Advancement

Advancement is important to all Scouts. It is the philosophy of the Boy Scouts that all boys complete at least the requirements for First Class while in Scouting. This process is called First Class Emphasis or FCE. Much attention is directed to this program by the Troop with the older Scouts conducting the training for many parts of the program. There is a great deal of emphasis on First Aid, camping skills, cooking, and improving self reliance in the individual Scout..

Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class

The ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are included in FCE. The Scouts can get requirements for First and Second Class signed off on while working on Tenderfoot. However, service hours for a rank can only be earned while working on that one rank. Scouts can begin earning merit badges as soon as they join the Troop, however some badges have minimum rank requirements before the Scout can participate in the merit badge class. Merit badges are not required for FCE advancement. All ranks above First Class are earned in part by completing a certain number of merit badges. Among the merit badges will be certain required merit badges for each rank.
In order to take a merit badge the Scout must sign up on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board. This sheet will list the name of the instructor, rank requirements for the badge, if any, and the times that the badge will meet. The Scout must then obtain a blue merit badge card, print the required information on the card and have a Scoutmaster sign the card before beginning the merit badge. When he completes a merit badge it will be awarded on a merit badge card for that particular badge. He should keep the card as the dates on the cards are required on the Eagle application. There is a Mustang District Merit Badge Fair in January of each year where your son can obtain up to three merit badges. Some badges require work ahead of time. Many of the merit badges are ones that are not offered in our Troop, but many are and many more are offered at Summer Camp.
Once a Scout has been awarded five merit badges, he should obtain a merit badge sash and have the merit badges sewn on to it. He should then wear the sash as a part of his uniform at all Scout meetings.

Higher Rank Advancements

Many of the higher rank advancements require that the Scout hold a troop office in order to qualify for advancement. In order to qualify for the officer election, they must complete a knot-tying test, which is conducted in the month before the elections. He will have to be able to tie the 6 basic knots including the square knot, two half hitches, tautline hitch, sheet bend, clove hitch, and bowline in 90 seconds to qualify. These are all knots that they have learned in the FCE program. Once they have completed the knot test, they must submit a letter indicating which office they would like to run for and why they would like to hold that office.
In order to promote advancement, a Scoutmaster is assigned to each rank. They participate in the Scoutmaster Conference for that rank and make sure that Scouts are progressing in the rank advancement process.
The participation of parents is an important role in advancement. First, in assisting your son in his personal advancement with encouragement and support. Secondly, by teaching merit badges to a group of Scouts, and third, by participating in the Board of Review process. After each Scout has completed the requirements for a particular rank and had a scoutmaster conference, he must complete a Board of Review to advance. A panel of at least three non-Scoutmaster adults comprises the Board of Review. The Scout is presented to the Board by his Patrol Leader. The Board reviews his knowledge of the skills he has learned and what he has done to show Scout spirit while working on the rank. This review also contains materials that relate to prior ranks and is thus cumulative of his Scout skills and knowledge to date. By demonstrating a knowledge of these Scout skills and requirements to the Board, he will successfully complete the rank advancement.