Rank Advancement

Troop Philosophy - Rank Advancement

We believe that a Scout should receive recognition for his achievements. Advancement sets a pattern of setting positive goals and reaching them throughout life. Even though it’s not one of the primary aims of Scouting, advancement is a natural byproduct when your Scouting experience is acquainting you with the Scouting America ideals, the patrol method, the outdoors, association with adults, personal growth, leadership development, and the Scout uniform. It’s easy to advance by following these four basic steps:

     1.Learning 

     2.Testing 

     3.Review 

     4.Recognition 

Rank Advancement

The requirements for the ranks of Tenderfoot through First Class prepare you to take full advantage of all that Scouting has to offer. Star, Life, and Eagle requirements focus on service to others and developing leadership skills.

Requirements for each rank are outlined in the Boy Scout Handbook. You can work on advancement requirements with other Scouts and with adult Scout leaders. This can be done on your own, in patrol and troop meetings, and during other troop functions such as campouts. 

Scout skills cannot be mastered by performing them just once. You will have many opportunities to practice each skill, and you will be thoroughly tested on each requirement before it is "signed off". In addition, expect to practice each skill repeatedly, even after it has been signed off. As you progress, you will also have opportunities to teach these skills to less experienced Scouts, which will further reinforce your knowledge and skill.

As you complete each requirement, you will be tested and signed off in the appropriate section of your handbook by youth leadership in the troop. It’s up to you to take advantage of the advancement opportunities available to you, and to take initiative to ask for someone to test you when you are ready. You are responsible for keeping your own personal advancement record in your handbook. You should also record your service hours, campouts, Troop activities, and leadership positions in your handbook.

You must earn the ranks in order, but you may complete any requirement for Tenderfoot through First Class at any time. (For example, you may complete a First Class requirement before finishing your Tenderfoot requirements, but you must earn Tenderfoot rank before you are awarded Second Class and First Class ranks.)

You will be meeting regularly with the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters to discuss your activity in the troop and your understanding and practice of the ideals of Scouting. This Scoutmaster conference is also used to discuss your goals and accomplishments and is required for each rank advancement.

You do not have to wait until you have completed the requirements for a rank in order to ask for a Scoutmaster conference. You may talk with the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster at any time that is convenient to both of you. However, for a Scoutmaster conference to count toward rank advancement it must take place after all other requirements are complete and before the Board of Review. At this required conference the Scoutmaster will also help you determine whether or not you are ready to go before the Board of Review.

After this Scoutmaster conference, you should arrange for your Board of Review by placing your name on the list available at each Scout meeting. Boards of Review for all ranks except Eagle Scout, are held at least once a month, and are composed of three members of the Troop Committee and/or parents. (Eagle Scout Boards of Review are arranged through the District Advancement Committee and can have other members.) The Board of Review may not include the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, or your family members.

The purpose of the Board of Review is not to retest you but rather to ensure that you have completed all of the requirements, to determine the quality of your troop experience, and to encourage you to advance toward the next rank. 

You need to have your Boy Scout Handbook and must be in your uniform shirt when you appear before a Board of Review. At the beginning of the review, the members of the board will introduce themselves to you.  During the review the board will discuss your development along your trail to Eagle, ask you questions about skills that were required for your particular rank, and evaluate you in terms of troop activities and readiness for the next rank. It is also a time for you to ask any questions you might have and to give feedback to the Troop committee about activities and your Scouting experience in your Troop and in your patrol. At the end of the review you will may be asked to leave the room/area while the board discusses your qualifications. The board will inform you either that you have been approved for the next rank or what additional actions you must take to qualify.

After passing the Board of Review, you will be recognized in front of the Troop at the end of the Troop meeting (or next meeting if the Board of Review is not conducted during a meeting). You will receive your new rank patch shortly after, usually at the next Troop meeting. You will be formally recognized for your rank advancements and merit badges in front of family and friends during a ceremony at a Troop Court of Honor. At this time you will be presented with your wallet-sized certificate card. Our Troop typically schedules two, a fall and spring Court of Honor each year. Your parents, other family members, and friends are invited and encouraged to attend all Courts of Honor.

After reaching the rank of Life Scout, you will attend a "Life to Eagle" training session, and then will schedule time to meet with the Scoutmaster to discuss ideas and suggestions for your Eagle Service Project. This project must conform to special guidelines that have been outlined by the Boy Scouts of America. Your Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chair, and a representative of our District Advancement Committee, as well as the benefiting organization, must approve your project before you begin carrying it out.