Boy Scout Rank Advancement

Boy Scouting is a program of individual advancement, which is outlined in the Boy Scout Handbook. The scout begins by learning the basic information about scouting to earn the Scout badge, the first step in the scout's adventure. Following are the the ranks of Tenderfoot, 2nd Class and 1st Class in which the scout must learn and demonstrate increasingly complex information and skills in scout craft and 1st aid. After earning the the 1st Class rank, the scout begins working on the upper ranks of Star, Life and finally Eagle. Through these ranks they are asked to demonstrate a wide variety of skills through merit badge work and to shoulder increasing resposibilty through leadership in the troop and community service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements for _________ rank?
The requirements for each rank are listed in the Boy Scout Handbook. Each section begins with a list of the requirements with notes about where to find the information needed to learn the skills.

How long will it take me to earn my ________ rank?
Each rank has a different number of requirements. Scouts complete them at their own pace. There is no set time frame to earn a given rank, other than if the rank requires a minimum service time.

The beginning scout ranks - Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class - do not have a set time requirement. They require a scout to participate in a specific number of troop activities outside of weekly troop meetings.

The later scout ranks of Star, Life and Eagle all have a time requirement that begins when the scout begins working on the rank:

• Star Time Requirements: Time begins after 1st Class Board of Review
  1. Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 4 months as a First Class Scout.
  2. While a First Class Scout, serve actively 4 months in one or more position of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop)
• Life Time Requirements: Time begins after Star Board of Review
  1. Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 6 months as a Star Scout.
  2. While a Star Scout, serve actively 6 months in one or more position of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop)
• Eagle Time Requirements: Time begins after Life Board of Review
  1. Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 6 months as a Life Scout.
  2. While a Life Scout, serve actively 6 months in one or more position of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop)

How do I get my rank completed?
When you complete a requirement, take your handbook to an adult leader and ask him or her to sign off on the requirement. They will ask you to explain or demonstrate the information that the requirement covers.

Who can sign my book?
Assistant scoutmaster and troop committee members can sign off on your requirements. The Scoutmaster (and only the Scoutmaster) can sign off on the requirements for showing scout spirit and having a Scoutmaster conference.

I have my requirements completed. When do I get my rank?
After you have all of the requirements signed, you need to meet with the Troop Advancement Chair to record your achievements. They will then give you a record to take to your scoutmaster conference and board of review.

What is a Scoutmaster Conference?
The Scoutmaster Conference is your time to meet one-on-one with the Scoutmaster to talk about how you are doing in the scouting program, what you like (what you don't like), any issues or questions you may have about the troop, or any issues you may have in your non-scouting life.

What is a Board of Review
The Board of Review is the last step in rank advancement. The Board of Review is comprised of adults, primarily committee members. Their function is to verify that the scout has fulfilled the requirements of the rank and is ready to take on the requirements of the next rank.

Service Hours

Many ranks require scouts to participate in service projects. This can be a troop service project, helping a Life scout with their Eagle project, or service outside the troop.

All service projects should be approved by the Scoutmaster before they are completed. Use the Service Hours Form to record any hours worked. Turn in your signed form to the Advancement Chair to record.

Merit Badges

The ranks of Star, Life and Eagle all require scouts to earn merit badges:

• Star: 6 Merit Badges
  1. 4 Eagle Required
  2. 2 Electives
• Life: 5 Additional Merit Badges
  1. 3 Eagle Required
  2. 2 Electives
• Eagle: 10 Additional Merit Badges for a total of 21
  1. 12 Eagle Required
  2. 9 Electives

What are the Eagle required merit badges?

1. First Aid
2. Citizenship in the Community
3. Citizenship in the Nation
4. Citizenship in the World
5. Communications
6. Personal Fitness
7. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving
8. Environmental Science
9. Personal Management
10. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling
11. Camping
12. Family Life

How do I earn a merit badge?
Decide what merit badge you would like to earn. Ask the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair for a blue card to begin work. (Don't lose your blue card!!! This is your record of your work)

After your get your blue card, contact a merit badge counselor from the Buffalo Trace Council list to schedule a meeting.Scouts work with merit badge counselors to earn merit badges. Counselors are individuals who have experience with a specific topic, either as a professional or as a hobbiest. They may be part of the troop, or they may be outside of the troop.

When your counselor has signed your blue card to complete the merit badge, turn the signed card in to the Advancement Chair at a scout meeting for recording.