Comments: Jan 26, 2017 - DCScoutMomQuestion: my son recently passed his Board of Review and will be
receiving his Eagle Scout award this weekend. We discovered too late
that his tan class A is way too small. But he has his Venture shirt
from working at summer camp at Spanish Peaks. He is now over 18 and
his COH was rushed and planned very quickly with no time to get a new
tan class A. Is it appropriate for him to wear the green uniform shirt
with his merit sash or OA sash for his Eagle ceremony?
Jan 29, 2017 - Scouter Paul@DCScoutMom - He should not wear his OA sash to an Eagle ceremony
since that is only for when he is performing an OA function.
He
can wear his Venture uniform, or borrow a better-fitting Boy Scout
uniform from a friend.
Mar 03, 2017 - LynnWhen is the appropriate time and place to where the merit badge
sash? Where can I find the official policy regarding this?
Mar 03, 2017 - Scouter Paul@Lynn - The merit badge sash can be worn whenever the uniform is
worn, but it is not practical to wear it most of the time because
it gets in the way. Courts of honor, boards of review, and other
more formal events are when scouts usually wear a sash.
If you
follow the link to the BSA Insignia Guide in the page content
above, you'll find the official BSA policy - which does not
mention when to wear and when not to wear the sash.
May 30, 2017 - District CommishCan a Scout who is not an American citizen wear their respective nation’s flag on the Boy Scout uniform, and if so, where? I know that the American flag has been on the BSA uniform since the 70’s. Many non-American scouts who are part of a local pack, troop, or crew here in Europe do render respect to the flag and national anthem by standing but do not salute (though some do).
I checked and there is no specific mentioning of this in any of the BSA guidelines that I checked.
Jun 19, 2017 - Fabel KonickeMy son returned from Camp Geronimo with a whole bag of badges and rings... I don't know what to do with them? three badges, Camp Geronimo 2017, Rainbow Trail and for the Tenderfoot Run; as well as the rings, Big "G" Gold, Brave, Tiger Eye, East Webber, Geronimo Trail Tenderfoot Run, Turkey Springs and one with just symbols (??) maybe Scout to Tenderfoot? Anyway - Any help is appreciated.
Jun 20, 2017 - Scouted Paul@Fabel - best thing to do in your case is
have your scout ask his scoutmaster where
the patches go. There is probably a
patch scheme document from the camp that
explains where they go and you might even
find that on the camps website, of they
have one.
Dec 21, 2017 - EliWhere do the fireman chit, totin chip, and cyber chip go on the uniform?
Dec 21, 2017 - Scouter Paul@Eli - They are all 'temporary' patches and one at a time can be
displayed centered on the right pocket.
Dec 26, 2017 - LisaWould I wear a scout uniform to a boy scout camp interview?
Dec 27, 2017 - Scouter Paul@Lisa - If you're a registered BSA member, then it sounds like a
good idea to wear your uniform for the interview.
Apr 11, 2018 - Larry CoxHi! I'm 62, a Eagle, and returning to Scouting to assist my 2 older grandsons in their troop and 2 younger ones still in Cubs. Silly question, but I don't remember if we wore a colored tee under our uniform. I'm now nearly blind... scanning through all the posts on your site... lol, but please what's required, or what works best? Is it any different for adults? And as a foot note... we all wear cleanly pressed full uniforms to each troop and Pack function. And it's awesome!! I was taught to lead by example. and I had outstanding leaders. thank you
Apr 13, 2018 - Scouter Paul@Larry - you can wear another layer under your uniform shirt if
you want. It's not part of the uniform, but is useful when
outdoors in cooler weather, or just for comfort.
Apr 17, 2018 - Larry CoxScouter Paul,
Thank you! Our troop doesn't wear (or require) a neckerchief's with the uniform which makes certain tees, well...awful as a choice. With no guidance the boys tend to go for any tee, often their brightest neon colors from their dresser, which keeps them warmer and more comfortable wearing a tee, but looks yucky... Of course easiest answer is to just wear neckerchiefs which hides the tees, so hopefully the troop will reconsider one day!
May 10, 2018 - Scouty EdHi Everyone, I am looking for BSA language that addresses
footwear. I currently have two brothers in my troop who in my
opinion are lazy, they refuse to wear shoes to the troop
meetings and wear white socks with flip flops and on uniform
inspection night they wear black shocks and black Nike type
shower slip on flip slops, whats more they cannot participate in
troop games or activities when we climb a lashing tower. IS
THERE ANY RULES that we can make them wear closed toed shoes
beside a troop rule because my committee fears kickback. Thanks
and look forward to your email -Scouty Ed- Troop 111
May 14, 2018 - Scouter Paul@Ed - You can see in the Uniform Inspection Sheet that BSA socks
and brown leather or canvas shoes are expected. But, there is
no requirement that scouts wear uniforms in order to be BSA
members. When adult volunteers start making up rules for
scouts, it tends to not work out well.
If their lack of
appropriate footwear causes their patrols to perform poorly in
contests with other patrols, then maybe their patrolmates would
encourage them to change. For example, some simple recognition
for the patrol with the highest percentage of scouts climbing
the tower or participating in the game - their patrol could
never get it without them participating.
Or, maybe there is
some other reason besides laziness why they wear what they wear.
A caring adult volunteer might try to find out the reason.
Dec 15, 2018 - LLM@ Scout Mom, Old-fashioned 02/21/12- I came to this page to read
more about ordering pieces of the Scout Uniform and sadly at the
top of this thread I ran into a post from Scout Mom questioning
a photo of a possible "Scout or model?" (rhetorical statement),
Scout Mom writes a long post lecturing her own parenting and
upbringing in a Dutch household... No other comment I ran across
covered a subject like this and I'm wondering why admin left
this on the thread. I would like to read comments based on
actual inquires and answers (Q&A) not a commentary thread... My
point is, does this thread have an admin who removes posts that
aren't relevant?
Dec 16, 2018 - Scouter Paul@LLM - Sometimes comments are just comments, not questions or
answers. If someone has a view or comment, and it is related to
the page content and is not inflammatory, then it does no harm. I
try to weed out off-topic, meaningless, or inappropriate comments.
Mar 01, 2019 - XineMy daughter is a member of a new Scouts BSA troop. I'm getting
ready to finish up her uniform and want to make sure I'm putting
the items on the left sleeve correctly. I can't find anywhere
that shows the red Founder bar. Is it supposed to be touching
the troop numerals? Also, her shirt is one of the microfiber
ones with a "cuff" of sorts around the bottom of the sleeve.
There doesn't really appear to be room for her council patch,
the troop numbers, the Founder bar, her position patch, and her
Trained patch. Can the Trained patch go on top of the "cuff"
part?
Mar 02, 2019 - WifeMy husband wants me to sew his Eagle Scout patch onto his jean jacket. Is this
appropriate? If so, where is the proper placement? He is not involved in a troop
anymore. He just wants to wear the patch. Thank you for feedback.
Mar 04, 2019 - Scouter Paul@Wife - No, it's not appropriate to display BSA uniform patches on
other clothing.
Mar 04, 2019 - Scouter Paul@Xine - Yes, the Founders Bar goes directly under the unit
numerals, touching is fine. The Trained patch can be sewn on the
cuff part.
Apr 03, 2019 - DHMy son has been to every BSA meeting for over a year and
there is an attendance pin/medal you can get for doing this.
It hasn't been awarded to him so do I have to buy it? Also,
where should it go?
Apr 03, 2019 - Scouter Paul@DH - If you are asking about the
Attendance Pin then
it goes above the left pocket. There are no set requirements
for earning it, so it is up to the scout's troop to decide how
to earn it. And, anyone can purchase it from the Scout Shop.
If
your scout is interested in earning it, he should ask his
Scoutmaster what requirements the troop has for earning
it.
Scout On!
Apr 24, 2019 - KenIs a Scouts BSA rank insignia centered vertically as well as horizontally as depicted on the Uniform Inspection Sheet (www.boyscouttrail.com/docs/uniform_boy.pdf), or is it positioned just beneath the pocket flap as depicted on page 32 of the Guide to Awards and Insignia (filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/ 33066/33066_Scouts_BSA_Insignia_WEB.pdf)? These both appear to be official sources but they clearly contradict each other. Thanks!
Apr 24, 2019 - Scouter Paul@Ken - Both those docs, as well as any other I've seen, say
"centered" on left pocket. I believe the placement in the images
you referenced is only the artist's interpretation of 'centered'.
Some shirt pockets are now flat, rather than pointed. Some are
billowed, rather than sewn flat. So, the exact vertical center is
different on different pocket types.
Centering the patch in the
available horizontal and vertical space is the goal.
Apr 24, 2019 - Ken@Scouter Paul, thanks for the speedy response and good info! Now my son (a 4th generation Scout) will be "official" for his first Troop campout this weekend!
Apr 24, 2019 - Ken@Scouter Paul, I looked at these again, and in both instances the pocket is the same, but the patch is positioned differently. If Scouts BSA has an official position on the position, they should depict that in all official materials.
I understand that pockets have changed, but in this instance Scouts BSA specifically demonstrates two different ways to vertically "center" the patch on the same pocket. I will make a judgment call so that my son can wear his rank, but Scouts BSA can't expect an exacting result quite in accordance with it's unexacting instruction. Centered between the top and bottom of the pocket would result in the flap overlapping the rank on a "square" pocket. The official guide to insignia and the inspection sheet depict the same pocket but with the rank insignia in different positions, one centered between the flap tip and the bottom, and one just below. I stand by the notation Scouts BSA is disseminating conflicting information.
Thanks for your work on this question, but it appears we get to pick individually what it means since vertical centering isn't even well defined by official Scouts BSA rules and literature.
But just to be clear, am I to take away that we can't trust the official Scouts BSA insignia rules and guidelines and instruction sheets, nor the inspection sheets, since they are just "artist's interpretations?"
I think our kids and we as Scooters deserve better than that for direction on badge placement
Apr 24, 2019 - Scouter Paul@Ken - Using your judgment is a good idea. Center the patch as
best you can, and I believe it will be fine.
I think the BSA is
not too concerned about a patch being 1/4 or 1/2 inch off center,
but if you feel that this lack of specific information needs
correction, please contact the BSA at
this address.
Apr 25, 2019 - Ken@Scouter Paul, thanks, and I hope I didn't sound like I was unloading on you. You are innocent! I am frustrated that Scouts BSA would issue a regulation for patch placement showing where to put it and then provide an inspection sheet that gigs every Scout who followed the regulation. I will contact them and ask for standardization on direction. Thanks, @Scouter Paul! Your website is priceless to me!
Apr 25, 2019 - KenAnd just for giggles, Scouts BSA requires the Service Stars to be 3/8 of an inch above your square knots or your pocket if you don't have any knots. I'd argue that with that level of specificity to the eighth of an inch that Scouts BSA can do for service stars, they can do better than 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch on badge placement. I'll contact them.
Oct 09, 2019 - JenDo female uniform tops have to be tucked in because they’re cut with the
helm that will not allow it to stay tucked in
Oct 11, 2019 - Jane@Jen - "Effective Oct. 1, 2013, the official stance on the Boy Scouts of America’s uniform policy is that shirts and blouses are to be worn tucked in, regardless of whether the wearer is a Cub Scout, Scout, Sea Scout, Venturer, or adult Scouter. In the past, guidelines have simply stated the uniform wearer should be neat in appearance. Neatness includes tucking in the shirt or blouse. This update will appear in related resources, such as the uniform inspection sheets, as they are revised and printed."
BSA Guide to Awards and Insignia: Official Policy
www.scouting.org/resources/insignia-guide/
BSA says uniform shirts should always be tucked in
blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2013/10/09/tuck-everlasting-scout-uniform-shirts-should-always-be-tucked-in-bsa-says/
Oct 19, 2019 - Heather CullenMy son is the troops bugler. Where does this BIG bugler patch go?
Oct 19, 2019 - Scouter PaulThe 3-inch diameter bugler patch goes in the badge of office spot
(also referred to as 'position 3') - see the
Insignia
Guide.
Oct 24, 2019 - Mick EppersonKeep up the good work Scouter Paul. To all
out there that a all up in arms about
centering. Get a grip. Pick the vertical
center, make it look good up and down a let
your son go to the meeting, outing, ceremony
or whatever. Scouting is about building Youth
to be good citzens and ready to face the
world. Not to get them ready to be in the
Russian Army. Relax Ken. Headquarters has
enough to worry about concerning banktrupcy,
gender equality, two adults in every tent,
shoes or slippers (really? Make them do a 10
mile hike on a super rock trail).
Oct 29, 2019 - Richard WilsonI understand it is important to be prepared and dress accordingly based on weather
conditions. However, Is there an official BSA Rule/Guideline that states Boy Scout
shorts are not to be worn as part of an official uniform after daylight savings? I cannot
find any information with regards to this question, any info is greatly appreciated.
Oct 29, 2019 - Scouter Paul@Richard - No, there is no such rule or guideline.
Dec 06, 2019 - Svitlana BIs there specific color for the Boy Scouts socks? I can’t find this
written anywhere. Last night , my son had his Board of review to
Tenderfoot and he didn’t pass because he didn’t wear green
socks as a part of uniform class A. I feel very sorry to him soooo
much for two big reasons : 1. He was preparing himself to this
step a lot. And being his mother, I tell you it meant to him very
much. I was excited for him also that power of belief he had. And
reason number 2 . I feel horrible because I have not provided him
with the right things I should. And please, understand, I’m very
much for personal discipline , an independent thinking , taking care
of himself, etc. Anyway , please educate me at this point. Thanks a
lot
Dec 06, 2019 - NavyboneDec 27, 2019 - RuthIve just attended an Eagle CoH for 4 Eagle Scouts at a friend's
troop. I was rather shocked by the uniform standard at such a
prestigious event.... no neckerchiefs and scouts wearing jeans.
As
a former ASM to a troop of high standards and the wife and
stepmother of Eagles scouts, I was disappointed to see such a
drop in standards.
Even the Scoutmaster was wearing jeans as
she officiated the CoH (does that speak volumes?).
Her son was
one to attain Eagle and at the end of the ceremony she
announced she was stepping down as SM.
I bloater bumped into
the new SM and was glad to see he was at least wearing the
green pants. I asked him about the neckerchiefs and he said they
were now optional and the troop voted not to wear them. Even for
class A occasions. Likewise for the pants, green were optional,
jeans were acceptable even for class A.
Is this the new BSA
standard or is it just that troops?!
Does anyone else think this is a
terrible drop in standards?
Thank you.
Jan 05, 2020 - JohnRichard,
Down here in Florida, shorts are very common year-round. Scout or green (close color) shorts are pretty much what my Troop of 25 wears year-round.
Jan 05, 2020 - JohnRuth,
My Troop hasn't had a neckerchief for years. As a Scout-run organization, the Troop decided that they didn't want to have them several years ago (before my oldest joined) and every so often they have another vote. And, as far as I can tell, that's perfectly permitted. In the area (SW Florida), I'd say less than half don't have neckerchiefs.
Jeans are frowned upon; if not Scout shorts/pants, then at least green shorts/pants close in color. Could it be an economical issue?
Jan 06, 2020 - Cole KiserMy son just worked as a trainer for Winter NYLT. They were given special patches, slides, kerchiefs, belt buckles, nametags and epaulets, all these were mandatory for the trainers.
My question is whether the epaulets, which are a futuristic silver mesh, are legal since they were Scout issued at the camp?
May 13, 2020 - JoeDo you know what insignia/patches are required for the Boy Scout
Uniform Shirt? I can find a bunch of examples of where they should
all be placed on the shirt, but nothing that states what is
required on teh shirt.
Thank You, Joe
May 13, 2020 - Scouter Paul@Joe - The only required insignia are the U.S. Flag and BSA strip
that come included on the shirt. Typically, following are the key
items that a scout would have displayed:
- Shoulder loops
identifying the program (Cubs, Scouts BSA, Venturing)
- Council
emblem
- unit numerals
Those items act kind of like the scout's
"address" so others can see that the scout is in Scouts BSA Troop
123 in the XYZ Council.
Sep 20, 2020 - Gale StanfordI have been told but cannot find in writing that the new BSA women's
shirts are made in the style of the military shirts and are not to be worn
tucked in. The shirts are short and tucking them in is next to impossible.
Can you confirm whether or not that guidance is official. I understand the
old uniform shirts are made to be tucked in but I believe that is not true
for the new ones.
Sep 22, 2020 - Scouter Paul@Gale - Currently, all BSA publications and uniform inspection sheets call
for the shirt to be tucked in. When you can find a BSA source approving
untucked shirts, please let me know and I'll help spread the word.
Jan 09, 2021 - Scouter DaveIf a Troop elects to wear a beret, can they chose a color other
than red. Can they wear it as long as a official Bsa emblem is used
for the crest?
Feb 15, 2021 - JustinIf I'm volunteering to be an adult leader
for a local troop, but don't have a title
(Asst. Scoutmaster, Committee Membet,
etc.), should I still have a uniform for
Troop meetings and other instances where
the full class A uniform would be required?
Feb 15, 2021 - Scouter Paul@Justin - The BSA uniform should be worn by all registered BSA members
during BSA events. If you are a registered BSA member, then wearing the
uniform is appropriate.
If you are helping out, but not currently
registered with the BSA, then you should not wear the uniform.

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