Rank Advancements

Scouts BSA Ranks

The general concept of the advancement program for Scouts BSA is similar to that of a Cub Scout Pack. The Scouts progress through the ranks, one after another, after having completed the requirements specified in their handbook.

A summary of the Scouts BSA ranks, as taken from the handbook…

The Scout Rank starts you off on the right foot by covering topics such as the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, and the patrol method. You should complete this rank as soon as you join the troop.

The ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class cover important skills related to camping, cooking, hiking, navigation, outdoor ethics, first aid, fitness, citizenship, leadership, nature, tools, and aquatics. It’s a good idea to complete these ranks within your first 12 to 18 months as a Scout.

The ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle emphasize leadership, service, and earning merit badges. (To become an Eagle Scouts, you must have earned at least 21 merit badges.)

(Images taken from the scoutshop.org website)

The rank advancement schedule

This is one area where Scouts BSA differs significantly from Cub Scouts.

While in Cub Scout, the Scouts progress through the ranks year by year. Each year, the Scout works on a different rank. If the Scout completes the rank requirements before the Scouting year is over, the rank is earned. If not, the Scout simply beings working on the next rank.

In Scouts BSA, the Scout is responsible for the progression schedule. Each rank is earned in the order outlined above, regardless of the amount of time it takes to earn each rank.

The Scout may work on the first 4 ranks simultaneously. This helps the Scout get a quick start on the rank requirements after joining the troop. An Assistant Scoutmaster will work with the new Scouts to help them complete these requirements.

The remaining ranks must be completed in order. For example, a Scout cannot complete a Life Scout rank requirements before having earned the Star Rank. While the troop will encourage the Scouts to continue through their ranks, it is ultimately the Scout’s responsibility to ensure that progress through the ranks continues in a timely manner.

A Scout can work on rank requirements until his/her 18th birthday. Since the final ranks require the Scout to be at the given rank for a minimum period of time, Scouts are encouraged to continue working on their rank to ensure they can reach their intended goal before their 18th birthday.

When do Scouts work on rank advancements?

As mentioned above, the Scout is ultimately responsible for ensuring a timely progression through the ranks. Many of the rank requirements can be completed by the Scout outside of the troop setting. Scouts are encouraged to work on these requirements outside of our meetings and events. Doing so will significantly help with the Scout’s rank progress.

The primary focus of our troop meetings is to plan our events and teach the Scouts new skills. We do not directly focus on rank requirements. HOWEVER, many of the discussion items and activities conducted at our troop meetings are directly related to rank and merit badge requirements. It all ties togehter.

Similarly… Our events are not primarily focused on completing rank requirements. However, we will usually focus on items that help the Scouts complete those requirements. For example, if we go on a hike, we will try to work in the hiking-related rank requirements.

In short… We will have many opportunities for the Scouts to work on rank requirements. However, the Scout should also focus on completing rank requirements outside of the troop setting.

Tracking rank advancements in Scoutbook

Our troop uses Scoutbook to track all advancements. Scouts (and parents) who came from a Cub Scout Pack will be familiar with this process, as it is the same tool used by packs.

Once a Scout turns in an application and it is processed by the council, the Scout will show up in the troop’s Scoutbook unit. Scouts coming from a pack will transfer from the pack to the troop in Scoutbook, retaining all of their previous accomplishments and history.

Parents will have full access to their Scout’s information. While the parents can update the system with the accomplishments of their Scout, they are strongly encouraged to enable the option that lets the Scout log into the system and update their OWN information.