What is an Eagle Scout?

The Eagle rank is the highest rank that a Boy Scout can earn in Scouting. The requirements for this rank were printed in the first Boy Scout Handbook and required Scouts to be a First Class Scout for a period of one full year, showing that he had actually put into practice the ideals and principles of the Scout Oath and Law, the motto “Be Prepared” and the Daily Good Turn, had made an earnest effort to develop his leadership ability and earn twenty-one merit badges.

In the early days of Scouting, a Scout earned his Star rank by earning just five merit badges, being a First Class Scout and appearing before an examining committee. For Life, a Scout had to qualify for ten merit badges and be a First Class Scout. However, he had to earn the First Aid merit badge, which required six months service since becoming a First Class, and the Physical Development merit badge (which also required six months to earn) or Athletics. In addition, he had to earn Personal Health, Public Health, and Life Saving or Pioneering. Later the requirements for Star, Life and Eagle were changed and additional required merit badges, community service and time requirements were added. It was not until 1927 that Eagle Palms were added to the list of ranks for Boy Scouts.

The Eagle Scout rank could be earned by adults until 1965. In 1965, a requirement was added that an Eagle Scout applicant must have served for at least six months in a youth leadership position since becoming a Life Scout. Adults could not do this so they could no longer meet all the requirements for Eagle.

Current Requirements for Eagle;

Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 6 months as a Life Scout.
Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
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. Communication
f. Personal Fitness
g. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving*
h. Environmental Science OR Sustainability
i. Personal Management
j. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling*
k. Camping
l. Cooking , and
m. Family Life
(You must choose only one merit badge listed in items g, h, and j. If you have earned more than one of the badges listed in items g, h, and/or j, choose one and list the remaining badges to make your total of 21.)

While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:
Patrol leader,
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader,
Senior Patrol Leader,
Troop Guide,
Order of the Arrow Troop Representative,
Den Chief,
Scribe,
Librarian,
Historian (1),
Quartermaster,
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster,
Chaplain aide,
Instructor or,
Venture Patrol Leader (2).

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.
Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.
Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

The Troop 3 Eagles list is from the Chisholm Trails Council Eagles list and the Texas Trails Council Eagles list. Both of these lists are from the West Texas Scouting History website. This is a wonderful site to learn about the history of Scouting here in West Texas. A big thanks to Mr. Frank T. Hilton for giving us this wonderful resource.
If you know of any Eagles that are missing from the Troop 3 Eagles list, please e-mail Myron so he can add them to this list.