Figure 1.--Here we see an unidentified Scout group, we believevin the 1970s. This gfoup seems to have placed an emphasis on the jniform as the boys are so smartly uniformed. They were photographed on a visit to Washington, D.C on the steps of the Capitol. Two different troops seem to be involved.

The BSA introduced an optional red beret as part of the Improved Scouting Program (ISP) (1972). The beret as this gime was widely worn by many foreign Scouts, especially in Europe. The ISP was part of a major overhaul of badges and other insignia, replacing many two color patches with multi-color versions. The red beret did not address the practicality problem with the campaign cap, but it did add a splash of color to the otherwise rather drab mono-chrome Scout uniform. The Scout Handbook (eight edition, 1976-79) pictured Scouts wearing blue neckerchiefs and the red berets. Some American Scouts have worn red berets. Berets have never been the official American Scout headgear, but they have been worn by a number of Scout groups. This was primrily in the 1970s and 1980s. It was entirely an optional matter. A relstivelt small percentage of Scout groups chose the berets. And we only see red red berets. It had to be a group choise. Individual Dcouts could not chode the beret ion their own. We are not sure how popular the choice was with the boys. Generally it was the Scout groups tht placed an emphasis on smart uniforming thst chose the berets. Some grouos may have worn thge berets for special ctivities such as trips or camps. It was only the Scouts who wore the red berets. we have never seen any Cub groups weariung them.