Official Policy

The Boy Scouts of America has always been a uniformed body. Its uniforms help to create a sense of belonging. They symbolize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

Wearing a uniform gives youth and adult members a sense of identification and commitment.

The official stance on the Boy Scouts of America’s uniform policy is that shirts and blouses are to be worn tucked in, regardless of the program or if the wearer is a youth member or adult Scouter.

The Scout uniform is not a mandatory part of scouting and a Scout should not be prohibited from participating just because they do not have a uniform, or a complete uniform.  It is also the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that “once a uniform, always a uniform” and thus properly maintained older uniforms may continue to be worn.

Awards, ranks, and other patches and temporary insignia should be worn in accordance with the Guide to Awards and Insignia (33066) or as shown in the Scout Handbook.

Troop Uniform Policy

For families that may have difficulty with affording a Scout uniform, the District operates a Uniform Bank where families may freely select uniform components and other scout related gear from that which is available and may likewise donate uniforms and gear no longer needed.

The Scoutmaster and the Patrol Leader Council shall designate which uniform is to be worn at which events.  In general, the Field Uniform should be worn for Troop Meetings, Courts of Honor, Boards of Review, meeting with Merit Badge counselors, and when representing the Boy Scouts of America at public functions.  The Activity uniform is generally appropriate for wear while on Scout events that are athletic, for daily wear around a campsite, and for some service projects.

When Scouts are not wearing the Field Uniform, they should hold their hand over their heart for flag ceremonies rather than saluting.

In the event that the Scout is attending the Troop activity immediately following another function, it is the Troop’s preference that the Scout attends the event out of uniform rather than miss the event for lack of a uniform if changing clothing is not practical.

The Field Uniform.  Sometimes called the “Class-A” uniform, the field uniform for Troop 1920 consists of the Uniform Shirt with the proper placement of awards and patches and the green or red epaulet loops, a Scout belt, and the Troop neckerchief.  The use of official Scout socks and pants/shorts are strongly encouraged; however the Troop acknowledges that there may be cultural or financial reasons the Scout may choose to wear other pants or a skirt; in these cases the Troop encourages that the alternative clothing be olive-colored to match the official scout pants as closely as possible.  In cold weather, a long sleeved, uncollared shirt may be worn underneath the uniform shirt. When wearing shorts, Scouts may wear official Scouts BSA Leggings or other similarly colored garments underneath the shorts.

The Activity Uniform.  Sometimes called the “Class-B” uniform, the activity uniform for Troop 1920 consists of the Troop T-shirt.  It is strongly encouraged that Scouts wear the official Scout pants/shorts or the nearest equivalent when wearing the Activity Uniform.  Socks should be appropriate to the activity.

The Merit Badge Sash.  The merit badge sash is used to place merit badge awards earned by the Scout.  It is generally not worn every time the Field uniform is worn, but for special occasions including Boards of Review, Courts of Honor, Recruiting events and public flag ceremonies and parades.  The Merit Badge sash is never to be worn folded over the Scout’s belt.

The Order of the Arrow Sash.  The Order of the Arrow Sash is worn only by members of the Order of the Arrow and only at Order of the Arrow events, activities, and recognitions.  It is not to be worn at Troop events and occasions in lieu of the Merit Badge sash.  The OA sash may be worn at Troop functions when Order of the Arrow elections are being promoted or conducted, or in recognition of a Scout completing the Ordeal, or becoming a Brotherhood or Vigil member.  If the Troop has a Position of Responsibility for the Order of the Arrow Representative, that individual may wear their sash at Troop meetings as they are representing the OA at that time.    The OA sash is never to be worn folded over the Scout’s belt.

Medals. If a Scout has earned or been awarded a medal(s) by the Boy Scouts of America (e.g. Historic Trails, Medals of Merit, Eagle Scout, etc.), their Religious Institution (the Religious Emblems program), or the Charter Organization, those medals may be worn at any event where it is appropriate to wear the Merit Badge sash.  Medals from other sources should not be worn with the Scout uniform.  No more than five medals shall be worn at one time.  Medals are placed on the uniform in a row across the Scout’s left pocket, fastened at the top of the pocket flap.

Neckerchiefs.  Troop 1920 has (will have) an official Troop Neckerchief that will be part of the Field Uniform, and may be designated for wear with the activity uniform depending upon the event.  An Adult Leader or a Youth member may participate in a scouting event or earn a recognition which may present the youth member with an alternative neckerchief to the Troop neckerchief.  Examples include: Woodbadge, NYLT, The Order of the Arrow, Jamboree, and Eagle Scout.  If the Scout has earned or received such a neckerchief, it may be worn with the Field Uniform at Troop Meetings and Courts of Honor; however the official Troop neckerchief should still be worn for Parades and other events representing the Troop or the Boy Scouts of America in public.

Belts.  The official Scout belt will always be appropriate for all Scouting functions.     An Adult Leader or a Youth member may participate in a scouting event and acquire or earn a recognition which may present the them member with an alternative belt or buckle.  Examples include: Woodbadge, NYLT, The Order of the Arrow, Jamboree, Scout Camps, and Eagle Scout.  If the Scout has earned or received such a belt or buckle, it may be worn with the Field Uniform.  If the Scout or Scouter only has obtained a buckle, it may be worn with an appropriately sized belt, preferably an official scouting belt, however other belts which match the look and feel of the scout uniform are acceptable.  This policy only applies to buckles or belts which are scouting licensed, or from a scouting event, and are appropriate for wear per the BSA uniform guidelines.

Headgear.  Scouts and Scouters may wear headgear as dictated by the tenants of their religion, regardless of additional policy regarding headgear.  The Troop may elect to have official headgear.  If they do so, that headgear is appropriate for all functions where the wearing of headgear is appropriate.  If the Troop has selected official headgear, with the exception of religious requirements upon the Scout or Scouter, the official Troop headgear should be worn for Parades and other events representing the Troop or the Boy Scouts of America in public.  At other times, the official Troop headgear is encouraged, but other Official scouting headgear is also acceptable.   Headgear suited to the environmental conditions is also appropriate and acceptable, however, if not official Scouting or Troop headgear, should be removed for flag ceremonies and other indoor functions.