Uniform Etiquette

The uniform of the Boy Scouts of America creates a level of identity for a Scout in their community and unit; consequently, it must be worn properly with proper etiquette.

The basic rule is neatness, and the uniform should be properly presented.

A few general points:

• Good posture

• Clean face and hands

• Combed hair

• Neatly dressed

• Clean fingernails

Proper uniform:

• Official shirt or official long- or short-sleeve uniform shirt with green shoulder loops on epaulets.

• The troop may vote to wear a neckerchief, bolo tie, or no neckwear. The troop has the choice of wearing the neckerchief over the turned-under collar or under the open collar.

• In any case, the top button of the collar should be unbuttoned and the shirt must be tucked in.

• Official pants or official uniform pants or shorts should be worn; no cuffs.

• Scout should wear official Scouts BSA belt, web or leather.

• Official socks with official shorts, pants, roll-up pants, or skort. Either long or short socks are acceptable.

• Shoes should be leather or canvas, neat and clean.

• Correct placement of insignia and badges should be administered.

• Note: The Scouts BSA handbook is considered as a part of a Scout’s uniform.

Official placement of insignia:

• If the Merit Badge Sash is worn, merit badges are attached to front (and back, if needed) of the sash.

• Green shoulder loops need to be worn to identify Scouts BSA participants.

• U.S. flag emblem centered directly below shoulder seam. Only the most recently earned Journey to Excellence recognition 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.

• Council shoulder emblem, unit numeral, and veteran unit bar are worn as shown snug up, and touching each other. On the official uniform shirt, the veteran unit bar (25, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, or 80 years) is positioned above and touching the troop numeral and in turn touching the council emblem.

• On the official shirt, the badge of office is centered on the pocket. 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 official uniform shirt, the Trained Leader emblem is worn immediately below and in contact with the badge of office.

• On the shirt, the Trained Leader emblem is centered at the top of the pocket flap.

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

• National or world jamboree insignia (only one) worn above the BSA program or corporate strip or the interpreter strip.

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

• Temporary insignia worn centered on the pocket or hung from the button. Only one temporary insignia is worn at a time.

• Nameplate, if worn, is centered above the program or corporate strip and, if worn, above the interpreter strip. If worn, the jamboree emblem is worn above the interpreter strip.

• 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 order of wearing knots and medals is at the wearer’s discretion; typically the medal or knot the wearer deems most important is worn to the wearer’s right.

• Badges of rank are worn centered on the pocket above the Arrow of Light Award.

• The World Crest emblem and Messengers of Peace ring are worn centered horizontally over the left pocket and vertically between the left shoulder seam and the top of the pocket.