Youth Leadership Positions
Senior Patrol Leader
With three green bars behind the Scout emblem, the senior patrol leader’s shoulder patch
symbolizes one of the oldest leadership positions in Scouting. The Boy Scouts of America has
long recognized the senior patrol leader as the highest youth leadership position in a troop.
They are the primary link between a troop’s Scouts and its adult leaders. They shoulder the
responsibility for leading meetings of the troop and the patrol leaders’ council and provide
valuable leadership in planning and carrying out the troop’s program of outdoor activities,
service projects, and events.
Responsibilities
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
The assistant senior patrol leader is the second highest youth leadership position in the
troop, working closely with the senior patrol leader to help the troop move forward. The
assistant senior patrol leader acts as the senior patrol leader in the absence of the
senior patrol leader or when called upon, and provides leadership to other youth leaders
in the troop. The assistant senior patrol leader is appointed by the senior patrol leader
under the guidance of the Scoutmaster.
Responsibilities
Patrol Leader
The patrol leader is the patrol’s key leader, keeping patrol members informed of
decisions made. Patrol leaders carry out planning, leading, and evaluating patrol
meetings and activities, and assure patrols are prepared to participate in all troop
activities. They keep their patrol intact so they can work together and share
responsibilities to get things done. It is incumbent upon them to be a good example for
the members of their patrol and the rest of the troop.
Responsibilities
Quartermaster
Quartermasters serve as the troop’s supply boss. They keep an inventory of troop
equipment and see that the gear is in good condition. They work with patrol
quartermasters as they check out equipment and return it. At meetings of the scout
leadership team they report on the status of equipment in need of replacement or repair.
In carrying out their responsibilities, they may have the guidance of a member of the
troop committee.
Responsibilities
Scribe
The scribe is the troop’s secretary. They cooperate with the patrols to record attendance
and dues payments at troop meetings and to maintain troop advancement records. The
troop scribe may be assisted by a member of the troop committee.
Responsibilities
Historian
The historian collects, assembles, and preserves troop photographs, news stories,
trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia, and makes materials
available for Scouting activities, courts of honor, the media, and troop history projects.
Responsibilities
Instructor
Each instructor is an older troop member proficient in a Scouting skill who must also
have the ability to teach that skill to others. An instructor typically teaches subjects that
Scouts are eager to learn—especially those such as first aid, camping, and
backpacking—that are required for outdoor activities and rank advancement. A troop
can have more than one instructor.
Responsibilities
Librarian
Troop librarians oversee the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines,
audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. They check out these materials to Scouts
and leaders and maintain records to ensure that everything is returned. They may also
suggest the acquisition of new literature and report the need to repair or replace any
current holdings.
Responsibilities
Webmaster
Troop webmasters are responsible for maintaining the troop’s website. They make sure
that information posted on the website is correct and up to date and that the privacy of
youth and adult troop members is protected. A member of the troop committee may
assist them with their work.
Responsibilities
Bugler
The bugler plays the bugle (or similar instrument) to mark key moments during the troop
meeting, such as assembly, or on troop outings, such as reveille, mess call, and lights
out. The bugler must know the required bugle calls and ideally should have earned the
Bugling merit badge or be working toward earning it.
Responsibilities
Order of the Arrow Representative
Order of the Arrow representatives serve as a communication link between the troop
and the local Order of the Arrow lodge. By enhancing the image of the Order as a
service arm to the troop, they promote the OA, encourage Scouts to take part in all sorts
of camping opportunities, and helps pave the way for older Scouts to become involved
in high-adventure programs.
Responsibilities
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
A Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills may be appointed by the Scoutmaster to serve as a junior assistant Scoutmaster (JASM). The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster functions just like an assistant Scoutmaster (except for leadership responsibilities reserved for adults 18 years of age or older). In this capacity, junior assistant Scoutmasters (a troop may have more than one) follow the guidance of the Scoutmaster in providing support and supervision to other youth leaders in the troop. Upon their 18th birthday, a junior assistant Scoutmaster will be eligible to become an assistant Scoutmaster.
Responsibilities
With three green bars behind the Scout emblem, the senior patrol leader’s shoulder patch
symbolizes one of the oldest leadership positions in Scouting. The Boy Scouts of America has
long recognized the senior patrol leader as the highest youth leadership position in a troop.
They are the primary link between a troop’s Scouts and its adult leaders. They shoulder the
responsibility for leading meetings of the troop and the patrol leaders’ council and provide
valuable leadership in planning and carrying out the troop’s program of outdoor activities,
service projects, and events.
Responsibilities
- runs all troop meetings, events, and activities
- runs the scout leadership meetings to plan troop meetings and activities
- appoints other troop junior leaders with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster
- assigns duties and responsibilities to junior leaders
- assists the Scoutmaster with junior leader training
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
The assistant senior patrol leader is the second highest youth leadership position in the
troop, working closely with the senior patrol leader to help the troop move forward. The
assistant senior patrol leader acts as the senior patrol leader in the absence of the
senior patrol leader or when called upon, and provides leadership to other youth leaders
in the troop. The assistant senior patrol leader is appointed by the senior patrol leader
under the guidance of the Scoutmaster.
Responsibilities
- helps the senior patrol leader lead meetings and activities
- attends scout leadership meetings to plan troop meetings and activities
- runs the troop in the absence of the senior patrol leader
- helps train and supervise the troop scribe, quartermaster, instructor, librarian,
- historian, webmaster, chaplain aide, and OA representative
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
- lends a hand controlling the patrols and building patrol spirit
Patrol Leader
The patrol leader is the patrol’s key leader, keeping patrol members informed of
decisions made. Patrol leaders carry out planning, leading, and evaluating patrol
meetings and activities, and assure patrols are prepared to participate in all troop
activities. They keep their patrol intact so they can work together and share
responsibilities to get things done. It is incumbent upon them to be a good example for
the members of their patrol and the rest of the troop.
Responsibilities
- plans and leads patrol meetings and activities
- keeps patrol members informed
- assigns each patrol member a specific duty
- prepares the patrol to participate in all troop activities
- works with other troop leaders to make the troop run well
- knows the abilities of each patrol member
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows and develops patrol spirit
Quartermaster
Quartermasters serve as the troop’s supply boss. They keep an inventory of troop
equipment and see that the gear is in good condition. They work with patrol
quartermasters as they check out equipment and return it. At meetings of the scout
leadership team they report on the status of equipment in need of replacement or repair.
In carrying out their responsibilities, they may have the guidance of a member of the
troop committee.
Responsibilities
- keeps records on patrol and troop equipment
- makes sure equipment is in good working condition
- issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition
- makes suggestions for new or replacement items
- works with the troop committee member responsible for equipment
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
Scribe
The scribe is the troop’s secretary. They cooperate with the patrols to record attendance
and dues payments at troop meetings and to maintain troop advancement records. The
troop scribe may be assisted by a member of the troop committee.
Responsibilities
- records individual Scout attendance and dues payments
- records individual Scout advancement progress
- works with the troop committee member responsible for records and finance
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
Historian
The historian collects, assembles, and preserves troop photographs, news stories,
trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia, and makes materials
available for Scouting activities, courts of honor, the media, and troop history projects.
Responsibilities
- gathers photos and facts about troop activities and keeps them in a historical file or scrapbook
- takes care of troop trophies, ribbons, and souvenirs of troop activities
- keeps information about former members of the troop
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
Instructor
Each instructor is an older troop member proficient in a Scouting skill who must also
have the ability to teach that skill to others. An instructor typically teaches subjects that
Scouts are eager to learn—especially those such as first aid, camping, and
backpacking—that are required for outdoor activities and rank advancement. A troop
can have more than one instructor.
Responsibilities
- teaches basic Scouting skills
- schedule/coordinate merit badge counselor(s) for troop/Scout instruction
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
Librarian
Troop librarians oversee the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines,
audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. They check out these materials to Scouts
and leaders and maintain records to ensure that everything is returned. They may also
suggest the acquisition of new literature and report the need to repair or replace any
current holdings.
Responsibilities
- sets up and takes care of the troop library
- keeps records of books and pamphlets owned by the troop
- adds new or replacement items as needed
- keeps books and pamphlets available for borrowing
- keeps a system for checking books and pamphlets in and out, and follows up on
- late returns
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
Webmaster
Troop webmasters are responsible for maintaining the troop’s website. They make sure
that information posted on the website is correct and up to date and that the privacy of
youth and adult troop members is protected. A member of the troop committee may
assist them with their work.
Responsibilities
- works with various unit members on needed topics
- ensures the website is as youth-run as possible
- maintains the website as needed
- sets a good example
- correctly wears the Scout uniform correctly
- shows Scout spirit
Bugler
The bugler plays the bugle (or similar instrument) to mark key moments during the troop
meeting, such as assembly, or on troop outings, such as reveille, mess call, and lights
out. The bugler must know the required bugle calls and ideally should have earned the
Bugling merit badge or be working toward earning it.
Responsibilities
- makes appropriate bugle calls, as requested, at troop meetings and activities
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
Order of the Arrow Representative
Order of the Arrow representatives serve as a communication link between the troop
and the local Order of the Arrow lodge. By enhancing the image of the Order as a
service arm to the troop, they promote the OA, encourage Scouts to take part in all sorts
of camping opportunities, and helps pave the way for older Scouts to become involved
in high-adventure programs.
Responsibilities
- attends troop, chapter and lodge meetings regularly as a youth representative of the troop and Order
- serves as a two-way communication link between the troop and the lodge or chapter
- arranges with the lodge or chapter election team to conduct an annual Order of the Arrow election for the troop at a time approved by the patrol leaders council
- arranges with the lodge or chapter for at least one camp promotion visit to the unit annually
- participates in troop courts of honor, as requested by the senior patrol leader, by recognizing: high adventure participation of troop members, induction of new OA members, changes in OA honors of troop members, and other appropriate activities
- coordinates the ordeal induction process for newly elected candidates by:
- ensuring they know the time and location of the ordeal, providing information of what to bring to the ordeal, assisting (as needed) in arranging transportation to the ordeal, and offering assistance (as needed) to the lodge in the ordeal process
- assists current ordeal members in the troop in sealing their membership by becoming brotherhood members by: ensuring they know the time and location of brotherhood opportunities, assisting (as needed) in arranging transportation to the brotherhood opportunities, and offering assistance to the lodge (as needed) in the brotherhood process
- offers periodic training and discussions of OA principles, symbolism, and the Legend as needed by and appropriate for the troop members of the Order, at the discretion of the PLC
- assists the troop (as appropriate) as a trainer of leadership and outdoor skills.
- advocates environmental stewardship and Leave No Trace camping
- sets a good example by: wearing the Scout uniform correctly, showing Scout
- spirit, and living by the Scout Oath, the Scout law, and the OA Obligation
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
A Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills may be appointed by the Scoutmaster to serve as a junior assistant Scoutmaster (JASM). The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster functions just like an assistant Scoutmaster (except for leadership responsibilities reserved for adults 18 years of age or older). In this capacity, junior assistant Scoutmasters (a troop may have more than one) follow the guidance of the Scoutmaster in providing support and supervision to other youth leaders in the troop. Upon their 18th birthday, a junior assistant Scoutmaster will be eligible to become an assistant Scoutmaster.
Responsibilities
- performs duties as assigned by the Scoutmaster.
- sets a good example.
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
- shows Scout spirit