The members of each patrol elect one of their own to serve as patrol leader. The troop determines the requirements for patrol leaders, such as rank and age. To give more youths the opportunity to lead, the troop will elect patrol leaders twice a year.

Patrol size depends upon a troop's enrollment and the needs of its members, though an ideal patrol size is eight Scouts. Patrols with fewer than eight Scouts should try to recruit new members to get their patrol size up to the ideal number.

Prior to the beginning of each program year, normally during summer camp, the PLC meets to plan the Troop's annual program. The planning session should include monthly theme ideas, dates/places/themes for outings, and special events.

The PLC meets once a month, for about an hour. At the meeting, the PLC reviews current month's plan, and then establishes next month's plan for the troop meetings and defines outing details. Recommended meeting time would be after RiverWalk, the first Saturday of each month. Attendance is restricted to PLC members and Scoutmaster, or designated Assistant Scoutmaster.

1. Keep Your Word. Don't make promises you can't keep.
2. Be Fair to All. A good leader shows no favorites. Don't allow friendships to keep you from being fair to all members of your patrol. Know who likes to do what, and assign duties to patrol members by what they like to do.
3. Be a Good Communicator. You don't need a commanding voice to be a good leader, but you must be willing to step out front with an effective "Let's go." A good leader knows how to get and give information so that everyone understands what's going on.
4. Be Flexible. Everything doesn't always go as planned. Be prepared to shift to "plan B" when "plan A" doesn't work.
5. Be Organized. The time you spend planning will be repaid many times over. At patrol meetings, record who agrees to do each task, and fill out the duty roster before going camping.
6. Delegate. Some leaders assume that the job will not get done unless they do it themselves. Most people like to be challenged with a task. Empower your patrol members to do things they have never tried.
7. Set an Example. The most important thing you can do is lead by example. Whatever you do, your patrol members are likely to do the same. A cheerful attitude can keep everyone's spirits up.
8. Be Consistent. Nothing is more confusing than a leader who is one way one moment and another way a short time later. If your patrol knows what to expect from you, they will more likely respond positively to your leadership.
9. Give Praise. The best way to get credit is to give it away. Often a "Nice job" is all the praise necessary to make a Scout feel he is contributing to the efforts of the patrol.
10. Ask for Help. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. You have many resources at your disposal. When confronted with a situation you don't know how to handle, ask someone with more experience for some advice and direction.

DUTIES:

• Preside at all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference.
• Chair the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) meeting once a month.
• Attends at least 5/6 of the PLC meetings occurring during his service period.
• Appoints other boy leaders with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster.
• Assigns duties and responsibilities to other junior leaders.
• Assists with Scoutmaster in training junior leaders.
• Reports at the Troop Committee meeting, on Scout activities.
• Delegates task to the ASPL. Makes sure ASPL attends any meeting/function he will not be able to attend (troop, PLC, Committee Meeting, etc.)
• Oversees the planning efforts of Scouts for all Troop campouts (whether he attends these outing or not).
• Has good attendance at Troop meeting.
• Attends at least 2/3 of the monthly events during his service period.
• Set a good example.
• Enthusiastically wears the Scout Uniform correctly.
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Show Scout spirit.

DUTIES:

• Help with leading meetings and activities as called upon by the Senior Patrol Leader.
• Take over troop leadership in the absence of the Senior Patrol Leader.
• Be responsible for training and giving direct leadership to the following appointed junior leaders: Scribe, Librarian, Troop Historian, Instructor, Quartermaster and Chaplain Aide.
• Perform tasks assigned by the Senior Patrol Leader.
• Serves as a member of the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) and attends at least 2/3 of the PLC meetings occurring during his service period.
• Attends at least 2/3 of the monthly events during his service period.
• Has good attendance at Troop meeting.
• Set a good example.
• Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Show and develops patrol spirit.

DUTIES:

• Help new Scouts earn advancement requirements through First Class.
• Coordinates the Big Brother program for all scouts under the rank of First Class.
• Advise Patrol Leader on his duties and responsibilities at Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) meetings.
• Attend Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) meetings.
• Prevent harassment of new Scouts by older Scouts.
• Help Assistant Scoutmaster train new Scouts by older Scouts.
• Insure all new scouts are assigned a Big Brother, that will stay with them until they reach the rank of First Class.
• Teach basic Scout skills.
• Have good attendance at Troop meeting.
• Attend at least 2/3 of the monthly events during his service period.
• Set a good example.
• Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Show and develops patrol spirit.

When you accepted the position of patrol leader, you agreed to provide service and leadership to your patrol and troop. No doubt you will take this responsibility seriously, but you will also find it fun and rewarding.

DUTIES:

• Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities.
• Keep patrol members informed.
• Assign each patrol member a specific duty.
• Represent your patrol at all patrol leaders' council meetings and the annual program planning conference.
• Prepare the patrol to participate in all troop activities.
• Work with other troop leaders to make the troop run well.
• Have good attendance at Troop meetings.
• Attend at least 2/3 of the monthly events during his service period.
• Know the abilities of each patrol member.
• Set a good example.
• Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Show and develops patrol spirit.

DUTIES:

• Assist the Patrol Leader in:
      - planning and leading patrol meetings and activities.
      - keeping patrol members informed.
      - preparing your patrol to take part in all troop activities.
      - and steering patrol meetings and activities.
  
• Take charge of the patrol in the absence of the Patrol Leader.
• Represents the patrol at Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) meetings in the absence of the Patrol Leader.
• Work with the other troop leaders to make the troop run well.
• Have good attendance at Troop meetings.
• Attend at least 2/3 of the monthly events during his service period.
• Help develop patrol spirit.
• Set a good example.
• Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Show and develops patrol spirit.

• Attends and keeps a log of Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) Meetings.
• Records attendance at troop functions and maintains a log of activities.
• Works with the troop committee member responsible for the Troop Newsletter.
• Have good attendance at Troop meetings.
• Attends at least 2/3 of the monthly events during his service period.
• If not able to attend a troop function, he is responsible for finding another Scout to fullfill this task. After the event, he will followup with the replacment, to retrieve the attendance record and log of what happened at the event.
• Set a good example.
• Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Show and develops patrol spirit.

DUTIES:

• Keep records on patrol and troop equipment.
• Keep equipment in good repair.
• Issue equipment and see that it is returned in good order.
• Suggest new or replacement items.
• Work with the troop committee member responsible for equipment.
• Coordinates the loading and un-loading of the Troop bus on all outings. If not able to attend an outing, is responsible for finding another Scout to fullfill this task in the QM absence. After the trip, the QM will followup with the replacment, to make sure all tasks were performed properly. If not, the QM will see to it that it is taken care of.
• Sees to it that the Troop bus is properly prepared and clean before and after all outings.
• Have good attendance at Troop meetings.
• Attends at least 2/3 of the monthly events during his service period.
• During this leadership term, the bus will have at least one complete cleaning. See Scoutmaster to discuss plan.
• QM is part of the PLC leadership team, and is expected to attend all PLC meetings.
• Set a good example.
• Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Show and develops patrol spirit.

DUTIES:

• Provide a spiritual tone for all troop meetings and camping experiences.
• Assure members and leaders of your interest in them and their activities.
• Provide spiritual counseling service when needed or requested.
• Provide opportunities for all boys to grow in their relationship with God and their fellow Scouts.
• Encourage Scouts to participate in the religious emblems program of their respective faith.
• Help plan for religious observance in troop activities.
• Set a good example.
• Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Show and develops patrol spirit..

REQUIREMENTS:
First Class rank or higher
Completed Troop's Junior Leader Training (JLT) program
Must be attending most meetings and outings
Have been a member of Troop 315 for a minimum of one year
Must be Pre-Approved by Scoutmaster in advance.