Failing Eagle Court of Honor?

Question

What percentage of boy scouts fail their court of honor and why would he fail? (not get the rank of eagle)

Answer 1

Hello Bob:

Not to be snotty, just want to clarify: A Court of Honor is an award ceremony, I think you want to know how a boy could "fail" the Eagle Board of Review.

I don't know of any statistics for this, as it would be extremely rare for this to happen. If the boy has passed his reviews at the troop level (Scoutmaster, troop committee), he should have no trouble at the District Board of Review.

The boys that do "not pass," are those that have not met the requirements, or do not have proper documentation. Get an Eagle Scout application packet, and review all of the records. The simplest of things can hold up an award. Make sure that all of the merit badges the boy earned are recorded, and that the Council has proof that the boy earned them.

Make sure that all of the applications are signed by the proper people IN THE PROPER PLACE.

ALL of the requirements must be completed by the boy's 18th Birthday, UNLESS it has been waived by prior written permission from the Council. This documentation MUST accompany the packet.

When you ask for the letters of reference, make sure that the people give positive recommendations. You can read them prior to the BOR, UNLESS the person has asked that they not be opened. If this is the case, I would find another person to write a good review.

If you want, you can have the packet reviewed by your District Advancement chair, or Eagle Scout coordinator prior to the BOR. S/He can find problems before they arise.

When the boy faces the board of review, Make sure he remembers the Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan. Yes, this is the stuff for the basic Scout rank, but you would be amazed at how a nervous young man gets and can't remember the basics. He should also be well versed in his leadership project, and the leadership positions he held in the troop. He may also want to review why he wants the Eagle Award.

The BOR is not a wall to prevent the boy from earning the Eagle Rank, it is there to ensure that all of the requirements have been met. I'm not sure who is more disappointed when a board has to reject an award; the boy, or the members of the board.

Keep on Scoutin'