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.
Personal equality. The uniform represents a democratic idea of
equality; bringing people of different racial, economic, religious, national,
ethnic, political, and geographical backgrounds together in the Scouting
tradition.
Identification. The uniform identifies youth and adult members of
the Boy Scouts of America, visible as a force for good in the community. When
properly and smartly worn, the uniform can build good unit spirit. When worn
on the correct occasions, it can attract new members.
Achievement. The uniform shows the wearer's activity, responsibility,
and achievement. What each youth or adult member has accomplished with program
opportunities can be recognized by the insignia worn on the uniform.
Personal commitment. The uniform is a constant reminder to all Tiger
Cubs, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, and adults of their
commitment to the ideals and purpose of the Boy Scouts of America. The uniform
encourages them to take Scouting seriously because of the investment in uniforms
by parents of youths and by adults. The uniform is a way of making visible
members' commitment to a belief in God, loyalty to country, and helping others
at all times.
The leaders of Scouting—both volunteer and professional—promote
the wearing of the correct complete uniform on all suitable occasions.
The Rules and Regulations and policy. The following pages contain our
uniform policy as taken from the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of
America. The chapters contain applications of the regulations to each program
area. Neither the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America, the
policy, nor the program applications may be added to or changed in any way
unless approved by the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America
through its Program Group Committee.