American Cubs and Scouts wore the uniform redesigned in the 1980s.
Some minor changes were made in the uniform.
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. |
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.
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.
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.
BSA olive green trousers or shorts (or Rogers Trading Posts 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 538s 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.)
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).
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.
Navigate the Historic Boys' Uniform Chronology Pages:
[Return to the Main chronologies page]
[The 1900s]
[The 1910s]
[The 1920s]
[The 1930s]
[The 1940s]
[The 1950s]
[The 1960s]
[The 1970s]
[The 1980s]
[The 1990s]
[The 2000s]
Navigate the Historic Boys' Uniform Web Site:
[Introduction]
[Chronologies]
[Organizations]
[FAQs]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[Boys' Uniform Home]
Navigate the Historic Boys' Uniform Web organizatiion pages:
[Return to the Main U.S. Scout page]
[Return to the National Scout page]
[Boys' Brigade]
[Camp Fire]
[Hitler Youth]
[National]
[Pioneers]
[Royal Rangers]
[Scout]