January 19, 2022

[NO. 676]
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Hi Andy,

As a sort of “free-ranging” commissioner, I get invited to lots of courts of honor and I’m always happy to attend. But I’ve noticed two general habits that, when I stop to think about them, puzzle me.

The first one is about the two kinds of courts of honor (aka “COH”). Most Scouts BSA troops in my council have two kinds. They hold COHs for Scout through Life ranks. And they hold others for Eagle only. Why? Yeah, it’s the top rank, but it’s still a rank.
Often when I ask, the frequent reply is, “That’s how we’ve always done it,” or sometimes, “That’s what our district trainer told us to do.”
My second question is this: At COHs for Eagle, there’s often a display that includes photos often going back to Cub Scouts. Frequently there’s a “portrait” photo of the new Eagle in uniform. Okay so far, except the Scout is still wearing the Life rank badge; there’s no Eagle in sight.

I know these points won’t make or break a Scout troop, but I’m wondering what’s going on. (Mitch Erickson, Commissioner, Patriots’ Path Council, NJ)

Thanks for writing to me—sharp observations and good questions! This is how we learn from one-another! T find your answers instead of me just “winging it,” I started by checking the BSA GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT; I discovered quickly that this book is silent on courts of honor. So I turned to the TROOP LEADER GUIDEBOOK and found twelve references. Three are relevant (boldface mine):

– Courts of honor provide deadlines for Scouts to complete advancement requirements and an opportunity to reflect on their progress during Scoutmaster conferences and boards of review. (p.30)

– Every three or four months, the troop should hold a court of honor…all Scouts who have advanced to any rank…or…earned merit badges since the last court of honor should be recognized. (HOWEVER) Scouts should receive their new badge as soon as possible. (p.100)

– Courts of honor…held three or four times a year…offer formal recognition of Scouts who have advanced in rank…or earned merit badges or other awards. Most troops hold separate COHs for Scouts who have reached the rank of Eagle Scout. (p.61)

So there you have it for your first question. Although it hasn’t always been this way, separate COHs for Eagle rank are indeed encouraged. But this isn’t a “rule.” A COH can certainly include all ranks, culminating with Eagle and followed by Eagle Palms (although, strictly speaking, palms aren’t ranks; there is no higher rank than Eagle).

Between you n’ me, there are lots of advantages to “all-rank” courts of honor. Many more Scouts and their parents will be there than at an Eagle-only CoH. More local media folks will be there. More Scouts in the troop get to see “the mountaintop.” Parents of Scouts moving along on the trail to Eagle will—perhaps for the very first time—get to see what happens when their daughter or son reaches the summit of Scouting advancement. Finally and importantly, the Eagle Scouts themselves will enjoy having a much larger audience than if they were “alone” on the stage.

Yes, I’ve seen those “Life Scout” photos, too. And I think I know why. It’s mainly because far too many troop advancement coordinators (a troop committee position with a very specific set of responsibilities) and Scoutmasters don’t understand that, in this particular regard, the Eagle rank is exactly like all the other six ranks.

The Scout earning the rank is given the badge he or she has earned “as soon as possible” (see that boldface up above in the second TLG quotation? Yup, that’s it!).

So what does “as soon as possible” mean, from a practical viewpoint? Simply this: Present all badges for ranks and merit badges to Scouts who have earned them at the very next troop meeting! Yes, this means the Scoutmaster and advancement coordinator will need to hustle—get the troop advancement report filed at the council service center and go get the badges. Right now. But heck, what are we here for, if not to encourage and support Scouting Advancement?!

NEWS!

The BSA just announced that on March 1st this year all temporary changes made to Scouts BSA advancement requirements to address the COVID-19 pandemic will expire, and the standard rules for Scouts BSA advancement will return on the March 1st date.
This will include the temporary deferment of some swimming requirements for Second Class and First Class, the virtual activities temporarily substituted for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks, and requirement 9b for the Camping merit badge; in all of these instances the regular requirements will return on March 1st, 2022. The GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT, Section 10.2.2.0, states: “(Youth) members must meet current advancement requirements as written for merit badges, all ranks, and Eagle Palms—no more and no less—and they are to do exactly what is stated.” Direct any questions directly to Garfield.Murden@Scouting.org.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay positive!

Happy Scouting!

Andy

I answer every message I receive. Please include your name position, and council. To remain anonymous if published, just tell me and I’ll honor that. Although these columns are copyrighted, you have my okay to quote or reproduce any column or part, so long as it’s attributed: “Ask Andy” by Andy McCommish.

[No. 676 1/19/2022 Copyright © 2022 Andy McCommish]

21st YEAR HELPING SCOUTS, SCOUTERS, & PARENTS