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Boy Scout Advancement Program
"A badge is recognition of what a young person is able to do, not merely a reward for what he or she has done. The badge is proof of certain abilities, and is not just a reward for the completion of a task."
— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 3
Advancement is one of the methods used to achieve the aims of Scouting. The aims of Scouting are character building, citizenship training, and physical and mental fitness
The Advancement Program is outlined in the Boy Scout Handbook. Each Scout should be aware of the requirements for the next rank advancement.
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The core of the BSA's Advancement Program is the Rank Advancement. A Scout can begin working on any requirement at any time - you do not have to complete a rank before earning credit for the next rank's requirements.
There are a few exceptions - requirements that begin with "As a ____ Scout..." must be accomplished while the Scout is the required rank.
The Boy Scout Advancement Program is individualized. Some later ranks require that you be active and hold leadership positions for a certain amount of time, but earlier ranks do not specify any time requirements - they are earned as each individual Scout completes the requirements at his own pace.
"Just because a group of youth join at the same time, not everyone will earn the same awards at the same time. Let all members earn the awards at their own pace."
— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 3
This is different from Cub Scouts, where the den worked on the same things together and advanced at the same rate. Frequently, a group of boys will cross over from Cub Scouts and we will begin working on the Tenderfoot rank together, but as boys are unable to attend meetings or campouts, they start spreading out and advancing at their own rate. This is normal and nothing to be worried about. There is plenty of time and plenty of opportunities for each boy to advance.
Rank Requirements
The official BSA rank requirements are published in the Scout Handbook. All Scouts should be using the 12th Edition pictured here.
In addition to the Scout Handbook, the website http://meritbadge.org contains a complete and up-to-date list of all Scouting advancement opportunities incuding rank, merit badges and other awards. It also contains a wealth of other material relating to the BSA advancement program as well as rank and merit badge worksheets which have become the standard way of tracking advancement.
"Educators and counselors agree that the best way to build confidence is through measurement. Self confidence is developed by measuring up to a challenge or a standard. Peer confidence develops when the same measuring system is used for everyone -- when all must meet the same challenge to receive equal recognition. Confidence in leaders comes about when there is consistency in measuring -- when leaders use a single standard of fairness.."
— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 23-26
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Early Rank Requirement Videos
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The BSA National Council has produced a series of videos covering all early rank requirements (Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class).
Youth members are STRONGLY encouraged to watch the appropriate videos for the reqirements they are working on.
Early Rank Videos
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Signing Off Requirements
The Boy Scout Advancement Program has a number of different sign-off rules depending upon the type and level of requirement completed.
- Early Rank Requirements - individual rank requirements up to and including the rank of 1st Class may be signed off by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chair, Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader or Troop Guide.
- Rank Advancement - Rank advancements for Tenderfoot through Life ranks may only be singed off by the Scoutmaster or Troop Committee Chair
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Merit Badges - merit badges must be signed off by a certified merit badge counselor or a person acting on behalf of a recognized BSA Council at a Council-sponsored event (summer camp, merit badge clinics, etc.)
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Eagle Rank - The rank of Eagle Scout must be signed off by BSA National. Instructions are in the Eagle Rank application package.
Please pay careful attention to these requirements and notice who CANNOT sign at various times. The troop does not have to, and will not, accept "sign off" of early rank requirements from a Council-sponsored event. Similarly, the troop has no authority to challenge a merit badge application that is signed by a certified counselor.
Unless a parent holds one of the positions listed above or a requirement specifically states that a parent is to sign off, parent signatures will not be accepted. A parent who holds one of the positions above may sign for thier own son.
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Scoutmaster's Conference
Each rank advancement requires a Scoutmaster's Conference and a Board of Review.
The Scoutmaster's Conference should be an informal discussion between the Scout and the Scoutmaster about the Scout's experiences and expectation from Scouting. The Scoutmaster's conference can occur during a troop meeting, on a campout, or any time that's convenient for the Scout and the Scoutmaster.
The Scoutmaster's Conference is a chance for the Scout and the Scoutmaster to review the Scout's goals and aspirations. 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.
"All through the ranks, it is rewarding for the Scoutmaster to observe the Scout grow in responsibility and maturity. It is through this association and example that a young man grows and matures, and the Scoutmaster conference accomplishes that aim.
— Scoutmaster's Handbook, Chapter 10
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Board of Review
The Board of Review is more formal. The panel is made up from the Troop Committee. Neither the Scoutmaster, nor the Scout's parents are present at the Board of Review. Despite it's name, the Board of Review does not test the Scout over the material learned for his rank advancement.
Rather, the board should attempt to determine the Scout's attitude and his acceptance of Scouting ideals. The board should make sure that good standards have been met in all phases of the Scout's life. A discussion of the Scout Oath and Scout Law is in keeping with the purpose of the review, to make sure that the candidate recognizes and understands the value of Scouting in his home, unit, school, and community.
The Board of Review is also a place where a Scout can bring up issues he may not be comfortable bringing to the Scoutmaster or the youth leadership. Any problem areas brought up during a Board of Review are anonymously brought to the appropriate party's attention to be addressed and/or corrected.
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A periodic review of the progress of a Scout is vital in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Scouting program in the unit. The unit committee can judge how well the Scout being reviewed is benefiting from the program. The unit leader can measure the effectiveness of his or her leadership. The Scout can sense that he is, or is not, advancing properly and can be encouraged to make the most of his Scouting experience. "
— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 28-30
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