Boy Scout Uniform
Placement of insignia on the uniform is important.
The Uniform Inspection Sheet has insignia placement guides.
There is also a Male & Female Leader Uniform Inspection Sheet.
If you wonder where a patch goes, it is probably a 'temporary' patch. See Scouting FAQ page for help - they can be displayed on a blanket, vest, wall display, shoebox, or the back of the merit badge sash.
See the BSA Insignia Guide for more information on uniforms, patches, and such.
The Scouting program in America has always included uniforms for its members and volunteers to identify members and show they are part of the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts and leaders should wear their uniforms to all patrol meetings, troop meetings, and scout outings.
The tan and green Scouts BSA uniform is a well-known symbol of American scouting. All scouts in the program wear the same uniform with the major differences being the badges each scout has earned and the troop specific neckerchief.
Most scout troops also have an activity uniform which is often a t-shirt customized just for the troop. Activity uniforms are worn for work projects, sporting activities, and other events in which the dress uniform might get damaged. The official dress uniform is commonly referred to as the 'Class A' uniform and the activity uniform as 'Class B' even though these are not correct BSA terms.
The best place to buy customized scouting t-shirts is the ClassB.com web site. ClassB.com is an official licensee of the Boy Scouts of America and is actually run by a few Eagle Scouts.
Each scout belongs to a patrol within the troop. To foster patrol identity, each patrol chooses a Patrol Patch and creates a patrol flag, name, and yell.
Sashes and Such
The BSA Insignia Guide discusses all the uniforming, patch placement, and other insignia use.
Merit badge placement on the sash is up to the scout. The badges can be displayed in rows of two or three, starting three inches down from the top of the sash.
There is no required ordering of badges. The scout can put all silver-bordered Eagle-required badges first, followed by green-bordered elective badges. Or, display them alphabetically, or by favorites, or by color, or in the order earned (which is most common).
When the front of the sash is full, additional merit badges can be displayed on the back or on a second or third sash.
The merit badge sash is worn draped over the right shoulder and left hip.
Only ONE sash is worn at a time.
A second sash is NOT worn over the shoulder, nor tucked into the belt.
The same is true for Order of the Arrow sashes. The scout wears either a merit badge sash OR OA sash, but not more than one sash at a time.
These two sashes show merit badges in rows of three. They belong to my two Eagle sons. One has all his Eagle-required badges on top, the other just has them as earned.
| Boy Scout Uniform Costs | ||||||||
| shirt | necker | slide | shoulder loops | cap | belt | zip-off pants | socks | book |
| $30-$45 | $10-$15 | $6 | $4 | $15 | $0 | $35-$45 | $8 | $18 |
| (BSA zip-off pants give you long and short pant uniforms, plus a belt) Uniform Patches | ||||||||
| World Scout Crest Emblem | $2.30 | |||||||
| Council Strip | $1.50 - $6.00 | |||||||
| Troop Number | $4.50 | |||||||
| Patrol Emblem | $2.50 | |||||||
| Total Uniform Cost | about $150 to $185 | |||||||
Uniform details, price changes, and other scouting gear is found at ScoutShop.Org - and you can now purchase online.
Retrieve a list of Scout shops and distributors in your area at this Scout Store Locator
Scout Uniform Savings
These uniforms are a significant cost for many scouting families. Some possible ways to reduce costs are:
- Have your scout earn the uniform or part of it.
- Purchase only minimum expected items in your troop.
- Check with your troop or district about a Uniform Exchange where you can pick up or drop off uniforms.
- Buy used Scout items at local clothes store.
Comments:
Jan 26, 2017 - DCScoutMom
Question: 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 - LynnHe can wear his Venture uniform, or borrow a better-fitting Boy Scout uniform from a friend.
When 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 CommishIf 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.
Can 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 KonickeI checked and there is no specific mentioning of this in any of the BSA guidelines that I checked.
My 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 EdThank 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!
Hi 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 - LLMIf 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.
@ 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 - KenIf your scout is interested in earning it, he should ask his Scoutmaster what requirements the troop has for earning it.
Scout On!
Is 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 - KenSome 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.
@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 PaulI 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
@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 - KenI 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.
@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.
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