General Boy ScoutUniform

General Boy Scout Uniform

The current uniform for Boy Scouts is illustrated below. Note the RED shoulder loops, which distinguish Boy Scouts

Currently our troop hand out to the Scouts when they reach 1st Class Pins that our from our charter organization,

The Scout shown here is wearing insignia on the LEFT shoulder and LEFT pocket. From top to bottom on the sleeve, the insignia is:

Council Shoulder Patch (CSP) emblem: Each of the BSA's local Councils and the National Council has a special shoulder patch which illustrates elements of the territory served by the Council. During National Jamboree years, special Jamboree Shoulder Patches (JSPs) are worn by those participating in the Jamboree from that local Council. Six months after the conclusion of the Jamboree, the JSP should be removed and replaced by the current CSP of the local Council for proper uniforming.
Unit numbers: Unit numbers come in two varieties presently: a partially-embrordered single or set of numbers denoting the unit; or a fully embrordered single or set of numbers denoting the Troop number. Either is acceptable, although for proper uniforming, the present partially-embroidered numbers should be used.
Position Patch: Troop members serving as an elected or appointed Troop officer should wear the appropriate position patch (badge of office) indicating the position serving. Those no longer serving in those positions should remove their patches and keep them in a safe place at home. Those Boy serving as Den Chiefs have two options:
Wearing the Den Chief or WEBELOS Den Chief cord as shown above WITHOUT THE DEN CHIEF badge of office. or...
Wearing the Den Chief badge of office WITHOUT wearing the Den Chief cord.

On the left pocket should go the following insignia:

Centered on the pocket is Scout rank. ONLY SCOUTS wear ranks; adults wear the appropriate square knot insignia to denote Eagle Scout and other ranks earned as a youth. The rank emblem (in this case, Life Scout) is worn centered on the left pocket.
If a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout is the holder of the Arrow of Light, Cub Scouting's highest award, he wears the Arrow of Light BELOW the left pocket. On the current khaki-tan shirts, the pockets taper down to a point...the Arrow of Light should be centered at that point and NOT sewn to the pocket. If the Scout wears the older khaki shirts, the Arrow of Light is worn so that the top edge of Arrow of Light emblem touches the bottom edge of the left uniform pocket. Again, ONLY SCOUTS wear the Arrow of Light; adults wear the Arrow of Life square knot insignia to denote their attainment of this award.

Arrow of Light Award (Cub Scouting)

Nothing else is worn below the pocket.

Above the pocket would go year pins (if earned) and square knot insignia (if earned or received). Above those items would go the World Crest not already pre-sewn onto the shirt.

world crest emblem

Neckerchiefs when worn, the neckerchief should be worn UNDER the collar of the uniform shirt as shown above and below.

The second illustration shown below shows the merit badge sash and the activity uniform for Boy Scouts.

The Merit Badge Sash is worn during formal activities and events, and not during Troop meetings or campouts. Only one sash may be worn at any time. Merit badges only are worn on the FRONT of the sash. On the back of the sash, additional merit badges may be sewn and temporary insignia may be sewn. "Temporary insignia" is defined by the BSA as special insignia for participating in unit, District, Council or national events or programs. Previous rank, service stars and pins are NOT to be worn on the sash..

Merit badges may be worn in any order that the Scout chooses, and not necessarily in alphabetical nor "required-non required" order. Most Scouts choose to wear merit badges in the order in which they have earned them. Note also that the merit badge sash is worn

On the wide sash, three merit badges should be worn in a row; on the narrow sash, two merit badges should be worn in a row in alternating rows.

Under the sash, on the right side of the shirt would go the following insignia from top to bottom of the shirt:

U.S. Flag emblem. The US Flag emblem is an to be sew on the right shoulder.
Patrol emblem. Patrols emblems are worn by patrol members.
Quality emblem: The emblems may be worn by those members that have attained Quality status during the present or previous year. Only ONE such Quality (either unit, district, council, or region) emblem may be worn at any one time. If a unit becomes part of a Quality District, the unit emblem is replaced by the Quality District emblem. Likewise, if the Council becomes a Quality Council, and authorizes members of the Council to wear the Quality Council emblem, the Quality District emblem is replaced by the Quality Council emblem. Both youth and adult members of the Quality unit, district, council or region may wear the Quality emblem during the year in which Quality status has been earned.

Nothing else is worn below the single Quality Unit emblem.

Optional Items

The Scout belt should be the belt worn by Scouts..

Hats are also a option.

Uniform is important to the Scout.. It is part of the eight methods of Scouting. However, don't confuse "uniform" for "Scouting", because if one recalls, the earlier Scouts had no official uniform and they did just fine with the presentation of Scouting to their communities. Having a uniform allows the Scout to take pride in his Troop or Team, gives the Scout a place to put all of the personal achievements and participation items that will become a part of his Scouting experience, and to share and show others the extent to his experiences in our programs.

Every Scout should have a uniform either the present uniform as illustrated above. Every Scout should set the positive example and wear a uniform during all Scouting activities and events and programs in which Scouts may be present, with or without uniforms.