Every scout must complete all requirements for rank advancement outlined in the BSA manual. Scouts are given opportunity to complete this requirements during troop meeting, troop camping trips and summer camp. The scout is encouraged to speak to any adult troop leader or his patrol leader to plan times when these requirements can be completed. The first year scout should plan to attend summer camp. At these camps a special class is given which will complete most requirements through First Class.

Our program is set up to offer the correct balance of courses so every scout can move through the ranks according to BSA policy. This is very important because the dates of all Eagle Scout required merit badges (RMB) are now being checked by the Gulf Ridge Council (Council) and must have a certain number of RMBs while holding the ranks of First Class, Star, and Life. Some of the merit badges take up to ninety days to complete the requirements and must be scheduled ahead because the instructor must come from a list that has been pre-approved by the Council. If you leave the troop for a period of time you risk not getting the correct mix of RMB.

Our program is set up to offer all RMB every 2.5 years. This allows the scout to be involved in other programs without forcing him to make a final decision each time a RMB is scheduled. If he should miss an RMB he has time to make it up under normal conditions. The following is a list of an approximate schedule of merit badge classes that will be offered by the troop. Once we have completed the schedule of merit badges we will start over with the first year schedule.

Year 1

Fall - Communications

Spring - Citizenship in the World

Summer - Personal Fitness

Year 2

Fall - Personal Management

Spring - Family Life

Summer - Camping

Year 3

Fall - Citizenship in the Nation

Spring - Citizenship in the Community

Besides the merit badges, another requirement for rank advancement is participation in the scouting program which translates into involvement in troop fund raisers, camping trips, Eagle projects and other troop activities. We realize that scouts are involved in many activities, but we still must insist that you be present for a certain percent of troop events. Troop 515 regulations require that a scout attend a minimum of 50 percent of all troop meetings, camping trips and other activities to show scout spirit which is required for advancement to all ranks.

You are also required to hold a position of responsibility within the troop for advancement to Star, Life and Eagle Scout ranks. The scouts are told of the attendance and performance requirement for all positions prior to each troop election. A list of these attendance and performance requirements are listed in "Troop Officer's Responsibilities" in this handout. You must perform these duties and meet the criteria that goes with each position. If you do not attend enough troop meetings, camping trips, or fail to adequately perform the tasks that the position demands you will have to run for another troop position. In order to offer a solid program that will benefit every scout we must ask that you give a lot of effort.

These requirements also hold true for advancement to Eagle Scout. The fact that only 2 percent of those in the scouting program actually complete the trail to Eagle shows the amount of dedication required. It takes commitment, drive, discipline and a willingness to follow the trail and do what it takes to achieve the goals that one has set. What sets an Eagle Scout apart from all other scouts is that he put the time and effort into the program when it was required of him. We are not asking you to make scouting your only priority, but we cannot allow any scout to realistically think of himself as an Eagle Scout just because you showed up from time to time

Board of Review

Every four months the troop holds a board of review. The board of review process takes two weeks in January, May and September of each year. During this process, scouts that have completed all other requirements for advancement to the next rank must complete a Scoutmaster conference. This conference is a private discussion between the scout , the Scoutmaster and the Assistant Scoutmaster. In this discussion, the scouts attendance, progress in rank advancement and qualifications as an officer, if any, will be covered.

After this conference the scout must present his BSA manual with all requirements signed to the review board. This two person panel reviews the completed requirements and certifies that the scout has earned the rank. This process also holds true for merit badges. Requirement cards, called blue cards, are completed by the scout and the merit badge councelor. These blue cards are presented to the review board and are signed by a member of the board. The blue cards have three parts. One of these parts is retained by the merit badge councilor, one by the scout and the third by the troop. A copy of the Troop's portion is sent to the Council office which reviews it and awards the badge. The troop's portion of the blue card is the official record of the scout having earned the badge. These cards must be presented to the Eagle Board of Review when the scout is ready for that advancement in rank. The portion retained by the scout a backup to the troop's copy in the event the troop's copy should be lost. So the scouts portion is very important and should be kept in a safe place.