After First Class, the BSA program shifts to an older boy program based on "Merit Badges and Leadership Skills." The BSA badges are earned in the following sequence:
| 1st Class ---> Star ---> Eagle ---> Eagle Palms |
In Baden-Powell's 1938 program the "Additional Proficiency Badges" are in the following sequence:
1st Class ---> King's Scout --> Red and White Cord --> Gold Cord
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In other words, Baden-Powell's Second Class Scouts can begin to "qualify for" (earn the required "Special Proficiency Badges" toward), and First Class Scouts can be awarded the first three "Additional Proficiency Badges" (King's Scout, Bushman's Thong, and the Green and Yellow Cord) at the same time.
In common with the BSA's Star, Life, & Eagle badges, King's Scout and Bushman's Thong involve required badges (see below).
All King's Scout qualifying badges are "public service" badges. All Bushman's Thong qualifying badges are "Scoutcraft badges."
On the other hand, the "All-Round Cords" are similar to Eagle Palms in that they represent a Scout's free choice of six "Special Proficiency Badges" each (five each for BSA Palms).
Note some of the other differences in B-P's program:
- All of these badges continue to be worn on the Scout Section Uniform (Unlike the BSA where the Star badge replaces the First Class badge, then Life replaces Star, and Eagle replaces Life). However, this requires the Scout to maintain "current proficiency" for these badges, which is tested as often as once a year).
- All badges represent Public Service skills OR Scoutcraft skills. No schoolwork badges like "Citizenship in the Nation," "Personal Management," etc.
- No Service Project or "Position of Responsibilty" requirements.
- No Boards of Review
Further Details:
2nd Class Scouts & Special Proficiency Badges
Rule 246. (II) After gaining the Second Class badge, he may qualify for special proficiency badges as in Rules 437-507.
King's Scout
Rule 432. (1) Must be a First Class Scout, qualified to wear four of the following badges, of which Ambulance Man and either Pathfinder, Coast Watchman or Pilot are obligatory: Airman, *Ambulance Man, Climber, Coast Watchman, Cyclist, Fireman, Handyman, Horseman, *Interpreter, Oarsman, *Pathfinder, Pilot, Public Health Man, Rescuer, *Signaller.
(2) He must be repassed in all his qualifying badges once between twelve and eighteen months from the date of his being awarded the badge, except in the case of those badges which are marked with an asterisk, i.e., Ambulance Man, Interpreter, Pathfinder, and Signaller, which must be repassed annually in accordance with Rule 436. The re-examination is normally carried out by an independent examiner, but in the case of those badges in italics the re-examination may be made by the S.M. or any other warranted Scouter. He must cease to wear the King's Scout badge should he fail in any of them.
Bushman's Thong
Rule 433. First Class Scouts who hold the Camper badge, together with one of the following: Explorer, Stalker, or Tracker, and also one of the following: Forester, Naturalist, Pioneer, Starman, Weatherman, are entitled to wear the Bushman's Thong, consisting of a leather thong on the right shoulder.
All-Round Cords:
Rule 434. Scouts are entitled to wear any one of the following grades of All-round cords for which they are qualified:--
- Green and Yellow. For holders of six of the special proficiency badges. Open to First Class Scouts only.
- Red and White. For holder of 12 of the special proficiency badges. Open to King's Scouts only.
- Gold. For holder of 18 of the special proficiency badges. Open to King's Scouts only.
Changes to Scouting Between B-P's 1938 PO&R and the Advance Party Report:
 | Senior Scouts Section (1946) |
| Scout Cord (aka Explorer Cord) |
| Venturer Badge |
