Troop Positions of Responsibility

Senior Patrol Leader

The senior patrol leader is the top leader of the troop. He is responsible for the troop’s

overall operation. With guidance from the Scoutmaster, he takes charge of troop

meetings, of the patrol leaders’ council, and of all troop activities, and he does

everything he can to help each patrol be successful. He is responsible for annual

program planning conferences and assists the Scoutmaster in conducting troop

leadership training. The senior patrol leader presides over the patrol leaders’ council

and works closely with each patrol leader to plan troop meetings and make

arrangements for troop activities. All members of a troop vote by secret ballot to choose

their senior patrol leader. Rank and age requirements to be a senior patrol leader are

determined by each troop, as is the schedule of elections. During a Scout’s time as

senior patrol leader, he is not a member of any patrol but may participate with a Venture

patrol in high-adventure activities.

Responsibilities:

Runs all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference.
Runs the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) meeting.
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.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

The assistant senior patrol leader works closely with the senior patrol leader to help the

troop move forward and serves as acting senior patrol leader when the senior patrol

leader is absent. Among his specific duties, the assistant senior patrol leader trains and

provides direction to the troop quartermaster, scribe, historian, librarian, instructors, and

Order of the Arrow representative. During his tenure as assistant senior patrol leader he

is not a member of a patrol, but he may participate in the high-adventure activities of a

Venture patrol. Large troops may have more than one assistant senior patrol leader,

each appointed by the senior patrol leader.

Responsibilities:

Helps the senior patrol leader lead 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, and Chaplain Aide.
Serves as a member of the patrol leaders’ council.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Show Scout spirit.

Patrol Leader

The patrol leader is the top leader of a patrol. He represents the patrol at all patrol

leaders’ council meetings and the annual program planning conference and keeps

patrol members informed of decisions made. He plays a key role in planning, leading,

and evaluating patrol meetings and activities and prepares the patrol to participate in all

troop activities. The patrol leader learns about the abilities of other patrol members and

full involves them in patrol and troop activities by assigning them specific tasks and

responsibilities. He encourages patrol members to complete advancement requirements

and sets a good example by continuing to pursue his own advancement.

Troop Guide

The troop guide is both a leader and a mentor to the members of the new-Scout patrol.

He should be an older Scout who holds at least the First Class rank and can work well

with younger Scouts. He helps the patrol leader of the new-Scout patrol in much the

same way that a Scoutmaster works with a senior patrol leader to provide direction,

coaching, and support. The troop guide is not a member of another patrol but may

participate in the high-adventure activities of a Venture patrol.

Responsibilities:

Teach basic Scout skills.
Introduce new Scouts to troop operations.
Guide new Scouts through early Scouting activities.
Help set and enforce the tone for good Scout behavior within the troop.
Ensure older Scouts never harass or bully new Scouts.
Helps new Scouts earn First Class rank in their first year.
Assist the assistant Scoutmaster with training.
Coach individuals Scouts on Scouting challenges.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
Show and help develop Scout spirit.

Quartermaster

The quartermaster is the troop’s supply boss. He keeps an inventory of troop equipment

and sees that the gear is in good condition. He works with patrol quartermasters as they

check out equipment and return it, and at meetings of the patrol leaders’ council he

reports on the status of equipment in need of replacement or repair. In carrying out his

responsibilities, he may have the guidance of a member of the troop committee.

Responsibilities:

Keeps records on patrol/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.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Scribe

The scribe is the troop’s secretary. Though not a voting member, he attends meetings

of the patrol leaders’ council and keeps a record of the discussions. He cooperates with

the patrol scribes to record attendance and dues payments at troop meetings and to

maintain troop advancement records. A member of the troop committee may assist him

with his work.

Responsibilities:

Attends and keeps a log of patrol leaders’ council meetings.
Records individual Scout attendance.
Records individual Scout advancement progress.
Works with the troop committee member responsible for records.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Historian

The historian collects and preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags,

scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia and makes materials available for Scouting

activities, the media, and troop history projects.

Responsibilities:

Gathers pictures and facts about troop activities and keeps them in a historical file (the site) or scrapbook.
Takes care of troop trophies, ribbons, and souvenirs of troop activities.
Keeps information about former members of the troop.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Librarian

The troop librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines,

audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. He checks out these materials to Scouts

and leaders and maintains records to ensure that everything is returned. He 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 a 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.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Instructor

Each instructor is an older troop member proficient in a Scouting skill. He 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 in a troop and patrols.
Schedule/Coordinate Merit Badge Counselor(s) for troop/scout instruction.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Chaplain Aide

The chaplain aide assists the troop chaplain (usually an adult from the troop committee

or the chartered organization) in serving the religious needs of the troop. He ensures

that religious holidays are considered during the troop’s program planning process and

promotes the BSA’s religious emblems program.

Responsibilities:

Encourages saying grace at meals while camping or at other activities.
Assists the troop chaplain with religious services at troop activities.
Encourages troop members to strengthen their own relationships with their religion.
Tells Scouts about the Religious Emblems program for their faith at least once a year.
Helps recognize troop members who receive their religious emblems.
Helps plan for religious observance in troop activities.
Helps promote annual Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Bugler

The bugler plays the bugle (or a similar interest) to mark key moments during the day

on troop outings, such as reveille and lights out. He must know the required bugle calls

and should ideally have earned the Bugling merit badge.

Responsibilities:

Makes appropriate bugle calls, as requested, at troop activities.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

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. Serving as den chief can be a great first leadership experience for a

Scout.

Responsibilities:

Knows the purposes of Cub Scouting.
Helps Cub Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.
Serves as the activities assistant at den meetings.
Sets a good example through attitude and uniforming.
Is a friend to the boys in the den.
Helps lead weekly den meetings.
Helps the den in its part of the monthly pack meeting.
Knows the importance of the monthly theme and pack meeting plans.
Meets regularly with the den leader to review den and pack meeting plans. Meets as needed with adult members of the den, pack, and troop.
Receives training from the den leader (and Cubmaster or Assistant Cubmaster) and attend Den Chief Training.
Encourages Cub Scouts to become Webelos Scouts when they are eligible.
Encourages Cub Scouts to join a Boy Scout troop upon graduation.
Helps the Denner and assistant denner to be leaders.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Order of the Arrow Troop Representative

The Order of the Arrow representative serves 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, he promotes the Order, encourages 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. The OA troop representative assists with

leadership skills training. He reports to the assistant senior patrol leader.

Responsibilities:

Attends troop and chapter or 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.
Makes at least one high adventure presentation to the troop, to include the OA programs, annually.
As requested by the SPL, participates in Troop Courts of Honor by recognizing: high adventure participation of troop members, induction of new OA members, changes in OA honors of troop members, leadership 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. He may also, at the discretion of the PLC, offer periodic training and discussions of OA principles, symbolism, and the Legend as needed by and appropriate for the troop members of the Order.
Leads at least one troop service project for the community or charter partner during the year. May also serve, at the discretion of the PLC, as the troop’s service chairman.
Assists the troop (as appropriate) as a trainer of leadership and outdoor skills.
In all cases, advocates environmental stewardship and Leave No Trace camping.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Troop Webmaster

The troop webmaster is responsible for maintaining the troop’s website. He should

make sure that information posted on the website is correct and up to date and that

members’ and leaders’ privacy is protected. A member of the troop committee may

assist him with his work.

Responsibilities:

Ensures the Website is as youth-run as possible
Helps out the Website where needed.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster

A Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills may be

appointed by the senior patrol leader, with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster,

to serve as a junior assistant Scoutmaster. These young men (a troop may have more

than one junior assistant Scoutmaster) 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.

Responsibilities:

Functions as an assistant Scoutmaster.
Performs duties as assigned by the Scoutmaster.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.