Editing Eagle Scout (section)

===Development===
[[File:US Navy 070526-N-5758H-100 Capt. Rick Williams, Commodore, Destroyer Squadron 26, administers the Eagle Scout oath to his nephew during an Eagle Scout ceremony aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), as part.jpg|thumb|right |A Scout taking the Eagle Scout Charge during his [[Court of Honor (Scouting)|Court of Honor]] aboard the {{USS|Oscar Austin}}]]
Eagle Scout requirements have evolved since the award was conceived. A requirement to earn 11 specific merit badges was added in 1914, which underwent minor changes in 1915.<ref name=comparison/> The Life–Star order was reversed in 1924, apparently because the five-pointed star of the Star Scout insignia could be associated with the five merit badges required to earn the rank immediately following First Class Scout. In 1927, Eagle Scout began the transition from being a super merit badge to a rank.<ref name="peterson" /> As a result, the first requirements for tenure were created and Scouts were required to be an active First Class Scout for one year. The initial requirements for what became the service project appeared with a requirement to show satisfactory service and the number of required merit badges increased to 12. In 1936, the ranks of Star and Life became mandatory, and the number of required merit badges rose to 13. It was at this time that Eagle Scout became a full-fledged rank. In 1952, age limits were set so that adults over 18 years of age could no longer earn Eagle Scout and the service project requirement was slightly expanded to "do your best to help in your home, school, church or synagogue, and community."<ref name="peterson" /> In 1958, the number of required merit badges increased again to 16 of the 21 total merit badges needed to obtain Eagle, along with the first requirements for service and leadership.<ref name=E.S.R./>

<!--When the [[Exploring (Learning for Life)|Exploring]] program was introduced in 1959, Explorers could earn Eagle Scout using requirements specific to the Exploring program. Explorers over the age of 18 who were also registered as assistant Scoutmasters in a troop could work on Eagle and Eagle Palms until age 21. These options were discontinued in 1972 with the [[History of the Boy Scouts of America#The 1970s: the Improved Scouting Program|Improved Scouting Program]], and Explorers could use the standard Eagle requirements only through age 18. this section needs to be redone w ref; unreferenced for now-->
In 1965, the requirements for the service project and specific troop leadership were defined, and the number of required merit badges returned to 11. The Eagle Scout candidate was required to plan, develop, and carry out a leadership service project. Minor changes were made to the required merit badge list in 1970. In 1972, the Improved Scouting Program increased to 24 the number of merit badges needed to obtain Eagle, while reducing the list of required merit badges to ten, eliminating badges that required swimming and outdoor skills—both of which were later reinstated, and adding the requirement to show leadership during the service project. In 1978, the number of merit badges needed for Eagle was lowered to the original 21, and the number of required merit badges was set at 11 (this was changed to 12 in 1993 with the addition of Family Life).<ref name="peterson" /> In 2014 the number of Eagle-required merit badges was increased to 13 with the re-addition of Cooking;<ref name=wendell/> in 2022, it was increased to 14 with the addition of Citizenship in Society.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Boy Scouts of America Introduces New Citizenship in Society Merit Badge |url=https://www.scouting.org/about/diversity-equity-inclusion/the-boy-scouts-of-america-introduces-new-citizenship-in-society-merit-badge/ |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=Boy Scouts of America |language=en-US}}</ref>

Scouts must earn the following 11 merit badges as there are no alternates: Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in Society, Citizenship in the World, Communication, Cooking, First Aid, Family Life, Personal Fitness, and Personal Management. In addition, Scouts must choose one each from the following to round out their required merit badges: Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving; Environmental Science OR Sustainability; and, Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling. The Scout must earn seven additional elective merit badges beyond the required 14 to become eligible for the award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eagle Required Merit Badges |url=https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/eagle-required/ |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Boy Scouts of America |language=en-US}}</ref> If a Scout has earned more than one merit badges where there are alternates, the extras will be counted toward the 21 merit badge requirement total.