The trail to Eagle
Every Scouts BSA member walks the same seven ranks, in order. Scroll to follow the path from joining a troop to Eagle Scout.
Getting started
Join Scouting
Every Scout starts here — no rank required, just a troop and a Scoutmaster.
Rank 1 of 7
Scout
Scout is the first rank in Scouts BSA, earned by learning the Scout Oath and Law, the Scout motto and slogan, and the basics of patrol life — from a proper salute and handshake to the buddy system and personal safety awareness. It sets the foundation everything else in the program builds on.
- Scout Spirit and Basics
- Scouting Program
- Patrol Method
Rank 2 of 7
Tenderfoot
Tenderfoot is the first rank earned through real time in the outdoors, requiring a Scout to demonstrate physical fitness, basic camping and cooking skills, and knot-tying, while continuing to grow as an active member of a patrol and troop.
- Camping and Outdoor Ethics
- Cooking and Meal Preparation
- Tools
Rank 3 of 7
Second Class
Second Class builds directly on Tenderfoot, asking a Scout to navigate with a map and compass, plan and cook a patrol meal, and demonstrate a deeper set of outdoor and first-aid skills — the point at which a Scout starts operating with real independence on a campout.
- Camping and Outdoor Ethics
- Cooking and Tools
- Navigation
Rank 4 of 7
First Class
First Class has long been considered the rank that makes a ‘complete’ Scout: it rounds out core outdoor skills like cooking, camping, and swimming, and asks a Scout to put them to use leading and teaching younger Scouts in the troop.
- Camping and Outdoor Ethics
- Cooking
- Tools
Rank 5 of 7
Star Scout
Star Scout is the first of the leadership ranks, opening the path toward Eagle. It requires sustained active membership, a position of responsibility in the troop, a growing count of merit badges, and a service project, marking the shift from learning skills to leading with them.
- Be active 4 months
- Demonstrate Scout spirit
- Earn 6 merit badges
Rank 6 of 7
Life Scout
Life Scout deepens the leadership and merit badge requirements first introduced at Star, asking a Scout to serve longer in a position of responsibility, earn more merit badges, and complete another service project — the last rank before Eagle.
- Be active 6 months
- Demonstrate Scout spirit
- Earn 5 more merit badges
Rank 7 of 7
Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout is Scouts BSA’s highest rank, earned through a required set of merit badges, sustained leadership in a position of responsibility, and a self-planned and led service project that benefits a community organization — a capstone most Scouts pursue over several years.
- Be active 6 months
- Demonstrate Scout spirit
- Earn 21 merit badges