The Sea Scout board of review, start to finish

4.4.2.1. The requirements for a Sea Scout rank are complete

The starting point. A Sea Scout has completed the requirements for Apprentice, Ordinary, Able or Quartermaster. What those requirements are is published in the Sea Scout Manual and is not restated on this page.

Milestone

4.4.1.0. All requirements completed before the 21st birthday

The Guide states it of the Sea Scout ranks as a group: all requirements must be completed before the 21st birthday, and the ranks are available to registered Sea Scouts only. The board of review itself is a separate question, dealt with further down this plan.

Requirement

A window, not a duration. The requirements must be finished before the 21st birthday; the board of review that recognises them may sit afterwards, and the Guide sets out how far afterwards. Do not treat the birthday as the deadline for the whole process, and do not treat the 24-month allowance as licence to leave requirements unfinished.

4.4.1.5. The process is similar to a Scoutmaster conference

The Guide says so and points at the Scouts BSA topic. A Scout participates in a conference rather than passing one: the requirements do not say the Scout must pass it, and it is not a retest of anything already signed off.

Requirement

4.4.2.1. The Sea Scout cannot be denied this opportunity

Stated flatly in the Guide, in the same breath as the purpose of the review. A ship that is disorganised, short of adults, or unhappy with a candidate does not thereby acquire the ability to withhold a board of review.

Requirement

4.4.2.2. Parents and guardians may not sit for their own child

They may not serve on a board of review for their son or daughter. The Guide states this separately from the Skipper and mate rule, and it applies at every rank.

Requirement

4.4.2.2. The candidate and family have no part in choosing the members

The candidate, and the candidate's parents or guardians, must have no part in selecting any board of review member. Distinct from the rule about who may sit, and easier to breach by accident.

Requirement

4.4.2.8. Only the Quartermaster rank may be appealed beyond the ship May not apply Often forgotten

Stated in the Quartermaster appeal topic, and true of this branch by its absence: the Guide gives an appeal route for Quartermaster and none for the ranks below it. It does not say what happens inside a ship after a denial at those ranks, and neither does this plan.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

What the Guide says is that only the Quartermaster rank may be appealed beyond the ship. What it does not say is what, if anything, happens inside the ship after an Apprentice, Ordinary or Able denial. This plan does not fill that silence. Ask the council advancement committee rather than assuming a route exists.

4.4.2.4. The quarterdeck is the ship's youth officers May not apply

The Guide glosses the term where it uses it. The board for these three ranks is the candidate's fellow Sea Scouts holding office in the ship, not a committee of adults.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.2.4. The boatswain selects the other members May not apply Often forgotten

The boatswain chairs the board and selects the other members of it. Read alongside the rule that the candidate and family have no part in selecting anybody.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.2.4. The Skipper and mates may fill that role May not apply Often forgotten

The Guide says they may also fulfil this responsibility. That is consistent with the rule barring them from a board in their own ship, because the two required adults are advisors rather than board members.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.2.4. Meet somewhere comfortable and familiar Recommended May not apply

The location should be comfortable, such as the unit meeting place or another familiar location. Written as guidance rather than as a rule, and carried here the same way.

Task

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.2.5. Handled as an Eagle Scout board of review May not apply Often forgotten

With the few exceptions the Guide lists, the particulars for handling a Quartermaster board of review are identical to those for Eagle Scout boards of review. Read 8.0.3.0 as the governing text.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

The whole Eagle apparatus comes with this sentence: the council verification gate, three to six members all at least 21, the district or council representative when the board sits at the ship, one board of review only, and the appeal route. A ship that runs a Quartermaster board the way it runs an Able board has run the wrong procedure.

4.4.2.5. At least one member familiar with Sea Scout advancement Recommended May not apply Often forgotten

The one addition the Guide makes for Quartermaster: every effort should be made to include at least one board member who is familiar with Sea Scouts advancement.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

8.0.3.0. Not denied or postponed for unresponsive references May not apply

A board of review must not be denied or postponed because references have not replied. The Guide sets this out twice, once in the particulars and once in the references topic it names.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.2.7. Four circumstances that may prompt one May not apply

The Skipper or ship committee chair does not sign the Quartermaster application; a Skipper conference is denied; it is thought a ship will not provide a fair hearing; or the Skipper or the service project beneficiary refuses to sign final approval for what might be a satisfactory project.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

8.0.3.2. Held at district or council, without the ship's volunteers May not apply

A board of review under disputed circumstances is available only for the top rank, is held at the district or council level, and volunteers from the candidate's own unit are not involved in it.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

8.0.3.1. Up to 24 months afterwards without special approval May not apply

The Eagle rule, read with 21 for 18: a board may occur up to 24 months after the birthday without special approval, but every other requirement must still have been completed before it.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

8.0.3.1. Beyond that, a Belated Rank Application May not apply

To hold a board beyond 24 months, or to obtain the rank for someone who completed the requirements as a youth but never received it, a Belated Rank Application goes to the National Program Committee through the local council. For Quartermaster the documentation must prove the Quartermaster requirements were met.

Document

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.2.3. Read Skipper for Scoutmaster, ship for troop, Sea Scout for Scout

The Guide's own instruction for reading the Scouts BSA topics it points at. Where those say "unit leader" or "Scoutmaster", "troop" or "unit", or "Scout", read "Skipper", "ship" and "Sea Scout".

Requirement

4.4.2.3. The primary reference is the Sea Scout Manual Often forgotten

The first of the two exceptions. Where the Scouts BSA topic sends board members to the Scouts BSA Handbook and its companions, a Sea Scout board works from the Sea Scout Manual.

Requirement

4.4.2.3. The Sea Scout must also keep the Sea Promise Often forgotten

The second exception. The discussion of how the candidate has lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law extends to the Sea Promise, which the Guide adds for Sea Scouts.

Requirement

8.0.1.4. Calling the candidate back is appropriate Optional

Where more questions might clear up a factual misunderstanding, it is explicitly appropriate to call the candidate back in rather than to vote on the misunderstanding.

Task

4.4.2.4. Ranks must not be presented until it is reported May not apply Often forgotten

Written as a prohibition rather than as an order of preference. A ship that hands over the badge at the next meeting and files the report afterwards has done these two steps the wrong way round.

Requirement

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

The Guide puts this in the particulars for Apprentice through Able, in the imperative: ranks must not be presented until the advancement is reported to the local council. Prompt recognition is encouraged everywhere else in the Sea Scout section — but the report comes first.

4.4.1.4.2. The advancement committee approves it and the Scout executive signs May not apply

The district or council advancement committee must approve the application, and the Scout executive signs the board-of-review-approved application.

Approval

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.1.4.2. It is emailed to the National Service Center May not apply

Submitted by email to advancement.team@scouting.org, where the certificate is produced and returned to the local council service center. The council then reports the rank through the Scouting America system.

Task

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.1.7. The award is presented at a bridge of honor Recommended May not apply

A bridge of honor is the forum where awards are presented, as a court of honor is in Scouts BSA. The Guide suggests presenting informally at a ship meeting first, so that recognition is prompt.

Event

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

8.0.1.4. The candidate is told what to improve, not what was said May not apply Often forgotten

Where a board disagreed, the candidate must not be informed about the specifics of the conversations or any arguments that took place. Only the improvements needed are shared.

Requirement

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Tell them what to improve. Tell them nothing about the conversation. "Two of us weren't sure about your service hours" is exactly the sentence the Guide forbids, and it is the one that comes out naturally when somebody is trying to be kind.

4.4.2.3. The board may adjourn and reconvene Optional May not apply

The Sea Scout exception to the Scouts BSA topic: if it is thought that a Sea Scout, before the 21st birthday, can benefit from an opportunity to properly complete the requirements, the board may adjourn and reconvene at a later date.

Task

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

4.4.2.8. Only the Sea Scout or a parent or guardian may appeal May not apply Often forgotten

Nobody else. Not the Skipper, not the ship committee, and not a well-meaning adult acting on the candidate's behalf without them.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Only the Sea Scout, or a parent or guardian. A Skipper who files an appeal on a candidate's behalf has filed something the Guide does not provide for, however well meant.

4.4.2.8. Appeals beyond the council go to the National Program Committee May not apply

Sent to the National Program Committee or their designee at advancement.team@scouting.org. Only the Quartermaster rank may be appealed beyond the ship.

Task

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.1.5. The Sea Scout has a Skipper conference

Skippers hold a conference with youth who indicate they are ready to advance to the next rank. It comes before the board of review; the Guide describes the board as following the conference.

Event

Usually comes after 4.4.2.1. The requirements for a Sea Scout rank are complete.

4.4.1.5. The application for rank goes to the ship's board of review

Once the conference has taken place and the other requirements for the rank are fulfilled, the application for rank is forwarded to the ship's board of review.

Document

Usually comes after 4.4.1.5. The Sea Scout has a Skipper conference.

4.4.2.1. A board of review is scheduled

After completing the requirements for any Sea Scout rank, the Sea Scout appears before a board of review. Its purpose is to determine the quality of the candidate's experience and decide whether the youth is qualified to advance.

Task

Usually comes after 4.4.1.5. The application for rank goes to the ship's board of review.

4.4.2.2. No fewer than three members and no more than six

The size rule for every Sea Scout board of review, whatever the rank. Who those members may be depends on the rank, and the Guide sends you to the particulars for the answer.

Requirement

Usually comes after 4.4.2.1. A board of review is scheduled.

Read this next to the Scouts BSA rule rather than instead of it. The Scouts BSA topic says three to six members all at least 21 years old. The Sea Scout topic says three to six and stops — because for Apprentice through Able the members are the ship's youth officers. The age clause reappears for Quartermaster, which follows the Eagle particulars.

4.4.2.2. Skippers and mates must not sit on a board in their own ship Often forgotten

A composition rule, and the one most easily misread: it bars them from being members of the board. It does not bar them from the room, and 4.4.2.4 says explicitly that they may serve as the two required adult advisors.

Requirement

Usually comes after 4.4.2.2. No fewer than three members and no more than six.

The two sentences that look like a contradiction and are not. Skippers and mates must not serve on a board of review for a Sea Scout in their own ship (4.4.2.2), and the Skipper and mates may fulfil the two-adult advisor responsibility at an Apprentice through Able board (4.4.2.4). Both are in the Guide. They agree because an advisor is not a member of the board. A ship that reads only the second sentence ends up with the Skipper on the board.

4.4.2.0. Which rank is this board of review for?

The Guide forks here. Topics 4.4.2.1 through 4.4.2.3 apply to every Sea Scout board; 4.4.2.4 sets out the particulars for Apprentice through Able; 4.4.2.5 through 4.4.2.8 pertain only to Quartermaster.

Decision

Usually comes after 4.4.2.2. Skippers and mates must not sit on a board in their own ship.

4.4.2.4. Apprentice, Ordinary or Able May not apply

The board of review for the three ranks leading up to Quartermaster. The particulars below are what differs from the shared procedure; everything about conducting the review is the same.

Milestone

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.4.2.0. Which rank is this board of review for?.

4.4.2.5. Quartermaster May not apply

The board of review for the highest Sea Scout rank. Almost everything on this branch is a rule the Guide states about the Eagle Scout board of review and then adopts for Quartermaster.

Milestone

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.2.4. The board is three to six members of the quarterdeck May not apply Often forgotten

After a Skipper conference, the youth advancing meets with a board of review made up of three to six members of the quarterdeck. This is the difference from Scouts BSA that changes who is in the room.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.4.2.4. Apprentice, Ordinary or Able.

The single most consequential difference in this plan. The board is three to six members of the quarterdeck — the ship's youth officers — and the boatswain chairs it and picks it. A ship that convenes three adults from the committee has held a meeting, not the board of review the Guide describes.

8.0.3.0. The council decides how these boards are conducted, and says so May not apply

Council advancement committees must determine — and make known — whether unit committees or the council or district advancement committee administer these boards, and how chairs are selected. Ask the council before assuming the ship runs it.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

8.0.3.0. An unsigned application does not cancel the board May not apply

If a unit leader or unit committee chair fails to approve an application, the candidate is still granted a board of review — but the lack of approval may be considered in the decision.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.2.6. A Quartermaster board after the 21st birthday May not apply

The Guide does not restate the procedure. It sends you to the Eagle Scout topic and says the procedures are the same, with references to the 18th birthday replaced by the 21st for Sea Scouts.

Milestone

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.2.4. The boatswain chairs the board and conducts the review May not apply Often forgotten

The boatswain serves as board of review chair, conducts the review according to the procedures, and reports the results to the ship advancement coordinator.

Task

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.4.2.4. The board is three to six members of the quarterdeck.

8.0.3.0. If held at the ship, a district or council representative must serve May not apply

At least one district or council representative who is not affiliated with the unit must be a member. If the unit asks for it, more than one may serve.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.3.0. The council decides how these boards are conducted, and says so.

8.0.3.0. Three to six members, all at least 21 years old May not apply

The Eagle composition rule, which the Quartermaster board adopts. It holds for Eagle boards of review in any unit, whether troop, crew or ship — the Guide says so in those words.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.3.0. The council decides how these boards are conducted, and says so.

4.4.2.7. A board of review under disputed circumstances May not apply

A route to a board when the ordinary one has broken down. The Guide lists the circumstances that may prompt it and then defers wholly to the Eagle Scout topic for how it is run.

Task

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.3.0. An unsigned application does not cancel the board.

4.4.2.4. Two registered adults aged 21 or over are present as advisors May not apply Often forgotten

Two adults, age 21 or older, registered with the ship and preferably from the ship committee, must be present as advisors. Present, and required to be — but advisors, not members of the board.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.4.2.4. The boatswain chairs the board and conducts the review.

Two adults, both aged 21 or over, both registered with the ship, preferably from the ship committee, and their presence is required rather than encouraged. They are advisors: they are in the room, and they are not on the board.

8.0.3.0. The council verifies the application before the board sits May not apply Often forgotten

A board of review must not occur until after the local council has verified the application. Where a board is held under disputed circumstances, the council must verify everything not in dispute before the board is scheduled.

Approval

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.3.0. Three to six members, all at least 21 years old.

A hard gate and an easy one to trip. The board must not occur until the local council has verified the application. Booking the room, the chair and six people before the council has finished is how a board ends up held that should not have been.

4.4.2.4. About 15 minutes, and no longer than 30 May not apply

The review should take approximately 15 minutes, but no longer than 30. This is how long the meeting runs, not a scheduling figure — see the note at the head of this file about lead days.

Event

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

8.0.3.0. The chair schedules the date, time and place May not apply

The chair works with all involved parties. Boards should be scheduled promptly, and Eagle-level boards are often held in more formal settings than a meeting place or a camping site.

Task

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.3.0. The council verifies the application before the board sits.

8.0.3.0. Members convene at least 30 minutes beforehand May not apply

To go over the application, the references and the service project workbook, members should convene at least 30 minutes before the scheduled board of review.

Task

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.3.0. The chair schedules the date, time and place.

8.0.3.0. 30 minutes or somewhat longer, and rarely beyond 45 May not apply

This is the highest rank a Sea Scout may achieve, and there should be a discussion of successes, experiences and future plans — but rarely should a board last longer than 45 minutes.

Event

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

4.4.2.3. The board of review is held

Procedures for conducting a Sea Scout board of review are very similar to those for rank boards of review in Scouts BSA. The Guide then names the applicable topics one at a time, with the exceptions marked, and the steps below follow that list.

Event

Usually comes after 4.4.2.4. About 15 minutes, and no longer than 30, 8.0.3.0. 30 minutes or somewhat longer, and rarely beyond 45 and 4.4.2.7. A board of review under disputed circumstances.

8.0.0.4. Uniform preferred; clean and neat in appearance is enough

The same limitations on requiring a uniform for a Scouts BSA board of review apply to Sea Scouts. A candidate must not be rejected solely over uniforming or attire, and must not be required to buy anything to attend.

Requirement

Usually comes after 4.4.2.3. The board of review is held.

8.0.1.0. Observers are minimised, and insistent parents may attend

The Guide names this topic as applying to Sea Scouts, and notes that the same exception carries over: parents or guardians who insist on being present must be permitted to attend as observers.

Requirement

Usually comes after 8.0.0.4. Uniform preferred; clean and neat in appearance is enough.

8.0.1.1. Not a retest or an examination

Identical for Sea Scouts, in the Guide's own word. The review must never become a retest, an examination, or a challenge of the candidate's knowledge; in most cases it should be a celebration of accomplishment.

Requirement

Usually comes after 8.0.1.0. Observers are minimised, and insistent parents may attend.

Stated as a prohibition and marked "identical for Sea Scouts". If somebody on the board starts checking whether the candidate can still tie a knot or recite a rule, the review has gone wrong. Asking where a skill was learned, and what was gained from it, is the whole of what is wanted.

8.0.1.2. What is discussed

The Scouts BSA topic applies with two exceptions, both of which change what the board is working from and what it is asking about.

Task

Usually comes after 8.0.1.1. Not a retest or an examination.

8.0.1.4. The board deliberates without the candidate

After the review the candidate is asked to wait outside the room, or out of hearing range, while the board deliberates.

Task

Usually comes after 8.0.1.2. What is discussed.

8.0.1.4. Approval must be unanimous Often forgotten

Identical for Sea Scouts. To approve awarding a rank the board must agree unanimously; if any member dissents, the decision cannot be for approval.

Approval

Usually comes after 8.0.1.4. The board deliberates without the candidate.

Unanimous. One dissent means the decision cannot be for approval — and the candidate must never learn that there was a dissent, let alone whose. Before voting on a disagreement, check it is not a misunderstanding; calling the candidate back in is explicitly appropriate.

8.0.1.5. Does the board approve?

The point the whole procedure turns on. Everything below this is either what follows an approval or what follows a denial.

Decision

Usually comes after 8.0.1.4. Approval must be unanimous.

8.0.1.5. The board approves May not apply

The members agree the Sea Scout is ready to advance. The candidate is called in and congratulated.

Milestone

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.1.5. Does the board approve?.

8.0.1.5. The board does not approve May not apply

The candidate must be so informed and told what can be done to improve. What follows depends on the rank and on whether the requirements could still be met.

Milestone

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.1.5. Does the board approve?.

4.4.2.1. The board of review date is the effective advancement date May not apply Often forgotten

Stated in the Guide's Sea Scout topic in one sentence, and again in the Scouts BSA topic it adopts: the date of the board, not that of a subsequent bridge of honor, is the rank's effective date.

Milestone

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.1.5. The board approves.

The rank is effective the day the board sat, not the day the paperwork was processed or the bridge of honor was held. Getting this wrong shifts tenure and can affect what the Sea Scout is eligible for next.

8.0.1.5. A follow-up letter is sent promptly May not apply Often forgotten

A follow-up letter must be sent promptly to a candidate of any rank who is turned down, setting out actions that may lead to advancement and explaining the appeal procedures. Copies go to the council's appeals coordinator, advancement chair and staff advisor, and the council keeps one.

Document

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.1.5. The board does not approve.

Not optional and not satisfied by the conversation in the room. A follow-up letter must be sent promptly to a candidate of any rank who is turned down, must say what could lead to advancement, and must explain the appeal procedures. Copies go to the council appeals coordinator, the council advancement chair and the advancement staff advisor, and the council keeps one.

8.0.3.0. A Quartermaster candidate has only one board of review May not apply Often forgotten

It may be adjourned and reconvened, but there is no second board. Subsequent action falls under the appeals process.

Requirement

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

There is no second Quartermaster board of review. It may be adjourned and reconvened — but once a board has concluded against the candidate, everything after that is the appeal process. A ship waiting to arrange another review is waiting for something that is not coming.

4.4.2.4. The advancement is reported to the local council May not apply

Through Scoutbook Plus, or on the official Advancement Report form. This is the step the presentation waits on.

Task

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.4.2.1. The board of review date is the effective advancement date.

4.4.2.4. The boatswain reports the result to the ship advancement coordinator May not apply

The reporting duty the Guide places on the chair of an Apprentice through Able board, which is the boatswain.

Task

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.4.2.1. The board of review date is the effective advancement date.

4.4.2.8. Appealing a Quartermaster board of review decision May not apply

The appeal goes to the local council. The Guide does not write out a Sea Scout procedure: it says to follow the Scouts BSA appeal topics, substituting the Sea Scout references.

Task

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.1.5. A follow-up letter is sent promptly.

4.4.1.4.2. The Quartermaster Application goes forward May not apply

Once approved by the Skipper, the ship committee and the board of review, the application continues through the council and on to the National Service Center.

Document

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.4.2.4. The advancement is reported to the local council.