Eagle

The Eagle Scout Rank is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout Rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men. The title of “Eagle Scout” is held for life, thus giving rise to the phrase “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle”.

Attaining the Eagle rank is often the end goal of a scout and his parents. It looks good on a resume and shows commitment to a program over an extended span of time. But, just like each rank advancement before it, the Eagle rank is a major advancement milestone, but not the culmination of scouting.

After reaching Eagle, a scout can continue to earn merit badges and be rewarded with an Eagle Palm for each 5 additional merit badges.

He can also continue to lead and guide the troop or he can change his focus to helping Cub Scouts become Boy Scouts. He may become a Junior Assistant ScoutMaster, helping the ScoutMaster with projects to improve the troop. Or, he can look for worthwhile endeavors outside of scouting to which he can apply his scouting background.

There are many ways an Eagle Scout can continue to contribute to and receive from the Scouting program.

Download the most recent Eagle Scout Application Form. This application can be filled in online by the Eagle candidate.

Eagle Scout rank requirements

1. Be active in your troop, team, crew, or ship for a period of at least six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.
2. Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious, educational, and employer references.
3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges(10 more than you already have), including the following:

   a. First Aid

   b. Citizenship in the Community

   c. Citizenship in the Nation

   d. Citizenship in the World

   e. Communications

   f. Personal Fitness

   g. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving*

   h. Environmental Science

   i. Personal Management

   j. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling*

   k. Camping, and

   l. Family Life

   * You must choose only one merit badge listed in items g and j. If you have earned more than one of the badges listed in items g and j, choose one and list the remaining badges to make your total of 21.

4. While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:

   • Boy Scout Troop. Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Venture Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Order of the Arrow Troop Representative, Den Chief, Scribe, Librarian, Historian, Quartermaster, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Chaplain Aide, Instructor, Webmaster, or Leave No Trace Trainer.
   • Varsity Scout Team. Captain, Cocaptain, Program Manager, Squad Leader, Team Secretary, Order of the Arrow Team Representative, Librarian, Historian, Quartermaster, Chaplain Aide, Instructor, Den Chief, Webmaster, or Leave No Trace Trainer.
   • Venturing Crew/Ship. President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Quartermaster, Historian, Den Chief, Guide, Boatswain, Boatswain’s Mate, Yeoman, Purser, Storekeeper, Webmaster, or Leave No Trace Trainer.

5. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project should benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) The project plan must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and troop committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 521-927, in meeting this requirement.
6. Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.
7. Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

Official notes (part of the rank requirements)

AGE REQUIREMENT ELIGIBILITY. Merit badges, badges of rank, and Eagle Palms may be earned by a registered Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer. He may earn these awards until his 18th birthday. Any Venturer who achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout in a troop or Varsity Scout in a team may continue working for the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks and Eagle Palms while registered as a Venturer up to his 18th birthday. Scouts and Venturers who have completed all requirements prior to their 18th birthday may be reviewed within three months after that date with no explanation. Boards of Review conducted between three and six months after the candidate’s 18th birthday must be preapproved by the local council. A statement by an adult explaining the reason for the delay must be attached to the Eagle Scout Rank Application when it is submitted to the Eagle Scout Service. The Eagle Scout Service at the national office must be contacted for procedures to follow if a board of review is to be conducted more than six months after a candidate’s 18th birthday.

If you have a permanent physical or mental disability, you may become an Eagle Scout by qualifying for as many required merit badges as you can and qualifying for alternative merit badges for the rest. If you seek to become an Eagle Scout under this procedure, you must submit a special application to your local council service center. Your application must be approved by your council advancement committee before you can work on alternative merit badges.

See: Eagle Scout Rank Alternate Requirements

A Scout or Venturer with a disability may work toward rank advancement after he is 18 years of age if he meets the guidelines outlined in the Advancement and Recognition Policies and Procedures.’ See Advancement Policies #33088 for details.