About Rank Advancement

Troop 266 Rank Advancement Guidelines

Advancement from Scout to Eagle is an integral part of the scouting experience and basic requirements are explained in the Scout handbook. Troop 266 has the following basic guidelines regarding advancement that complement, but do not supersede, established Boy Scouts of America (BSA) policies.

Ranks are earned in the following order.

□ BSA has defined many “positions of responsibility” from which Troop 266 has selected and classified the following as “leadership positions”: Patrol Leader, Instructor, Troop Guide, JASM, ASPL or SPL. The Troop believes scouts benefit most by serving in leadership positions to meet the appropriate rank requirements for Life and Eagle. Troop 266 expects scouts to serve actively in one of the leadership positions listed above, especially Patrol Leader, before completing their rank requirements for Life Scout.

□ Scouts are encouraged to serve in a variety of available positions and should not rely on the same position to meet the requirements for two different ranks.

□ When leadership positions are not available scouts can also meet position requirements by completing a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project(s) that benefits the Troop.

□ The national average age for new Eagle Scouts is 17 years old. The Troop does not have a minimum age requirement for Eagle candidates, but it does discourage rushing through the rank requirements after First Class. The Troop will make every effort to assure that scouts are given the opportunity to develop and mature at their natural pace.

□ For purpose of rank advancement, the requirement is to “serve actively” in a position, not to merely “hold a position”.

BSA advancement guidelines state: “It is a disservice to the Scout and to the unit to reward work that has not been done. Holding a position and doing nothing, producing no results, is unacceptable. Some degree of responsibility must be practiced, taken, or accepted.”

A scout that simply “holds” a position could be considered to have not fulfilled, or only partially fulfilled, the “serving actively” requirement.

□ When a scout’s achievement toward a rank advancement is “borderline” the scout should be given additional opportunity to clearly earn the rank and respect of his fellow scouts.

□ Den Chiefs are encouraged to support the Troop directly by simultaneously serving in another position (e.g. APL).

□ Troop 266 does not assign an “OA Representative” position which is eligible for rank advancement. Coordination and communication between the Troop and the OA can be conducted by a senior scout that is already active in the OA and volunteers to serve as an “OA Liaison” (not eligible for rank advancement).

□ Scouts that have earned First Class are encouraged to attend National Youth Leadership Training.

□ Merit badge counselors must be approved before any work can be completed on the merit badge (e.g. sign “blue cards”). Only the Scoutmaster can approve Eagle required merit badges. The Scoutmaster reserves the right to disallow any advancement or merit badge signed off by an unapproved individual.

□ Parents are not authorized to approve advancement or merit badge requirements for their son except when serving as merit badge counselor or instructor for a group of scouts at the same time.

□ Even though the Troop maintains records of each scout’s advancement, it is each scout’s responsibility to maintain written proof. Possession of a patch is not considered proof. Eagle rank will not be granted without official documented evidence that all requirements have been clearly completed.

□ For the ranks of Star and Life special attention is given to the requirement that a Scout “Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life”. In order to help assess this requirement, Star and Life candidates are expected to obtain TWO separate letters of recommendation before each Board of Review (BOR). The letters should come from non-related adult teachers, coaches or religious leaders outside of the Troop that have experience observing the Scout demonstrating Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The letters need to be mailed by the writer directly to the Troop and must be received before a Board of Review is scheduled.

□ A Scoutmaster conference will not be scheduled until all other rank requirements have been completed including a Board of Review for the previous rank. Board of Reviews can not be scheduled until all rank requirements have been completed including the Scoutmaster conference.

Link below has video guidance on rank requirements through First Class

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Applications/RankVideo.aspx

Joining the Senior Patrol

Troop 266 maintains a special patrol comprised of experienced, mature and proven scouts. The Senior Patrol has certain privileges and responsibilities.

□ Membership in the Senior Patrol is earned and considered a honor in Troop 266

□ Senior Patrol is not required to compete at Camporee although members are expected to actively support the other Patrols in their training and preparation

□ The Troop will encourage and support participation in high adventure and similar activities as a Senior Patrol

Scouts are eligible to join the Senior Patrol after they have accomplished the following:

□ Earned rank of Star or higher

□ Completed active service as a Patrol Leader

□ Currently serving, or have served in the past, in one of the following senior positions - Instructor, Troop Guide, ASPL, SPL or JASM.

□ Recommendation from the Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster

NOTE: Sometimes “retiring” Patrol Leaders meeting all the requirements above might be asked to remain in their existing patrol for a period of time to support his fellow scouts through an upcoming Camporee or other event.

Once accepted in the Senior Patrol, a scout remains a member even during periods in which they may not hold a leadership position.