Troop Advancement Policy
Merit Badges and Time Sequences

Purpose

The purpose of this Memorandum is to provide a guide to parents and scouts on advancement from Scout to Eagle in accordance with the National Council's requirements, as modified by the Troop. This document restates and modifies the Troop Advancement Policy dated January 4, 2000 and gives effect to National Council Eagle requirements which went into effect on April 1, 1999.

Note that you can find information on merit badges and their requirements on the Merit Badges page of the U.S. Scouting Service Project, and at www.MeritBadge.com.

Advancement

To give each scout guidance and cadence and to provide sufficient time for a scout to mature and develop proficiency in scouting skills and leadership, we feel that at least five (5) years from Troop entry to Eagle is required. To coordinate advancement with Troop activities and Wilderness Camp advancement programs, the normal rate of progression is as follows:

Rank Progression	Period	Time Span (mos)	Approximate Age	Merit Badges	Cumulative Merit Badges
Rookie to TF	May to Nov	6	11-1/2	-0-	-0-
TF to 2nd Class	Nov to Jun	6	12	1	1
2nd to 1st Class	Jun to Nov	6	12-1/2	2	3
1st Class to Star	Nov to Nov	12	13-1/2	5	8
Star to Life	Nov to Nov	12	14-1/2	6	14
Life to Completion of Merit Badges	Nov to Jun	18	16	7	21
Work on Eagle Project and Application	Jun to Dec	6	16-1/2	0	21
Eagle	April	4	17	0	21

Merit Badge Requirements

To become an Eagle, a scout must advance through the ranks and earn at least 21 merit badges. To guide the scout in accomplishing the merit badge requirements, Troop policy is as follows:

Advancement	Merit Badges Required To Be Earned At Each Rank
To Tenderfoot	0 - None (a scout may not work on a merit badge at this level)
To 2nd Class	1 - Scouts' choice (may not be a required badge)
To 1st Class	2 - 1 Scouts' choice (may not be a required badge) and First Aid
To Star*	5 - 1 Scouts' choice, Cooking, Camping, and any 2 others from the required list
To Life*	6 - 2 Scouts' choice, Pioneering, Citizenship in the Community, and 2 others from the required list
To Eagle**	7 - 3 Scouts' choice and 4 from the required list

Required Merit Badge List

Camping Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the World Communications Cooking*** Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving

Environmental Science Family Life First Aid Personal Fitness Personal Management Pioneering*** Swimming or Cycling or Hiking

Subjective Requirements

One of the requirements for advancement in all ranks is that the scout demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Law in everyday life.

Eagle Service Project

Normally, a scout will work on his Eagle Service Project during the period of March to November of the year before his Eagle Court of Honor. It is highly recommended that he complete his merit badge requirements no later than the June Court that occurs during that period. Before a scout will be permitted to work on an Eagle Service Project, he will be expected to meet these requirements:

1. Be a Life Scout;
2. Be a Patrol Leader or a member of Staff;
3. Be at least 15 years old;
4. Have completed all merit badges required for Eagle; and
5. Receive the Scoutmaster's approval to proceed.

Notes:

*	Six hours of community service is required.
**	Eagle service project required.
***	Required by the Troop; these come out of the elective category. Under Troop Policy, First Aid, Cooking, Camping, and Pioneering may not be done out of sequence.