Patches and Pins Placement

Location and Info

LEFT SLEEVE: Left shoulder along seam. It identifies which Council the Scout belongs to.

LEFT SLEEVE: Just below the bottom edge of the Council Patch. They identify the local unit (Pack or Troop) that the Scout belongs to.

LEFT SLEEVE: Sewn below position patch. Shows completion of basic training for adult leaders, patrol leader, Den Chiefs, etc. On the newer style shirt that has a pocket on the left sleeve, the patch is sewn on the pocket flap.

RIGHT SLEEVE: Below US Flag. This identifies the Den the Scout belongs to.

RIGHT SLEEVE: Replaces Den Number patch. This identifies the Patrol the Scout belongs to (Webelos only; optional.)

RIGHT SLEEVE: 4" below flag patch. Shows membership in a unit that is fulfilling goals and running efficiently. Only the current year's award may be worn, so this patch is typically replaced each year.

RIGHT SLEEVE: Just below the Den Number (alternately above the patrol patch.) Displays the Adventure Pins that the Scout has earned. There is no particular preference or order to the pin placement.

Examples of Adventure Pins:

RIGHT POCKET: Sewn beneath. Awarded if the Scout successfully brings a new member into the Pack.

RIGHT POCKET: Sewn onto flap. Paw Shield pins may be added of the award is earned again.

RIGHT POCKET: Pinned to the pocket flap. Multiple awards may be worn if earned. Pinned through the Outdoor Activity award that is also earned.

Image shows the pin ring color earned at each rank.

RIGHT POCKET temporary patch: May be worn centered on the right pocket. (Although it appears pocket flap shaped, it is not worn on the flap, but on the pocket itself.)

Recommended: Place on red vest.

LEFT POCKET: Centered above pocket, leaving room for service star pins and/or knots. Indicates that the Scout is part of the World Scouting Movement. This is the only patch that is universally worn by Scouts in all nations

LEFT POCKET: Pinned above, centered (above any knots worn.) Shows number of years in Scouting. Background color indicates which branch of BSA service.

Note: This is confusing for some. Only ONE pin of a given color should be worn. A Cub Scout would only have a single Service Star pin at any given time showing how many years scout has been in Scouts. When scout goes to Scouts BSA, scout may keep their Service Star with a yellow background and add their Scouts BSA Service Star pin next to it (green background.) Adults may wear the Adult Leader pin as well as pins for years they were in Cub Scouting and/or Scouts BSA as a youth.

More information can be found here.

LEFT POCKET: Pinned above pocket, next to Service Star Pin. Shows commitment to Scouting through attendance. Pack 420 considers perfect attendance to be no more than one missed in total among den meetings, pack meetings, and the Blue & Gold banquet. Bars are added for each year this award is earned.

LEFT POCKET: Sewn centered directly above flap. Displays completion of the religious requirements for Cub Scouts.

LEFT POCKET: Centered, in a diamond shape with Bobcat on top, Wolf on wearer's right, Bear on left, Tiger on bottom. This is appropriate for the blue uniform shirt.

Note: Upon earning the Webelos badge and changing to a tan uniform shirt, the rank patches are replaced with the oval Webelos rank patch:

LEFT POCKET, tan shirt: Sewn centered below pocket. This award is the only patch worn by both Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA, and patch placement is the same for both.

Follow Uniform Inspection Sheet guidelines.

World Conservation Patch: Shows consideration of the environment. Optionally worn centered on right pocket as a temporary patch.