This office [Gulf Coast Council, BSA] has received several complaints locally and nationally in regard to the apparent participation of both youth and adult Scouters, in uniform, at a televised political rally in Pensacola on November 6th.  In one case, an adult Scouter was observed only partially attired in uniform.   We may presume that our Scouts and Scouters innocently desired to demonstrate their patriotism and support for our Commander-in-Chief and their membership in America's foremost volunteer youth organization.  Unfortunately, some of the public observing the media coverage perceived this to be a partisan demonstration by the Boy Scouts for the Republican political candidates President Bush was there to promote.

While there is room for debate concerning where a Presidential visit ends and a partisan political event begins, BSA's policy is that the Scout uniform is not to be used to imply support for a particular political candidate or as an advertising tool for commercial interests.  As with uniformed members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Scout participation in political events or rallies may be allowed (with Council approval) as members of a color guard, for example.  Care and good judgement must be exercised to avoid giving any impression that the BSA endorses or approves of a particular political candidate, commercial enterprise or product.  The Boy Scouts of America is an American institution - not Republican, Democrat, conservative or liberal - and our membership reflects a wide spectrum of political, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds.

This incident serves to highlight a larger problem that unfortunately is not limited to our district or council.   Apparently, there are some in our organization who misunderstand the policies and regulations of the BSA with respect to uniforming.  The following is intended to educate those who may be new to Scouting or who may have missed the subject during previous training.  For unit leaders, please share this information with your adult leadership staff and parents.

The Boy Scouts of America, through its chartered Councils nationwide, makes the use of its programs available to a variety of organizations  to serve the youth of their communities.  This is done through the mechanism of a charter, which is issued to the organization in the same way as a franchise.  The charter agreement between the organization and the council makes very specific stipulations.  Among those stipulations is the agreement by the organization to run its scouting program in accordance with the policies and regulations of the BSA.

The policies and regulations of the BSA serve several purposes.  One is to ensure a quality program that meets the aims of the BSA in preparing youth mentally, morally and physically for the challenges of adulthood and citizenship and to enable them to make ethical choices through their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Another is to standardize the methods used in meeting those aims.  The methods include the Scout ideals, outdoor activities, advancement, personal growth, leadership development and uniforming.  All of the methods are part of the scouting program, and BSA does not contemplate that a legitimate scout unit would selectively pick and choose only those parts of the program that suits some or all of its members. 

Thus, a scout unit that chooses not to include duty to God in their understanding and recitation of the Scout Oath; or a unit that does not require its members to subscribe to the general religious principle; or a unit that does not promote advancement or an active outdoor program, is not following the letter or spirit of BSA’s program.  The same can be said of a unit that decides to make the wearing of the official Scout uniform optional.   Uniforming is a key method of the scouting program for very good reasons, and it is not optional. 

Notwithstanding a unit’s own policies or by-laws, the chartered organization and the troop’s adult leadership in such a case are failing in their obligation to operate their unit in accordance with BSA policies and regulations, and thus violate the terms of their charter agreement with the local council.

We are not blind to the fact that uniforming has been the subject of some controversy in the past for a variety of reasons, and that some units, districts, or even councils have found it easier to compromise on the issue and allow “unofficial” policies to evolve, such as “waist-up” uniforming. 

BSA’s national policy remains the same: there is only one “official” Scout field uniform, and it consists of shirt, trousers, belt, belt buckle and socks. BSA has built its reputation over the past 96 years by refusing to compromise on controversial issues for the sake of a few who wish to “cherry pick” those parts of the program they like and ignore those they find bothersome. We fail to model good citizenship for our youth when we demonstrate that it isn't necessary to follow all the rules - just the ones that we feel like following.

Some find that the uniform is expensive and that for some families, the expense of a full scout uniform can be a burden.  This is true.  It is equally true that school and community sports teams’ uniforms are also expensive.  A casual visit to any organized sports event in our area will reveal few, if any, players not attired in complete team outfit, regardless of his or her economic background.

Many units have been successful in obtaining uniforms for their boys through used uniform drives, hand-me-down programs within their troops, or the simple expedient of visiting a consignment shop or Good Will.

The Gulf Coast Council has an active Specific Assistance Program designed to help families with financial need to obtain uniforms or equipment their boys require.  This program is funded by the annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign.  The council also provides annual fund-raising opportunities for scout units to enable them to build their own treasuries: the Trail’s End Popcorn Sale in the fall and the Scout Show fund-raiser in the spring.  

To summarize the BSA policy on uniforming:

• The Boy Scout and Cub Scout uniforms consist of the following: official pants or shorts, official shirt, belt and buckle, and official socks or stockings. Scout cap, campaign hat or expedition hats are optional.

• No alteration to the official uniform is allowed except as designated by the National Executive Board of the BSA.

• No uniforms designed to resemble those of the Army, Navy or Marines are authorized.

• The wearing of military insignia with the Scout uniform is prohibited.

• Scout uniforms shall be worn to scouting events and activities, and may be worn to represent the chartered organization's scout unit at church and community events, national holiday observances such as parades, while participating in community service projects and at school or sporting events as members of a color guard.

• Scout uniforms shall not be worn to political events or rallies, protests or demonstrations where its appearance could reasonably be used to imply BSA support for a particular political cause or candidate.

• Scout uniforms, insignia or copyrighted images shall not be used to promote a commercial product or business except as approved by the National Executive Board.

• Units not in compliance with official BSA policies and regulations will be considered to be in violation of the terms of their charters.

• Units not in compliance with official BSA policies and regulations will not be designated quality units.

• The Council will disavow a unit violating BSA uniform policy by its inappropriate use in political events or commercial advertising.

• Members of the District Eagle Scout Board of Review will disapprove the candidacy of any Eagle Scout prospect who appears before an Eagle Scout Board of Review wearing anything other than a complete official Scout uniform.