1. Four Steps of Advancement
   1. The Boy Scout learns. A Scout learns by doing. As he learns, he grows in ability to do his part as a member of the patrol and the troop. As he develops knowledge and skill, he is asked to teach others; and in this way he begins to develop leadership.
   2. The Boy Scout is tested. A Scout may be tested on rank requirements by his patrol leader, Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmaster, a troop committee member, or a member of his troop. The Scoutmaster maintains a list of those qualified to give test and to pass candidates.
   3. The Boy Scout is reviewed. After a Scout has completed all requirements for a rank, he has a board of review. For Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Palms, the review is conducted by members of the troop committee. The Eagle Scout Board of Review is conducted in accordance with local council procedures.
   4. The Boy Scout is recognized. When the board of review has certified a boy's advancement, he deserves to receive recognition as soon as possible.

Advancement in the Boy Scouts is an individualized event. The Scout works at his own pace working towards the next rank. Some Scouts may prefer to be more methodical and work at a slower pace while some may be more enthusiastic and work at a faster pace. Both are satisfactory as long as progress is made towards the next rank and learning has occurred. It is incumbent that each boy take the initiative and work towards his next rank advancement. It is the goal of Troop 1539 and the Boy Scouts that each Scout obtain the rank of First Class within one year of joining the Troop. It is also the Troop's goal that each boy joining the troop become an Eagle Scout by his eighteenth birthday.

The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters and troop committee memebers also have these goals in mind. Each boy's progress is closely monitored and assistance and guidance is provided where needed. Activities, troop meetings and outings are planned so that each Scout will have the best opportunity to work on the skills necessary towards his next rank.

1. Tenderfoot through First Class (TTFC)

   Each Scout prepares himself for advancement by reading and studying each requirement and the associated pages in the Handbook. When the Scout is ready, he contacts his Patrol Leader or another Scout who has achieved the rank of First Class or an adult (other than his parent) for a checkout on the requirement. Once the requirement has been successfully completed, it is initialled and dated in their Boy Scout Handbook. Once all the skills and requirements are completed, the Scout will request a conference from the Scoutmaster.

   Service Projects
   Service projects must be approved by the Scoutmaster prior to accomplishment. The Service Project should be a minimum of one hour in length and may be accomplished either as an individual or as a member of a Patrol or Troop project.

2. Star through Eagle

   Service Projects
   Service to others is important. For the Star and Life Ranks the service projects must be approved by the Scoutmaster prior to accomplishment, and must total a minimum of six hours in length. The service projects may be accomplished either individually or as a member of a Patrol or Troop service project. Additional information can be found in the Boy Scout Handbook.

   For the Eagle Rank, the Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project benefitting any religious instittion, school, or the community. The Eagle Scout service project provides the opportunity for the Eagle Scout candidate to demonstrate the leadership skills he has learned in Scouting. As a demonstration of the leadership, the Scout must plan the work, raise the necessary funds, organize the personnel needed, and direct the project to its completion. There is no minimum number of hours that must be spent on carrying out the project. The amount of time spent must be sufficient enough for the Scout to clearly demonstrate leadership skills. The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook must be used to meet this requirement. The Scout must secure the prior approval of the Scoutmaster, his troop committee, and the benefactor of the project. The project must also be reviewed and approved by the council advancement committee.

   Additional information about the Eagle Scout service project can be found in the Boy Scout Handbook.

1. Safety and the Scout Buddy System.

   A Scout MUST have a buddy with him at each meeting with a merit badge counselor. A Scout's buddy can be another Scout, a parent or guardian, a sibling, a relative, or a friend.

2. Obtaining a Merit Badge.

   The Scout must take the initiative to earn his merit badges. He must determine which merit badges he is interested in and find a buddy. The Scoutmasters will assist him in the process if requested.

   To earn a merit badge, the Scout obtains a merit badge application and the name of the appropriate merit badge counselor from his Scoutmaster or Troop Advancement Chairman. The Scout should obtain and study the merit badge book. He then calls the merit badge counselor and arranges for the first meeting with the counselor to discuss the requirements BEFORE beginning work on the merit badge. The counselor should discuss the reuqirements for earning the merit badge with the Scout. The Scout and his buddy meet regularly with the counselor until the Scout completes the merit badge requirements.

   The Scout should not expect all the information or skill to be taught by the counselor. The Scout should come prepared with the knowledge necessary to earn the merit badge. To the fullest extent possible, the merit badge counseling relationship is a "counselor-Scout arrangement" in which the boy is not only judged on his performance of the requirements, but receives maximum benefit from the knowledge, skill and personal interest of his counselor.

Retention of records. The application for Eagle Scout requires proof of advancement and completion of Merit Badges. To facilitate this, each scout should keep all advancement related material presented to him. This includes the Scout's copy of the blue Merit Badge application card, Merit Badge presentation cards, and all advancement cards and certificates.