Rank Advancement
Advancement is the process by which Scouts progress from rank to rank in the Boy Scouts of America. The ranks are as follows: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle.
The first four ranks are geared toward the Scout obtaining skills that will assist him in his Scouting journey, e.g. camping, fitness, cooking, tool use, first aid, hiking, citizenship, and aquatics.
Once the Scout rank has been earned, the Scout is able to work on requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class simultaneously. For example, if the Troop is having a Troop meeting focused on first aid skills, a Tenderfoot Scout can work on, and have the SM or an ASM sign off on, all the first aid requirements required for Second Class and First Class advancement, provided the Scout proves mastery of those skills.
The final three ranks – Star, Life and Eagle – focus on completing merit badges, obtaining leadership skills and engaging in service projects. These ranks must be completed sequentially.
When a Scout completes a requirement for any rank advancement, he should ask the SM or an ASM to “sign off” on his completion of the requirement by having the SM or an ASM place his initials and date of completion next to the requirement in the Scout’s Handbook. Do this in real time. Do not ask the SM or an ASM to sign off on a requirement weeks or months after you completed it.
Bring your Scout Handbook to all troop meetings and campouts so that skills/requirements you accomplish can be signed off upon completion.
From the very beginning of your Scouting career, in either your Scout Handbook or in a separate notebook, keep track of the campouts you have attended and service hours you have completed. You will need proof of both for rank advancement and for certain merit badges.
Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review
After completing a rank’s requirements, a Scout requests by phone or in person a Scoutmaster’s Conference with the SM or an ASM. The Scout can typically arrange with the SM/ASM to finish certain requirements in the Scoutmaster’s Conference: e.g. the “Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law…” requirement. Scoutmaster Conferences for advanced ranks – Star, Life, Eagle – include the SM and one ASM. Scoutmaster Conferences for lower ranks usually involve a single SM/ASM, but can include more. A Scout must be in full Class A uniform and bring his Scout Handbook to the Conference. After the Conference, the Scout should ask the SM/ASM to sign his Scout Handbook under the relevant rank requirement.
The Scout must CALL the Advancement Chair: Boards of Review (Dr. John Nasr: jnasr@neurobergen.com) to request a Board of Review. The dates for Boards of Review are posted on the Troop 7 Calendar. They are held once a month. The Scout must call at least one week before the scheduled Board of Review to make an appointment or he will be placed on the following month’s Board of Review agenda. The Advancement Chair: Boards of Review will provide the Scout with a time to appear on the scheduled Board of Review date. The Scout should come to the Board of Review in full Class A uniform, including neckerchief/slide and Scout socks. He should have his Scout Handbook with all requirements signed off including the Scoutmaster Conference. Hair should be neatly combed.
A Board of Review is comprised of a panel of three adults who discuss with the Scout his experience with the Troop and decide whether he has fulfilled the requirements for the rank.
