That is a remarkable memoir. Scouting gives us many moments in our lives and it's amazing how just the uniform brings those to the surface. What makes it more remarkable is that all uniforms are still valid. Even those metal buttons. Thank you so much for contributing this to our community. The Scouting family certainly has a lot of really cool scouters out there. Thanks, YIS⚜

Similar situation, wound up with a 1931 uniform, with 1938 pants. Troop was founded in 1926, and was the first all Jewish troop and remains so at summer camp in the Midwest. Troop 1061, called 61.

Our troop has several hand me down boxes that were stored in the troop shed. There was one that got used regularly, one older one that had worn class B and one that was full of old stuff and that no one ventured in because it was musty. Last week I decided to clean out the old bin and found a 1940suniform! Long sleeve, short sleeve and folded over button pocket pants! We are going to figure out a way to display them.

100 comment

I am quite new to Boy Scouts, and am currently just a scout. Kind of a recruit. I want to achieve the massive milestone of being an Eagle Scout. Also, cool story!

@TheCcrew-wj6bn - I'm so glad you found the video thought-provoking and informative. The Scouting uniform is an American icon and really defines the times. Feel free to look around the channel as we have lots of videos on different subjects. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. YIS⚜

I like the look of the old uniforms, but find the modern-day uniform to be more comfortable. YIS⚜

I like the neckerchief too. I didn’t know it was optional in Scouts BSA. It's what most people identify as a Scout. Most of the world's Scouts ware them with and without the uniform. In America, it’s only worn with the uniform shirt above or below the collar. Back in the 70s, the BSA had collar-less uniform shirts available (covered in the video). Today all BSA uniform shirts have collars. I have noticed that some units are starting to take on the European above collar option. Even the “new Class B” is just a Scout-appropriate shirt with a neckerchief in some units. To my knowledge, it is still part of the uniform and not really optional wear. There are other types of Scouting units where the neckerchief is optional (safety) and the unit decides on what is uniform. Thank you so much for bringing this to our discussion. YIS ⚜

@@ScouterStan We just turned the collars under. POOF instant no-collar shirt. Also, now scouts encouraged to wear their neckerchief w/ regular clothes -- great good move !

Way cool! YIS⚜

I messed up saying he was French, he's actually Italian. YIS ⚜

Glad it was helpful! YIS⚜

I'm glad you like the videos. YIS⚜

Thank you so much for your comments here on our channel. I do have a video on Sea Scout basics. [ kzfaq.info/get/bejne/preYaMKdvayxlmw.html ] There are a lot more videos on the Sea Scout channel. [ www.youtube.com/@seascoutsbsa ] More videos are in the works as we go into our 10th Season here on KZfaq. YIS⚜

Other countries wear many different uniform styles. The French Scout has a red shirt and the Swiss have a blue one. Your uniform shirts look the same as in the states. The patches are in different places. For instants, your flag is over the right pocket and ours is on the right sleeve. However, we both have one thing on our uniforms and that’s the World Organization of the Scout Movement patch. Scouting is a worldwide movement for good. Be proud to be part of a movement like Scouting no matter how our uniforms look. YIS ⚜

Glad you enjoyed it! YIS⚜

I remember wearing a collarless green shirt at the 1977 National Jamboree. I got the weirdest V-shaped sunburn. Not to mention I also got the scouter tan on the back of my legs. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thank you so much for subscribing to our community. YIS ⚜

That's wonderful. The uniform helps establish unity within Scouting. The founder of Scouting believed that “having a uniform created a sense of sameness and purpose, regardless of class” (social-economical). This was one of the proven concepts from the Brownsea Island experiment in 1907. Hang on to the uniforms that you have and were them to a meeting as an example of the World Scouting brotherhood. YIS⚜

Glad you enjoyed it. YIS ⚜

Keep in mind that all uniforms are still regulated by the uniform guides of their time. The BSA has never decommissioned any uniform. It is important to pick a specific year of the uniform, that way no Insignia or badges beyond that year would be used. Try to be as accurate as you possibly can for history's sake. I'm so glad the video was helpful. YIS⚜

@josephkolb2248 - Troops can set up their own requirements as far as uniform compliance. A standard neckerchief and hat gear can be specified. Some may even go from “belt-up” requirements, meaning that the wearing of blue jeans is acceptable. Every Troop is different in how strict they are to their code. Generally, as long as the uniform item is an official issue it is permitted to be worn. The “tent style” (Garrison) hat is an official issue and has never been banned from use. I have an Honor Guard Troop 911 in my Council that wears the red berets from the 70s and they look really sharp. Wearing your father's hat as a youth is a wonderful tribute. This style of hat can also be worn on the belt line on windy days. Thank you so much for contributing to the conversation here on the channel. YIS⚜

@ScouterStan it was my father's B.S.A hat from the 60s as for neckerchif we could wear them the slid my troop didn't care even to meetings we had to wear a full class A from hat to socks and we got graded the only leniency we got was patrol leaders and assistant pl got to wear a bolo or if you earned eagle you could wear a bolo

Thank you so much for the donation. If you have any questions please let me know. Thanks YIS⚜

You NEED to wash that thing... a Scout is Clean you know. YIS ⚜

In the early 2000s, the green epaulets loops (dark green) indicated Explorer membership. Later these were discontinued as the Explorers changed. The original uniform had red epaulets loops for Boy Scouts. I don't know why there was a change but I believe it happened shortly after “Learning For Life” (2008) took over many of the tracks of Explorers. The Venturing uniform default activity shirt is dark green with green loops. I don't know exactly when but it had to have occurred sometime just before 2010. The uniform guide for the 2010 National Jamboree specified green loops in place of the red ones. I hope this helps answer your question. YIS⚜

@@ScouterStan yes it does thank you

The campaign hat is the only consistent item of uniform over time. Many devices can be put on the front of the campaign hat. The British use the same campaign hat and they put their Wood Badge beads on their hat. It's a classic look worldwide and worth the investment. YIS⚜

I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. This video was a real challenge for me. Finding useable photographs and editing delayed the production for almost a year. At the last minute, an editing glitch stopped the compiling of the video repeatedly and had to be cut from the video to meet the deadline. Lots of behind the scenes drama. I think it needs to be updated but it will need time to b-roll new footage. Thank you for the suggestions. YIS⚜

I can see the controversy in that time period wearing a green beret. The Boy Scouts of America did adopt A beret but insisted that it be red with black trim. In Central Florida, we have Troop 911 which is exclusively an honor guard for many events for the council. The last time I saw them they all had green berets. I'm not sure if this was provided by the BSA or approved. But I'm not the uniform police _(nor do I want to be)_ and they look really sharp. YIS⚜

I think you're probably right about that. Most likely I was confused and was wearing the wrong tabs anyway as a teenager. Your description is probably the best answer to this question. Thank you for contributing to the discussion. YIS⚜

When I was at the 1977 National Jamboree our uniform was shorts and green stockings. On the very first day, I got the “Scouters Tan” on the back of my legs. But with my fair skin it was a severe burn. To this day I don't wear shorts all that often even though I live in Florida. YIS⚜

The look of the 1910 uniform was military-looking. Change out the patches and off to the Great War you go. B-P wanted long sleeve shirts and shorts. This ended up as a compromise uniform for the US as it was already in use. It did look “keen” at the time. To this day it’s the first iconic look of US Scouting. Thank you for subscribing to our community here on KZfaq. YIS ⚜

Most of the original 1910 uniforms were tailor-made specifically for the individual scout. Sometimes you can find suitable military surplus before 1914 (before the “Great War” or WWI). The newly formed BSA at the time only provided logo buttons. Of course, the real question is, are you planning on using pullover or wrap-around leggings? YIS⚜

Make that a decade old ...WW I was basically over in 1919 so surplus would have hit the stores within the next couple of years.

That is a very good point. Scouting in the United States was founded in 1910, and many of the uniforms were being adapted for use years before that. Uniforms of the Great War are almost identical to the Spanish-American war. At the turn of the century, what we think of as ready-wear clothing did not exist in most places. The Taylors would have the same pattern and use them as a standard uniform for everything at the time. That is what a “turn of the century” Americans thought a uniform looked like, military or otherwise. I believe the color designations that you described are correct in regards to the garter tab colors in the 1960s. However, I wore a dark green uniform shirt with red garter tabs at the 1977 National Jamboree. I finished Leadership Corps back in 1976 (modern day NYLT). That was appropriate uniforming at the time. I believe the red garter tabs also became a way to distinguish leadership near the end of their use. Sorry for the confusion, but 197☮s was a very confusing and groovy time for teenagers. YIS⚜

@@ScouterStan When I was on camp staff in the early 60's we had a troop that had yellow and green custom neckerchiefs so the troop custom crafted the garter tabs one half yellow (Cub) and the half green two-tone they were probably not regulation but I don't think they were ever called on it. It was also the only troop we ever had that all scouts wore campaign hats to dinner.....Also had a scout master that was from England who had a local troop..He had all of his uniforms custom tailored at Brooks Brothers....Best five summers I ever spent.

Cool! YIS⚜

The embroidered neckerchiefs with the BSA emblem started somewhere in the late 90s. I know that in the 70s all neckerchiefs were screen-printed. I do have neckerchiefs from the 50s and all of them are screen-printed although only one is a full square the rest are triangles. In the 30s neckerchiefs were full squares and folded as a triangle for wearing. I hope this information helps with putting together that authentic uniform. To stay consistent it is best to choose the actual date (for example April 16, 1953) of that uniform. That way anything after that date would not be on the uniform on that date. Hope this helps. YIS⚜

Thank you for subscribing to our channel and joining in the discussion. At the turn of the 20th century in the States, the wearing of shorts was by adolescent boys. Trousers were preferred by teens as an outward sign of the beginning of maturity. At the time, the gift of trousers or pants at the thirteenth birthday was common in the US. B-P thought that shorts would be in “the best uniform kit” and the new American Scouts bid not want to wear them. Shorts throughout the world was influenced by the practical use of the British military. This trousers or shorts debate persisted in the US until the late 1930s. From that time on shorts were no longer regarded or associated with adolescent children in the states. Until the end of the 19th century, all infants and toddlers wore dresses regardless of gender until potty training was completed. Things have certainly progressed in breaking the age-defining fashions of the past. YIS⚜

Thank you for the question. I'm not really sure but I think you're asking about what I'm wearing in the video? The uniform I'm wearing is a current day issue in the United States. I am wearing a black T-shirt in the video underneath the uniform shirt which can be seen in the collar stand area of the shirt. Typically scouts wear “Class B” (scout appropriate) T-shirts underneath their uniform shirt. It is not a part of the official uniform shirt. I hope this helps with your question. Thank you for subscribing. YIS⚜

Scouts BSA has never prohibited any of its discontinued uniforms. The important part is if you choose to wear a 1940s uniform that the patches match the time and placement. The original hat from the Great War (World War I) is called a campaign hat. This is still a regular issued hat by the BSA. Even today it's exemptible to be worn with any uniform from any time. It looks really cool too. YIS⚜

@@ScouterStan Awesome, thank you so much sir!

The neckerchief is a unique thing. In the United States, it is worn under the collar with the top button undone. British Scouts wear the necker over the collar. There are Scouts in Asia that wear the neckerchief similar to a dress tie with the waggle over the top button. All of these are correct for the area dress code. Many times you will find scouts from the states when overseas will adopt the wearing of the scarf by the local customs. Back in the early 70s and 80s BSA put out uniform shirts with no collar at all. Back then you also had the option of wearing a “Boland” instead of a neckerchief/necker/scarf. YIS⚜

Ah I see! I was applying the uniform for my troop to the rest of the world, apologies. It is interesting too the differences between the old and new uniform, I hadn't considered it but when my father was a scout the shirts had no collar at all! Thank you for explaining -Yours In Scouting

I wear the Wood Badge neckerchief. It’s taupe in color with a small Maclaren tartan on the back. YIS ⚜

@@ScouterStan I was just at camp noris they had a Seromony about that there

I believe that my mother retained my certificate from 1981. When I got back into Scouting I was handed a flyer from national about how to get copies. The one that is framed on the wall behind me in my Scout Cave was mailed to me back in 2003. From what I remember the old one didn't look as good as this one. I was also able to reinstate my lifetime membership with NESA. I would recommend that you call your local council office service center and inquire about getting a replacement copy mailed to you. YIS⚜

I believe both jackets are in the same style and color. Of course, the old red wool jacket will need to be dry cleaned whereas the new and improved red wool jacket is machine washable. There's also a major price difference. Of course, I would be kind of hesitant to throw the red wool jacket in a normal washing machine load. It might become a pink, shrunken jacket. YIS⚜

@@ScouterStan you should do a video on the scoutmaster coat. It’s impossible to find information about them

The only information I've ever seen on KZfaq was from the National Scouting Museum. They went into great detail about the style of the jacket and where it all came from. Check out their video it may give you some keywords to do the research. It's also a really good channel to subscribe to and highly recommended if you love Scouting history. Artifact of the Week 20220916: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e96ge92A1pazXWQ.html YIS⚜

Explores started as the senior Scouts of a troop all the way back to its founding. In 1949 the BSA recognized Explorer Crews, Sea Scouts Ships, and Air Scouts squadrons. In the 60s it expanded into trades, business, and professional careers. Explores is still a part of the Scouting family of program options today. We have an episode planned for the 6th season coming up. “Explores Then and Now” in mid-June 2022. YIS⚜

Really good question. During the 70s and 80s, the predominant was “Boy Scouts of America” insignia on a cloth patch that was often sewn on over the pocket at the manufacturers. I've even seen “Scouting USA” in the late 70s used. I remember seeing it on uniforms at the 1977 National Jamboree. All through my scouting, I have had the “Boy Scouts of America” embroidered above the right pocket. Even today my uniform has it embroidered directly into the shirt above the pocket. The supply division has also issued shirts that used a type of puff paint that tended to wash off. They have also reissued the cloth patch to go over this defective puff paint. I believe that the Insignia for “Cub Scout” and “Explorers” we're also designated and even a small logo was used. I do not believe that “Scouts BSA" was used prior to its release but it is very similar to the one I saw in the 70s “Scouting USA”. Thank you so much for the question and for being a part of our community. YIS⚜

Badge Magic is good on Merit Badges on a sash. You don’t wash the sash very often and sowing them on is an annoying chore to me. I wouldn't recommend any glue or adhesive on the uniform shirt. YIS⚜

*Knickerbockers* : baggy-kneed breeches, particularly popular in the early 20th century in the United States. *Breeches* : An article of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee with buttons. Popular in Europe throughout the 19th century. _(Definitions derived from Wikipedia)_ It sounds like the same thing to me. Okay, breeches if you like. YIS⚜

I think there's two L's in the last name if you are referring to Paul Fussell author of “Uniforms: Why We Are What We Wear” book. Fantastic theory of uniforms creating confidence and influencing others by appearance. I think I got this from the library a few years ago but don't own a copy. A good read and funny if you can find it at a good deal. I don't think there are that many copies in circulation so it's become kind of rare. Thank you so much for the suggestion. YIS⚜

When I did a lot of downhill skiing I always put on wool socks over my normal socks. It kept my feet dry and warm inside the ski boots. I tried just the wool socks and lasted about 20 minutes. Today we have far more comfortable clothing fabrics for a reason. Mohair or Thistle fabric is a lot like wrapping your skin in stinging nettles. So by comparison wool isn't so bad. I guess one can get used to just about anything in time. YIS⚜

3-4 Generations or 95 years ago… Wow, things are definitely different today. But it's cool to think of them and what kind of uniform they were wearing. YIS⚜

im a boy scout in washington so was he

The Boy Scouts of America still has a uniform to this day which has changed over time. I believe you are referring to the change in the identified girl and boy troops under Scouts BSA (Boy Scouts of America). The uniform is the same although the embroidery over the pocket may change and is still part of the same organization. YIS⚜

Interesting point, I have never found any definitive definition of either terminology. Everything is dependent on location and what the tailors were making at the time. I must have found at least six different names for almost every article of clothing made during that period of time. To make it even worse the tailors often talked in code and would make identical articles of clothing for different activities. Whether it be riding a horse or a motorcycle the clothing looked the same but the names were different. It's difficult to nail down the historic names when it would vary from region to region meaning the same article of clothing. From today's perspective, they look the same in photographs, but most assuredly they had distinctive and individual names for each article of clothing. Thank you so much for adding to our discussion. YIS⚜

I don't understand your statement. The Scouting Movement has been active in the United States since 1910. This might be some kind of statement about how the Scouting Movement has always strived to be relevant to its members. While always maintaining the Scouting principles and values found in the Scout Oath and Law. Scouts BSA (Boy Scouts of America) have the same traditional boy troop today, as they did in the past. So, like I said… I don't understand your statement.

What? I don't understand. I think someone poured water on the motherboard and the AI generated this...LOL

@larryalbert1027 - Girls have their own Scout Troop today. Scouting in America has had girls and young ladies in the Explorer program all the way back to the 1960s. All Girl and all Boy Troops enjoy the same program and challenging experiences. YIS⚜

I don’t remember the “poly Sandfordized baseball collar shirt” from the 70s. If possible could you email me a photo of this shirt? I will include it in a follow-up video. Thanks YIS⚜

@@ScouterStan I don’t know if I still have mine. I have a collared version. The Sanfordized was on the collar tag with Official BSA etc. I was born in 1965, the cotton twill and Leadership dark greens were being used with the red town strips by the older Scouts in 1977 but the new Scouts bought the colorless shirts and the the Designer uniform was out by 80-81. I wore that uniform to Philmont int 1982, 84 and 90, without the beret or the tiny shorts. Our crew advisor wore the dark green uniform with a South Viet Nam patch and post. I think that post was Montagnards and mostly armed with M1 Carbines and Thompsons. George was a Green Beret after all.

You don't have to share space with this video you have your own! Check out Sea Scouts BSA Video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/preYaMKdvayxlmw.html This video took almost two years to put together. The research was kind of scattered everywhere for a long time. When the video was published it was decided in the editing that it would focus on the Boy Scout troop uniform. Although we did mention some other variations it was not the focus. I do recommend checking out the Sea Scout video about some of the ship structures. If you're willing to write a script and provide all of the reference material I will definitely put it on the whiteboard. Otherwise, I just don't have the time right now to devote two years of research with everything else going on. Thank you so much for the suggestion. YIS⚜