Advancement FAQs:
How does advancement work in Boy Scouts?
Advancement is one of the methods that is used to deliver the aims and purposes of Scouting. All boys are encouraged to advance, because it gives them recognition for accomplishment, teaches them useful skills, and gives them a benchmark by which to measure their progress.
Unlike Cub Scouts, where all boys advance in rank by age or grade, Boy Scout advancement is not tied to a specific timetable. There are boys who advance to Eagle by the age of fourteen, and there have been some who reach age 18 without advancing higher than Tenderfoot. For a boy to get the most out of the Scouting program, however, we encourage him to complete First Class rank within a year or so of joining.
A boy advances through the first few ranks (Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class) by mastering scout and life skills of increasing complexity. As he completes requirements, he'll have his Scout Handbook signed the Scoutmaster or ASM, complete his Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review, and be recognized for his achievement. Boys may work on all three ranks simultaneously, but they must be awarded in order.
The next ranks, Star and Life, require completion of varying numbers of merit badges, including some that are required for the rank of Eagle, along with service hours and fulfilling a leadership role in the Troop.
The highest rank, Eagle, requires completion of 21 merit badges, of which 12 are required and the rest electives, development and execution of a service project involving supervision and leadership of others, and holding a position of leadership in the troop. The process is more complicated, and the rank is awarded by the national organization rather than the local council.
More information and links to videos for each rank can be found on the Advancements & Awards page on the BSA website.
Who keeps track of a scout's advancement?
He does! Although the Troop keeps advancement records once advancements are completed, a large part of the Scouting experience is for the boys to learn responsibility for their own advancement. The Scout Handbook should be taken on almost all Scouting events, and the Scout should be aware of what requirements are outstanding. Generally, nobody is going to tell him he needs requirement such-and-such until it is noticed that he's not been advancing for a long period of time and he's called into a conference with the Scoutmaster.
What is a Board of Review?
The Board of Review is a conference with members of the Troop Committee who are not Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters or the boy's parents. It usually takes place during the fourth Troop meeting of the month. A Board of Review typically follows a Scoutmaster Conference for rank advancement, but may also be requested by the Troop Committee for other reasons, such as to find out why a boy is not advancing.
Requests for a Board of Review must be directed to the Troop Advancement Chair at least one week before the requested board date. The Board of Review is requested by the scout, not by the parent.
The board will spend a few minutes with the Scout discussing the things he had to do to earn this advancement, as well as the Scout's general feelings about the Troop, the program, his goals, etc. This check and balance system allows for the Scouts to be able to openly discuss issues with people they can trust, as well as to be sure that the boys are truly deserving of advancement and not watering down the program. It is fair game for the Committee to ask the Scout about not only this current advancement, but ALL ranks earned previously. He will not be re-tested on any requirements, but may be asked how he completed them. For example, for the cooking requirement, he could be asked what foods he prepared and how he did it.
As with the Scoutmaster Conference, the scout must be in his complete Class A Uniform and have his handbook and a pen
Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Special Opportunities
For additional advancement information, contact our advancement chair at advancements@troop11mp.org.
How does advancement work in Boy Scouts?
Advancement is one of the methods that is used to deliver the aims and purposes of Scouting. All boys are encouraged to advance, because it gives them recognition for accomplishment, teaches them useful skills, and gives them a benchmark by which to measure their progress.
Unlike Cub Scouts, where all boys advance in rank by age or grade, Boy Scout advancement is not tied to a specific timetable. There are boys who advance to Eagle by the age of fourteen, and there have been some who reach age 18 without advancing higher than Tenderfoot. For a boy to get the most out of the Scouting program, however, we encourage him to complete First Class rank within a year or so of joining.
A boy advances through the first few ranks (Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class) by mastering scout and life skills of increasing complexity. As he completes requirements, he'll have his Scout Handbook signed the Scoutmaster or ASM, complete his Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review, and be recognized for his achievement. Boys may work on all three ranks simultaneously, but they must be awarded in order.
The next ranks, Star and Life, require completion of varying numbers of merit badges, including some that are required for the rank of Eagle, along with service hours and fulfilling a leadership role in the Troop.
The highest rank, Eagle, requires completion of 21 merit badges, of which 12 are required and the rest electives, development and execution of a service project involving supervision and leadership of others, and holding a position of leadership in the troop. The process is more complicated, and the rank is awarded by the national organization rather than the local council.
More information and links to videos for each rank can be found on the Advancements & Awards page on the BSA website.
Who keeps track of a scout's advancement?
He does! Although the Troop keeps advancement records once advancements are completed, a large part of the Scouting experience is for the boys to learn responsibility for their own advancement. The Scout Handbook should be taken on almost all Scouting events, and the Scout should be aware of what requirements are outstanding. Generally, nobody is going to tell him he needs requirement such-and-such until it is noticed that he's not been advancing for a long period of time and he's called into a conference with the Scoutmaster.
What is a Board of Review?
The Board of Review is a conference with members of the Troop Committee who are not Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters or the boy's parents. It usually takes place during the fourth Troop meeting of the month. A Board of Review typically follows a Scoutmaster Conference for rank advancement, but may also be requested by the Troop Committee for other reasons, such as to find out why a boy is not advancing.
Requests for a Board of Review must be directed to the Troop Advancement Chair at least one week before the requested board date. The Board of Review is requested by the scout, not by the parent.
The board will spend a few minutes with the Scout discussing the things he had to do to earn this advancement, as well as the Scout's general feelings about the Troop, the program, his goals, etc. This check and balance system allows for the Scouts to be able to openly discuss issues with people they can trust, as well as to be sure that the boys are truly deserving of advancement and not watering down the program. It is fair game for the Committee to ask the Scout about not only this current advancement, but ALL ranks earned previously. He will not be re-tested on any requirements, but may be asked how he completed them. For example, for the cooking requirement, he could be asked what foods he prepared and how he did it.
As with the Scoutmaster Conference, the scout must be in his complete Class A Uniform and have his handbook and a pen
Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
- •Age Requirement Eligibility
- Rank Advancement for Venturers and Sea Scouts
- Scout Rank Requirements
Current - Tenderfoot Rank Requirements
Current | 2015 - Second Class Rank Requirements
Current | 2015 - First Class Rank Requirements
Current | 2015 - Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Ranks Alternative Requirements
Current - Star Rank Requirements
Current | 2015 - Life Rank Requirements
Current | 2015 - Eagle Rank Requirements
Current | 2015 - Eagle Scout Rank Alternative Requirements
Current - Eagle Palms
Current | 2015
Special Opportunities
- •Boardsailing BSA
- Cyber Chip
- Den Chief Service Award
- 50-Miler Award
- Firem'n Chit
- Historic Trails Award
- Interpreter Strip
- Kayaking BSA
- Lifesaving and Meritorious Action Awards
- Mile Swim BSA
- Nova Awards
- Paul Bunyan Woodsman
- Religious Emblems
- Scuba BSA
- Snorkeling BSA
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Totin' Chip
- World Conservation Award
For additional advancement information, contact our advancement chair at advancements@troop11mp.org.