Is responsible for the troop's overall operation. With guidance from the Scoutmaster, he takes charge of  Troop meetings, the Patrol Leaders' Council, and of all Troop activities. The SPL will do everything he can to help each patrol be successful.

Helps the Senior Patrol Leader lead meetings and activities. He runs the Troop in the absence of the SPL, helps train and supervise the Troop Scribe, Quartermaster, Instructor, Librarian, Historian and Chaplain Aide. The ASPL serves as a member of the patrol leader's council.

Carry out planning, leading, and evaluating patrol meetings and activities, and assure that their patrol is prepared to participate in all

Troop activities. Setting a good scout-based example, he keeps his patrol intact so they can work together and share responsibilities to get things done.

Serves as an assistant to the Patrol Leader and is responsible for helping to plan and execute the patrol's activities and events. The APL is also responsible for helping to train and mentor other patrol members. He will serve as the current Patrol Leader if the usual Patrol Leader is not present. APL does not count towards Star, Life, and Eagle rank requirements.

Helps the Patrol Leader of the new-Scout patrol lead their patrol, helps scouts earn their first class badge, and attends Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) to present  plans for the upcoming skill instructions

Keeps an inventory of troop equipment and sees that the gear is in good condition. He works with the patrols as they check out equipment and return it. The Quartermaster is in charge of the troop trailer if used in a scouting event.

Serves as the troop secretary. He attends meetings of the patrol leaders' council and keeps a record of the discussions. The Scribe cooperates with the Patrol Leaders to record attendance and dues payments at Troop meetings and to maintain Troop advancement records.

Assists a Cub Scout den leader, Webelos den leader or Arrow of Light den leader with den meetings and activities. He acts as an “activities assistant” to the Den Leader and a role model to the Cub Scout.

Encourages the spiritual growth and awareness of each member of the troop. He prays at Troop events and acts as pastor during  church-related events such as Sunday mornings on campouts.

Teaches subjects that Scouts are eager to learn through the time of skills instruction especially those such as first aid, camping, and backpacking. He helps scouts learn basic scouting skills and the knowledge that  is required for outdoor activities and rank advancement. 

Collects, assembles, and preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia. The Historian provides these if needed to Scouts or Adult Leaders.

Oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. He checks out these materials to Scouts and leaders and maintains records to ensure that everything is returned.

Is responsible for maintaining (and creating if not already created) the troop's website. He makes sure that information posted on the website is correct and up to date and that the privacy of youth and adult troop members is protected. A member of the troop committee may assist him with his work.

Researches and supports learning the skills, practices and ethics needed for responsible outdoor recreation, and corrects scouts doing anything that harms  or may harm the environment. He may fill in for the Instructor when teaching about outdoor ethics. He may be coached by an adult advisor.

Plays the bugle (or similar instrument) to mark key moments during the troop meeting, such as assembly, or on troop outings, such as reveille, mess call, and lights out. The Bugler must know the required bugle calls and ideally should have earned the Bugling merit badge or be working toward earning it.

Serves between the local OA lodge or chapter and their Troop. In their Troop, they will serve as a communication and programmatic link to and from Arrowmen, adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the OA.

Is a youth member of a Scouts BSA Troop who serves in the capacity of an Assistant Scoutmaster except where legal age and maturity are required. He must be at least 16 years old and not yet 18. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster because of his demonstrated leadership ability.