Going Through the Ranks - Advancement

As a Scout learns and shows his new skills, goes on troop outings, and helps others through service projects he takes part in, he will advance through Boy Scout ranks: from Tenderfoot, through Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and maybe even through Eagle rank!

A Scout can find all the information he needs on rank requirements and the skills he will learn as he advances in his Boy Scout Handbook, pp. 31-181.

Only a Scout's Scoutmaster or an assistant Scoutmaster may sign his rank requirements. A parent can't sign, unless that parent is also his Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster, and even then it's not a great idea. A Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster who signs a requirement in his son's book should have that requirement countersigned by another Troop adult.

The rank requirements through First Class rank concentrate on developing scouting skills in the boy new to scouting, skills that will help him feel confident of his abilities in the out of doors.

As you look through the rank requirements, you may wonder about some of the terms used.

What's a Scoutmaster conference? What is a Board of Review? What does demonstrating Scout spirit mean?

Once more, the brief answers are in the Boy Scout Handbook on these pages, among others (Scoutmaster conference, pp. 11 & 175; Board of Review, pp. 61 & 175; demonstrating Scout spirit pp.60 & 170).

A Scout should be sure never to lose his Boy Scout Handbook. As he earns ranks in Scouting, all his rank achievements are signed in his book (pp. 438-449). If he loses his book and doesn't have a photocopy of his record of rank achievements, he may have to do them over.

It's good to make a photocopy of each signed rank page as he finishes requirements, and to keep them in a 3-ring binder reserved for advancement.