Hi Allan!! Thanks for asking me this great and very timely question. You wrote and asked me:
"Thanks again for you service to Scouting.
Several years ago I recall reading one of your posts regarding the situation
where a scout wore his class A shirt with proper patches, but did not have
uniform pants and wore clean blue jeans.... or perhaps did not have uniform
socks. It was in the context of a Board of Review not allowing a scout to
advance due to an incomplete uniform. If I recall, your point was that wearing the complete uniform, while encouraged,
was not required for scout advancement but wearing as much of the uniform as a
scout had, and wearing it properly was to be the focus."
where a scout wore his class A shirt with proper patches, but did not have
uniform pants and wore clean blue jeans.... or perhaps did not have uniform
socks. It was in the context of a Board of Review not allowing a scout to
advance due to an incomplete uniform. If I recall, your point was that wearing the complete uniform, while encouraged,
was not required for scout advancement but wearing as much of the uniform as a
scout had, and wearing it properly was to be the focus."
That is CURRENTLY correct.
I've written this in several forums, and it has been supported by statements in the older BSA's Advancement Committee Procedures and Policies booklet.
"I now cannot find the post of yours I'm recalling, and the Scoutmasters Manual
does say that for Board of Reviews, the "complete uniform" is expected. I don't want to put words in your mouth and I would appreciate any reference to
the proper authoritative source."
does say that for Board of Reviews, the "complete uniform" is expected. I don't want to put words in your mouth and I would appreciate any reference to
the proper authoritative source."
Sure!!
The Scoutmasters' Manual (which will be revised in this next year, by the way) does state that the "complete field uniform" should be the uniform that the Scout wears during a Board of Review. It does NOT require, nor does any BSA material or policy document require, that a "complete field uniform" be worn when appearing before a Board of Review for any rank, including Eagle.
However, the Advancement Committee Procedures and Policies booklet stated that either the field uniform, if worn should be complete ("complete" meaning with Troop neckerchief and slide; shirt, either long or short-sleeved; pants, either shorts or slacks with belt and buckle; and socks -- shoes and head gear up to the individual Scout); or if the Scout does not have a complete uniform, a nice suit with tie should be worn. This is the CURRENT POLICY.
The NEW BSA policy, as of 1 Jan 2012, is explained in the new BSA Guide to Advancement. It is making it's rounds electronically, but there will be paper copies available in local Scout Shops(tm) by the end of October, 2011. This booklet is THE FINAL WORD on EVERYTHING pertaining to advancement within the programs of the Boy Scouts of America.
The booklet makes it explicit that it's preferred that a boy attend a BOR in uniform, but it may be "the uniform as the members of his troop wear it". Units may not require the purchase of uniforming.
So the CURRENT policy right now is that either the complete field uniform OR a suit and tie is the appropriate wear for Scouts to appear before a Board of Review. Come the first of next year, however, the policy changes. In that new policy, individual Troops can decide on the specific uniform worn, a suit and tie, Troop teeshirt and jeans, or street clothing for a Board of Review, including Eagle. We can NOT demand that a Scout buy a uniform.
Thanks for asking me, Allan. Your question is timely because I am going through reading the NEW Guide to Advancement...lots of changes coming!!
Mike Walton
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