Rank Advancement

In order for each Scout to advance in rank, Troop 103 has established guidelines that each Scout must follow so that he can achieve the next rank.

    1. Scouts who are earning the rank of Tenderfoot through First Class can have their Scout skill requirements signed off by any of the following: Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, or Scoutmaster. Parents are encouraged to work with all Scouts to teach any and all skills that will help the Scout earn his next rank. Certain activities may require work outside of a regularly scheduled meeting, which may entail parental supervision. In this case it is appropriate for a parent to accompany the Scout and verify the activity.

    2. For the ranks of Star, Life and Eagle, the Scout must have the requirements only signed off by one of the following: Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster. The majority of these requirements are in the areas of merit badges, service projects and successfully holding a Troop position.

    3. Service hours can be a combination of Troop service projects, eagle projects, of individual projects. All service hours must be of the nature that they help the community. Any individual service projects must be approved in advance. Two deep leadership rules must be utilized whenever appropriate.

    4. Scout spirit will be signed off either by a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster. This is the only requirement that can be signed off at the Scoutmaster conference.

    5. When a Scout completes the necessary requirements for the next rank, the Scout then requests a Scoutmaster conference by contacting the Scoutmaster or in his absence one of the Assistant Scoutmasters. Scoutmaster conferences will be held outside of normal meeting hours at a location agreed upon by the Scoutmaster and Scout. Two deep leadership rules will be enforced at all Scoutmaster conferences.

  1. The purpose of the Scoutmaster's conference will be for the Scoutmaster to determine that the Scout has successfully completed the requirements and is prepared for the next step in achieving his rank advancement. At the Scoutmaster's conference, the Scout should be prepared to answer any questions or demonstrate any skills as requested by the Scoutmaster. If the rank requires specific overnight activities, the Scout should be prepared to tell the Scoutmaster specific times and dates of activities. Scouts will be asked about the conversation that they should have had with their parents or guardians regarding the pamphlet found in the front of the scout handbook.

    1. In the event that a Scoutmaster feels that a Scout has not successfully met the requirements, the Scoutmaster should advise the Scout of what areas of improvement are needed and agree upon a plan of action for the Scout to meet the requirements.

      1. Upon successful completion of a Scoutmaster conference, the Scout will need to appear before a Board of Review. The Board of Review is the only group within the Troop that can award rank advancement. If the Scout is working towards his Eagle rank, a special Eagle Board of Review that is assembled by Council will be required.

  2. A Board of Review will consist of a minimum of three people from the Board of Review Committee. Either the Troop Committee Chairperson or a Committee member designated by the Chairperson will chair it. Boards of Review will be held at the request of the Scout and will be held outside normal meeting times at a location agreed

  3. upon by the Scout and the Committee member chairing the Board. Scouts appearing before a Board of Review should do so in full uniform and be prepared to answer any questions or demonstrate any skills as may be requested by the Board. In the event that a Board does not feel that a Scout has met the requirements for

  4. rank advancement, the Scout should be counseled as to what areas of improvement are needed and agree upon a plan of action.

    1. Date of Rank Advancement is the date of completion of a Board of Review even if actual badge is not given to a Scout until the next Court of Honor. By adopting these standards, the Troop Committee feels that all Scouts will experience equal and fair treatment in respect to rank advancement.