After talking to many Eagle Scouts and many scouts who were about to become an Eagle Scout, they were all asking the same question I was asking as I was about to go to my Eagle Scout Board of review, what will it be like? The following comes from my personal experience along with what many Eagle Scouts from several different troops told me about their experiences.

For most scouts, the Eagle Scout board of review is not like any other previous board of review. The Eagle Scout board of review is commonly relaxed and laid back. There is no reason to prove yourself to the board of review members. Most of the board of review members have seen you advance through the ranks and have already seen what you can do.

The biggest question that the board will want answered is, do you understand what it means to be an Eagle Scout and will you be able to handle the responsibility that comes along with being one? There is no right or wrong answer to this question so answer based on what you believe.

There are two things you must make sure you do before you go to the Board of Review. These things are expected of you no matter who is conducting the board of review.

The first and foremost, you must be in full uniform. You must be wearing your official scout shirt, pants, and neckerchief. While it is not always required, it is preferred that you also have scout socks and belt. Being in full uniform shows respect for scouting and shows you are serious about becoming and Eagle Scout.

The second thing you must do before you go to your Eagle Scout Board of Review is make sure you know the scout oath, law, slogan, motto, and outdoor code. One of the first questions the board will ask you will be to recite the scout oath, law, motto and slogan. They might even ask you to explain the meaning of various parts of the scout oath and law. By now you have been in scouting long enough you should know these. However, when under pressure your mind could go blank. It would be helpful to recite the scout oath, law, slogan, motto, and outdoor code to yourself prior to to the board of review to make sure they will be fresh in your mind. Many times an Eagle Scout candidate's mind will go blank just as they go into the Board of Review and cannot remember these important elements which form the foundation of scouting.

Read the Board of review Guidelines and what type of questions you might be asked look.

The biggest thing to remember is to be calm and your board of review will go well. Do not hesitate to take a few seconds to think about the questions before you answer.

If before you go into the Board of Review you ask yourself if you deserve to be an Eagle Scout and you can truthfully say 'yes', then you too will become a proud Eagle Scout.