Public Boy Scout Uniform - Boy Scout Troop 429 (Concord, California)

Uniform Details

Officially, the BSA has ONE uniform, and any historical version of it is acceptable (once official, always official). It is found in the front pages of every Scout Handbook.

The official BSA uniform is comprised of:

Troop neckerchief (provided)
BSA tan shirt (with patches placed in the proper spots)
BSA Merit Badge Sash (Provided when 1st MB has been earned)
BSA Scout pants
BSA web belt w/ buckle
BSA socks

This is THE official uniform, but in many pieces of BSA literature it may be referred to as the FIELD uniform, or commonly, the "Class A" .
* Technically, hats and neckerchiefs (and how they are worn) are optional in the BSA Uniform Guide, but if the wearing of either is adopted by a troop, they are then considered official components of the uniform. We wear both. The hat is the "baseball cap" variety, and the neckerchief bearing our logo is to be worn UNDER the collar with the top button of the shirt unbuttoned.

** The Merit Badge Sash, worn over the right shoulder, is impractical for most Scouting-related activities. It is therefore only worn at ceremonial events or select meetings such as a Court of Honor.

It is not always practical to wear the Field Uniform shirt every minute a Scout is involved in a scouting-related activity. The BSA offers a variety of polo-type shirts and tee shirts imprinted with BSA logos, and many troops (ours included) often opt to have custom printed shirts made.

It is customary practice that when a troop (as a whole) agrees on a standard shirt, they will opt to wear it INSTEAD of the BSA olive shirt, and in many items of BSA literature, this will be referred to as an ACTIVITY uniform, or "Class B".

Historically, the BSA offers major redesigns to the uniform about every 20 years. This past year, the BSA announced the "Centennial Uniform" with "switchback" pants and some color changes to troop number decals and shoulder loops. This is the 5th major redesign in the BSA's 100 year history.

Boy Scout Insignia

This information is also inside the front and back covers of the Boy Scout Handbook

Right Sleeve

· U.S. flag emblem centered directly below shoulder seam.

· Only the most recently earned Centennial Quality Unit Award may be worn below patrol emblem or below the National Honor Patrol star.

· Musician badge, if in band or drum corps, is worn ½ inch below patrol emblem.

Left Sleeve

· Council shoulder emblem, unit numeral, and veteran unit bar are worn as shown snug up, and touching each other.

· On the official shirt, the badge of office is centered on the pocket, as shown. On the official uniform shirt, the badge of office is centered and touching the unit numeral, or centered 4 inches below the shoulder seam.

· On the shirt, the Trained Leader emblem is centered as shown at the top of the pocket flap. On the official uniform shirt the veteran unit bar (25, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, or 80 years) is positioned above and touching troop numeral and in turn touching council emblem.

· Den chief cord is worn over the left shoulder, under epaulet.

Right Pocket

· Jamboree insignia (only one) worn above BSA or interpreter strip.

· Order of the Arrow lodge insignia worn on pocket flap.

· Temporary insignia worn centered on the pocket or hung from the button.

· The Varsity or Venture strip is worn above the BSA strip or above the interpreter strip.

· Nameplate, if worn, is centered above the BSA strip, interpreter strip, and Venture or Varsity strip.

· If no Order of the Arrow lodge emblem is worn, the name plate is centered on the pocket flap.

Left Pocket

· Service stars are centered above the pocket, 3/4 inch from top point to top point and 3/8 inch from either the pocket or embroidered knots.

· Embroidered square knots are worn centered above the pocket in rows of three.

· Not more than five medals may be worn, pinned centered immediately above the pocket (extending over knots if both are worn).

· The wearing sequence for knots or medals is at the wearer’s discretion and lead color is to the wearer’s right.

· Badges of rank are worn centered on the pocket above the Arrow of Light Award, as shown.

· The World Crest emblem is worn centered horizontally over the left pocket and vertically between the left shoulder seam and the top of the pocket.

Merit Badge Sash

If worn, merit badges are attached to front (and back, if needed) of sash.
Venture/Varsity letter is attached at bottom front corner.
Temporary insignia may be worn on back.
A Merit Badge sash is never worn on the belt

Shoulder Epaulets

· Green shoulder loops identify Boy Scouting (all members of a troop).

· Blaze (orange) loops identify Varsity Scouting.

More info at:
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide/06.aspx (insignia location)
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide/03.aspx (merit badge sash rules - "excess insignia")