Leader Training Award Applications Process
From the National Office
One of my tasks in the national office is processing leader award applications (OLAL, OLT, & MOE). I am a strong believer in Royal Rangers leaders being recognized for making the effort to attend training, for mentoring boys on a weekly basis, and for taking additional responsibilities in leadership and service. These leaders should receive recognition for their personal accomplishments and ministry wins. They are helping to carry out God’s plan for boys to grow into godly men in a secular world.
As with most awards, there is an application process for obtaining the Outpost Leader Advancement Levels, Organizational Leadership Training levels, and Medal of Excellence awards. It is critical that applications be filled out completely and correctly. Unfortunately, I often receive applications that have missing or incorrect information, which leads to frustration for the applicant because additional details must be submitted. Ultimately, this leads to delays in the entire awards process.
If you are ready to submit an OLAL, OLT, or MOE application, there are steps you can take to ensure that your application is complete and accurate so it can be processed in the appropriate timeframe without delay.
Royal Rangers USA
- If the application requires the signature of a district director (OLAL), district training coordinator (OLAL), or pastor (MOE), please be sure this is obtained before submission.
- When requesting this signature, do so at a time that is convenient for them. This will ensure that the application can be reviewed thoroughly to avoid a potential discrepancy. If he is in the middle of duties at powwow, Ranger Derby, or a church event, that’s probably not a good time.
- Ensure that all blanks on the application are complete. This includes completion dates as well as other requested information. For example, the Safety OLAL application asks for the name of the organization through which the First Aid/CPR training was taken and the date the training was completed.
- Submission of supporting information (copies of training certificates or other pertinent documents) with an OLAL or OLT app is encouraged and can often be very helpful.
All leader award applications are available for download from the awards page. Contact your district training coordinator or visit the training page if you have any questions about leader awards.
Service Awards
Service Awards
Service awards provide ongoing recognition for leaders or boys for their service and involvement in Royal Rangers. These awards typically require that a specified number of points be earned from a variety of categories during the course of a given year. Most service awards may be earned annually and require that an application be submitted to the district or national office. Due to their significance in the program, some service awards require special approval from your district or the national Royal Rangers office.
The following service awards are restricted and require that an application be submitted to the national Royal Rangers office.
- National Leadership Award (NLA) – application
- National Executive Leadership Award (NELA) – application
The following service awards require restricted and require that an application be submitted to your District Director for presentation. The award insignia are unrestricted and may be ordered directly through our online store. Contact your District Director concerning the awards procedures required in your district.
- District Leadership Award (DLA) – application
- District Executive Leadership Award (DELA) – application
- Outpost Leadership Award – application
- Outpost Service Award – application
- Outpost Coordinators Award – application
- Special Service Award – no application required
- Junior Leaders Service Award – application
See also the Staff Service Awards page and the Award Replacements page.
Honorary Awards
Honorary Awards
Honorary awards are those awarded to individuals in recognition for service or accomplishments for which no specific requirements are given, although general guidelines may exist. These awards are typically awarded at the discretion of the primary leader at the given organizational level. These awards typically cannot be applied for, although individuals recommending others for an award may be asked to provide written justification for their recommendation.
Due to their significance in the program, most honorary awards can only be obtained through your district or the national Royal Rangers office. The following honorary awards are presented by the national Royal Rangers office. Contact the national office for details.
- Medal of Valor – application
- Medal of Courage – application
- National Medal of Merit – contact us
- National Outstanding Service Award – contact us
- FCF Flame of Honor – contact us
- RRA Lifetime Service Award – contact us
The following honorary awards are presented by your District Director. Contact your district for details.
- District Outstanding Service Award – contact your District Director
- District Medal of Merit – contact your District Director
Training Awards
Training Awards
Training awards provide recognition to leaders and boys for their training accomplishments in Royal Rangers. Some training awards represent the completion of specific training programs while other represent the completion of a training level. Details on the various training award insignia and the manner in which they should be worn on the uniform or awards vest can be found on the Uniforms page.
Due to their significance in the program, most training awards and related products can only be obtained through your Royal Rangers district director or the Royal Rangers national office. See the Restricted Products & Awards page for details on ordering training products.
- Outpost Leader Advancement – Ready Level (revised 10-01-2020) – application
- Outpost Leader Advancement – Safety Level (revised 07-23-2020) – application
- Outpost Leader Advancement – Trained Level – application
- Outpost Leader Advancement – Advanced Level (revised 02-19-2020) – application
- Medal of Excellence – application
- National Continuous Learning Award – no application required
- District Continuous Learning Award – no application required
- Trail of the Saber Award – application
- Organizational Leader Training – Bronze Level – application
- Organizational Leader Training – Silver Level – application
- Organizational Leader Training – Gold Level – application
- Organizational Leader Training – Platinum Level – application
Special Awards
Special Awards
Special awards consist of recognition items that cannot be classified under any other award category. Some special awards are restricted, while others are not. See the Restricted Products & Awards page for details.
- Missions Project Award – no application required
- Pastors Award – application
- Pathfinders Award – application
- FCF Wilderness Award – application
- Swordsman Program – see Swordsman page
Award Insignia
Award Insignia
Award insignia serve to represent the awards an individual has received. Award insignia may take many forms including a medal, ribbon, patch, or neck medallion. Due to their significance in the program, some insignia are restricted and can only be obtained through your district or the national Royal Rangers office. See the Restricted Products & Awards page for details. Details on the manner and location in which award insignia should be worn on the uniform can be found on the uniforms page.
Replacement insignia for awards previously earned may be purchased through our online store or requested through the national Royal Rangers office at rangers@ag.org.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
District Awards
District Medal of Merit +
Awarded to boys or adult leaders who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Royal Rangers Ministry.
District Medal of Merit +
The Medal or Ribbon of Merit is given to Royal Rangers boys and adult leaders. It is for individuals who have demonstrated exemplary effort and commitment to Royal Rangers.
District Leadership Award (DLA)
Awarded to qualifying organizational leaders who serve on the district Royal Rangers Executive leadership teams.
District Executive Leadership Award (DELA)
Awarded to qualifying organizational leaders who serve on the district Royal Rangers Executive leadership teams.
District Continuous Learning Award
Outpost Awards
Outpost Leadership Award
Earned by any leader who has demonstrated outstanding ability in achieving the goals of the Royal Rangers ministry. Can be earned yearly.
Special Service Award
Given to anyone – and that includes non-leaders and non-Royal Rangers – who has given outstanding service to Royal Rangers.
no application required
Medal of Excellence
Awarded to leaders who have completed the Outpost Leadership track of the Rangers Ministry Academy and taken at least one boy through the process of earning the highest medal in any of the four Royal Rangers group.
Pastors Award
Awarded to Pastors in recognition of their support of the Royal Rangers outpost. Pastors must meet the requirements as outlined by the national Royal Rangers ministries.
Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship Awards
FCF Flame of Honor
Presented by the national Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship chairman and president to individuals who have demonstrated unselfish acts of service and devotion to the purpose of Royal Rangers.
Pathfinders Award
Go on a Pathfinder mission trip, then wear the result, on your dress or utility uniform. Clutch-pin clasp. Recognition pins can be worn on Pathfinder Award or separately.
Missions Project Award
Go on a 5 day missions trip and then wear this tangible result on your uniform. Clutch pin clasp. See boy’s handbook or Leader Manual for details.
no application required