The Boy Lead Troop
“The object of the patrol method is not so much saving the Scoutmaster trouble as to give responsibility to the boy.” – Robert Baden Powell
Empowering boys to be leaders is the core of scouting. Scouts learn by doing, and what they do in scouting is lead their patrols and their troop. A Boy Scout troop is a small democracy. With the Scoutmasters direction, the boys are formed into patrols, plan the troop’s program, and make it a reality. In order for this to happen, a troop relies upon Scouts serving in positions of responsibility.
The leadership positions approved by BSA for Eagle Scout*:
· Senior Patrol Leader – elected by the troop
· Assistant Senior Patrol Leader – appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader
· Troop Guide – appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader
· Order of the Arrow Representative – appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader
· Patrol Leader – elected by the patrol
· Troop Quartermaster – elected by the troop
· Scribe – elected by the troop
· Historian – elected by the troop
· Librarian – elected by the troop
· Chaplain Aide – elected by the troop
· Instructor – appointed by the Scoutmaster
· Junior Assistant Scoutmaster – appointed by the Scoutmaster
· Den Chief – appointed by the Scoutmaster
*All material taken from the Scoutmaster Handbook and the Junior Leader Handbook.
Senior Patrol Leader: the junior leader with most responsibility in the troop is the senior patrol leader. He is elected by all members of the troop. The troop sets its own requirements for SPL and determines the schedule of elections. The SPL is in charge of troop meetings from beginning to end. He chairs meetings of the Troop Leadership Council, TLC, as they plan troop activities and programs. The SPL works directly with the patrol leaders and the troop guides.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: with the approval of the Scoutmaster the ASPL is appointed by the SPL and serves as his assistant. He takes the place of the SPL when the SPL is absent. Among his specific responsibilities are training and providing direction for the troop quartermaster, scribe, historian, librarian, and instructors.
Patrol Leader: the patrol leader is elected by the members of the patrol. He takes responsibility for the patrol’s activities and represents the patrol as a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council. Each patrol leader appoints an assistant patrol leader to serve with him.
Troop Guide: the troop guide is both a leader and a “mentor” to members of the new –Scout patrol. He helps the patrol leader of the new scout patrol by providing direction, coaching, and support as determined by the skill level and morale of the new patrol leader. An assistant scoutmaster should work closely with the troop guide and the new scout patrol to ensure each Scout has every opportunity to succeed right from the start.
Troop Quartermaster: the quartermaster is the supply and equipment boss. He keeps a current inventory of troop equipment and sees that it is in good working order. He works with the patrol quartermasters. He reports to the TLC on equipment in need of replacement or repair.
Scribe: the scribe is the troop’s secretary. He attends the TLCs and keeps a logbook of their discussions, but is not a voting member. He helps maintain the troop advancement records. He may assist in providing leadership descriptions to new scout leaders. He may also provide the new scouts with identification badges.
Historian: the historian collects and preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia. He might also collect and organize information about former Scouts and leaders and make materials available for Scouting activities, media contacts, and troop history projects.
Librarian: the troop librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. He checks out materials (merit badge books) to Scouts and leaders and maintains records to ensure that everything is returned. He may provide the new scout leaders with Junior Leader Handbooks.
Chaplain Aide: the chaplain aide plans and leads the troop in religious activities and services.
Order of the Arrow Representative: the OA representative serves as the communication link between the troop and the local OA lodge. By enhancing the image of the OA as a service arm of the troop, he promotes the Order, encourages Scouts to take part in all sorts of camping opportunities. The OA troop representative assists with leadership training. He reports to the assistant senior patrol leader.
Instructor: each instructor is an older troop member proficient in Scouting skills and the ability to teach that skill to others. First aid, camping, backpacking, orienteering – the subjects can encompass any of the areas that Scouts will want to master, especially those required for outdoor activities and rank advancement. The instructor reports to the assistant senior patrol leader. A leadership position description has not been written for instructor.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster: Scouts at least 16 years of age who have shown outstanding leadership skill may be appointed by the Scoutmaster to serve as a junior assistant scoutmaster. These young men follow the guidance of the Scoutmaster in providing support and supervision to other boy leaders in the troop. Upon his 18th birthday, a junior assistant scoutmaster will be eligible to become an assistant Scoutmaster. A leadership position description has not been written for junior assistant scoutmaster.
Den Chief: the den chief works with a den of Cub Scouts and with their adult leaders. He takes part in den meetings, encourages Cub Scout advancement, and is a role model for younger boys.
Other Troop 125 leadership positions that can serve to fulfill Star and Life rank advancement:
Patrol Quartermaster: the patrol quartermaster is appointed by the patrol leader with the approval of the Scoutmaster. The patrol quartermaster maintains a list of patrol box equipment, keeps the patrol box stocked, and ensures the patrol box is clean after campouts. While working with the troop quartermaster, he reports to the patrol leader.
Troop Medic/Health and Safety Officer: the troop medic is the first resource for scouts with minor first aid concerns. He is responsible for maintaining a well stocked first aid box at the troop’s expense. Additionally he is responsible for maintaining information regarding nearby medical facilities for campouts.
Bugler: in addition to calling the troop to reveille, morning and evening formation for flag ceremonies, and taps for lights out on campouts, the bugler will represent the troop in bugling competitions such as the annual Camporee. A leadership position description has not been written for bugler.
Patrol offices that are appointed by the patrol leader, with guidance from the Scoutmaster, are the assistant patrol leader, patrol scribe, patrol grubmaster, and patrol cheermaster. These positions help make things happen in a patrol and cover certain areas of responsibility. They are not approved by BSA for rank advancement.
“Scouting is a game for boys, under the leadership of boys, under the direction of a man.” – Robert Baden Powell