From Life to Eagle

Required Forms and Procedures
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Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook (.pdf format)
Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook (.rtf format - editable on the computer)

Eagle Scout Rank Application (.pdf format) | 12 Steps from Life to Eagle | National Service Project Information

Longhorn Council Eagle Procedures | Eagle Process Checklist (.pdf format)

Tejas District Eagle Procedures | Tejas District Eagle Service Project Checklist (.pdf format)

 

Advice on Meeting the Eagle Requirements and Procedures Involved in Attaining Eagle Scout
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Eagle Requirements | Eagle Scout Service Project | Eagle Application

Completing the Process | Eagle Scout Board of Review | Eagle Scout Court of Honor | Process Summary

The trail to Eagle Scout is years long, but only takes seven "steps."  The first six "steps" - Scout, Tenderfoot Scout, Second Class Scout, First Class Scout, Star Scout, and Life Scout - are all building blocks for the Scout's seventh, final, and longest step towards the goal of earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Earning the ranks of Scout through Life Scout only involves the Scoutmaster and Troop committee in ensuring that the rank's requirements are successfully completed.  Earning the rank of Eagle Scout differs from the previous ranks in that the district, council, and National council are also involved in ensuring that the requirements for Eagle Scout have been successfully completed.

There is no hard and fast single process for completing all of the requirements and procedures that go into earning the rank of Eagle Scout.  Once the Scout has passed his Life Scout board of review, he should contact his Scoutmaster or Eagle mentor to obtain an Eagle Scout Rank Application and the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project workbook (it is suggested to present these at the Court of Honor in which the Life Scout rank is received).

This page will TRY to walk the Life Scout, his parents, and his leaders, through the Life to Eagle process in the Tejas district of the Longhorn council of the Boy Scouts of America.  If you are viewing this page and are not a member of a Troop in the Tejas district/Longhorn council, some of this information may not apply to you.  The National council's Eagle Scout procedures can be found here.  The Longhorn council's Eagle procedures can be found here.  The Tejas district's Eagle procedures can be found here.  Please be sure to familiarize yourself with each of the lists of procedures mentioned here.

We will begin this process with the Eagle Scout requirements as listed in The Boy Scout Handbook (11th edition).  After listing and commenting on those requirements, we will cover the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project process.  Following the project, we will cover the Eagle Scout Award Application, and the Tejas District's and Longhorn Council's procedures for completing the Eagle Scout rank.

***IMPORTANT - THERE IS MUCH PAPERWORK INVOLVED IN THE EAGLE SCOUT PROCESS.  PLEASE MAKE PHOTOCOPIES OF EVERY PIECE OF PAPERWORK INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS FOR YOUR REFERENCE AND TO PROTECT AGAINST LOSS.

Paperwork that will be needed to complete the Eagle Scout process includes:

Contacts:

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT EXCEPT FOR THE BOARD OF REVIEW MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE EAGLE CANDIDATE'S 18TH BIRTHDAY.

Eagle Scout Requirements from The Boy Scout Handbook (11th edition).

Eagle Scout Requirement 1: Be active in your Troop and patrol for at least six months as a Life Scout.

The important word in this requirement is ACTIVE.  A Scout on the climb from Life to Eagle should be one of the "most valuable players" in the Troop, giving back leadership and the experience that has brought him this far along the Eagle trail.

Eagle Scout Requirement 2: Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.

Different Troops and Scoutmasters have different gauges to measure the Scout's demonstration of living by the Scout Oath and Law.  Some simply discuss with the Scout how he demonstrates the thoughts and ideals of the Oath and Law.  Others will go so far as to contact friends, siblings, teachers, or parents for a reference as to the Scout's demonstration of living up to the Oath and Law.

The burden of proof for an Eagle Scout candidate is a bit higher than for the other 6 ranks he has already earned.  Actual proof of the Scout's demonstration to live by the Oath and Law are required in the way of personal references.  These references will be discussed when we get to the Eagle Scout Award Application.

Eagle Scout Requirement 3:  Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have), including the following: 

(a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in the World, (e) Communications, (f) Personal Fitness, (g) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving (h) Environmental Science , (i) Personal Management, (j) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling (k) Camping, and (l) Family Life *

*You must choose only one merit badge listed in items (g) and (j).  If you have earned more than one of the badges listed in items (g) and (j), list one as required and list the remaining badge(s) on the list to make your total of 21 merit badges.

Encourage the Scout to locate all of his blue cards for earned merit badges. The candidate will need to contact his Troop Committee Advancement Chairman to get a printout of his merit badge history to verify the information from any missing blue cards.

Eagle Scout Requirement 4: While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in one or more position of responsibility.  Boy Scout Troop leadership positions that meet this requirement are:  Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, Troop guide, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, and instructor.  

Assistant Patrol leader IS NOT an acceptable leadership position to meet the leadership requirement for Eagle Scout (nor for Star Scout or Life Scout).

The entire six month term must be served AFTER the rank of Life Scout is earned. The application requires listing the position held and the dates of the term held. This requirement may be split between two leadership positions (non-concurrent tenure).

Example 1: “Elmer” was 2 months into a 6 month term of office as Patrol Leader when he passed his Life Scout board of review. The next 4 months in office as Patrol Leader count towards the leadership requirement. When the final 4 months of his term ends, “Elmer” will then need to actively serve in another approved leadership position for at least 2 months. “Elmer” will list his 4 months as Patrol Leader and his 2 months in another approved leadership position.

Example 2: “Elmer” finished out his term of Patrol Leader, covering 4 of the required 6 months of service in a leadership position. “Elmer” is then elected Senior Patrol Leader for a term of 6 months. His term of service a Senior Patrol Leader ends before he completes the other requirements for Eagle Scout. “Elmer” may list only his 6 months as Senior Patrol Leader on the Eagle Scout application.

Eagle Scout Requirement 5: While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project should benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) The project idea must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and Troop committee and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook (BSA publication No. 18-927C) in meeting this requirement.

A detailed discussion of this requirement can be found below.

Eagle Scout Requirement 6:  Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.

Eagle Scout Requirement 7:  Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

The requirements listed above (with the exception of the detailed service project) have been seen by the Scout on two other occasions, for Star Scout and for Life Scout.  The requirements are very straightforward and easy to understand as printed in The Boy Scout Handbook.  As you will see below, the process is a bit more complex than it first appears to be.

The Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project

If you read the Eagle Scout Requirement 5 carefully, you noticed that the requirement begins with the statement "WHILE A LIFE SCOUT..."  It must be clearly stated and understood that no actual work on the Eagle Scout leadership service project can be completed until the Scout has passed his Life Scout board of review.  The Life Scout can begin searching for an Eagle Scout service project before attaining the rank of Life Scout, but cannot begin planning his project until he has passed his Life Scout board of review.  He does not have to wait until he has earned all of his merit badges before beginning his project.

The requirement also clearly listed who the project could benefit (any religious institution, and school, or the Scout's community), and that the project must be approved before hand (by both Scoutmaster/Troop committee and district). 

You also noticed that the project must be completed on the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project workbook (BSA publication No. 18-927C).  This workbook can be downloaded in either .PDF format or .RTF format that can be edited on your computer with a word processor.  It would be helpful for further discussion if you would click on the .PDF format now so the workbook will open in a new window.  Having the workbook open will allow you to follow along in the discussion.

SELECTING A PROJECT

Encourage the Scout to contact his pastor, principal, or parks & recreation department supervisor for any needed projects for their facilities.  There is no time or size requirement put on the Eagle Scout service project.  The only statement is that is must benefit a religious institution, school, or community. The main focus of the project should be GIVING LEADERSHIP TO OTHERS while getting the project completed. It is not about how much work the candidate can do himself.  You can find guidelines and criteria for service projects here.

PROJECT PAPERWORK

The Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook is very simple and straight-forward to use and complete.  Although the National council Eagle guidelines and the Longhorn council Eagle guidelines expressly state that no requirements can be added or taken away from those listed for Eagle Scout, the Tejas district advancement chairman and Tejas district Eagle coordinator base their approval of the Scout's project presentation on an unofficial project planning guide, the Eagle Leadership Service Project Planning Guide ©.   Please take the time to read over this guide before beginning to prepare the project workbook for presentation.  The checklist that the Tejas district advancement committee uses for approving or denying a project presentation can be found here.

The information in the above paragraph is not meant to be inflammatory.  Rather the information is presented so that any Scout approaching the Tejas district advancement chairman or the Tejas district Eagle coordinator will know ahead of time that the project's approval or denial is based on a higher standard than the standard presented in The Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook.

THE EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE PROJECT PROCESS

The Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project workbook MUST be used to track the planning, execution, and completion of the service project. Please familiarize yourself with the project workbook before beginning the process. Although the workbook is self explanatory and very easy to use, please be aware of the added expectations of the Tejas district advancement chairman and the Tejas district Eagle coordinator.

  1. The Scout must find a project.

  2. It is a good idea for the candidate do a full write up of his project OUTSIDE of the workbook, and only write information in the workbook when the project has been approved by the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee. The Scout can ask for suggestions and corrections from his parents, adult Scout leaders, or Troop committee members before preparing the final write up for presentation.  To ensure that the first visit with the Tejas district advancement committee for project approval is the only visit, the candidate should base project presentation on the criteria presented in the Eagle Leadership Service Project Planning Guide © and the Tejas district Eagle Service Project checklist.

  3. Once the project presentation has been approved by the Scoutmaster and Troop advancement chairman, the candidate needs to fill out the workbook up to and including page 6, including BEFORE pictures.

  4. Once the candidate has filled out the workbook up to and including page 6, he needs to get the required signatures from: (1) the religious institution, school, or community representative; (2) his Scoutmaster/Crew Advisor; and (3) a unit committee member.

  5. The candidate must then contact the Tejas district Eagle coordinator to set an appointment to go over the project and gain approval.  When approved, the Tejas district Eagle coordinator will also sign the workbook, providing the fourth required signature.

  6. Once all FOUR signatures are acquired, the project is approved and work can commence on the project.  NO WORK, OTHER THAN INITIAL PLANNING, MAY BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE PROJECT IS OFFICIALLY APPROVED.  Make sure to keep excellent notes on the project's process including all receipts for supplies needed and any changed made to the original plan.  Also make sure to take AFTER photographs for the workbook.

  7. Upon completion of the project, the candidate must complete the Eagle Scout Service Project workbook, and obtain signatures from (1) his Scoutmaster/Crew Advisor and (2) the religious institution, school, or community representative.

Protect this workbook once completed. It must be included with the Eagle Scout application when turned in to the Longhorn council for processing.

The Eagle Scout Rank Application

The Eagle Scout Rank Application is the official BSA document that is used by district, council, and National council to ensure that all requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout have been successfully completed.  

The Eagle Scout application is “not to be filled out until all Eagle Scout requirements are met.” It is suggested however, that the Life Scout begin using the application as a frame of reference as soon as the Life board of review is successfully completed. This will allow any problems with merit badge blue cards to present themselves immediately. Beginning immediately should also motivate the Life Scout to begin contacting those whom he wishes to use as personal references for him.

The Eagle Scout Rank application can be downloaded in .PDF format.  It is suggested that you click on the link to open the application in a new window for reference to the following discussion.

When the requirements for Eagle Scout have been met, it is time to complete the Eagle Scout Rank Application.

Dates play a very important part of the application and it is vital that good records are kept by the Scout, his parents, and the Troop committee so that all required dates and information can be readily available for the Eagle applicant when completing the application.

The application requires the Eagle candidate to list SIX personal references to vouch for the Scout's successful completion of Eagle Requirement 2.  The candidate should personally ask each reference before listing that reference on the application.  At present, either the Tejas district advancement chairman or the Tejas district Eagle coordinator personally contact these references in regards to the candidate.  It is suggested that the candidate inform the reference that they will be contacted.  These references may want to provide written letters of recommendation.  If so, please ask them to provide two copies - one for the district's and council's use and one to present to the Eagle candidate.  The letters given to the district/council are not returned to the candidate at the end of the Eagle process.

The application requires that the 21 merit badges earned for Eagle Requirement 3 be listed complete with date the merit badge was earned and unit number of Troop or Crew the badge was earned at.

The application requires the dates the candidate served in leadership position(s) while as a Life Scout.

A requirement not listed in The Boy Scout Handbook, but required on the Eagle Scout Rank Application is a written statement of the Eagle candidate's ambitions and life purpose, and a listing of positions held in his religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations during which the candidate demonstrated leadership skills.  This statement is to include honors and awards received during said service.  This required written statement is used as proof of the Scoutmaster's conference to district, council, and National council.

Completing the Eagle Scout Process

1. Visit the Council Eagle Processor

After the Eagle Scout candidate:

the candidate is ready to contact the council's Eagle Scout "Processor."  For the Longhorn Council, the candidate MUST make an appointment in advance with the processor - no walk in appointments are available.  The Eagle candidate must present his completed Eagle Scout Rank Application and his completed Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook to the council Eagle processor.  

The council Eagle processor will electronically certify the information listed on the candidate's application against the information turned in to council.  The council will verify each rank (from Scout Badge/Tenderfoot through Life) and all merit badges against their records. If the council records are incomplete or if there are any problems, the Scout will be contacted and asked to produce proof that the requirements have been met (so it is also a good idea for the candidate to bring his Boy Scout Handbook complete with signed rank requirements, a computerized list of merit badge information from the Troop advancement chairman, and all of his merit badge blue cards). Once this verification is complete, the Eagle processor will provide the district advancement chairman with a printed version of the Eagle Scout Rank Application that will be used and finalized at the Eagle Scout candidate's board of review.

2.  Eagle References are Contacted

When the candidate has successfully completed the council's review of his Eagle Scout Rank Application,  the council Eagle processor will deliver the Eagle candidate's Eagle Scout Rank application and completed Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook to the district advancement committee.  The district advancement committee will then begin contacting the candidate's listed references for personal interviews about the candidate.

3. The Eagle Scout Board of Review

Once the Eagle candidate's references are verified, the district advancement committee will contact the Eagle candidate in order to set up an Eagle Scout board of review.  The board of review will include at least one member of the Tejas district advancement committee and at least two Troop committee members. The district will schedule a Eagle board of review as soon as is convenient for all necessary parties to participate.

The Eagle candidate MUST appear before the board of review in full, complete, and correct Class A uniform.  The Tejas district advancement committee considers full Class A as follows:  "The full uniform is defined as the official BSA shirt and pants with patches (including the Life rank patch) sown on in the proper places (as shown in the Scout Handbook or uniform inspection form). Any Scouting belt is acceptable. The neckerchief is a troop option so the Scout should comply with his troop's neckerchief guidelines. The merit badge sash is considered part of the uniform and should be worn over the right shoulder (not on the belt). The Order of the Arrow (OA) sash is only authorized during OA activities, so should not be worn at the Eagle BOR." (taken from the Tejas District Website)

"The Eagle BOR will last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. It will begin with the Scoutmaster introducing the Scout, then leaving the room. The Board will take a few minutes to get aquatinted with the Scout and put him at ease, then continue with a discussion of the candidate's Scouting experience, his Eagle Service Project, and his life goals. The BOR is not a retest of previous advancement requirements, however the Scout should be prepared to recite the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, and Motto and discuss what they mean to him and how he lives by these Scouting principles. The Scout will then be ask to leave the room while the Board discusses the review and reaches a decision. The Scout and his Scoutmaster will then be called back to receive the Boards decision and (hopefully) their congratulations. In the rare case where the Board does not recommend that the candidate receive the Eagle rank, they will discuss the follow-up actions." (taken from the Tejas District Website)

If the candidate is approved as an Eagle Scout by the board of review, the candidate is immediately considered an Eagle Scout, and the board chairman and another member will sign the printed version of the Eagle Scout Rank Application and return it to the new Eagle Scout.

4.  Final Council Approval

Upon successful completion of the Eagle Scout board of review, the Eagle Scout must return the signed version of the Eagle Scout Rank Application to the council Eagle processor so that the application may be finalized and forwarded to the National council for final approval and processing.  The local council will authorize the Eagle Scout's advancement and then forward the application on to the National council offices for final approval.  When the National council had approved the application, they will return the application to the local council along with the Eagle Scout credentials "kit."  The Eagle Scout Rank Application clearly states that "presentation of the rank may not be made until the Eagle Scout credentials are received by the BSA local council."  That is to say that although the Scout is now officially an Eagle Scout, he cannot be presented with any Eagle credentials other than those sent expressly to him by the National council of the BSA.

5.  The Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Books have been written about and for Eagle Scout Courts of Honor.  The formal presentation of Eagle credentials to an Eagle Scout is usually not included in a Troop's normal Court of Honor proceedings.  It is usually the Scout's (and his parent's) privilege to design a special Eagle COH just for the formal presentation of the rank of Eagle Scout.

Some links to look at concerning Eagle Scout Courts of Honor are:  eaglescout.org, eaglebook.com, macscouter.com, the U.S. Scouting Service Project, the "Scouters Pages", Troop 30 of Newark Valley, NY, Scouts Helping Scouts

An excellent book on Eagle Scout Courts of Honor is The Eagle Court of Honor Book.  You can find out about it here.

Another important part of the Eagle Court of Honor are the letters of congratulations from state and federal leaders.  You can find out information about requesting these letters here.  A good source of address to send these requests can be found here.  Even more address can be found here.  Other special Eagle Scout recognition items can be found here.

The following is from the Tejas district website. 

Life to Eagle [Process] Summary

The following is from Scouting.org, the website of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

The 12 Steps from Life to EagleMedal

The following 12 steps have been outlined to ensure a smooth procedure for the Scout, the unit leadership, the local council, and the volunteers who are to conduct the board of review. Eagle candidates should share these steps with their unit leader so that they can fully understand the procedures that must be followed.

  1. In order to advance to the rank of Eagle, a candidate must complete all requirements of tenure; Scout spirit; merit badges; positions of responsibility; while a Life Scout, plan, develop, and provide leadership to others in a service project; and the Scoutmaster conference.

  2. Using the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, the candidate must select his Eagle service project and have the project concept approved by his unit leader, his unit committee, and the benefactor of the project, and reviewed and approved by the council or district advancement committee. The workbook must be used in meeting this requirement.

  3. It is imperative that all requirements for the Eagle Scout rank except the board of review be completed prior to the candidate's 18th birthday. When all requirements except the board of review for the rank of Eagle, including the leadership service project, have been completed, the Eagle Scout Rank Application must be completed and sent to the council service center promptly. (Youth members with disabilities should meet with their unit leader regarding time extensions.)

  4. The application should be signed by the unit leader at the proper place. The unit committee reviews and approves the record of the Eagle candidate before the application is submitted to the local council. If a unit leader or unit committee fails to sign or otherwise approve an application, the Eagle candidate may still be granted a board of review. The failure of a unit leader or unit committee to sign an application may be considered by the board of review in determining the qualification of the Eagle candidate.

  5. When the completed application is received at the council service center, its contents will be verified and the references contacted. The council advancement committee or its designee contacts the person listed as a reference on the Eagle Scout Rank Application either by letter, form, or telephone checklist. The council determines the method or methods to be used. The candidate should have contacted those individuals listed as references before including their names on the application. The candidates should not be involved personally in transmitting any correspondence between persons listed as references and the council service center.

  6. The Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, properly filled out, must be submitted with the application.

  7. After the contents of an application have been verified and appropriately signed, the application, Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, and references will be returned from the council service center to the chairman of the Eagle board of review so that a board of review may be scheduled. Under no circumstances should a board of review be scheduled until the application is returned to the chairman of the Eagle board of review. Reference checks that are forwarded with the application are confidential, and their contents are not to be disclosed to any person who is not a member of the board of review.

  8. The board of review for an Eagle candidate is composed of at least three but not more than six members. One member serves as chairman. Unit leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives, or guardians may not serve as members of a Scout's board of review. The board of review members should convene at least 30 minutes before the candidate appears in order to review the application, reference checks, and leadership service project report. At least one district or council advancement representative must be a member of the Eagle board of review if the board of review is conducted on a unit level. A council or district may designate more than one person to serve as a member of Eagle boards of review when requested to do so by the unit. It is not required that these persons be members of the advancement committee; however, they must have an understanding of the importance of the Eagle board of review.

  9. The candidate's unit leader introduces him to the members of the board of review. The unit leader may remain in the room, but does not participate in the board of review. The unit leader may be called on to clarify a point in question. In no case should a relative or guardian of the candidate attend the review, even as a unit leader. There is no set of questions that an Eagle candidate should be asked. However, the board should be assured of the candidate's participation in the program. This is the highest award that a Scout may achieve and, consequently, a thorough discussion of his successes and experiences in Scouting should be considered. After the review, the candidate and his unit leader leave the room while the board members discuss the acceptability of the candidate as an Eagle Scout.

    The decision must be unanimous. If the candidate meets the requirements, he is asked to return and is informed that he will receive the board's recommendation for the Eagle Scout rank. If the candidate does not meet the requirements, he is asked to return and told the reasons for his failure to qualify. A discussion should be held with him as to how he may meet the requirements within a given period.

    Should the applicant disagree with the decision, the appeal procedures should be explained to him. A follow-up letter must be sent to the Scout confirming the agreements reached on the action(s) necessary for the advancement. If the Scout chooses to appeal, the board should provide the name and address of the person he is to contact. (See "Appealing a Decision" in the National BSA Policies and Procedures, No. 33088A.)

  10. Immediately after the board of review and after the application has been appropriately signed, the application, the service project report, references, and a properly completed Advancement Report are returned to the council service center.

  11. When the application arrives at the council service center, the Scout executive signs it to certify that the proper procedure has been followed and that the board of review has recommended the candidate for the Eagle Scout rank. This workbook and references are retained by the council. The workbook may be returned to the Scout after council approval.

    Only the Eagle Scout Rank Application is forwarded to the national Eagle Scout Service.

  12. The Eagle Scout Service screens the application to ascertain information such as proper signature, positions of responsibility, tenure between ranks, and age of the candidate. Any item not meeting national standards will cause the application to be returned for more information. If the application is in order, the Scout is then certified as an Eagle Scout by the Eagle Scout Service on behalf of the National Council. Notice of approval is given by sending the Eagle Scout certificate to the local council. The date used on the certificate will be the date of the board of review. The Eagle Award must not be sold or given to any unit until after the certificate is received by the council service center. The Eagle Scout court of honor should not be scheduled until the local council receives the Eagle Scout rank credentials.

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