Rank Advancement.

MERIT BADGE REQUIREMENT CHANGES
FOR MANY MERIT BADGES
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2024
CLICK THE LINK HERE


Scout Oath-

On my honor 
I will do my best 
To do my duty to God and my Country and 
To obey the Scout Law; 
To help other people at all times; 
To keep myself physically strong, 
mentally awake,
and morally straight. 

Three Promises of the Oath-

  • Duty to God and country,
  • Duty to other people, and
  • Duty to self.

Rank Requirements-

Scout Rank Requirements
Tenderfoot Rank Requirements
Second Class  Rank Requirements
First Class Rank Requirements
Star Rank Requirements
Life Rank Requirements
Eagle Rank Requirements
Eagle Palm Requirements
Alternative Rank Requirements
Alternative Eagle Requirements

Scout Law-

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Outdoor Code-

As an American, I will do my best to - Be clean in my outdoor manners,    - Be careful with fire,
- Be considerate in the outdoors, and Be conservation minded. 
Scout Motto-  
​             BE PREPARED!
As of January 1, 2024, the following changes to Scouts BSA requirements become effective.
Rank Requirements:
There were minor changes to Scout (6), and Star (6).
The Cyberchip has been phased out. Scouts should use the Personal Safety Awareness training
at https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/scouts-bsa/ for both Scout and Star ranks.
Personal Safety Awareness Videos
Eagle Palms:
Scouts BSA will no longer have to wait three months between Eagle Palms.
They will have to earn five additional merit badges, and live by the Scout Oath and Law.

USE THIS VIDEO TO LEARN HOW TO UPLOAD PHOTOS OF RANK ADVANCEMENT PAGES TO SCOUTBOOK:
WWW.LOOM.COM/SHARE/03A41434945A4F4E90D8000FD3189456
READ THIS DOCUMENT ON HOW TO
PROPERLY COMPLETE A BLUE CARD
AND SUBMIT IT FOR APPROVAL:
complete___submit_blue_cards__1_.pdf
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Working on Rank Requirements-

All Scouts must work on their current rank requirements as found in the 13th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook.
If you are new or a Scout, you may also work on Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class rank requirements. 
If you are a Tenderfoot, you may work on Second Class and First Class rank requirements. 
If you are Second Class, you may work on First Class rank requirements. 
If you are First Class, you can only work on Star rank requirements. 
If you are Star rank, you can only work on Life rank requirements (Special note: You cannot work on any part of your Eagle Project as a Star rank- (planning, fundraising, designs, etc.).  If you do so you will be disqualified from being able to have that idea as your Eagle Project). 
If you are Life rank, you only work on Eagle rank requirements. 

You cannot skip ranks. If you complete all of your First Class requirements at the rank of Scout you still have to complete Tenderfoot and Second Class before you go for First Class. Everything must be completed in order.

Note: You can and should be working on Merit Badges as you work on all of your rank requirements. This will help you as you work towards Star, Life and Eagle.

Scouts BSA and Scoutbook Check-marks

Q. How do the Scoutbook check marks correspond to the advancement process used with Troops?
A. Scoutbook complies with BSA policies on advancement. There are four steps to Scouts BSA advancement (see section 4.2.1.0 in the Guide to Advancement)
  1. A Scout learns something.  In Scoutbook that is indicated by the Scout, their parent, or a leader by marking the item complete (green check mark)
  2. A Scout is tested by the Scoutmaster or someone authorized by the Scoutmaster and passes the examination.  – In Scoutbook this is indicated by ‘approving’ the requirement or advancement.  If needed, the completion date can be changed at this step. This is the date earned as recorded in the national database. (blue check mark.)  Once a Scout has been tested and signed off by someone approved to do so, the requirement has been met. The unit leader is accountable for ensuring proper advancement procedures are followed. A part of this responsibility includes the careful selection and training of those who approve advancement.
  3. A Scout is Reviewed – for ranks this is usually the Board of Review date.  This is indicated by ‘approving’ the Board of Review requirement (blue check mark.)
  4. A Scout is Recognized – normally by being presented a badge.  This is indicated in Scoutbook by marking the advancement as ‘awarded’  (yellow check mark.)

Rank Requirement Sign Off Policy​-

The Scoutmasters have the following policy on who can who can sign off on a scout's rank requirements.  The ability to do so is an honor and privilege that should not be taken lightly.   The policy has been updated to better ensure timely sign-offs when requirements have been met.  Siblings and parents must not sign off on rank requirements.

Who can sign off on a scouts rank requirements:  Updated May 2022
  1. Authorized Troop Guide for T49B or T49G- you should use a            Troop Guide in your own Troop if available
  2. Eagle Scout or JASM
  3. Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster
  4. Former Scoutmaster or Adult Eagle
What is expected of the reviewer: 
  1. Ensure that the scout has a good understanding and knowledge of the policy or principle they are seeking for signature (ie. leave no trace, native animals/plants).
  2. Ensure that the scout has demonstrated the skill and knowledge to complete a task related requirement (ie. knots, first aid, etc.)
  3. If scout is struggling provide positive re-enforcement, use the EDGE method where applicable, and take extra time to work through the issue or task.
  4. If the scout completes the task then sign off. If they are still struggling have them work on it until the next troop meeting.
Note to Scouts: Do not just 'sign off'- first make sure the scout has fulfilled the requirement.  You worked for your rank make sure the scouts do the same. It is an opportunity for you to make a difference in their lives.

Earning a Rank-

After the scout has completed all the rank requirements for a rank, he or she needs to meet with the Scoutmaster for the Scoutmaster Conference.  

After that the scout needs to meet with a Board of Review.  These can be completed at a Troop Meeting.  Ask at least two adults in uniform plus one other adult to conduct your Board of Review. 
 
When you have successfully completed the BOR, you must show your rank sheets to Mr Polacheck so the information can be logged in your official BSA record.

You can show him in person or UPLOAD photos of the pages to your rank on Scoutbook.
"Becoming an Eagle"  tab will walk you through the process and provide you with all the necessary forms and contact information you will need to start and finish the Eagle rank.

​The task before you is not as great as the power within you.

Boy Scout Ranks

Scouts work at their own pace to show skills through Merit Badges and Rank Advancement.  Ranks are at the back of the Boy Scout handbook and refer to pages throughout the handbook for the specific skills.  The ranks are Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle.There is lots of guidance through adults and older boys within the troop, but it is up to the boy to work through these ranks at his own pace.  Achieving First Class is a milestone for the boys because many High Adventure trips, among other things, require a rank of First Class. 

Troop 49 provides a great opportunity for the boys to progress through the many requirements for the early ranks leading up to First Class through the New Scout Transition Program.  Boys will work with the New Scout Leadership at Thursday scout meetings and during Project First Class at Camp Long Lake to learn these advancement skills.  These specific ranks do not require merit badges, so the focus is on more general and basic boy scout skills.  These requirements can be worked on in any order and as they are completed, the counselor will sign off on them in the scout's handbook.  It is important to keep track of the handbook as this is the only record for the scout to prove he has completed these requirements(needed for the Eagle application).  Some parents make photo copies of these important pages that are signed off in the handbook prior those events where the book may become lost, such as summer camp. 

When a scout has completed all the requirements for a particular rank, he will notify the scoutmaster and request a scoutmaster conference.  This is a one on one meeting with the scoutmaster to review how the scout is doing.  It is a fabulous opportunity for the scout to ask questions and is a nice way for the scoutmaster to get to know the boy more personally.  They will likely review the progress the scout is making and has made on the rank achievements. 

Following the Scoutmaster conference for any rank,the scout will appear before a Board of Review.  This is a meeting with several troop adults who will also review the boy's completion of his requirements, ask the scout questions about things he's done or looking ahead to do, and also ask him to perform some tasks such as tying a knot. 

The ranks after First Class have more of a merit badge focus.  The requirements ask for a certain number of merit badges, some leadership, and some service. 

You might think of rank advancements in relation to the Cub Scout ranks of Bear, Wolf, etc. except in Boy Scouts the rank does not come with age, but with completing the requirements.

The scout will receive recognition of any rank advancement and a patch for his shirt during a troop meeting or the next Troop Court of Honor. 

Troop Elections & Positions of Responsibility- 
Certain ranks require the Scout actively hold a leadership position in the Troop. ​
Position responsibilities are in the Troop Leadership Positions document.  
Troop Leadership Position elections are in March and September.  

Update for Scouts using past editions of Scout Handbook-

​Print out the new 13th edition requirements for your current and next ranks and insert them in your Scout Book.
(Be sure to print 'two-sided' if booklet format is desired.)
524-012_bs_requirements_insert.pdf
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