Boy Scout Uniforms
These pages list the parts of the uniforms for cub scout and boy scout groups. We've also listed approximate costs. Placement of badges, pins, and patches are explained since this is one of the areas where uniforms are sometimes implemented incorrectly.
Cub Scout Uniforms:
Lion Scout,
Tiger Scout,
Bobcat,
Wolf Scout,
Bear Scout,
Webelos
Boy Scout Uniform
Uniform Square Knot Patches
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.
See the BSA Insignia Guide for more info.
Wondering where a patch goes? see Patch Placement Help.
The uniform described on subsequent pages is known as the Field Uniform. The Activity Uniform is a Scouting-related T-Shirt and scout pants. These two uniforms (Field and Activity) are often refered to as Class A and Class B uniforms though that terminology is not used in any official BSA publications and is not correct. It would be better to call them Field and Activity uniforms following the BSA terminology.
Troops and Packs are free to create their own Activity shirt. The most well-known place to design and purchase these shirts is ClassB.com which is a full-service web site offering custom t-shirts and patches. They are an official licensee of the Boy Scouts of America, have a great reputation of service and quality products since 1982, and have Eagle Scouts running the company.
Boy Scout Uniforms Method
Scout uniforms are an important part of the Boy Scouts of America program and one of the methods of scouting. Each boy gets to be part of a group demonstrated by their uniform and each group has a personal sense of identity. The scout uniform is also a display case for a scout's individual accomplishments and recognitions. We wear the uniform to associate ourselves with the principles to which we are committed - character development, citizenship training, and physical and mental fitness. The uniform is not intended to hide our individuality, but it is a way we give each other strength and support.
The Scouting movement is built on positive values. As we wear the uniform in cub scouts and boy scouts, we stand together and encourage each other to live by those principles. Scouts and adults alike should take pride in belonging to this program and wear the uniform correctly.
The official scout uniform consists of shirt, pants, belt, and socks. A neckerchief and hat are optional. In reality, each unit may have different uniform expectations, with some expecting socks to hat while others expect just the shirt. Having all scouts consistently uniformed for meetings and outings makes for a much better adventure. It is also important to remember that the scout uniform is not a mandatory part of scouting and a scout should not be prohibited from participating just because he does not have a uniform, or a complete uniform.
Scout Uniform Memories
Many men still have their cub scout or boy scout uniform stored away someplace. Every badge, patch, and pin has some memory of a fun time had with other boys. There is a great deal of pride in displaying awards and achievements earned where other boys can see them. Keeping a scout uniform clean and up to date makes the scouting experience more fun.
Comments:
Feb 23, 2016 - Scouter Bill
I expend all of my youth life in scouting. I am an Eagle Scout, was in the Order of the Arrow
and event went to the National Camping School as as a young adult working in Scout camps.
Now 20 years later, I my kids are in the Cub Scout and I am a leader in my pack. Here is my
question, Can I wear my old Order of the Arrow flap patch and my National Camping School
patch in my adult uniform?
Feb 24, 2016 - Scouter Paul@Bill - The NCS patch could be worn centered on the right pocket
as a "temporary emblem".
The OA flap can only be worn by current OA members in good standing - meaning you are a registered BSA member and are paying your annual OA dues to your local lodge. And, you should then wear the flap for the local lodge, not your old lodge.
Mar 07, 2016 - MaryThe OA flap can only be worn by current OA members in good standing - meaning you are a registered BSA member and are paying your annual OA dues to your local lodge. And, you should then wear the flap for the local lodge, not your old lodge.
Is there a policy about name tags on activity uniforms? I can't
find anything and I need documentation about what's
appropriate.
Thanks
Mar 07, 2016 - Scouter PaulThanks
@Mary - There are a bunch of BSA nameplates available at
ScoutStuff.org that can be worn above the right pocket on the
official BSA uniform (sometimes called the 'field uniform' or
'class A uniform'). That is documented in the Uniform Inspection
Sheet linked to towards the top of this page.
If you wanted to wear them on your troop's 'activity' uniform, that's up to the troop, since it's usually just BSA pants and a troop t-shirt.
Apr 13, 2016 - TawnyaIf you wanted to wear them on your troop's 'activity' uniform, that's up to the troop, since it's usually just BSA pants and a troop t-shirt.
Boy Scout funeral. They are wearing full uniform with dress pants,
no jeans. Mine is wearing flat-front khakis. What color of dress
shoe? Black or brown would be best?
Apr 13, 2016 - Scouter Paul@Tawnya - If the scouts are not wearing BSA pants, then they
aren't really in "full uniform". Wearing khaki-colored pants in
place of the green uniform pants isn't going to look very uniform,
but I'd think brown shoes would go better with khaki than black
shoes. Shoe color is not defined in the uniform inspection sheet.
Aug 29, 2016 - MelanieMy son just returned from WashJam, our areas Jamboree, and received a patch and a pin. I
understand where to place the patch as it is a temporary style one, but does the pin go on the
uniform also? And in reading to find placement I also saw where to place the National Jamboree
Patch, can the state jamboree patch be worn in that spot also, or just on the pocket?
Aug 29, 2016 - Scouter Paul@Melanie - The WashJam patches have hanging loops, so I think it's
pretty obvious that they are intended to be hung from the pocket
button. They should not be displayed in the National Jamboree
patch location.
The washjam.org online store page says the pin is to be worn on a hat or uniform lapel, but lapel pins are not really to be worn on the uniform. There's no need to have two items on the uniform to indicate the same thing, so the patch is enough.
Jan 25, 2017 - Mr. BeaverThe washjam.org online store page says the pin is to be worn on a hat or uniform lapel, but lapel pins are not really to be worn on the uniform. There's no need to have two items on the uniform to indicate the same thing, so the patch is enough.
I know the small gold arrow head patch is no longer used however my son has two. His is bridging over next month and I want to place them in his shadow box I am creating. I heard the beads replaced the gold arrow head patch. Is this correct?
Jan 29, 2017 - Scouter Paul@Beaver - There is an entirely new program of recognition items
now. They are belt loops or pins.
Feb 16, 2017 - Whit MyersI am a District Chair. Do I have to always wear the tie with the
professional uniform blazer with grey pants and white shirt?
Feb 16, 2017 - Scouter Paul@Whit - The complete dress uniform includes the required tie, as
described on this page, but every district
chair I've seen wears the scout leader uniform as described here.
Feb 24, 2017 - Tina WilsonMy son has earned several awards ie: totin' chip, historic trails award etc. Do these go on his sash with his merit badges?
Feb 24, 2017 - Scouter Paul@Tina - From the Guide to Awards and Insignia: "Boy Scouts may
wear only one merit badge sash at a time. A merit badge sash is
never worn on the belt. Merit badge sashes are worn only by Boy
Scouts and Venturers who are earning Boy Scout advancement. Merit
badges may be worn on the front and back of the
sash.
Miscellaneous patches may only be worn on the back of the sash. The merit badge sash and the Order of the Arrow sash may not be worn at the same time."
Mar 15, 2017 - SondraMiscellaneous patches may only be worn on the back of the sash. The merit badge sash and the Order of the Arrow sash may not be worn at the same time."
My son is now 50 years old and was a cub scout in the early 1970's. I have his entire blue cub scout uniform (excellent condition)....baseball type cap, shirt, pants, belt, brass neckerchief slide with yellow neckerchief, belt, badges, cub scout blue small pocket flashlight, etc. He has ask that I find someone to purchase these items....I live in Roanoke, VA....can you give me any info as to where I might find a buyer? Thanks and have a good day.
May 03, 2017 - MaxAs an adult leader, I am active with a Pack and troop (and will
be for a few years as my sons continue to move through onto boy
scouts). My question is the adult uniform - I would prefer to
have 1 if possible (changing the shoulder epaulets). Is that a
possibility? A complication for me is the unit numbers are
different – so that alone may drive me to 2 uniform shirts. Or
another thought was to velcro the changeable insignia (unit
numbers and position) so they can be changed depending upon the
event I’m attending.
Any advice on this? Thanks in advance.
Dec 08, 2017 - {MikeAny advice on this? Thanks in advance.
I am a "Scout Alumnus" (from the 1950's) and am returning now as a merit badge counselor. Can I still wear my circa 1957) "overseas cap" with my new uniform?
Dec 08, 2017 - Scouter Paul@Mike - Sure, it might be interesting to some scouts to see some
"old school" uniforming.
Jan 02, 2018 - laurie keezerMy son is both quartermaster and troop historian.
Can I put both office badges on his uniform?
Jan 02, 2018 - Scouter Paul@Laurie - There is only one spot on the uniform for a "badge of
office" patch. He should choose one to wear - probably the one
that other scouts interact with more often.
Mar 02, 2018 - Tim PearceMy cub scout son was awarded the Embroidered Hiking Boot Pin (Item
#159 in Scoutshop).
www.scoutstuff.org/bsa/uniforms- insignia/insignia-cloth/other/embroidered-hiking-boot- pin.html#.Wpm5kujwa70
Where does it belong on the uniform?
Mar 02, 2018 - Davidwww.scoutstuff.org/bsa/uniforms- insignia/insignia-cloth/other/embroidered-hiking-boot- pin.html#.Wpm5kujwa70
Where does it belong on the uniform?
@Tim, the boot is a temporary "patch" and may be worn on the right pocket. it may also be worn on a red BSA jacket or brag vest.
Dec 23, 2018 - DVN MURTHYI am Ex Defence Person undergoing Scout Master Training. Can i
wear my Defence Badges and Ribbons which were awarded to me during
my service on my Scout Master Uniform
Dec 26, 2018 - Scouter Paul@DVN - Please see Guide to Awards and
Insignia - page 9...
"The general rule is that badges awarded by organizations other than the Boy Scouts of America may not be worn on an official uniform. This includes military medals and service ribbons."
Oct 08, 2019 - Confused Dad"The general rule is that badges awarded by organizations other than the Boy Scouts of America may not be worn on an official uniform. This includes military medals and service ribbons."
I don't understand the switch from Bear to Webelos. They spend a year as a Bear and earn the patch at the last pack meeting of the year. Then they immediately start the next year as a Webelos with the khaki shirt. However, it is my understanding that the Lion, tiger, bobcat, wolf and bear patches are not to be worn on the Khaki shirt. So now they have earned a rank that they never actually wear on a uniform and they spend their 1st year as a Webelos with no rank patch at all until they earn the actual Webelos patch? Seems like they should get to wear the other patches they worked so hard to earn until they have earned the Webelos patch to replace the others. The current system almost feels like we're taking all those hard earned patches away and leaving them with nothing for a year. . . almost feels like a punishment for all their hard work????
Oct 08, 2019 - Scouter Paul@Dad - You do understand how the rank patches work in Cub Scouts.
It has been my experience that very few Cub Scouts earn their rank
at the very end of the year - it is more typically in January or
February. Then, they wear their rank patch for 4 months or so
while they are active doing other Elective Adventures.
May 20, 2020 - james smithnever worn my eagle medal as a non scout to a function before, and
its been decades. question. i can wear my eagle medal on left
front to a webelos to scout ceremony without concern as a guest,
right? better. after all , i am a an eagle always.
Jun 21, 2020 - Jim SchlungIf you have a vintage rank patch from the 80s that you'd like your
son to wear on his current uniform, is that okay as long as he
actually is that rank? Or does he have to wear the current
version of the rank patch. I think the Star and Life rank patches
of the past look better than today's.
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