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How to Get Advancements
- Understand the requirement.
- Read the Scout Book — the book has
a lot of information to help you understand.
- Practice the requirement if possible — for example, tie the
knot a couple of times.
- Be Prepared!! Know the requirement,
have all the materials to needed to demonstrate the requirement, have
your logbook ready to prove outings, service hours, etc.
- Approach another scout of at least Life rank. The
following is the preferred order for scouts to sign your book: (an
adult can help you find these scouts if needed.)
- Your Patrol Leader
- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) — the boys up front
during troop meetings
- Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
- Any other scout of Life or Eagle rank
- Uniformed adult leader (who may find a scout for you)
- Update the tracking chart.
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The blue
card has three sections. Present the entire card to the Merit
Badge Counselor. Once completed, the Counselor will keep
the Counselor's Record portion. The other two sections have
a final review by the Troop Advancement Chair. Once approved,
you will keep the Applicant's Record. The Troop Advancement
Chair retains the Application for Merit Badge portion, which is
later turned into the Council. |
- Prior to signing up for a Merit Badge at
Sea Base, or from a Merit Badge Counselor not provided by the Troop,
get approval from the Scout Master. Scouts considering attending
a Merit Badge Day must follow the Troop's Merit
Badge Day Guidelines; note that prior approval by the Scoutmaster
is required.
- Pick a Merit Badge and get the most current book. Merit Badge
books are available at the Scout Shop for about $3.00, or from the
Troop Librarian.
- Request a Blue Card (merit badge card) from the Troop Advancement
Chairperson (Mrs. Takamiya).
- The Advancement Chairperson will provide one or more Merit Badge
Counselor names. Usually, the counselor will not be a member
of Troop 615.
- The Scout needs to call the Counselor and set up a meeting with him/her
per the Counselor's direction. Some will want to meet before
starting the badge, some will tell you to call when requirements are
completed.
- Meet with the Counselor. Be sure a third person will be with
you during the meeting.
- When the Counselor is satisfied that you completed the requirement
he or she will sign the card, keep a portion and return the card to
you.
- Make a copy of the blue card for your logbook.
- Return the Blue Card to the Troop Advancement Chairperson, who will
return part of the card to you.
- Keep your part of all your Blue Cards in a safe place, and maintain
a copy of the Applicant's Record in your log book.
- If you are applying for Scout, Tenderfoot, and Second Class rank,
you (the Scout, not a parent!) must call an FCE Assistant Scoutmaster
to set up a Scoutmaster Conference.
- If you are applying for First Class rank or above, call the Scoutmaster.
If a leadership position was part of the requirements, check that
you fulfilled your leadership contract!
- Remember that many Scouts may be requesting conferences at the same
time and adults have other obligations besides Boy Scouts.
- Be Prepared!! Have your Scout Book
and Logbook up to date and with you, and present yourself in Full Class
A uniform. You will be expected to know how to do all the requirements
up to and including the rank you are trying to achieve. That
is, when at a Scoutmaster Conference for First Class rank, you may
be asked to show skills from Scout, Tenderfoot, and Second Class as
well as First Class skills.
- Meet with the Scoutmaster. Be sure a third person will be with
you during the meeting.
- When the Scoutmaster is satisfied that you completed the requirement
he/she will sign your book.
- Once you have passed the Scoutmaster Conference, you need to attend
a Board of Review.
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Showing
up to a Scoutmaster Conference does not guarantee that you will
pass. If the Scoutmaster doesn't feel that you are ready
for the advancement he or she will tell you what you need to do
to achieve the advancement at another meeting (update your log,
wear a complete uniform, study a requirement, etc.). Not
passing a Scoutmaster is not like failing a test, it simply means
that the Scoutmaster feels you need to improve in specific areas
prior to advancing in rank. |
- You (the Scout, not a parent!) must call the Troop Advancement Chairperson
(Mrs. Takamiya) and request a Board of Review. Boards of Review
are held at 7pm at PCOM, before regular Troop Meetings.
- Be Prepared!! Have your Scout Book
and Logbook up to date and with you, and present yourself in Full Class
A uniform.
- When the board is satisfied that you passed the review they will
sign your book.
- You will receive the Advancement Card at the next Court of Honor. Make
a copy; save the original in a safe place, and put the copy in your
log.
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