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 occasion.

Insignia Guide Link

Scout Sleeve Requirements

Cub Scout Pocket Requirements


Webelos Pocket Requirements

Service stars may be worn by all youth and adult members who have at least one year of tenure with the Boy Scouts of America. The stars are worn with the appropriate color background for the phase of Scouting in which the service was rendered. If an individual's primary registration is in one phase of Scouting and later in another, separate stars with the appropriate background and numerals may be worn simultaneously. Or, leaders may combine youth and adult tenure into one or two stars with blue background.

If a medal or embroidered knot is worn, service stars are worn 3/8 inch above the medal or knot.

Most Cub Scout religious emblems consist of a bar pin and pendant. All are worn above the left pocket.

Religious emblem square knot, cloth, silver knot on purple, may be worn by youth or adult members who earned the knot as a youth, above left pocket.


Cloth, purple knot on silver, may be worn by adult members presented with the recognition, above left pocket. Adults may wear both knots if they satisfy qualifying criteria.

Attendance pin and year bar

Above left pocket; bars are attached to attendance pin.

Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award



Pocket flap award worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt. Each successive time the award is earned, a wolf track pin may be added to the flap.

National Summertime Pack Award
Right pocket flap.
World Conservation Award

Worn as a temporary patch on right pocket.

Academics and Sports Belt Loops
Worn on navy blue Cub Scout belt only. The blue belt may be worn with Webelos khaki uniform.

Academics and Sports Pins
Cub Scout and Webelos Scout, worn on civilian clothes only. These can be worn on the scout vests, hats, etc.