BSA Patch Placement Guide
Patch Placement can be hard to get right. So we’ve made this guide to help you look your best. We’ll break down each patch location and type. We’ll also have tips and tricks to help you keep your boy scout uniform in tip-top shape.
Scout Uniform with Patches
Your uniform can hold a lot of different patches!
Shoulder Loops
Let’s start with Shoulder Loops! These indicate the branch of Scouting you are currently in. Shoulder Loops slide easily on the Shoulder Strap.
There are 5 different colored Shoulder Loops to represent the different programs and positions you can hold in the BSA! Blue for Cub Scout, Olive for Scouts BSA, Blaze for Varsity Scouts, Green for Venturer, Silver for District and Council, and Gold for Regional and National! You may be in multiple programs and have multiple uniforms and Shoulder Loops. You should wear the Shoulder Loop that matches whichever role you’re performing that day!
Right Pocket Flap
The Order of the Arrow Lodge flap identifies Scouts who are a part of an Order of the Arrow Lodge. These patches are worn directly on the right pocket flap and are the only approved patch to be worn in this location.
Right Pocket
The right pocket placement is also known as the temporary patch location. Scouts can wear any Scouting patch of their choice here! Only one temporary patch can be worn at a time. Patches that contain a button loop are hung from the right pocket button behind the pocket flap. Some examples of the patch worn here are Camporee patches, Summer Camp patches, or custom troop patches!
Check out our Custom Troop Patches
Beneath the Right Pocket
This spot of reserved for the Recruiter Patch. Recruiter Patches are given to Scouts that bring another person to join Scouting! The patch is worn centered directly below the right pocket.
Above the Left Pocket
The World Crest is displayed above the left pocket. All members of Scouting display the Word Crest to symbolize they’re a part of World Scouting. The World Crest should be centered between the left shoulder seam and the top of the left pocket.
Adults may also wear knots signifying awards earned. Youth are limited to a few knots such as Youth Religious Knot, OA Distinguished Service Award, Venturing Silver Award, Explorer Achievement Award.
Left Pocket
The left pocket is used to display your current BSA rank! The badge should be centered on the left pocket and be your most current rank.
Right Sleeve
The right sleeve is home to some important patches!
American Flag Patch
The American Flag Patch comes with every uniform already sewn on. The patch should be located directly below the shoulder seam and should be the BSA-issued flag patch.
Patrol Patch
Patrol Patches go directly below the American Flag patch. This patch should be centered on the left sleeve and the bottom of the patch should be 4” from the top of the shoulder seam. Patrol Patches are 2” patches, they have 3 thread colors with a khaki background and border. Patrol Patches represent the scout’s Patrol! Here is some more information on Custom Patrol Patches! and a selection of Available Patrol Patches
Quality Unit Patch
This patch is awarded to Troops who have earned the Quality Unit Award.
This patch should be placed just below the Patrol Patch.
Only the most recently earned award should be worn.
Left Sleeve
Council Shoulder Patch
The top of the left sleeve houses the Council Strip Patch or CSP. The Council Patch should be flushed against the shoulder seam. The Council Patch is obtained through your local Council and cannot be customized to each troop.
Troop Unit Numeral Patch
The Unit Numeral Patch is your Troop number. Unit Numeral Patches are placed below the Council Patches. Some Unit Numeral Patches will have a Veteran Bar with a number celebrating the years the Troop has been around. The Veteran Bar is placed on top of the Unit Numeral Patch. You can use individual numbers from your local council office and sew them or to save time get a Unit Numeral Patches here! custom troop unit numeral patch
Position Badge
The Badge of Office patch reflects the job you have in the troop, either elected, assigned, or ‘volunteered’. Some examples are Senior Patrol Leader, Den Chief, or Patrol Leader. This patch is placed in the center of the Left Sleeve Pocket. If there is a pocket on the sleeve, this patch goes in the middle of the pocket.
Trained Patch
Scouts who take an official BSA Training Course receive the Trained Patch. This patch is placed centered below the Left Sleeve Pocket.
Merit Badge Sash
The Merit Badge Sash is not a part of the uniform itself, but it’s often worn over the uniform at a Court of Honor. The Merit Badges should be sewn on the front of the sash as they are earned in neat, even rows of three. Other patches can be sewn on the back of the sash, as long as they are not previously held Badges of Rank or Badges of Office! The image here is not typical by any means. Most scouts have one merit badge sash with just a few.