Rank Advancement

There are seven ranks in Boy Scouts: the joining rank of Scout, followed by the advancement ranks of Tenderfoot, 2^nd Class, 1^st Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Generally speaking, ranks can be thought of as:

·         Basic ranks – Scout, Tenderfoot, 2^nd Class, and 1^st Class. The requirements for these ranks provide a Scout with a solid grounding in the foundation skills in the outdoors, physical fitness, citizenship, patrol and troop participation, and personal development that will allow him to take advantage of Scouting adventures. The satisfaction he finds in his troop and patrol activities can solidify a boy’s commitment to Scouting, and help him set his sights on the more advanced ranks to come.

BSA strongly encourages boys to reach 1^st Class by the end of the first year of Scouting. These Scouts can take care of themselves and others in the outdoors. They also have a better-than-average chance of eventually becoming an Eagle Scout. Troop 764 fully supports "1^st Class by the end of the 1^st year."

·         Advanced ranks – Star, Life, and Eagle. These ranks focus on active participation and leadership in the troop or patrol, demonstration of Scout Spirit, living the Scout Oath and Law in your everyday life, taking part in service projects, and earning a designated number of merit badges.

 

Questions?

 

Were do I find the specific requirements for each rank?

Use the Boy Scout Requirements book for the most current requirements. Scouts should use their Boy Scout Handbook to log the appropriate signatures when they complete each requirement for the basic ranks.

 

Where can I complete requirements?

At troop or patrol meetings, on campouts, at home, within the community – almost anywhere you can think of. The troop’s monthly outdoor activities are a great place to complete requirements, especially those that require campcraft (cooking, knots, nature study, first aid, flag ceremonies, and other camping skills). Scouts can complete many of the requirements for the basic ranks at summer camp.

 

How do I get requirements "checked off?"

·         For basic ranks:

-         Complete the requirement (1) exactly as stated, and (2) in the presence of a Star, Life, or Eagle Scout, or an adult leader. Unlike in Cub Scouts, parents cannot sign off requirements for their own son.

-         Get the reviewer to sign and date your Boy Scout Handbook next to the appropriate requirement. If the reviewer is a Scout, an assistant Scoutmaster or the Scoutmaster must also initial. Requirements are found in the Boy Scout Handbook as follows:

§         Scout page 4

§         Tenderfoot pages 32-33

§         2^nd Class pages 64-65

§         1^st Class pages 112-113

-         After the Handbook has the right signatures, the Scout shows it to the advancement chair during a troop meeting who will then enter the completed requirement(s) in the troop’s computerized advancement system.

-         Important:

§         The requirement is not officially completed until it’s entered into the computer. It then becomes a part of the Scout’s official troop record.

§         Get requirements entered into the computer as soon as you complete them. Don’t wait until you’ve accumulated a lot of completed requirements before seeing Mr. Porwoll.

§         It is the Scout’s responsibility to follow these procedures.

·         For advanced ranks: Star and Life

-         Complete the requirement exactly as stated.

-         Keep a record of your service hours (date, organization, project, number of hours). Be sure to get the Scoutmaster’s approval before you begin.

-         Complete the number of required merit badges. Go to the link on "Merit Badges" for more details.

-         Be active! More is expected of you now. This is the time to step up and be counted.

§         "Be active in your troop and patrol for at least six months."

o       The key word is active.

o       Just showing up for meetings is not enough. It means making a contribution.

o       In your Scoutmaster Conference, be ready to tell your Scoutmaster specifically how you’ve done this.

§         "Serve actively for six months in one or more of the troop positions of responsibility."

o       The key word is actively.

o       Just having a leadership position and wearing the patch is not enough.

o       It means showing leadership and making a contribution.

o       In your Scoutmaster Conference, be ready to tell your Scoutmaster specifically how you’ve done this.

§         "Demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life."

o       The key word is demonstrate.

o       Scout leaders should see how you do this by the example you set.

o       In your Scoutmaster Conference, be ready to give your Scoutmaster specific examples of how you actually live by the Scout Oath and Law. (Hint: "Helping an old lady across the street," while a great idea, is probably not something you actually did.)

·         Unlike in the basic ranks, you do not get requirements for Star or Life checked off by other Scouts or adult leaders. You will review each requirement with the Scoutmaster as part of your Scoutmaster conference. Show him your stuff, and be prepared!

 

Can I work on any rank requirement, or do I have to finish all the requirements for one rank before working on those for the next?

You can work on any rank requirement for Tenderfoot, 2^nd Class, or 1^st Class at any time. But:

·         You must complete all requirements for a rank before you can be awarded that rank.

·         You must earn ranks in proper sequence. For example, if you finish all the requirements for 1^st Class but haven’t earned Tenderfoot, you must earn Tenderfoot and 2^nd Class before being awarded 1^st Class.

·         You may be awarded more than one rank at the same time. For example, you complete all the requirements for 2^nd Class and 1^st Class at the same time. You are awarded both ranks at the same time. There is no "waiting period" for you to receive one rank, and then the next.

You must earn Star, Life, and Eagle in sequence, one at a time.

 

When do I receive my new badge of rank?

It is important that a Scout is recognized immediately after earning a new rank (or merit badge). The following is the troop policy on receiving awards:

·         The Scout receives his new badge of rank (and any merit badges he’s earned) at the next regularly scheduled troop meeting after he has completed his board of review.

·         The Scout will not have to wait until the next court of honor to receive badges of rank (or merit badges).

·         A Scout receiving a new badge of rank (or merit badges) will be recognized at the next court of honor. He will receive his record cards at that time.

 

Do I need to keep he record card that I get with my new badge of rank?

Yes, yes, yes! This is ultimate proof that you’ve earned the rank. If the computer crashes, or the troop doesn’t keep or even loses your records, or you change troops, the record card becomes extremely valuable. Keep them in a safe place. Do not throw them away!

 

What about requirements for Eagle Scouts?

Those are covered separately in the link "Life-to-Eagle."

 

 

 

So You Know Advancement?

Test Your Skills!

Rank Advancement

 

True or false –

There really isn’t much difference in content between getting to 1^st Class and advancing from Star to Life to Eagle.

False. The basic ranks of Scout through 1^st Class emphasize basic Scouting skills, while the advanced ranks of Star through Eagle emphasize individualized learning through merit badges, service, participation, and leadership.

 

Troops have the flexibility to add their own requirement for rank advancement (e.g., 80% attendance at troop meetings and outings).

False. Rank requirements are set by the national BSA. No council, district, or troop can add or subtract requirements for rank. In this example, high attendance by itself can be a troop goal, but it cannot be used to deny rank. It does help demonstrate your Scout Spirit with regular attendance at troop meetings and participation in troop activities and outings.

 

Scouts cannot check off each other as rank requirements are completed.

False. In Troop 764 Scouts with the rank of Star, Life, or Eagle can check off requirements for boys with the rank of Scout through 1^st Class. These check-offs must then be initialed in the Scout’s book by the Scoutmaster or an assistant Scoutmaster.

 

Scouts must work on and complete all requirements for Tenderfoot before beginning requirements for 2^nd Class.

False. Requirements for the basic ranks can be completed in any order.

 

A Scout can earn the 1^st Class rank before he finishes the requirements for 2nd Class.

False. Ranks must be earned in proper sequence.

 

Each rank must be completed within 9 months, or the requirements must be repeated.

False. There is no time limit for the completion of any rank, other than before the Scout’s 18^th birthday, at which time he "ages out" of Boy Scouts.