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Milestone · part of 5.0.4.0. If Life rank is established, merit badges can be credited too

5.0.4.0. Expect badges still to earn, required or not

Required May not apply

This may not apply to you. You have not answered "Where did the advancement come from?" yet. Answer it and this step will either settle or drop off.

The Guide says plainly that this may leave a number of additional badges to earn — Eagle-required or not — before Eagle is in reach. Being credited with Life rank is not being most of the way to Eagle.

Tip. Set the expectation early with the family. A Scout credited with Life rank at 16 may still have a substantial number of merit badges to earn, several of them Eagle-required, and the 18th birthday does not move for them any more than it does for anybody else.

Where this step comes from

  1. Guide to Advancement (2025), Section 5.0.4.0 · This may leave a number of additional badges to earn, required or not, to achieve Eagle.

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