A problem that I've noticed while at my meetings is that very few scouts actually wear their uniforms properly.
To start off, it's important to establish what exactly you have on your uniform. You should have one of these rank patches (in order: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle).
You should also have a patch that looks like this. This is called the "word crest emblem"
All in all your uniform should look something like this:
You may also earn certain add-ons such as a merit badge sash, an OA sash, a Den Chief's cord, Unit citations, as well as event-specific temporary patches.
As is depicted in the picture above, the first thing you have is your shirt. Your "world crest emblem" goes about an inch above your left pocket. Your rank patch goes on your left pocket, and your arrow of light (if you were a cub scout) goes about 1/4 of an inch below your left pocket. If you've earned any knots, they go between the top of your left pocket and your "world crest emblem". You may also have a centennial ring to go around your world crest emblem. If you've been a scout for a long time, you may also have service stars, these go above your knots.
On your right side, you will have a pre-sewn patch that says "Boy Scouts of America". Your right pocket is reserved for temporary patches, such as a patch that you may get for completing a camp. If you have a name tag, this goes above your right pocket. You may also have a pentagonal OA flap that can be affixed to your right pocket.
As for your left sleeve, you will always start of with your council patch. This is curved to tesselate with the upper seam of your sleeve. This also makes it very easy to distinguish. Below that goes your "veteran unit bar". These are pretty rare, as very few units have them, so don't worry if you don't know what that is. Below your "veteran unit bar" goes you "unit numeral". For example, if you're in Troop 132, your unit numeral will consist of 3 tan patches, each with a respective digit on them. Some troops offer single patches with their entire troop number on them, but these aren't officially sanctioned by the BSA. Finally, below your unit numerals, go your badge of office (e.g. patrol leader, den chief). This can be tricky, as some scouts will hold multiple positions of responsibility simultaneously. Typically, scouts should opt to wear their most senior position, but this is not a fixed rule. In my case, I was a patrol leader and a den chief simultaneously. I chose to wear my den chief's cord, and my patrol leader's patch. Speaking of cords, if you have earned any cords, they are worn on the left shoulder.
On the right shoulder, first off is the American flag. The American flag is
not worn with the blue field facing forward, as on military uniforms. The flag is worn with the field facing the left (back). 1/2 an inch below your flag is your patrol emblem. This may be ringed with patrol stars, given that your unit has earned them. Below that, you may wear the centennial quality unit award, again, given you unit has earned them. You also wear all sashes over your right shoulder, specifically your merit badge sash and your Order of the Arrow Sash. you may also affix old temporary patches to the back of your merit badge sash.
I hope this helped,
Willem Schuddeboom
(Almost) Life Scout
Troop 35
Darien, CT
