Uniform and insignia of Scouting America
use uniforms and insignia to give a Scout visibility and create a level of identity within both the unit and the community. The uniform is used to promote equality while showing individual achievement. While all uniforms are similar in basic design, they do vary in color and detail to identify the different membership divisions of Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, and Venturing. Many people collect BSA insignia such as camporee and jamboree emblems, council shoulder strips and historical badges. The uniform is one of eight methods of Scouting used to deliver on Scouting America's mission and fulfill the aims of Scouting.
History
Boy Scouts
Green uniforms
Early Boy Scout uniforms were copies of the U.S. Army uniforms of the time. Scouts generally wore knickers with leggings, a button-down choke-collar coat and the campaign hat. Adults wore a Norfolk jacket with knickers or trousers. In 1916, Congress banned civilians from wearing uniforms that were similar in appearance to those of the U.S. armed forces with the exception of the BSA. The uniform was redesigned in 1923—the coat and leggings were dropped and the neckerchief standardized. In the 1930s, shorts replaced knickers and their wear was encouraged by the BSA. The garrison cap was introduced in 1943. In 1965, the uniform's material was changed from wool and cotton to permanent press cloth, although the older material uniforms continued to be sold and used through the late 1960s. The Improved Scouting Program in 1972 included a major overhaul of badges and other insignia, replacing many two-color patches with multicolor versions. Also introduced was a red beret and a dark green shirt for "Leadership Corps" members in a Scout troop. This was done to relate those older Boy Scouts to Explorers, which wore the same uniform shirt, but by the early 1980s, the red beret and the Leadership Corps concept had been discarded.The Boy Scout uniform during the 1950s–1970s continued to have a monochrome light green color for both shirts and shorts or trousers.
Tan uniforms
In 1980, a major change was made when a two-color uniform having a tan shirt with olive green shorts or trousers was introduced. Designed by Oscar de la Renta, it continued to be the uniform until August 2008, when the "Centennial Scout Uniform" was unveiled. The Oscar de la Renta-designed tan buttoned-front uniform shirt had shoulder epaulets and buttoned-down pocket flaps, worn with an olive green webbed belt with a brass buckle or a tan or brown-leather belt. The olive green cap had a bright red front panel and gold fleur-de-lis. In 2006, olive-green "Switchback" zip-off trousers were introduced in place of the traditional trousers, having an integral belt assembly with provisions for either the olive green webbed or brown-leather belt. Socks were olive green with a red band at the top and came in crew or ankle lengths, or knee length for wear with shorts. Female leaders were provided a choice of slacks, shorts, culottes, or a skirt.Explorers
Explorers in the 1950s–1970s had a uniform of spruce green shirt and trousers, but by the 1970s many posts were developing their own uniform. Eventually only the shirt was available, leading many to wear the shirt with olive green Boy Scout pants or shorts. When Exploring was moved to Learning for Life in 1998, the new Venturing division used the spruce green shirt with charcoal gray pants.Sea Scouts
For most of their history, Sea Scouts wore modified US Navy uniforms. Youth wore the enlisted "crackerjack" uniforms, and adults wore officer's uniforms, both of which were usually for more formal occasions. The standard work uniforms during this time were dungarees for youth and officer's khakis for adults. Sea Scouts who had reached the rank of Quartermaster wore adult uniforms, roughly analogous to a chief petty officer wearing an officer's uniform instead of an enlisted man's. To avoid confusion for active duty personnel, modifications were made such as wearing square knot insignia instead of ribbons, strips that read "SEA SCOUTS B.S.A.," silver brass instead of gold, and standard BSA insignia such as the WOSM crest, council shoulder patches, US Flag patches, etc. Notably absent from the uniform during this time were Order of the Arrow flaps. Following 9/11, The Navy tightened security making it extremely difficult for units to get on base to purchase Navy uniforms. It was replaced by the New Century uniform.The uniform had, for some years, been referred to as the "field uniform", but the BSA now uses the terms "official Boy Scout uniform", "official Venturing uniform" and the like. With the introduction of the Switchbacks zip-off pants, the trend is towards a uniform emphasizing comfort and utility.
Discontinued uniforms and insignia
The official policy of the BSA is that any uniform or insignia that has ever been approved for use is still acceptable. However, the condition of the insignia must not distract from the overall appearance of the uniform. In addition, exact reproductions or "private issue" are not allowed to be worn.Current uniform
The uniform and insignia are variously protected by copyright, trademark, and congressional charter. The BSA does allow usage for movies, television shows and other events, but this is done on a case-by-case basis. The BSA has rebuked instances where it was felt that the uniform was used inappropriately and without permission. BSA rules and regulations also forbid the use of Scouting emblems for commercial or political purposes. Wear of the uniform and insignia is described in the various handbooks, the Guide to Awards and Insignia and inspection sheets.Scout BSA and Varsity Scout uniform
Shirt
With the inclusion of girls in the Boy Scout program, starting February 1, 2019 a new tan uniform shirt has been approved and is available for purchase. The new tan shirt features a red Fleur de lis symbol and red 'BSA' text in place of the 'Boy Scouts of America' text. Also available as an option for boys and girls are new olive green capris uniform pants.The previous official Boy Scout uniform, known as the Centennial Scout Uniform, was named in tribute to the organization's 100th anniversary in 2010. The uniform may be worn by adult leaders, Scouts, and Webelos Scouts. Introduced on August 15, 2008, to have a more outdoors-activity oriented appearance, the Centennial Scout Uniform transitionally replaced the previous version designed by Oscar de la Renta. The Boy Scouts of America declared this uniform "transitional", meaning that those possessing the de la Renta uniform may not only still wear it but that they may interchange parts with the new uniform as well. The uniform "transitional" status ended in 2011. Except as clearance items however, council and BSA stores was no longer selling the de la Renta uniform.
There were two versions of the Centennial shirt. The first version was a khaki button-front shirt with collar, bellowed pockets on the chest and featured a special technology pocket on the left shoulder. This was designed to allow Scouts and Scouters to place their personal cell phone or media player in that pocket. A hole at the bottom of the pocket allowed an earpiece to be to connected to the item. Many Scouters referred to the pocket as the "cigarette pocket" for its size and lack of real usability. The BSA redesigned the shirt and removed the pocket. The current version of the Centennial shirt is a khaki button-front shirt with collar, bellowed pockets on the chest and closed with hook-and-loop closures, and shoulder epaulets with shoulder loops in the color of the individual's registration.
Pants
Male adults and Scouts wear forest green or khaki convertible or Switchback zip-off cargo pants, which easily convert to knee-length cargo shorts with the pull of a zipper. Female leaders can select the shorts or roll-up pants.Accessories
Socks, worn with the uniform, are olive green and have a black "B.S.A." monogrammed at the top and are available in crew and ankle lengths. The new official belt is a forest green rigger style belt with a black metal mechanical claw buckle – other belt styles, mostly in tan or brown leather, are also worn.Headgear is optional for Leaders. Boy Scout Leaders wear the olive cap, campaign hat or troop-approved headgear. Varsity Scout leaders wear the blaze visor cap, Cub Scout leader wear the olive visor cap and den leader wear the same visored cap as the youth they serve. Scouts must wear the headgear voted by the troop.
Neckwear on both uniforms includes the neckerchief and the bolo tie as selected by the unit. A variety of official neckerchiefs are available, or the troop can create their own design. Many troops now opt not to wear neckwear. Special neckerchiefs such as Eagle Scout or Wood Badge are generally worn on formal occasions.
Older, all-olive green uniforms from the 1970s and earlier may still be worn by Scouters who possess them, although parts may not be worn interchangeably with the current Centennial Scout Uniform or the de la Renta-designed uniforms. They are prized by Scouting memorabilia collectors from around the country.
Cub Scout uniform
Both male and female wear the same uniform in Cub Scouts.- Lion: Cub Scouts wear a unique blue T-shirt with large Lion rank image and 'LION' text, navy blue shorts or skorts, the official Lion cap, an optional yellow neckerchief and slide.
- Tiger, Wolf and Bear: A navy blue buttoned down shirt, navy blue pants, shorts, skorts or roll up pants and a navy blue web belt with brass buckle with Cub Scout logo. The neckerchief, hat and slide change every year and have a different logo and color for each level. Orange for Tiger, Red for Wolf and light blue for Bear. Navy blue socks with matching color tops for Cub Scouts are sometimes worn.
- Webelos and Arrow of Light: The basic uniform is identical to the Scouts: A tan shirt, green shorts, long pants or skorts and a green belt. The neckerchief, slide and hat have the Webelos logo on the Webelos plaid. Unlike the Scouts who wear green loops, they wear blue shoulder loops.