The Process for advancing to all ranks is nearly identical.   Of course, the individual requirements for each rank are different and they get somewhat harder as you progress to higher ranks.   Here are some key pointers:

The responsibility to complete the individual requirements for each rank rests with the boys.   At every regular Troop meeting, Assistant Scoutmasters and older Boy Scouts (First Class and higher) are available to sign off rank requirements when the younger Scouts say they are ready.   The requirements listed under each Rank shows specifically what pages the boys must read and study before getting tested for the requirement.  Assistant Scoutmasters or First Class Scouts and higher can sign off on the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class requirements.

Merit badges are only required for advancement to the ranks of First Class and higher. Of course, boys can start working on Merit Badges the day they join Scouts.  The Scout can check one of the Merit Badge pamphlets out from our library or check with the Barrington library if we don't have the pamphlet.  When the Scout is ready to meet with the Merit Badge Counselor, the Scout asks the Scoutmaster for a blue Merit Badge card.  The Scoutmaster signs it and the Boy Scout contacts the MB counselor to schedule an appointment.  The Troop Scoop contains a list of all the adults in Troop 29 who are MB counselors and what they are approved to sign for.   If the Scout is interested in a MB that isn't covered by one of our counselors, then the Advancement Chair can provide a council-wide list of available counselors.  When the Scout arrives for the MB meeting, they should be prepared to demonstrate that they have completed the requirements. The MB counselor may give some guidance or help the Scout expand their understanding, but the Scout should come prepared.   The MB counselor signs off each of the requirements for the badge on the blue card.  When all of the requirements are met, the MB counselor signs off and the Scout brings it to the Scoutmaster for final signature.  The blue card then goes to the Committee Advancement Chair so they can record the badge in the official Boy Scout records and purchase the badge for award at the next Court of Honor.  See the Merit Badge link on the left for more information about the process, including the requirements for adult MB counselors.

Serving in a position of responsibility and leadership is required for advancement to the higher ranks of Star, LIfe, and Eagle.   Leadership is action.   Leadership is not just a title.  If the requirement says you have to fulfill a leadership role for six months, then the Scoutmaster will ask the Scout to list the specific actions they took in each of those six months.   This requirement is the same whether the position is a patrol leader or quartermaster.  Of course, the types of actions will vary depending on the position the Scout is in.

After the Scout completes all requirements for a particular rank, they ask the Scoutmaster for a Scoutmaster conference.   These are usually done during the regular troop meetings, but can be scheduled at other times too.

Once the Scoutmaster signs off on the conference, the Scout contacts the Board of Review coordinator, our Advancement Chair, and makes a request to schedule a Board of Review (BOR).   The Scout must appear before the board in full uniform and bring their book with all of their requirements signed off.  If the board recommends advancement to the next rank, then the paperwork will be completed and the patch for the rank will be presented at the next BOR.

The Scoutmaster must conduct all Scoutmaster Conferences for the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle.   Assistant Scoutmasters may conduct them for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.    The Board of Review is conducted by a panel of 3 to 6 Commitee members.  The boy's parent or guardian can not be on the Board of Review.

The Boards of Review are typically scheduled once a month at our regular meeting location - St. Anne School Cafeteria.   Regular meetings are not held while the BOR is conducted, but other leaders not involved in the Boards of Review will be available to sign off on rank advancements listed in the Scout Handbook or to conduct merit badge sessions previously arranged by the Scout and Merit Badge counselor.   Special Board of Reviews can also be scheduled with the Board of Review coordinator if the Scout cannot make the monthly BOR and needs to advance before the next scheduled BOR.  These special BORs are typically conducted at the library at a time convenient to the Board members and the Scout.