The top boy position in the Troop is the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). Next is the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). Senior Scouts also serve as Troop Guides, mentoring younger scouts. Then come Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, and other Troop leadership positions like the Scribe, Quartermaster, Chaplain Aide, Historian and any other position stated in this handbook. The SPL, ASPL and Patrol Leaders are elected positions. The Patrol Leaders appoint Assistant Patrol Leaders. The SPL and Scoutmaster appoint all other troop leadership positions. It is very important to remember that the real leadership in a Scout Troop comes from the Scouts themselves. Adults are involved to maintain safety, provide guidance when necessary, and make sure the aims of Scouting are being met. The Scouts should run the Troop. Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, said "Never do a thing for a boy that he can do for himself." Allowing the Scouts to run their Troop provides opportunity for personal growth and chances to learn leadership skills.

The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC)

The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, Quartermaster, Troop Guides, Scribe, and other Senior Scouts, make up the Patrol Leaders Council, or PLC. The PLC will meet once a month, or as directed by the SPL. Its purpose is to plan monthly meetings, trips, outings, and discuss issues that may be arising in the Troop. The PLC is the real leadership organization within the Troop and is where the real decisions that guide the Troop come from. The SPL, ASPL, Troop Guides and Patrol Leaders are the members of the PLC that may vote on issues. The other members are non-voting members. A member of the PLC must make at least 2 of 3 meetings on a rolling basis or risk losing his leadership position. The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters and various Troop Committee members provide appropriate support to the PLC.

Troop Elections

The SPL and Patrol Leader positions are elected positions within the Troop. These are very important leadership positions that are vital to making the Troop function well. The SPL is elected by the entire troop. Patrol Leaders are elected by their patrol, with Assistant Patrol Leaders appointed by the Patrol Leader. The Scoutmaster has the right to remove any leader at his/her discretion.

Patrols

The Troop is organized into groups called Patrols. Patrols work together to develop pride in their group, learn new skills, go on outings, play games, and compete in interpatrol contests. Patrols are mixed with boys of various ages, so that each patrol has older scouts available to guide and instruct younger scouts. Scouts who are newly bridged from Webelos are assigned a Troop Guide. A  Troop Guide is an older scout who helps the new Scout gets oriented and begins to learn basic Scouting skills. Each patrol is also assigned an adult mentor, generally one of the assistant scoutmasters. The troop structure helps to ease the transition and give the new Scout encouragement and guidance as he learns about Boy Scouts.