and gules) a bar wavy per fess argent and azure issuing a goshawk's head proper superimposed on a stylized demi-mine sable enflamed proper, all beneath an arc of five mullets or.
MOTTO
On a scroll azure edged or the words"PATHFINDERS - WE LEAD THE WAY" in letters of the second.
SEAL
The coat of arms emblazoned upon a white oval enclosed by a blue collar on the outside with a gold rope and inscribed with the words USS SCOUT and MCM 8 below in gold letters.
SHIELD
Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the Navy. Gold is emblematic of honor and excellence; blue denotes loyalty and devotion. Red is the color of valor and sacrifice. Blue, yellow and red are adapted from the Navy Presidential Unit Citation and refer to the third SCOUT's award for service off Borneo. The anchor symbolizes sea prowess; the lightning flashes highlight the modern electronic warfare capabilities of MCM 8 to search, detect and detonate mines. The chevron shape alludes to the minesweeper cutting through the water to clear critical sea lanes of enemy mines. The three vertical bars refer to the three previous ships named "SCOUT", and the arrows pointing upward highlight the antiaircraft protection they provide.
CREST
The name of the ship is characterized by the hawk, who has extraordinary eyesight and can "scout out" and strike hidden prey from great distances. The goshawk is the bravest, fiercest and most powerful of North American raptors. The stylized detonated mine in flames recalls the previous SCOUT's combat action, preinvasion minesweeps and patrols in World War II in the Philippine and the Pacific Theatre of Operations. SCOUT swept 196 Japanese mines and 6 other mines whose nationality is doubtful, and she is credited with destroying one Japanese bomber and one fighter with assists on three other enemy planes. The five stars commemorate her battle stars for World War II service. The white and blue wavy bar represents service at sea.