Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is an organization for boys between the ages of 7 and 18, and for both young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21, based in the United States of America, with some presence in other countries. BSA is part of the global Scouting movement and national member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. More than 110 million boys have passed through the organization.

Uniform and insignia

Main article: Uniform and insignia of the Boy Scouts of America

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While individual councils and troops have specific dress requirements, there is a basic uniform that all Scouts wear. The leaders also wear this standard uniform, but with slight adjustments.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The basic uniform consists of a tan-colored button-up shirt, a belt, a neck decoration (usually neckerchief), olive-green pants or shorts and socks. There are also headgear and other additional items that can be worn with the uniform. Some items like "coup beads," which record participation in activities, are not official and sometimes deemed an unprofessional addition.

Related Topics:
Shirt - Pants - Shorts

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Venturers, since 1998, have worn a uniform similar to the Scouts', except that the shirt is spruce green, and the trousers, shorts, webbed belt, and socks are charcoal gray. Sea Scouts, since the 1930's, have worn traditional Navy-style uniforms, wearing blue or white "Cracker Jack" uniforms for formal occasions, and "dungaree" uniforms for activities.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Patches

Various patches are worn by scouters for various activities, honors, or training completed. Patches can also show what council, district, troop and patrol each scout belongs to. Some patches show activities completed while a Cub Scout, and also what rank the scout currently holds. Patches must be placed in specific places on the uniform shirt. Merit badge patches are usually worn on a special sash.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rank badge designs

There are seven ranks in the BSA, each having a unique patch symbol. These patches are affixed on the front left pocket on the uniform. The rank structure, from lowest to highest, is as follows: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Venturing, the advancement system consists of three awards, the Bronze Award, Gold Award, and Silver Award. These awards were brought back after the Exploring program was changed over to the Venturing program, and were based on awards given to Explorers prior to the mid-1970's. These awards are earned by both Venturers and Sea Scouts.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sea Scouting follows a rank sequence that has been in place since the late 1920s. These ranks are Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and Quartermaster.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~