Question re: changing troops post-Life

[AquilaNegra2]

1. Be active in your troop, team, crew, or ship for a period of at least six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.

If a Scout changes troops 6+ months after becoming a Life Scout and holding a POR, *THEN* changes to a new troop, would he have to fulfill requirement 1 again in his new troop? It's the word 'your' that's giving me trouble.

Since the Eagle project and BOR would be held in the new troop, would the six months need to be in that troop?

[Mrw]

We had a boy switch like this a couple years ago. He had about 8 months between stiching and his 18th birthday and did his project and last couple merit badges in that time. I do not think he had a POR in our troop. He had that signed when he came over to us.

Now in this boy's case, he had been on camp staff for a couple years at the camp we attend and so the boys and leaders knew him when he switched troops. And we knew coming in that he was a good guy to have around.

If it were a new boy that we did not know, we would have wanted to see him in a POR, at least for some of the time, to get to know him a bit better before a BOR. Most likely he would end up a troop guide or instructor as the boys will likely not vote a kid they don't know into an SPL or PL position.

[wagionvigil]

Lets say this young man completed Life at say 14 and moved when he was 17 .During a 6 month period after he was life he held a POR in his old troop. IT COUNTS! That would/should all be on the paper work . That is why good book keeping is so important.

[smtroop168]

This is very simple. If the scout has completed the requirement you cannot have him do it again in your troop. You are adding to the requirements. He also doesn't have to be in your troop for 6 months before he has his EBOR. This happens all the time with boys whose parents are in the military.

[Ursus Snorous Roarus]

No he does not have to do it again, assuming he already has it signed off by his prior Troop.
But even if he doesn’t have it signed off it’s probably not going to be all that big of a deal anyways as his Eagle project will at least take what, three months in the shortest timeframe? In my experience, most end up taking at least take 6 months from start to finish, and I mean very start to very final finish. So unless there’s some real unique details to this situation (like turning 18 in three months), then you’ve probably got him on the hook for roughly six months anyhow and will be able to sign off on it. If the project doesn’t take that long then give him a reason to work on some things with your Troop, shouldn’t be any big deal, right?

[Mrw]

Let me clarify by saying that we would want the boy to be in some sort of POR to give us a chance to get to know him a bit better. Yes, a previously signed POR would definitely be counted and I am the one who would be defending that to anyone else who questioned it.

I suppose it matters a bit why the boy is switching troops too. If he is moving, or leaving a poorly functioning troop, that is one thing. If he is leaving because his helicopter parents don't think he is advancing fast enough, that is something completely different. (We lost one that way a few years ago. Too bad about losing a good kid, but we did not miss Mom!)

[Ursus Snorous Roarus]

I suppose it matters a bit why the boy is switching troops too. If he is moving, or leaving a poorly functioning troop, that is one thing. If he is leaving because his helicopter parents don't think he is advancing fast enough, that is something completely different.

When that has happened to me I do put out some low level inquiries to try and get to the ‘rest of the story.’ But take all that with a grain of salt as there may be baggage all around. I’ve lost respect for esteemed Scouters over their responses to such questions.
However, sometimes a change of scenery can do us all wonders and Scouts are no different. I’ve seen boys really shine with a clean sheet of paper, on both ends of the deal = by gaining and losing from our Troop. But also, unfortunately, have seen that Scouts/Parents can be quitters and shop for units, just like adults that like to keep job hopping becoming a ‘victim’ wherever they go. That said, I don’t see anything wrong with asking a kid that wants ME to sign off on his Eagle papers to put in some time to get to know each other. Is that above and beyond? You bet. But, look kid, if this is your situation and you want me to help, then this is what it’s going to cost you. Not had any turn down my offer yet…
So whatever your 'terms' are for getting involved in this scenario, I implore a meeting containing your SM, ASMs, CC, Adv. Chair, M&D, and him before signing the transfer papers. Be careful, this can all blow up in your face if it isn't handled properly. You trying to give a kid a break can easily end up making you all the bad guys.

[smtroop168]

Back to the original question: The Scout does not have to repeat requirement #1 with his new troop. The poster gives the impression that the requirements have been signed off.

Getting to know the scout better and having them involved are good things. Having him in another POR is not necessary to achieve either of these.

Why he's transferring into your troop doesn't matter either. The fact he wants to come to your troop and achieve Eagle is the important thing.

[AquilaNegra2]

It's my son, and yes, the requirements have been signed off. Due to a combination of factors (see other posts re: "guidelines") including gas, I'm the one scouting out a troop a couple of miles from our house (vs. our current troop which is 30 mins away). We wouldn't be going for a few months, and he doesn't feel it's right to begin working on his Eagle with one troop and finish with another (not sure that's even possible). He does not, however, want to switch if it means it will be six months minimum there (9 mos total) to getting his Eagle.

Thank you for letting me know that you, as experienced SMs, would indeed accept his signed off 6 month requirement.

[smtroop168]

This happens all the time with the troop at the Army War College. The scout is here from August-June. They picked up 30 boys for the year at the base for the next year. I don't know how many are Life scouts though.

[AquilaNegra2]

I used to live on South Pitt Street. Fond memories of Carlisle and el Colegia de Guerra.