Boy Scout Advancement accommodates the three Aims of Scouting: citizenship, growth in moral strength and character, and mental and physical development. It is one of the eight Methods of Scouting.
There are six ranks:
When a Boy Scout has achieved a rank, it represents that the young man has:
- Demonstrated living the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life
- Met the other requirements and/or earned the merit badges for the rank
- Participated in a Scoutmaster conference
- Satisfactorily appeared before a board of review
In the advanced ranks (Star, Life, Eagle), the young man has also:
- Served in a position of responsibility in the troop
- Performed service to others
Specific requirements for each rank, including alternate requirements for those with special needs, are available on the National website.
