Ranks in the Boy Scouts of America

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The advancement program for Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts is symbolized by the earning of seven badges, six of which are considered ranks.

The advancement program is often considered to be divided into two phases. The first phase from joining to First Class is designed to teach the boy Scoutcraft skills, how to participate in a group and to learn self-reliance. The Scout badge is awarded when the Scout demonstrates a rudimentary knowledge of the Scouting ideals and program.[1] Tenderfoot,[2] Second Class[3] and First Class[4] have progressively harder requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit.

Although Eagle is the highest rank, the number of Scouts achieving First Class within one year of joining is still one of the key measures of unit effectiveness. Studies have shown that if a Scout achieves First Class within a year of joining, he typically stays in the Scout program for at least three years. Scouts who do so are more likely to retain Scout values as an adult and achieve the BSA primary mission of "producing useful citizens".

The second phase of Star,[5] Life[6] and Eagle is designed to develop leadership skills and allow the Scout to explore potential vocations and avocations through the merit badge program. The Star and Life ranks require that the boy serve in a position of responsibility and perform community service. Except for Scout rank, all ranks as well as Eagle Palms require that the candidate pass a Scoutmaster Conference and a Board of Review.[5]

Contents

[edit] Advancement process

Merit badges and rank may be earned by any registered Boy Scout or Varsity Scout until their eighteenth birthday. Venturers and Sea Scouts who earned First Class as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout may continue to work towards Eagle Scout in their crew or ship until age eighteen.

As the last requirement for each rank except the joining Scout badge, each Scout must go through the Scoutmaster's conference and then a board of review.

[edit] Scoutmaster's conference

The Scoutmaster conference is a meeting between the Scoutmaster or the Coach and the Scout, and is a requirement for each rank. The Scoutmaster or Coach reviews the Scout's progress and ensures all requirements have been met. The Scout is expected to show how he has grown in his understanding of the Scouting ideals, including the Scout Oath and the Scout Law, and how he has applied those ideals. The Scoutmaster or Coach will also discuss the next steps in advancement and encourages the Scout to advance.[7]

[edit] Board of review

The board of review is a group of three to six members of the troop or team committee and is the final approval process for Scout rank advancement. The board reviews the Scout to ensure all requirements are met and attempts to determine the Scout's attitude and his acceptance of Scouting's ideals and their application. The board also solicits the Scout's opinions on the troop or team program and on youth and adult leadership.[8]

[edit] Eagle Scout

The Eagle Scout board of review is convened by the council or district. Members are selected by council policy and may include troop or team committee members, district or council Eagle representatives or community members with an understanding of the Eagle board. There must be at least one district or council Eagle representative.

[edit] Rank advancement

[edit] Emblems

Boy Scout rank badges
Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle

The program uses a series of medals and patches as emblems. The badge for the Scout rank consists of a simple fleur-de-lis, which symbolizes a compass needle. The needle points the Scout in the right direction, which is onward and upward.[9] The Tenderfoot badge takes the fleur-de-lis of the Scout badge and adds two stars and an eagle with an American shield. The stars symbolize truth and knowledge; the eagle and shield symbolize freedom and readiness to defend it. The Second Class badge features a scroll inscribed with the Scout Motto, with the ends turned up and a knotted rope hanging from the bottom. The knot reminds each Scout to remember the Scout slogan, and the upturned ends of the scroll symbolize cheerfulness in service. The First Class badge combines the elements of the Tenderfoot and Second Class badges. For many years, the First Class badge was used as the emblem of the BSA. Star has a First Class symbol on a five-pointed yellow star, and initially indicated the five merit badges required to earn the rank. Life has a First Class emblem on a red heart, and initially symbolized the first-aid and health-related merit badges that the rank required. Now it signifies that the ideals of Scouting have become a part of the Scout's life and character.[10]

[edit] Scout

The Scout badge is earned by a boy by completing the requirements to join the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It is not a rank. The Scout badge has a brown fleur-de-lis on a tan background The badge is awarded when the boy demonstrates a rudimentary knowledge of the Scouting ideals.[1]

[edit] Tenderfoot

Tenderfoot is the first rank of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). A Scout can work on the requirements for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks at the same time, but each rank must be earned in sequence. The badge is awarded when the Scout completes requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit.[2]

[edit] Second Class

Second Class is a rank attainable by a Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), and ranks above Tenderfoot and below First Class. A Scout can work on the requirements for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks at the same time, but must be earn in sequence. The badge is awarded when the Scout completes requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit.[3]

[edit] First Class

First Class is a rank attainable by a Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), and ranks above Second Class and below Star Scout. A Scout can work on the requirements for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks at the same time, but must earn them in sequence. The badge is awarded when the Scout completes requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit.[4]

Originally, First Class was the all around Scout and the final and highest rank. Later ranks were originally recognitions of earning merit badges beyond First Class, and not properly ranks. Now these additional ranks form a second tier where Scouts can further develop leadership skills and explore potential vocations and avocations through the merit badge program.

Although Eagle is the highest rank and one all Scouts should strive for, the number of Scouts achieving First Class within one year of joining is still one of the key measures of unit effectiveness. Studies have shown that if a Scout achieves First Class within a year of joining, he typically stays in the Scout program for at least three years. Scouts who do so are more likely to retain Scout values as an adult and achieve the BSA primary mission of "producing useful citizens".[10]

[edit] Star

Star is a rank attainable by a Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), and ranks above First Class and below Life Scout. Star is awarded when the Scout serves actively in the troop, team or crew, serves in a position of responsibility for at least 4 months, performs at least six hours of community service, and earns six merit badges (four of which must be required for Eagle Scout rank).

Historically, Star was actually higher than Life. It was changed when it was decided that the five-pointed star of Star Scout better represented the five merit badges required for Life Scout, and the two were switched.

[edit] Life

Life is second highest rank attainable by a Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Life Scout ranks above Star Scout and below Eagle. Life is awarded when the Scout serves actively in the troop, team or crew, serves in a position of responsibility for 6 months, and performs 6 hours of community service.[6] Another thing a scout must do in order to achieve Life is earn an additional five merit badges (three of which are required for the rank of Eagle), to make a minimum total of eleven merit badges (including the six previously required for Star). Finally, the scout must pass a scoutmaster conference, and board of review.

Life was originally lower than Star. It was changed in the 1920's when it was decided that the five-pointed star better represented the five merit badges required for Star, and the two were switched.

[edit] Eagle

Main article: Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 1.8 million young men.[11]

Requirements include earning a number of merit badges and demonstration of Scout Spirit, service and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout. Additional recognition can be earned through Eagle Palms, awarded for completing additional tenure, leadership and merit badge requirements.

[edit] See also

Scouting Portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Boy Scout Joining Requirements. U.S. Scouting Service Project. Retrieved on 2006-03-23.
  2. ^ a b Tenderfoot Rank Requirement. U.S. Scouting Service Project. Retrieved on 2006-03-23.
  3. ^ a b Second Class Rank Requirement. U.S. Scouting Service Project. Retrieved on 2006-03-23.
  4. ^ a b First Class Rank Requirement. U.S. Scouting Service Project. Retrieved on 2006-03-23.
  5. ^ a b Star Rank Requirement. U.S. Scouting Service Project. Retrieved on 2006-03-23.
  6. ^ a b Life Rank Requirement. U.S. Scouting Service Project. Retrieved on 2006-03-23.
  7. ^ Scoutmaster Conference Training. Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved on 2007-09-10.
  8. ^ Board of Review Training. Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved on 2007-09-10.
  9. ^ Baden-Powell, Robert. Lessons From The Varsity of Life. Pinetreeweb. Retrieved on 2007-02-17.
  10. ^ a b (1998) Boy Scout Handbook, Eleventh edition. ISBN 0-8395-3105-2. 
  11. ^ Eagle Scouts. BSA Fact Sheet. Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved on 2006-11-13.