Describe Scouts BSA ranks

The trail to Eagle Scout is a structured path of seven ranks, each designed to progressively build your outdoor self-reliance, leadership capabilities, and service to your community.

The Seven Ranks of Scouts BSA

[Scout] -> [Tenderfoot] -> [Second Class] -> [First Class] -> [Star] -> [Life] -> [Eagle]

The Foundational Ranks (Scoutcraft and Self-Reliance)

During the first four ranks, you master the foundational outdoor and life skills of Scouting:

1. Scout: The entry rank. You learn Scouting ideals (Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan, Outdoor Code), the Patrol Method, troop leadership, basic rope work, pocketknife safety, and personal safety awareness.
2. Tenderfoot: Focuses on basic campcraft: preparing for overnight campouts, pitching tents, camp cooking safety, foundational first aid, trail hiking rules, 30-day physical fitness, and American flag etiquette.
3. Second Class: Expands your wilderness skills: map and compass navigation, building wood campfires, completing a 5-mile hike, identifying 10 wild animals, passing basic swimming water-entry tests, expanded first aid, 4 weeks of physical activity, and substance abuse prevention.
4. First Class: The benchmark rank of the fully self-reliant outdoorsperson. You master pioneering lashings, 10 native plants, weather prediction, emergency water purification, GPS navigation, water rescue assists, advanced first aid, local civic governance, and leading camp cooking.

The Advanced Ranks (Leadership, Merit Badges, and Service)

Once you earn First Class, the focus shifts toward troop leadership, specialized merit badge study, and community service:

5. Star: Requires at least 4 months of active service as a First Class Scout, earning 6 merit badges (including 4 Eagle-required), serving in a troop position of responsibility for 4 months, and completing at least 6 hours of community service.
6. Life: Requires at least 6 months of active service as a Star Scout, earning 5 additional merit badges (for a total of 11, including at least 7 Eagle-required), serving in a troop position of responsibility for 6 months, and completing at least 6 hours of community service.
7. Eagle Scout: The highest and most prestigious rank in Scouting. To earn Eagle, a Scout must:
   • Be active in the troop for at least 6 months as a Life Scout.
   • Earn a total of at least 21 merit badges (including the 14 specific Eagle-required badges).
   • Serve in a troop position of responsibility for at least 6 months as a Life Scout.
   • Plan, develop, and lead others in a major community service project (the Eagle Scout Service Project).
   • Successfully pass an Eagle Scout Board of Review before their 18th birthday.

How Ranks Are Earned: Sequence and Rules

• Concurrent Work on Early Ranks: While working on Scout, you may also work on requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class at the same time. However, you must be awarded the ranks in strict sequential order (you cannot earn Second Class before Tenderfoot).
• Tenure for Advanced Ranks: For Star, Life, and Eagle, the required months of active tenure, leadership, and service hours do not begin until the exact date the previous rank was officially earned.