There are many roles that one can take on in their Boy Scout troop and patrol. They all have lots of significance but equally critical to run the troop effectively. Some of these roles count towards leadership rank requirements for Star, Life, or Eagle and require election within the troop.
See the chart below to get an idea for different roles in the troop
Here, I will share brief information about key roles often taken by scouts in the troop every term
- Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)
- Patrol Leader (PL)
- Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM)
- Quartermaster (QM)
- Scribe
- Webmaster
- Chaplain’s Aide
- Historian
- Librarian
- Troop Guide
- Bugler
- Den Chief
- Outdoor Ethics Guide – Youth
- Order of the Arrow (OA) Representative
Senior Patrol Leader
The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the primary link between a troop’s Scouts and its adult leaders. He is the leader of the entire troop, who directs all patrol leaders and plans each meeting thoroughly. They help organize all events for the troop and orchestrate troop meetings. They attend the Patrol Leader’s Council and provide insightful feedback to others while also taking in recommendations. It is the toughest role to take on in the troop yet once again the benefits are enormous. This role is mostly filled by the election in the troop.
Key Responsibilities
- the primary link between a troop’s Scouts and its adult leaders
- runs all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference
- runs the patrol leaders’ council (PLC) meetings and makes weekly meeting plan
- 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
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
To start, those who take on the role of the SPL gain a large boost in confidence, communicative, and leadership skills, as they have to manage a very large group of people. This can help them in many ways, in the present and the future.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
The assistant senior patrol leader assists SPL in troop activities and acts as the senior patrol leader in the absence of the senior patrol leader or when called upon and provides leadership to other youth leaders in the troop. The assistant senior patrol leader is appointed by the senior patrol leader under the guidance of the Scoutmaster.
Key Responsibilities
- helps the senior patrol leader to 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, chaplain aide, and OA representative
- serves as a member of the patrol leaders’ council
- lends a hand controlling the patrols and building patrol spirit
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
- sets a good example
Patrol Leader
The Patrol Leader is most important role in the troop, representing the patrol at all patrol leaders’ council meetings and the annual program planning conference, and keeping patrol members informed of decisions made.
The PLs carry out planning, leading, and evaluating patrol meetings and activities, and assure patrols are prepared to participate in all troop activities. They keep their patrol intact so they can work together and share responsibilities to get things done. It is incumbent upon them to be a good example for the members of their patrol and the rest of the troop.
Key Responsibilities
- plans and leads patrol meetings and activities
- makes weekly meeting plan and keep the patrol informed
- keeps patrol members informed
- assigns each patrol member a specific duty
- represents his patrol at all patrol leaders’ council meetings and the annual program planning conference
- prepares the patrol to participate in all troop activities
- works with other troop leaders to make the troop run well
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- sets a good example
- knows the abilities of each patrol member
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- shows and develops patrol spirit
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
A Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills may be
appointed by the Scoutmaster to serve as a junior assistant Scoutmaster (JASM). The
junior assistant Scoutmaster functions just like an assistant Scoutmaster (except for
leadership responsibilities reserved for adults 18 years of age or older). In this capacity,
junior assistant Scoutmasters (a troop may have more than one) follow the guidance of
the Scoutmaster in providing support and supervision to other youth leaders in the
troop. Upon their 18th birthday, a junior assistant Scoutmaster will be eligible to become an assistant Scoutmaster (ASM).
Key Responsibilities
- Performs duties as assigned by the Scoutmaster
- Sets a good example
- Wears the Scout uniform correctly
- Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- Shows Scout spirit
Quartermaster (QM)
The Quartermaster serves as the troop’s supply boss. They keep an inventory of troop equipment and see that the gear is in good condition. They work with closely with patrol scouts as they check out equipment and return it. At meetings of the patrol leaders’ council, they report on the status of equipment in need of replacement or repair. In carrying out their responsibilities, they may have the guidance of a member of the troop committee.
Key Responsibilities
- keeps records on patrol and 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
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
Scribe
The scribe is essentially the secretary of the troop. They take notes during the PLCs (Patrol Leader’s Council) and a record of the discussions taking place. They also cooperate with patrol scribes (a scribe but for a patrol) who keeps track of attendance to log attendance for the whole troop.
Through this role, you gain listening, writing, and summary skills.
Key Responsibilities
- attends and keeps a log of patrol leaders’ council meetings
- enters meeting notes on the PLC Meeting Notes document on the drive
- sets a good example
- wears the Scout uniform correctly
- lives by the Scout Oath and Law
- shows Scout spirit
Webmaster
Troop webmasters are responsible for maintaining the troop’s website. They make sure that information posted on the website is correct and up to date and that the privacy of youth and adult troop members is protected. A member of the troop committee may assist them with their work.
Key Responsibilities
- works with various unit members on needed topics
- ensures the website is as youth-run as possible
- maintains the website as needed
- sets a good example
- correctly wears the Scout uniform correctly
- shows Scout spirit
My experience as a Patrol Leader
Being a patrol leader comes with lots of responsibility as you are ensuring that the scouts in your patrol have a fun and fulfilling time in Scouts BSA, motivating new scouts to stay in the troop and encourage friends to join as well.
I organized events for my patrol to do such as swimming, hiking, biking and more. I also organized a camp out at a state park. I have hosted multiple patrol meetings where I deliver concise yet important information to all the scouts, opening them to opportunities they can take inside our scout troop. At each patrol meeting, I also organized them to do certain projects. For example, our patrol successfully planned and cooked three meals for an annual cooking cook-off event in our troop.
The benefits of becoming a patrol leader are vast. It grows communication and leadership skills while also giving scouts a sense of advancement – becoming a patrol leader (in my opinion) is the pinnacle of advancement for many scouts.
