United States Boy Scout Uniforms: The 1990s

American Cubs and Scouts wore the uniform redesigned in the 1980s.

Uniform Items

Some minor changes were made in the uniform.

Short Pants

In the 1990s more commonly wore shorts with the uniform than ever before. The shorts worn by the boys became long and baggy by the mid-1990s. It became less common to

Figure 7.--The American scout uniform was changed to this so-called designer uniform in the 1980s. Shorts had become more common, but in the mid-1990s, long baggy ones had become common.
wear kerchiefs with the new uniform as the tan Scout and blue Cub shirts came with standard collars. Kerchiefs are becoming only for formal occasions.

Knee Socks

In the early 1990s, the BSA discontinued its unpopular knee socks, replacing them with shorter khaki socks with a red band at the top. In 1995, responding to complaints (mostly from adults embarrassed about their ugly legs, I suspect), the BSA brought back the knee socks as an option.

Activity Uniform

The BSA in 1990 added an optional "activity" uniform in addition to the standard field uniform (like the leggings of the 1950s, the expensive activity uniform has not caught on, mainly because Scouts must still own a field uniform for more formal occasions).

In the early 1990s, the BSA discontinued its unpopular knee socks, replacing them with shorter khaki socks with a red band at the top. In 1995, responding to complaints (mostly from adults embarrassed about their ugly legs, I suspect), the BSA brought back the knee socks as an option.

Uniform Policies

Many Scout units adopt uniform policies which diverge from the standard official uniform. One example of a unifotm policy in the late 1990s was:

The Boy Scout uniform helps to promote unity and pride. There are two types of the Boy Scout uniform, the Class ‘A’ and the Class ‘B’ uniform.

The Class ‘A’ Uniform

BSA olive green trousers or shorts (or Rogers Trading Post’s olive green trousers or shorts)

BSA Class ‘A’ shirt, either long or short sleeve with: American flag (position 1 right sleeve) Patrol Patch (position 2 right sleeve) Council strip (left sleeve) ‘000’ numerals (left sleeve) Junior Leader position (Patrol Leader, Scribe, Historian, etc.; left sleeve) Trained Patch (after training course for Junior Leader position is completed) Rank Insignia (center of left shirt pocket) Arrow of Light (if earned in Cub Scouts; bottom of left shirt pocket) Religious Knot (if completed one of the God and Country programs in either Cub or Boy Scouts; centered above left shirt pocket) Patch from a Boy Scout event such as a camporee, Boy Scout camp, etc. (one only; center of right shirt pocket) BSA belt (web or leather) BSA socks (long or short), keckerchief (Troop neckerchief, special BSA neckerchief, or bolo tie; not required at camps) Neckerchief slide Optional: Troop 538’s cap (or the BSA cap) Tennis shoes may be worn at Troop meetings, leather shoes are to be worn at formal Scout events (Courts of Honors, Board of Reviews, Scout Sunday, etc.) Merit Badge Sash (at formal Scout events.)

The Class ‘B’ Uniform

Troop green Tee Shirt or a BSA T=shirt Shirt (either purchased from the Scout Shop or from a scout outing or camp). Optional: Troop cap (or the BSA cap).

When to Wear Which Uniform

The Class ‘A’ uniform is required for most troop activities. This includes all troop meetings and any time the troop is travelling. Class ‘B’ uniform is often worn during a campout or service project. Deviation from this policy will be stated prior to the respective activity. If you are uncertain which uniform is appropriate, ask your patrol leader. The Scout uniform is essential to Scout participation.






Christopher Wagner

histclo@lycosmail.com



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Created: November 15, 1998
Last updated: January 15, 2000