BOY SCOUT RANKS

The Boy Scout advancement program is subtle. It places a series of challenges in front of a Scout in a manner that is fun and educational. As Scouts meet these challenges, they achieve the aims of Boy Scouting. The Scout advances and grows in the Boy Scout phase of the program in the same way a plant grows by receiving nourishment in the right environment. Parents must understand that a Scout may need encouragement from time to time but it must be done at his own pace.

The role for adults concerned with advancement is to provide the right environment. One of the greatest needs of young men is confidence. There are three kinds of confidence that young men need: in themselves, in peers, and in leaders.

There are sections in the first part of the Boy Scout Handbook where the Scout or Parent may mark a check and record dates for rank accomplishments. Parents do not sign for the Leader.

BSA 4 Advancement Steps

 1. The Boy Scout learns. A Scout learns by doing. As he learns, he grows in ability to do his part as a member of the patrol and the troop. As he develops knowledge and skill, he is asked to teach others; and in this way he begins to develop leadership.
2. The Boy Scout is tested. A Scout may be tested on rank requirements by his patrol leader, Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmaster, a troop committee member, or a member of his troop. The Scoutmaster maintains a list of those qualified to give tests and to pass candidates. The Scout’s merit badge counselor teaches and tests on the requirements for merit badges.
3. The Boy Scout is reviewed. After a Scout has completed all requirements for a rank, he has a board of review. For Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Palms, the review is conducted by members of the troop committee. The Eagle Scout board of review is conducted in accordance with local council procedures.
4. The Boy Scout is recognized. When the board of review has certified a boy’s advancement, he deserves to receive recognition as soon as possible. This should be done at a ceremony at the next troop meeting. The certificate for his
new rank may be presented later at a formal court of honor.

The Boy Scout Rank Advancement Process

1. In the Back of the handbook only LEADERS sign off on the requirements (where there is a field that is printed Leader.  Leaders are those as designated and delegated by the Scoutmaster. This is the part where a Scout is tested if he is proficient in the subject matter.
2. A Scoutmaster conducts a Scoutmaster Conference.  (A good conference should be unhurried. It helps the Scout evaluate his accomplishments and set new goals with his Scoutmaster. This can be accomplished at a troop meeting, camping trip, or in the Scout’s home.  Goal setting by the Scout makes it possible for the Scoutmaster to help the Scout with his weaknesses and encourage him to use his strengths.)
3. The Scoutmaster reviews Scout Spirit typically during the Scoutmaster Conference.
4. If Approved, the Scoutmaster signs the fields Scoutmaster Conference and Scout Spirit
5. The Boy Scout notifies the Advancement Chair requesting a Board of Review and presents the handbook with all rank requirements signed up to the Scoutmaster Conference.

   • NOTE: In order to a receive rank advancement by Court of Honor, a Scout must have the Board of Review 3 weeks (2 Troop meetings) prior.  No Board of Review are to be scheduled on the night of a PLC (Patrol Leader Council) Meeting.

6. The advancement Chair oversees that there is a Board of Review that consists of parents.
   • NOTE: Scoutmasters do not participate in a Board of Review.  The Board of Review may request a Scoutmaster to momentarily step in to answer or clarify an issue.
   • NOTE: Parents are not invited to their son's a Board of Review.
7. The Board of Review proceeds if the handbook is properly signed.
8. If the Board of Review approves the Scout, they are to sign the Scout Handbook where it calls for the Board of Review.
9. The Board of Review files out a Unit Advancement Report and signs it.
10. The Advancement Report is then sent to the Advancement Coordinator and the Troop Database administrator is to be notified.
11. The Troop database administrator records the date, generates an electronic report to be sent to the advancement coordinator, also generates labels for the advancement certificate.

12. The Advancement coordinator logs onto the council advancement website and sends the advancement report to the council office.

13. Council will then mail the badge to the designated Leader.

14. The advancement coordinator acquires parent pins and the rank metal pins for the COH.

15. The Scoutmaster will present the cloth badge at the nest Troop meeting.

16. The Scoutmaster will oversee the Rank ceremony and present parent pins/and rank pins along with the signed certificates to the Scout at the next Court of Honor. This may be delegated to a Scout that needs this opportunity for advancement (Communications MB)

17. The Scout and his achievements are to be included in the COH printed program

18. The Advancement Coordinator then places the advancement report in the troop files

19. At each COH, an advancement summary report from Council should be placed in the Troop's files.

NOTE: The requirements must be met by the Scout by completing exactly what is stated, no more; no less.  A Boy Scout badge recognizes what a young man is able to do; it is not a reward for what he has done. Standards for joining a Boy Scout troop and for advancement are listed in the latest printing of the Boy Scout Handbook and in the current Boy Scout Requirements book.

Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures Pg 10: "Whatever system is used for record keeping, the awarding of badges to youth members should never be delayed. "

Service Projects A dedicated page on the topic of Boy Scout service projects.

Community Service Project Form

SCOUT SPIRIT is one of the most intangible requirement for rank advancement is Scout Spirit.  An entire page is dedicated to the subject to first help the Scout, Second help the Scoutmaster, third the Advancement Committee, and finally  the parent.  SCOUT SPIRIT

Advancement accommodates the three aims of Scouting: citizenship, growth in moral strength and character, and mental and physical development. The advancement program is designed to provide the Boy Scout with a chance to achieve the aims of Scouting. As a Scout advances, he is measured and grows in confidence and self-reliance. The ranks of Scouting are shown above. To view the specific requirements for each rank, click on the image. Eagle palms, merit badges & Order of the Arrow information can be found by clicking on the images below.

Ranks up through and including First Class focus on Scout Skills.  Ranks above First Class focus on demonstrating Leadership skills while using Scout Skills.

RESOURCES FOR THE ADULTS CONDUCTING REVIEWS

Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures

TROOP 151 BOARD OF REVIEW GUIDE A guide for the Board of Review team.

Board of Review Training  (ppt)

BSA Board of Review Training (pdf)

Scoutmaster Conferences (a guide for the Scoutmaster and the Assistants for each rank)

Scout Spirit Guidelines (Required for each rank)   SCOUT SPIRIT

UNION DISTRICT conducts Boards of Review for (Star, Life, and Eagle by appointment)

BSA Advancement Videos

BSA Insignia Guide For all your uniforming, badges, & awards placement guidelines

ADVANCEMENT Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.scouting.org/BoyScouts/GuideforMeritBadgeCounselors/RankAdvanceFAQ.aspx

REFERENCE: Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures, BSA Document ISBN978-0-8395-3088-6, Supply # 33088  This document is the most comprehensive guide on advancement policies and procedures available in one binding.  The section on Boy Scouting should be reviewed in its entirety when there is a question to ensure the intent and context is well understood.

NEW 2010 Advancement Changes

MERIT BADGE PROCESS

Merit Badges	Merit Badge Counselors must complete   1. Youth protection Training   2. Merit Badge Counselor Orientation       Introductory Guide for Merit Badge Counselors  (Training) Merit Badges classes may be offered in a group setting or more effectively done independently by the Scout (using a buddy system). MERIT BADGE PROCESS:  The Scout meets with the Scoutmaster for approval and location of a merit badge counselor. A merit badge blue card is filled out with a counselor's name and address then the Scoutmaster signs the card approving that the Scout for work on the merit badge.  The Scout will contact the counselor to make an appointment. Some counselors will visit a troop meeting to counsel a Scout. Some will meet at the Scout's home or the counselor's home. BSA guidelines prohibit any adult from meeting alone with a boy. Someone else (another Scout or another adult) must always be present.  The blue merit badge application is in three tear-off sections: MERIT BADGE APPLICATION (and Troop Record) APPLICANT'S RECORD (to be kept by the Scout) COUNSELOR'S record (kept by the Counselor)       As a Scout passes a requirement, the counselor dates and signs the chart on the back of the applicant's record.   When all Merit Badge requirements have been met: The counselor signs the back of the application and the applicant's record. The counselor keeps the counselor's section/record The Boy Scout gives the application and the applicant's record to the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster signs the APPLICANT'S RECORD and gives it back to the Boy Scout who is to place it in safe storage. The APPLICATION section of the Blue card is to then be given to the Advancement Coordinator. Troop database administrator then records the date, generates an electronic report to be sent to the advancement coordinator, also generates labels for the advancement certificate. The Advancement coordinator logs onto the council advancement website and generates an advancement report and seeks necessary signatures and sends the form to the council office. The merit badge APPLICATION section is then dated by the Advancement coordinator when the badge is reported to council The Scout and his achievements are to be included in the COH printed program. Council will then mail the badge to the designated Leader. The Scoutmaster will then present the Merit Badge and merit badge certificate at a Court of Honor. The Advancement Coordinator then places the advancement report in the troop files, and places the blue card APPLICATION record into the Scout's personal file. NOTE: The applicant's record is the Scout's "receipt". He should keep it in a safe place like any other important record. We suggest a small loose-leaf binder with pages made for baseball cards. Keep all applicant's records, merit badge certificates, and rank certificates in the binder. Do not put them in your pocket nor your wallet!  It is recommended you acquire a baseball card collector type holder placing them in a notebook binder, along with all documentation.   Some Summer camps may only present an electronic version of the blue cards, in this case, documentation signed by the Troop Advancement Chair and or Scoutmaster will be sufficient in this case.  This is typically in the form of a Individual Advancement History Form.   Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures, Page 20 " Clause 13. The responsibility for merit badges shall rest with the merit badge counselor approved by the local council and district advancement committee. Merit badge counselors shall be registered adult members of the Boy Scouts of America. The merit badge counselor shall prepare and qualify youth members. There shall be no board of review procedure for merit badges, but public recognition may be given at a unit court of honor or other suitable occasion." Merit Badge Library Merit Badge Requirements http://usscouts.org/mb/mbbooks.asp Merit Badge passports (mini pamphlets) Merit Badge Counselors annually fill out a BSA Membership application and a Merit badge Counselor form which is to be submitted to council. Merit Badge Counselor registration form Merit Badge Counselor Orientation Training NOTE: some councils no longer use the blue cards,  in such cases, the Scout individual history form is used to record the completion of the merit badge.  Partials may also be recorded via notes on the form as well as the use of Troopmaster. WHERE DO MERIT BADGES GO? The Merit Badge Sash is only worn on formal occasions.  Merit badges are to be sewn in rows of three starting 3 inches from the top crease.  Fewer than 6 merit badges are worn on the long sleeve uniform shirt on right sleeve above the (this is no longer common practice).  Activity patches and awards(not ranks) may be sewn, on the back of the sash, 3 inches from the top. OA sash in place of the merit badge can be worn only during OA functions or when representing the OA. (The merit badge sash and OA sash may not be worn at the same time.)
	Eagle Scout Rank Application Eagle Scout Service projects are to be done 100% by the Scout including leadership and documentation. Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook Contact Congress for Flag Orders An Eagle Candidate must schedule: Scoutmaster Conference with documentation that would be needed to go to the Eagle Board of Review. At least one month prior to the Union District Board of Review. Grand Lodge of Virginia Certificate
	National Eagle Scout Association http://www.nesa.org/
Eagle Palms	Awarded after serving the troop for 3 months and earning additional merit badges beyond the required 21 Merit Badges for Eagle Scout.  May be worn on the Eagle Ribbon or Knot. Bronze 5, Gold 10, Silver 15 Merit Badges Example: An Eagle Scout who earned 21+ 20 merit badges would wear a Silver and a Bronze Palm.
Order of the Arrow	The Order of the Arrow is the National Honor Society of the BSA.  Being a member of the Order of the Arrow is not an Award but rather a Recognition of those who have displayed, in the eyes of their fellow scouts, Scout virtues of unselfish cheerful service, camping skills, and leadership. Eligibility Requirements Scouts are elected to the Order by their fellow unit members, following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach. To become a member, a youth must be a registered member of a Boy Scout troop or Varsity Scout team and hold First Class rank. The youth must have experienced fifteen days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The fifteen days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps. Election is to be conducted annually by the OA Election Team.  The results are only to be revealed during the Call out ceremony by the OA and no other individual(s) Adult candidates must meet the same camping requirements as the youth. A worthy adult may be nominated using a special OA nomination form which is to be turned to the OA Lodge during the Troop Election.  Only one adult can be nominated in the same year that a youth is elected. Ordeal Membership            After the Candidate has been called out, the Candidate will be given the opportunity to participate in an "Ordeal" and induction ceremony within 12 months of election.  After completing the Induction "Ordeal", he may then be confirmed as an Ordeal Member of the Order of the Arrow by the OA Lodge.   If an elected candidate does not complete the ordeal within 12 months of election, he then goes through the entire qualification, election, and call out process that next year. Brotherhood Membership   After 10 months of service and fulfilling certain requirements, a member may take part in the Brotherhood ceremony, which places further emphasis on the ideals of Scouting and the Order. Completion of this ceremony signifies full membership in the OA. Vigil Honor                        The Vigil Honor cannot be won by a person's conscious endeavors and is not earned, rather it is bestowed.  After two years of service as a Brotherhood member, and with the approval of the national Order of the Arrow Committee, a Scout may be recognized with the Vigil Honor for exceptional and outstanding service to Scouting, his lodge, and the community. This honor is bestowed by special selection and is limited to a maximum of two percent of a Lodge's registered Arrowmen once a year, through the Vigil Honor petition. MEMBERS Members are expected to set high examples of camping traditions, service, and leadership.  The activities of the OA are intentionally not well publicized as good works are to be done without self recognition and knowing it was to benefit fellow Scouts. A final word... The Order of the Arrow, recognizing the attractiveness of the unknown, utilizes the form of mystery to enhance the quality of the program for the candidates.  Early disclosure in most all cases lessens the value of the experience for the Scout. OA Business shall NOT to be discussed with non-members.  Questions regarding the OA can be discussed in confidence with the Scoutmaster or a Professional Scouter (District Executive). OA UNIT Election Report and Adult Nomination Form OA Election Script To be used by Lodge Election Team, provides general knowledge

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

BRAVERY AWARDS

LEADERSHIP & TRAINING AWARDS

HONOR AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

RELIGIOUS AWARDS

SUPPORT OF SCOUTING