Previous page: Buying a Scout Uniform
Uniform Patches
Boy Scouts wear several patches (also known as insignia) on their uniforms. These patches identify a scout's troop and patrol, reinforcing the sense of being part of a team. The patches are purchased separately at the scout shop and sewn to the scout shirt. In addition to the standard uniform patches, each scout also wears green shoulder loops on the shoulder epaulets of his scout shirt.
The following are the standard patches that scouts wear and their location on the scout shirt. The Boy Scout Handbook includes charts on the inside of its front and back cover showing exactly how each patch is positioned.
Right Sleeve
- U.S. flag emblem is centered below the shoulder seam.
- Patrol patch is beneath the U.S. flag (may be supplied by the troop or purchased after the scout is assigned to a patrol).
- Quality Unit Award is beneath the patrol patch. This is an optional patch that is worn if the troop has earned this award.
Left Sleeve
- Council shoulder patch is centered below the shoulder seam.
- Veteran unit bar is worn by troops that have been chartered for more than 25 years. The troop will provide information about this patch.
- Troop numerals are beneath the shoulder patch or veteran unit bar. These may be individual patches or a single, custom-ordered patch with the entire troop number.
- The scout's current leadership position patch is immediately below the troop number. (See chapter [Scout Positions of Responsibility] for details.)
Right Pocket
- One temporary patch, such as a camporee patch, may be worn centered on the right pocket. (This may be sewn or hang from a loop or a plastic sleeve.)
- Members of the Order of the Arrow may wear a patch, representing their lodge, on the flap.
Left Pocket
- The World Crest emblem is worn centered above the left pocket, an equal distance between the top of the pocket and shoulder seam.
- The current rank patch (such as the First Class or Eagle Scout) is worn centered on the left pocket, below the flap.
- If the scout earned the Arrow of Light award as a Webelos Scout, the badge is worn below the left pocket.
- A commonly awarded knot is the religious emblem worn centered above the pocket flap. (See page [Other Awards Achievements and Recognitions].)
Merit Badges
The merit badges (small circle patches) are worn on a forest green merit badge sash that overlaps the right shoulder and crosses over to the left hip. These are sewed with even spacing three per row starting a half inch to a few inches from the top, working one row at a time down the front of the sash. Chronological is the normal procedure, but some attempt to sew them in groups or colors, such as the silver-bordered Eagle-required first or down the middle, which may require lots of resewing or extra planning. You may want to ask your troop if they have an optional theme for this.
The merit badge sash is generally not worn weekly, but for formal events. Many scouts place temporary patches (such as summer camp patches) on the back of the sash. Only merit badges go on the front of the sash. The sash is not worn draped over the belt. For shorter scouts, the sash may be folded and resewn at a seam to shorten it. The scout store may offer two lengths, such as 30 or 36 inches.
Scouts may also sew up to six merit badges on the outside bottom of the right sleeve (on long sleeve shirts); but this is not common. When seven merit badges have been earned, it is suggested to transfer them to a sash.
Sewing
Patches should be sewn on as soon as possible so the boy may be able to show his accomplishments and feel his success. It is also a good example for the other scouts. It is suggested that the patches be washed once in advance in hot water, because the glue holding the patch together may bleed onto a shirt. Remember that rank advancements (on the left pocket) and some other patches (such as the leadership position on the left sleeve) may be replaced periodically, so they should not be sewn on too permanently that they are hard to remove. Some use glue, badge bond, or other no-sew solutions to hold on patches, but this may be a bad idea for uniforms that may get lots of wear. Some fabric glues tend to stain the underlying shirt.
Sewing may be done by hand or with a machine — but in many cases, like on pocket, it is difficult or near impossible to use a standard sewing machine. Often mothers sew patches on the uniform. Others may pay professionals to put on patches too. It is a good idea to encourage or have the boys sew on their own badges.Footnote Be sure that the patches are in the correct places and look neat.
Previous page: Buying a Scout Uniform
Next page: Recent Changes to the Boy Scout Uniform
|
Order the parents and new leaders guide to Boy Scouting Inside this quick reference you'll learn: how to get started (for the boy, parent, and leader), about significant requirements, how to earn merit badges, to prepare for overnighters and summer camps, what to wear on the uniform, about the boy-led patrols, how to volunteer, steps to complete the Eagle, and lots more! Order the Book Now |
