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GUIDE TO AWARDS AND INSIGNIA GUIDE TO AWARDS AND INSIGNIA 33066 ISBN 978-0-8395-3066-4 ©2015 2015 Printing C ontents CONTENTS

5 Official Policy 7 Excerpts From the Rules and Regulations 9 Special Regulations 15 Cub Insignia 25 Boy Scout Insignia 41 Varsity Scout Insignia 45 Insignia 51 Insignia 55 Training Awards 57 Honors and Special Recognitions 65 Universal and Nonunit Insignia 77 Religious Emblems 89 Flags 92 Guidelines for District and Council Committees 100 Index

Contents | 3

O ffi c ial OFFICIAL POLICY

The Boy Scouts of America has always been a uniformed body. Its help to create a P sense of belonging. They symbolize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Wearing a gives youth and adult members a sense of identification and commitment. oli c y

Personal equality. The uniform represents a While wearing the uniform is not mandatory, democratic idea of equality, bringing people of it is highly encouraged. The leaders of Scouting— different racial, economic, religious, national, both volunteer and professional—promote the ethnic, political, and geographic backgrounds wearing of the correct complete uniform on all together in the Scouting tradition. suitable occasions. Identification. The uniform identifies youth The Rules and Regulations and policy. The and adult members of the Boy Scouts of America, following pages contain our uniform policy as visible as a force for good in the community. taken from the Rules and Regulations of the When properly and smartly worn, the uniform Boy Scouts of America. The chapters contain can build good unit spirit. When worn on the applications of the regulations to each program correct occasions, it can attract new members. area. Neither the Rules and Regulations of Achievement. The uniform shows the wearer’s the Boy Scouts of America, the policy, nor the activity, responsibility, and achievement. What program applications may be added to or changed each youth or adult member has accomplished in any way unless approved by the National with program opportunities can be recognized Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America by the insignia worn on the uniform. through its Program Impact Department. Personal commitment. The uniform is a constant reminder to all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and adults of their commitment to the ideals and purpose of the Boy Scouts of America. The uniform is a way of making visible members’ commitment to a belief in God, loyalty to country, and helping others at all times.

Effective Oct. 1, 2013, the official stance on the Boy Scouts of America’s uniform policy is that and are to be worn tucked in, regardless of whether the wearer is a , Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venturer, or adult Scouter. All Sea Scout uniforms are designed to be tucked in except youth whites and youth dress blues. In the past, guidelines have simply stated the uniform wearer should be neat in appearance. Neatness includes tucking in the or . This update will appear in related resources, such as the uniform inspection sheets, as they are revised and printed.

Official Policy | 5

E x c er p ts

EXCERPTS FROM THE RULES AND REGULATIONS F The name of the Corporation is Boy Scouts of America. For convenience, in the Rules and rom Regulations the word “Corporation” is sometimes used instead of the official name.

Policies Protection of Uniforms the Clause 3. Restricted Sale and Use. The sale Article IX, Section 2 and use of the appropriate uniform as specified R

shall be restricted to members of the Boy ules Participation in Public Functions Scouts of America who are registered and in Clause 2. The officers and leaders of the good standing, according to the records of the Boy Scouts of America shall, when practicable, organization. It shall be the responsibility of cooperate in connection with civic or other all members of the Boy Scouts of America and public gatherings of a nonpartisan and and especially of all commissioned officers

nonpolitical character in a way which gives and chartered councils to cooperate with the R youth members an opportunity to render Corporation in preventing the use of the official service in harmony with their training instead uniforms by those who are not members of the egulations of merely taking part in parades or making a organization in good standing. show of themselves in their uniforms. Clause 4. Prohibition of Alteration or Imitation. Insignia, Uniforms, (a) No alteration of, or additions to, the and Badges official uniforms, as described in the official publications, or the rules and regulations covering the wearing of the uniform and the Article X, Section 4 proper combinations thereof on official General occasions, may be authorized by any Scouting Clause 1. The badges and other official official or local council or any local executive insignia and the uniforms of the Boy Scouts board or committee, except the Executive of America shall be made available only to, Board of the Boy Scouts of America after and used only by, registered youth members consideration by Council Operations. or officials and other members who have (b) Imitation of United States Army, Navy, satisfactorily complied with the requirements or Marine Corps uniforms is prohibited, in prescribed by the Corporation. accordance with the provisions of the organization’s Congressional Charter. Official Uniforms Clause 2. The official uniforms authorized Distribution of Uniforms as evidence of official relationship to the Boy Clause 5. The official uniforms and parts Scouts of America shall be those approved by thereof shall be issued only as authorized by action of the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of of America from time to time, as illustrated and America and sold either directly by the national correctly described in the handbooks, catalogs, office—through responsible local merchants and other official publications of the Boy Scouts designated as local Scouting distributors—or of America. through designated local councils. Local

Excerpts From the Rules and Regulations | 7 Scouting distributors may be appointed and Alteration of Badges and Insignia licensed and the licenses revoked only by the Clause 10. No alteration of, or additions to, national office, but chartered local councils the official badges and insignia or in the rules and may make recommendations for such actions. regulations governing their use or their location upon the uniform may be authorized by any Use of Uniforms Scouting official, local council, local executive Clause 6. The official uniforms are intended board, or committee except the National primarily for use in connection with Scouting Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America activities as defined by the National Executive and committees specifically authorized thereof. Board, and their use may be approved by the Proprietary backing is to be used on all official local council executive board for council events BSA patches and emblems. Products without or activities under conditions consistent with appropriate backing are considered illegal. the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America. Special Local Badges and Insignia Clause 7. Use Abroad. Members of the Boy Clause 11. Local councils are authorized to Scouts of America, whose address of registration adopt special badges and insignia as awards for is within the United States, shall not wear the particular purposes in harmony with national official uniforms nor any official Scouting badges policies and to permit their use upon the official and insignia outside the limits of the United uniform in accordance with the Rules and States except when carrying international letters Regulations of the Corporation, but such awards of introduction issued by the Corporation or as must be approved as to purpose and design by members of groups traveling with tour permits the Corporation in advance. issued by the Corporation. Authorization Protection and Use of Badges and Insignia Clause 12. The national office shall have Clause 8. All badges and insignia of the the sole right to authorize the use of insignia, Boy Scouts of America shall be used exclusively words, phrases, designation marks, pictorial by members of the Boy Scouts of America, representation, and descriptive remarks registered and in good standing according to relating to the program of the Corporation on the records at the national office, who qualify in commercial products, promotional efforts, and/ accordance with the provisions herein set forth or sale and distribution to members of the Boy or as may be authorized by the Executive Board Scouts of America and/or the general public. from time to time and published in the official The use of same by local councils shall handbooks by the Corporation. be only as authorized and approved by the Clause 9. All badges and insignia shall remain national office. the property of the Boy Scouts of America subject to recall for cause by the Corporation or its duly authorized representative.

8 | Excerpts From the Rules and Regulations S p e c ial

SPECIAL REGULATIONS Awards From Other Patch Trading R egulations Scouting Associations Boy Scouts and Venturers attending Scouters occasionally receive awards from may trade among themselves articles and novelties Scouting associations of other nations, and it is of a local or regional nature. The trading of such important that they know how these awards items as badges of office, rank, distinguished should be worn. This does not include service, training, performance, achievement, and patches. Following are the regulations for distinction, however, is a violation of Article X wearing such awards: of the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America, forbidding the holding of these badges 1. They are always worn when visiting by any but the members who have complied with the country whose Scouting association the requirements for them. presented the award or when attending a meeting or function attended by Scouters Regulations from that country. Official headgear may be worn while the unit 2. Medals awarded by other associations or individual is participating in an indoor formal are worn above the left breast pocket. ceremony or service duty, except in religious institutions where custom forbids. Typical indoor Badges of Other activities of this type are flag ceremonies, Organizations inspections, orderly duty, or ushering service. The general rule is that badges awarded by In any informal indoor activity where no official organizations other than the Boy Scouts of ceremony is involved, the headgear is removed as America may not be worn on an official uniform. when in street clothes. The Scouter dress uniform This includes military medals and service ribbons. is always worn without headgear. There are, however, notable exceptions. Pins may be worn on the jamboree Among them are religious emblems and those but only while at the jamboree, and Webelos special badges approved by local councils in adventure pins may be worn on the Webelos conjunction with the national memorandums of (see pages 20–21). The large standard understanding and partnerships. First Class metal pin, No. 17, has been The Boy Scouts of America recognizes the reinstated as an option to the cloth First Class religious emblems programs that belong to each rank badge. The large pin may also be worn faith group. Anyone (youth or adult) who, as a only by boys on the front of the campaign hat, member of another youth agency (e.g., Girl Scouts No. 501 (64–76), sizes 6 1/2 to 7 3/4, and the of the USA, Camp Fire USA, a Sunday school expedition hat, No. 637 (91–94), sizes 6 1/8 to class, etc.), has earned the religious emblem of 7 5/8. Adults may wear the adult universal hat their faith is eligible to wear the approved religious pin, No. 50150, on the campaign hat and the emblem on their respective uniform. expedition hat. No other pins may be worn on official headgear of the BSA. Individuals would also be eligible to wear the religious square , without any device. Female Cub headgear is optional. If it is Venturers and Sea Scouts who have earned the worn, pack leaders wear the olive/red visor cap; Girl Scout Gold Award may wear the badge on den leaders wear the same visored cap as the their Venturing uniform shirt’s left pocket flap. youth they serve.

Special Regulations | 9 Council Shoulder Emblems Excess Insignia A custom multicolor council shoulder With the exception of the Cub Scout badges emblem is designed for each council and of rank, members wear only the insignia that dramatizes local tradition for all members show their present status in the movement. of the council. All council shoulder emblems Members should make every effort to keep shall be of a size and shape as defined by their uniforms neat and uncluttered. Previously earned badges and insignia—not the National Council. The defined size and representing present status—make a fine display shape is restricted for council shoulder on a BSA red patch vest, on a trophy hide or emblems only. Any insignia that resembles blanket, exhibited in the home of the recipient, the shape and size of a council shoulder or at functions where such a display is invited. emblem is not permitted. Boy Scouts may wear only temporary patches (no badges of rank) on the back of the merit District Insignia badge . Districts are the operational arms of the local council. Individuals are not identified as Jamboree Insignia residents of a district, but of the local council Jamboree emblems for Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, and the Boy Scouts of America. For this or Venturers are worn only by registered jamboree reason, district insignia is not authorized for participants and staff and are centered above the wear on the uniform. Where it seems desirable Boy Scouts of America strip, the Venturing strip, to identify district participation in council or the Sea Scout strip. No more than two jamboree patches may be worn on the shirt—one current activities, district flags or banners may be national jamboree patch above the right pocket authorized. They are described in the “Flags” and one current world jamboree patch on the right section of this book. pocket. If the wearer has an interpreter strip above the pocket, merely move the jamboree emblem Drum and upward sufficiently to accommodate it. Bugle Corps Uniforms Council jamboree shoulder patches cannot Boy Scouts or Venturers who are members have pictorial representations or descriptive of , drill teams, or drum and bugle corps remarks relating to commercial corporations or affiliated with a unit or a local council must commercial products without approval by the wear the official uniform for their registration national office and authorization to use these status. The wearing of special , representations and remarks by the commercial , gloves, or unofficial , and corporation. The national office has the sole the carrying of ceremonial guns or swords discretion in accepting or declining any use of a pictorial representation or descriptive remark by members of such organizations using the of a commercial corporation or product. uniforms of the BSA is in violation of the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of and Their Insignia America. The musician badge is the only Multicolored jackets are available for optional special insignia that may be worn by the wear by youth members and adult leaders. The members of these organizations. It is worn on universal emblem should be worn on the left 1 the right sleeve, centered just below ( ⁄2 inch) pocket or, in case of a without chest the patrol medallion. See the “Boy Scout pockets, in the same area. The Philmont bull Insignia” section. emblem is especially designed for the red or

10 | Special Regulations S p e c ial

green wool jac-shirt to be sewn on the left side Only one such patch may be worn at a above the pocket. time. The patch is worn centered on the right On all jackets, , pocket and must neither exceed the dimension of R the seams of the pocket nor extend higher than Philmont Training Center, or high-adventure egulations the lowest tip of the pocket flap. It may be either base emblems may be worn centered on the sewn or suspended from under the flap attached right pocket or in the same relative position if to the button. there is no pocket. The has adopted the jac-shirt as its official jacket, and Female leaders wearing either the traditional members may wear the 6-inch national Order yellow Cub Scout leader blouse, the optional tan of the Arrow patch centered on the back. leader blouse, or the Venturing blouse may wear one temporary insignia centered above the The large Philmont, NESA, jamboree, Boy Scouts of America or Venturing BSA strip. National Camping School, and international participant emblems are approved to be worn Temporary insignia are not required for on the back of the jacket. Only one such correct uniforming. Consider displaying emblem may be worn at a time. temporary insignia in ways other than on the uniform. Here are some suggestions: Badges of Rank Limited to • Wear it on a BSA red patch vest, campfire Youth Members or blanket, or special neckerchief. In Scouting, the advancement program • Display it on a wall plaque, on a trophy hide, is limited to youth members only. Adult or mounted in a frame. Scouters should neither seek awards designed • Make a special neckerchief slide, sectional for youth members nor wear them on the totem pole, or flagpole insignia for display. Scouter uniform except for square representing the Arrow of Light rank, • Avoid shapes and sizes that could too closely Eagle Scout Award, Venturing , resemble a council shoulder emblem. Quartermaster Award, or religious emblems earned as a youth member. Scouting Identification It is mandatory that all patches and emblems Two Badges With the worn on BSA uniforms be obtained from Same Meaning official sources, such as Scout shops and Cloth badges and embroidered square knots www.scoutstuff.org. are representative of metal pin-on awards and Badges of rank, advancement, or position are designed for the convenience of the wearer. that are manufactured by the Boy Scouts of Generally, when a cloth badge or knot is worn, America as official patches do not require the metal one is not worn. corporate identification. Scouting identification is mandatory not only for patches and emblems Temporary Insignia but also for T-shirts, , and other apparel that Temporary insignia are issued for such events commemorate or promote a Scouting event. as summer camp, , and Scouting This means that all council-approved Cub shows. Order of the Arrow regional and national Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing meetings and training activities may also provide badges also must bear a BSA identification to help such insignia (the Totin’ Chip patch is also protect the BSA brand, and that these BSA cloth temporary insignia). badges must be approved by the national office.

Special Regulations | 11 Scouter Dress Uniforms Boy Scout neckerchiefs are optional. Troops choose their own official neckerchief. Scouter dress uniforms are worn with a red, All members of a troop wear the same color. blue, and gold men’s tie, 57 inches, No. 14147; The troop decides by vote, and all members men’s tie, 61 inches, No. 14146; ladies’ , abide by the decision. If the neckerchief is not No. 92102, and scarf ring, No. 128; or ladies’ worn, then the shirt is worn with open . , No. 74145. Dress uniforms are worn Boy Scout and Boy Scout leader neckerchiefs with white shirts or blouses. Detachable emblems may be worn in a variety of plain colors and are worn on the left pocket. Scouter’s dress contrasting borders. uniform , pant, and available from Scout shops. Neckerchiefs available through the Supply Group include the embroidered universal The Neckerchief Scouting emblem if permanent press, or Official neckerchiefs. Official neckerchiefs printed if not. Local councils may prescribe are triangular in shape. Tiger neckerchiefs, that the specific official neckerchief be worn No. 620616, are orange and blue. Cub Scout by Boy Scouts and Scouters on a council or neckerchiefs are gold with blue border, No. 802, district basis. When engaged in working in the Wolf Handbook and light activities, members may wear the neckerchief blue with dark blue border, No. 801, for boys with appropriate nonuniform to working in the Bear Handbook. The universal identify them as Scouts. Cub Scout emblem is displayed in a central Special neckerchiefs, the same size as the position on the downward corner. Cub Scout official ones, may be authorized by local leaders may wear the blue and gold Cub Scout councils. Such neckerchiefs may include leader’s neckerchief, No. 64070. Webelos Scouts identification of the chartered organization. wear the gold, green, and red plaid neckerchief, The standard designed neckerchief may be No. 64077, with the Webelos emblem on the personalized with troop number, city, and state. downward corner. A Webelos leader wears a By troop approval, an Eagle Scout may wear neckerchief, No. 64078, similar to the Webelos an Eagle Scout neckerchief. Scout neckerchief, except that it has gold Neckerchief slides. Several official slides embroidered edging and is larger. are available from the Supply Group. Boy-made A special Lone Scout neckerchief, No. 611209, handicraft slides also may be worn. is gold with the black and red printed insignia of the Lone Scout. It is worn by both Lone Cub Scouts and Lone Boy Scouts.

Tiger Wolf Bear Webelos Boy Scout Scout Scout Scout Scout

No. 80000 No. 80001 No. 620617 No. 891 No. 601

12 | Special Regulations S p e c ial

How to Wear the Neckerchief R egulations

a. Fold long edge over several flat b. The unit has a choice of c. Draw neckerchief slide over folds to about 6 inches from tip wearing the neckerchief over ends and adjust to fit snugly. of neckerchief. A tight fold the collar (with the collar prevents gathering around the tucked in) or under the collar. neck and is more efficient than rolling or twirling.

Special Regulations | 13 Shoulder Loops Belts Colored shoulder loops worn on the shoulder Cub Scouts wear the official Cub Scout navy epaulets identify the wearer’s current role in blue web with metal buckle and Cub Scout Scouting, and must correspond with the badge emblem. Tigers wear the official Cub Scout navy of office, when one is worn. blue web belt with metal buckle and Tiger Cub Scouting—blue, No. 677 emblem. For Webelos Scouts, the official Cub Scout navy blue web belt with metal buckle and Boy Scouting—forest green, No. 64017 Webelos Scout emblem is preferred for wear —blaze (orange), No. 681 with either the blue or tan Webelos Scout uniform. Cub Scout adventure loops are worn Venturing—green, No. 678 only on the navy belt. Webelos Scouts also have Council and district (including chartered the option of wearing the official Boy Scout web organization representative)—silver, No. 680 belt with the metal Boy Scout buckle. National, regional, and area—gold, No. 679 Female adult Cub Scout leaders wearing Custom loops or other colors are not the blue and gold uniform also wear the official authorized for wear with the BSA uniform. Cub Scout navy blue web belt with metal buckle and Cub Scout or Webelos Scout emblem. Adult leaders wearing the tan uniform wear Shoulder loop the official Boy Scout web belt with the metal Boy Scout buckle. Leather camp, high-adventure base, or belts with official BSA buckles also may be worn with the youth or adult uniform. Venturers may wear a belt of their Den Chief Service Award choice or the black web belt with the black Venturing buckle.

Den chief shoulder cord

14 | Special Regulations