Boy Scout Uniform Components & Requirements

Below are the components and requirements of the Class A Boy Scout uniform.

General Appearance:

Good posture

Clean face and hands

Combed hair

Neatly dressed

Clean fingernails

Shirt and Neckwear:

Official shirt or official long- or short-sleeve uniform shirt with green or red shoulder loops on epaulets. The collar should be unbuttoned. The neckerchief should be under the collar and neatly worn.

Pants/Shorts:

Official pants or official uniform pants or shorts; no cuffs.

Belt:

Official Boy Scout web with BSA insignia on buckle; or official leather with international-

style buckle or buckle of your choice, worn only if voted by the troop/team. Members wear one

of the belts chosen by vote of the troop/team.

Socks:

Official socks with official shorts or pants. (Long socks are optional with shorts.)

Shoes:

Neat, clean, and scout appropriate.

Example of Full BSA Class A Uniform

Troop 750 Uniform and Patch Placement Guide

These are the patches which are typically found on a Scout's uniform. There are many other patches which you may encounter in Scouting. There are some exceptions, but most patches not listed here should not be worn on the uniform shirt. (If you have questions ask a Scoutmaster, or click here or here to visit the BSA website for official information on all patches and insignia.)

The right pocket ( not the right pocket flap) is the ONLY location where a Scout may may put a patch of his choice (see note F for details). In particular, any patches on the bottom front, sides or back of the uniform should be removed. Additional patches, e.g. Camporee, summer camp and Totin' Chip, may be worn on the back of the merit badge sash, on an official Scout jacket, on a backpack, etc.

The rank pins awarded at Court of Honor are intended for parents and should not be worn on the uniform shirt.

Notes:

Right Sleeve

A. The American Flag patch comes included with the uniform shirt.

B. Patrol emblem goes on the middle position of the right sleeve.

C. The Quality Unit award patch is worn at the bottom of the right sleeve.

Shirt Front

D. Shoulder Loops indicate the branch of Scouting a boy is in.

Troop 750 members wear Boy Scout loops. The new green Boys Scout loops are pictured here. The old red Boy Scout loops are also acceptable.

E. Scouts who join the Order of the Arrow may place their OA Lodge insignia on the right pocket flap.

Scouts who are not in the OA should not have any patch on the right pocket flap.

NOTE: The Totin' Chip and related patches that may look like pocket flap patches are not worn on the pocket flap. They may be worn on the right pocket like any temporary patch.

F. The right pocket is the Temporary Patch location.

This is the one place on his uniform where a Scout may wear any official Scouting patch of his choice. Typical examples include Summer Camp, Camporee, Coastal Cleanup and Totin' Chip patches. NOTE: Only one patch may be worn here at a time.

G. A Scout who has earned the Recruiter Patch, by bringing in a friend who then joins the Troop, may wear this patch below the right pocket.

H. The World Crest is worn by all members of Scouting to symbolize their membership in the World Scouting movement. It is worn above the left pocket.

I. Scout's current badge of rank is worn on his left pocket. The ranks are (in order of advancement) Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle.

J. If a Scout earned the Arrow of Light award in Cub Scouts he may wear it on his Boy Scout Uniform below the left pocket. This is the only Cub Scout award which may be worn on a Boy Scout uniform.

Left Sleeve

K. The San Diego Imperial Council patch must be worn at the top of the left sleeve.

L. The unit number patch must be worn below the Council patch.

Our unit number is 750. Shown is the older white number on red field style of patch. The new style has green numbers on a tan field. Either is acceptable.

M. Scouts who have assumed a leadership role in the Troop wear the appropriate Badge of Office on their left sleeve.

Example Badges of Office include Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Den Chief and Bugler.

NOTE: When you no longer hold a position, remove that patch. For example there should only ever be one Troop 750 scout wearing the SPL patch.

N. Scouts who have earned a Trained patch by taking an official BSA training course (for example by taking Den Chief training at a Council Pow Wow) may wear the patch at the bottom of their left sleeve.

Merit Badge Sash

O. Merit badges are sewn on to the front of the Merit Badge sash in neat rows of three as they are earned.

Other patches may be sewn on to the back of the Merit Badge sash, but these may not include previously held Badges of Rank or Badges of Office.

Thanks to Troop 618, Monterrey Bay Council, for the original implementation of this page.