PeterS

There have been some very good explanations regarding cost and logistics of getting the rank and MB patches. I am speaking of active scouts. Reasons for missing a COH include sickness, even if not in a hospital bed ; they participate in another part of scouting that has a required event at the same time; they had a required school activity at the same time, and they chose not to be punished at school; the family had other obligations, such as a trip that was planned and paid for long before the COH was scheduled. Whereas all but the first of these involve choices, the choices are not always freely and totally the scout's to make. There is life apart from scouting, and I think school should be given priority. I really like Fred Johnson's response. I just don't think a scout should be made to wait longer for their rank patch because they missed a COH meeting. If you are going to make them wait until the COH to get the patch, then if they miss the COH, I like the idea of getting it to them soon afterward, like at a regular scout meeting. They could announce the achievements at the COH for scouts who were not in attendance. Maybe at some point these ideas will be worked into the guidelines, which would also help it be consistent across the board. If the rank patches are not available the night of the BOR, then maybe get them soon afterward. I find it interesting that some Councils won't let troops keep some on hand and entrust them to be good and proper stewards of them. I want to ask, what is the purpose of wearing a rank patch anyway? If it is not to show what rank the scout has achieved, then what is it for? One person described it as a "decoration." Is that all it is? If it is to show the scout's rank, then why make them wait so long for it? As was mentioned, by the time they get it they could have achieved another rank and then never get to wear one of them. For some scouts that will make a difference. One more thing, I agree that there should be father pins as well. If you are going to force me to do things I never agreed to, punish my son for things I can't do, and show no appreciation, then a pin would be a very nice gesture.

I have two questions about presenting newly earned ranks or Merit Badges to Scouts. Can a Troop, as a standard practice, delay presentation of new rank and Merit Badge achievements until some later event, even if it is several months later? Can a Troop specify additional requirements before they will present a newly earned rank or Merit Badge to a Scout? If so, what types of additions are permitted, and what types of things are not permitted? These questions pertain to ranks and Merit Badges where all requirements have been met and appropriately signed off, including the Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review for the rank requirements. The “Guide to Advancement 2017 says, “When a boy has earned the Scout rank or when a board of review has approved his advancement, the Scout deserves recognition as soon as possible. This should be done at a ceremony at the next unit meeting. His achievement may be recognized again later, during a formal court of honor.†Since it says “should,†this means that it is a recommended best practice but not required. So I guess they can wait as long as they want. Also, what form must the “recognition†take? Can it simply be saying that the scout has the new achievements? What is acceptable about presenting the actual patches? I know a troop that will only present newly earned ranks and Merit Badges at a Court of Honor. They have a Court of Honor 3 times a year. If the Scout does not attend the Court of Honor, then they must wait until the next Court of Honor they attend to be presented with their new rank and Merit Badges. The troop does say that the Scout earned the rank as of the date of their Board of Review and uses that date as the start of their next rank progress, and they do say the Merit Badge is achieved as of the date the counselor signs off on completion. They will give the Scout their portion of the Merit Badge Blue Card at that time, however they will not give the new rank card, the new rank patch, or the Merit Badge patches until a Court of Honor. This means that the Scout may have to wait almost 4 months to receive these items, and even longer if for some reason they cannot attend the next Court of Honor. Additionally, they say that if the Scout is not current on their dues at the time of the Court of Honor then they will not present their rank and Merit Badges. The “Guide to Advancement 2017†says, “No council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, advancement requirements. There are limited exceptions relating only to members with special needs.†There are similar guidelines regarding Merit Badge requirements. The troop’s position would be that the Scout has still earned the new rank or Merit Badge and it is recorded as such, so they are not adding to the requirements for earning them, they are just not presenting it to them until they have fulfilled additional requirements. It still seems contrary to the guidelines and spirit to me. Are these policies permissible?