Advancement System

The Royal Rangers advancement system represents one of the seven methods used to achieve the objectives of the program. Advancement is the process by which boys learn and grow by completing a series of requirements relating to Bible knowledge, leadership development, and specialized skills.

The advancement system consists of four advancement trails, one for each of the four age groups in the program. Each trail is designed to meet the specific needs and interests of boys in that age group.  Each trail consists of a series of advancement steps earned upon the completion of a specified number of merits or other requirements.  Merits form the core of the Discovery, Adventure, and Expedition Rangers advancement systems.  The advancement trail for Ranger Kids follows a different process.

The following pages provide additional information concerning Royal Rangers advancement:

• Advancement Trails for each age group
  • Ranger Kids Advancement Trail
  • Discovery Rangers Advancement Trail
  • Adventure Rangers Advancement Trail
  • Expedition Rangers Advancement Trail

• Gold Medal of Achievement (GMA) - the highest advancement award a boy can earn in the program
• Awards & Insignia
• Merits Homepage - this page serves as the central hub from which all merit requirements can be accessed
• Award Applications - all applications for restricted boy's awards can be found here
• Award Recipient Lists - listing recipients of restricted advancement awards
• New Member Requirements - New boys joining Royal Rangers should complete the New Member Requirements for their group before earning the first step of their advancement system.
• Boy Scouts (BSA) Transition Plan - For boys who choose to transition from Boys Scouts into Royal Rangers, this plan provides all the details.

Advancement Restrictions

Although the Royal Rangers advancement system provides for a great deal of flexibility, some limitations apply in relation to the manner in which advancement awards may be earned or merits applied.

• Any boy may earn any merit from any type or color category but he may only earn advancement steps for the age group his is currently a member of, as well as the previous group.  For example: an Adventure Ranger can earn advancement steps for Adventure Rangers and Discovery Rangers, but not Expedition Rangers or Ranger Kids.
• All merits earned and counted for advancement must meet the color categories and types prescribed for that advancement. Merits may NOT be substituted from one color category to another, or from one type to another (i.e., leadership merits cannot be counted as skill or Bible merits, green merits cannot be counted as blue or silver, etc.)
• Merits may not be counted for advancement more than once. Merits used in satisfying requirements for one advancement step may not be used again for another step, including steps in subsequent age groups.
• Merits earned and NOT counted for advancement in the boy’s current age group MAY be used for satisfying advancement requirements in subsequent age groups.
• Advancement awards may only be earned by boys. They cannot be earned by adult leaders. Once a boy reaches 18 years of age he must be considered an adult and is no longer eligible for receive boys advancement awards.  Please refer to boy-to-leader transitions for details.
• Award applications must be received by the national office within 12 months of the date of qualification for the award.
• Awards are not given retroactively. If an award was not available in the program at the time you were involved, then you cannot apply for it at a later date.