The induction ceremony, called the Ordeal, is the first step toward full membership in the Order. During the experience, candidates maintain silence, receive small amounts of food, work on camp improvement projects, and sleep apart from other campers. The entire experience is designed to teach significant values. All candidates for membership must complete the Ordeal.

Order of the Arrow Eligibility

Before you go through your ordeal you must be elected in by members of your unit (or nominated by your Scoutmaster if you are over 21) but to be eligible for an election the following must be completed by the night of the unit election.

1.       Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America. Either in a Scouts BSA Troop, Sea Scout Ship, or Venture Crew

2.       Have experienced 15 nights of Scout camping while registered with a troop, crew, or ship within the two years immediately prior to the election. The 15 nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of at least five consecutive nights of overnight camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. Only five nights of the long-term camp may be credited toward the 15-night camping requirement; the balance of the camping (10 nights) must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps of, at most, three nights each. Ship nights may be counted as camping for Sea Scouts.

3.       At the time of their election, youth must be under the age of 21, and hold one of the following ranks corresponding to the type unit in which they are being considered for election: Scouts BSA First Class rank, the Venturing Discovery rank, or the Sea Scout Ordinary rank or higher, and following approval by the Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor or Sea Scout Skipper, be elected by the youth members of their unit.

4.       Adults (age 21 or older) who meet the camping requirements may be selected following nomination to and approval by the lodge adult selection committee.

More information can be found in the Order of the Arrow Handbook

From the beginning of the Order in 1915, all members have been equal. There are no ranks. As an Ordeal member, a brother is entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership in the Order. Yet, so important is the induction sequence that the Order strengthened it by creating the Brotherhood membership. It is an opportunity for members to evaluate their past service to Scouting and to their Lodge since their Ordeal induction. Brotherhood is sought by Arrowman seeking to reaffirm their belief in the high purposes of the Order. Before becoming a Brotherhood member, each brother makes a special effort to serve his troop and learn about the Order. Each Brotherhood member commits himself to even more service to Scouting through the Order. Brotherhood membership marks the completion of your induction into the Order of the Arrow thus making it a vital and necessary step that every Arrowman should take.

The Challenges of Brotherhood Membership

You must meet five challenges before you can enter the circle of Brotherhood. The first of these you should meet now. The next three require steady effort over a period of months. The last challenge must be met after you are satisfied you have completed the first four.

1.       Memorize the signs of Arrow membership. Memorize the Obligation of the Order. Also memorize the Order of the Arrow Song, the Admonition, the Sign of Ordeal membership, and the Arrow Handclasp.

2.       Advance in your understanding of the Ordeal. Gain thorough understanding of the Ordeal through which you have passed.

3.       Serve your unit. Retain your registration in Scouting. During a period of ten months, strive to fulfill your Obligation by continuing and expanding your service to your own unit.

4.       Plan for service to your Lodge. Retain your registration in your Order of the Arrow Lodge and keep your dues paid. Be aware that acceptance of Brotherhood membership includes a pledge of service to your Lodge. Develop a concrete idea   of how you plan to fulfill this pledge.

5.       Review your progress. When you earnestly feel you have met the four challenges above, write a letter to your Lodge Secretary. In this letter explain what you feel the Obligation means. Also describe how you have been fulfilling this Obligation in your unit and in your daily life, and how you have used your understanding of the Ordeal to aid in this service. Also include your specific plans for giving service to the Lodge program. You must meet five challenges before you can enter the circle of Brotherhood. The first of these you should meet now. The next three require steady effort over a period of months. The last challenge must be met after you are satisfied you have completed the first four.

More information can be found in the Order of the Arrow Handbook

After two years of exceptional service as a Brotherhood member, and with the approval of the national Order of the Arrow committee, a Scout or Scouter may be recognized with the Vigil Honor for their distinguished contributions to their lodge, the Order of the Arrow, Scouting, or their Scout camp. This honor is bestowed by special selection and is limited to one person for every 50 members registered with the lodge each year.

More information can be found in the Order of the Arrow Handbook