Significance
The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting, but also as he enters higher education, business or industry, and community service. The award is a performance-based achievement, the standards of which have been well-maintained over the years. Not every boy who joins a Boy Scout troop earns the Eagle Scout rank – only about 4 percent of all Boy Scouts do so. This represents more than 1 million Boy Scouts who have earned the rank since 1912 when the Boy Scouts of America awarded the first Eagle Scout Award to Arthur Eldred. Nevertheless, the principles contained in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, and the goals of Scouting – citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness – remain important for all Scouts, whether or not they attain the Eagle Scout rank.

Progression
To earn the Eagle Scout Award (the highest advancement rank in Scouting), a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. Although many options are available to demonstrate proficiency in these areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance through the ranks – Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. To advance, a Boy Scout must pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges.

Merit Badges
Merit badges signify the mastery of certain Scoutcraft skills, as well as helping boys increase their skill in an area of personal interest. Of the 120 merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify for Eagle Scout. Of this group, 12 badges are required, including:  First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Camping, and Family Life. In addition, a Scout has a choice between Emergency Preparedness and Lifesaving and a choice from among Cycling, Hiking, and Swimming. The remaining 9 minimum merit badges may be selected by the Scout himself. It is not uncommon for a man to have been introduced to a career from earning a merit badge as a Scout.

Scoutmaster Conference
At each of his rank advancements, a Boy Scout takes part in a Scoutmaster conference. These conferences help the Scout to set goals for himself in line with his individual talents and abilities. At each conference, the Scoutmaster helps him evaluate how well he accomplished his present goal and then works with him in setting new goals. This is followed by a Board of Review, which is an interview before a panel of adult volunteers.

Service and Responsibility
Beginning with the Star rank, and continuing through Life rank and Eagle, a Scout must demonstrate participation in increasingly more responsible service projects. At these levels, he also must demonstrate leadership skills by holding one or more specific youth positions of responsibility in his patrol and/or troop.

After becoming a Life Scout, a further requirement of the Eagle Scout is to plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project that is helpful to a religious institution, school, or community.