Troop Positions

Download a printable copy of troop positions and responsibilities.

Senior Patrol Leader           

• Runs all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference
• Runs the patrol leaders’ council (PLC) meetings
• 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
• Shows Scout spirit

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader                  

• 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, chaplain aide, and OA representative
• Serves as a member of the patrol leaders’ council
• Sets a good example
• Wears the Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows Scout spirit
• Lends a hand controlling the patrols and building patrol spirit

Patrol Leader                                                    

• Plans and leads patrol meetings and activities
• 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
• Knows the abilities of each patrol member
• Sets a good example
• Wears the Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows and develops patrol spirit

Assistant Patrol Leader                               

• Appointed by the patrol leader and leads the patrol in his absence
• Represents his patrol at patrol leaders’ council meetings when the patrol leader cannot attend
• Helps Patrol Leader keep patrol informed
• Helps Patrol Leader prepare patrol for troop activities
• Knows the role of each patrol member
• Sets a good example
• Wears Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows and develops patrol spirit

Troop Guide                                                      

• Introduces new Scouts to troop operations
• Guides new Scouts from harassment by older Scouts
• Helps new Scouts towards earning the First Class rank
• Teaches basic Scout skills
• Coaches the patrol leader of the new-Scout patrol on his duties
• Works with the patrol leader at patrol leaders’ council meetings
• Attends patrol leaders’ council meetings with the patrol leader of the new-Scout patrol
• Counsels individuals Scouts on Scouting challenges
• Sets a good example
• Wears the Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows Scout spirit

Quartermaster                                                 

• 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                                                                    

• Attends and keeps a log of patrol leaders’ council meetings
• Records individual Scout attendance and dues payments
• Records individual Scout advancement progress
• Works with the troop committee member responsible for records and finance
• Sets a good example
• Wears the Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows Scout spirit

Den Chief                                                             

• 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 uniform
• Is a friend to the members of the den
• Helps lead weekly den meetings
• Helps the den at 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)
• Takes Den Chief Training
• Encourages Cub Scouts to become Webelos Scouts when they are eligible
• Encourages Webelos Scouts to join a Scout troop upon graduation
• Helps the denner and assistant denner to be leaders
• Wears the Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows Scout spirit

Chaplain Aide                                                   

• Assists the troop chaplain with religious services at troop activities
• Encourages troop members to strengthen their own relationships with God through personal prayer and devotion and participation in religious activities appropriate to their faith
• Tells Scouts about the Religious Emblems program for their faith at least once a year
• Helps recognize troop members who receive their religious emblems, (such as at a court of honor)
• Makes sure religious holidays are considered during the troop program planning process
• Helps plan for religious observance in troop activities
• Encourages saying grace at meals while camping or at other activities
• Helps promote annual Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath
• Sets a good example
• Wears the Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows Scout spirit

Historian                                                             

• Gathers photos and facts about troop activities and keeps them in a historical file or scrapbook
• Takes care of troop trophies, ribbons, and souvenirs of troop activities
• Keeps information about former members of the troop
• Sets a good example
• Wears the Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows Scout spirit

Instructor                                                           

• Teaches basic Scouting skills
• Schedule/coordinate merit badge counselor(s) for troop/Scout instruction
• Sets a good example
• Wears the Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows Scout spirit

Librarian                                                             

• Sets up and takes care of the 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
• Sets a good example
• Wears the Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows Scout spirit

Webmaster                                                        

• 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

Outdoor Ethics Guide                                    

• Assures the troop adheres to the Principles of Leave No Trace, Tread Lightly, and the Outdoor Code
• Sets a good example
• Wears the Scout uniform correctly
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows Scout spirit

Order of the Arrow Representative      

• Attends troop, chapter and lodge meetings regularly as a youth representative
• Serves as a link between troop and lodge or chapter
• Arranges election team to conduct annual OA elections 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
• Participates in troop courts of honor, as requested by the SPL by recognizing high adventure participation of troop members, induction of new OA members, changes in OA honors of troop members, and other appropriate activities
• Coordinates the ordeal induction process for newly elected candidates, ensuring they know time and location of the ordeal, providing information of what to bring to the ordeal, assisting in arranging transportation to the ordeal, and offering assistance to the lodge in the ordeal process (as needed).
• Assists current ordeal members in the troop, sealing their membership by becoming brotherhood members: ensuring they know the time and location of brotherhood opportunities, assisting in arranging transportation to brotherhood opportunities, and offering assistance to the lodge in the brotherhood process
• Offers periodic training and discussions of OA principles, symbolism, and the Legend as needed by and appropriate for the troop members of the Order, at the discretion of the PLC
• Assists troop as trainer of leadership and outdoor skills
• Advocates environmental stewardship and Leave No Trace camping
• Sets a good example by wearing Scout uniform correctly, showing Scout spirit, and living by the Scout Oath, Scout law, and the OA Obligation