Pathway to Eagle

Eagle Scout is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by over one and a half million or about five percent of all Boy Scouts. We are proud of our Eagle Scouts, with the first Eagle award in Troop 24 given in 1927.

The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting but also as he enters higher education, business or industry, and community service. The award is a performance-based achievement whose standards have been well-maintained over the years. The goals of Scouting—citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness—remain important for all Scouts, whether or not they attain the Eagle Scout rank.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. Although many options are available to demonstrate proficiency in these areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance through the ranks—Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. To advance, a Boy Scout must pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges.

Merit Badges
Merit badges signify the mastery of certain scout skills, as well as helping boys increase their skill in an area of personal interest. Of the 120 merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify for Eagle Scout. Of this group, 12 badges are required, including First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Camping, and Family Life. In addition, a Scout has a choice between Emergency Preparedness and Lifesaving and a choice among Cycling, Hiking, and Swimming.

Service and Responsibility
Beginning with the Star rank, and continuing through Life and Eagle, a Scout must demonstrate participation in increasingly more responsible service projects. At these levels, he also must demonstrate leadership skills by holding one or more specific youth positions of responsibility in his troop.

Service Project
The Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project is the opportunity for a Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of his community. This is the culmination of the Eagle Scout candidate’s leadership training and requires a significant effort. The project must benefit an organization other than the BSA, but it cannot be performed for an individual or a business, cannot be solely a fund-raising project, and cannot be a commercial effort.

A written plan must be submitted using the BSA Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook and be approved by the benefiting organization, the unit leader, the unit committee, and a district representative before the work on the project can begin. After the project is complete, the Scout updates the workbook where he describes the methods in which he gave leadership, ways in which the plan may have had to change, and the benefits of the project.

Eagle Palms
Palms represent additional advancement for an Eagle Scout who has stayed active in his unit. A Palm is awarded when the Scout has been active in the unit for at least three months since attaining Eagle (or a previous Palm); has demonstrated Scout Spirit, leadership and ability; has earned five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle or last Palm; and has taken part in a conference with his unit leader.

The insignia is a small metallic palm frond pin that is worn on the ribbon of the Eagle Scout medal or the Eagle Scout square knot. The Palms are awarded in three colors: bronze, representing five merit badges; gold, representing ten merit badges and silver for fifteen merit badges. For awards beyond fifteen merit badges, Palms are awarded in combinations. The order of bronze, gold and silver follows heraldic traditions borrowed from the US military.

After Becoming an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scouts are expected to set an example for other Scouts and to become the leaders in life that they have demonstrated themselves to be in Scouting. As such, they are disproportionately represented in the military, service academy graduates, major professions, business and politics. Eagle Scouts who enlist in the U.S. military may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Eagle Scout is the only Boy Scout rank that is recognized on an adult Scouter’s uniform, worn as an adult recognition of the youth award as a red, white, and blue striped square knot. The title of “Eagle Scout” is held for life, thus giving rise to the phrase “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.” Eagle Scouts can join the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA), which serves as a fellowship and communications board for all Eagle Scouts.

National Eagle Scout Association
Founded in 1972, the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) maintains contact with Eagle Scouts to sustain their interest in Scouting. Any Eagle Scout may join the association. Applications for membership in NESA are available through your local council, on the BSA Web page (www.scouting.org), or by contacting the Eagle Scout Service at the national office. NESA directly administers several Eagle Scout scholarships.

Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award was established in 1969 to acknowledge Eagle Scouts who have distinguished themselves in business, professions, and service to their country. Only Eagle Scouts who earned the Eagle Scout rank a minimum of 25 years previously are eligible for nomination. The award is given by the National Eagle Scout Service upon the recommendation of a committee of Distinguished Eagle Scouts. Only about 1 in 1000 of all Eagle Scouts have been honored with this prestigious award.