Advancement Guidlines

Scout Rank, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class

• Scout Handbook can be signed off by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Troop Guides, and Instructors.
• Scoutmaster Conferences can be completed with the Scoutmaster, and Assistant Scoutmasters. (The Conference cannot be completed on the same night as the Board of Review.)

Star, Life, Eagle

• The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters can sign off the Scout Handbook.
• Scoutmaster Conferences can only be done by the Scoutmaster. (The Conference cannot be completed on the same night as the Board of Review.)

Board of Review

• The Board of Review is held after all requirements are completed.
• They are done only on the day designated on the troop calendar.
• The Scoutmaster Conference must be completed before the date of the Board of Review to be eligible for the Board of Review.
• You must present yourself in full Class A (field) uniform with Scout Handbook and red notebook with all fees owed to the troop up to date. It is the Scout’s responsibility to make sure his finances are up to date prior to the Board of Review

You must have a signed blue card before beginning any merit badge.

• This does not need a card opened because of a trip you are attending, activities performed outside and inside the opening date of a merit badge card may or may not count and is in the purview of the counselor and your knowledge of what you did.

You can get a blue card from the adult Advancement Chair -

• You should check the Merit Badge Counselor List posted in the troop meeting room to select a counselor. After filling out the card, securing the Counselor’s contact information and their consent to work with you, return to the adult Advancement Chair to have the card signed and dated. Now you may begin.

It is your (not your parents) job to set up the time with the Counselor to work on the merit badge.

Verify you have the current edition of the Merit Badge pamphlet, the Librarian can help you with this and he has some copies available in the Troop library. Read the pamphlet before beginning.

The Merit Badge Counselor has complete authority to sign off your blue card.

These are general guidelines to help you in advancing. Troop 431 is very proud of our quality advancement and we are here to help you in any way we can.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have on advancement.