All Uniform Policy Flag Ceremonies

Scouts waiting for their place in a community parade

Since the start of organized Troops in America, the BSA has encouraged and supported the participation of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and/or Venturers (and their adult leaders) in any number of public ceremonies and parades. In 1931, the BSA added to their Rules and Regulations to provide guidance to local Councils and individual units to do this while maintaining their non-partisan and non-religious stances of the movement.

Since then, various political, civic and social organizations have attempted (and in some cases achieving) to interact the BSA and their local Councils and units into political and social commentary and issues. This is not right and the BSA has been instructing local Councils and units to please restrict youth and unit appearances to events and activities which illustrate the BSA's Citizenship aim and not which will tend to place the BSA or a local Council's unit(s) into either one "camp" or "another", whether the issue is local, regional or statewide, or national.

So someone calls us up and says "we want your Scouting unit to come out and wave banners and flags when (insert name of political individual) comes into town. We're happy to pay your unit X amount toward their camperships or materials or whatever you need... please come out and help us to make this event a really strong event for (insert name)." What should we do? Can we accept the invite?

Former Governor Mitt Romney (right), a Presidential candidate at the time, meeting a Scouter and some Scouts at an airport. This kind of image would tend to have people believe that the BSA supports his run for President. This type of activity is not permitted -- the Scouter and Scouts should have met the Governor in regular clothing and NOT Scout uniforms.

First, acknowledge to the person that you're happy that they reached out to you.

Next remind them that the BSA is non-partisan with regard to social and political issues (they know this, but they are hoping you don't or want to ignore this).

Then ask them if they have coordinated this with the local BSA Council because although your unit is a separate organization, it is the local Council which gives permission for you to wear the uniform during such events.

If the Council has NOT been coordinated ahead of time and have given permission -- then you need to let the person know that "Sure!! We can participate BUT I'll tell everyone who wants to participate NOT to wear BSA uniforms, jackets or hats -- that they are there as American citizens but NOT as an official part of the BSA."

Another organization wants to use our Scouts and Scouters as part of a "human backdrop" for a political event or speech. Can we do this?"

(Human Backdrop: the term meaning the people -- adults mainly -- who stand or sit behind a politician when making a public address. This is mainly for the media's benefit to demonstrate that the candidate or incombent has a broad range of support or is reflective of the community.)

Illustration of "human backdrop"

Generally not without permission from the Council's Scout Executive. The intent of those "cross sections of people" is to visually "match up" a candidate or political official with the appearance that he or she may be an "everyman" or woman. Again the BSA doesn't take sides on various issues, parties or platforms.

Could a pack, troop, team, or crew provide a color guard flag ceremony for a candidate’s public speaking event or rally? Sure we can! We've been doing this for decades as an organization and is a great way to demonstrate patriotism and civic pride. The BSA requires, however, that adult and youth members in uniform to leave immediately after the presentation of colors and/or the Pledge of Allegiance. If they want to stick around, they must do so as individuals, not Scouting represenatives. This means they have to change out of the uniform and wear clothing appropriate for the occasion.

So Scouts and Scouters can’t stand on the platform for the remainder of the speech or presentation? I've seen Scouts stand to the side on the podium holding flags or banners...is that okay?

Nope. Once they are through with their portion of the event, they need to move away from the podium; remaining even on the side of the speakers’ platform or in a conspicuous location gives media some idea that their presence is an endorsement or symbol of support for the candidate or politician.

Why is this the rule? And where is this in writing?

The policy is meant to prevent someone from using our brand to convey support of a candidate or ideology. This prevents Scouts and Venturers along with registered adults from being used by any party or organization in campaign advertisements or materials -- and it does not matter if this is an issue which the "Scouts are behind or in favor of".

The policy is found in the BSA's Rules and Regulations:

Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America, Article IX, clauses 2 and 6:

clause 2.

"The officers and leaders of the Boy Scouts of America shall, when praciticable, cooperate in connection with civic or other public gatherings of a nonpartisan and nonpolitical character which gives Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Ventures an opportunity to render service in harmony with their training instead of merely taking part in parades or making a show of themselves in their uniforms."

clause 6.

"The Boy Scouts of America shall not, through its governing body or through any of its officers, its chartered Councils, or members, involve the Scouting movement in any question of a political character. However, this shall not be interpreted to prevent the teaching of patrotism and good citizenship as required to fulfill the Corporation's purpose. This policy shall also not limit the freedom of thought or action of any official or member as an individual."

And additionally, the following is found in the BSA Rules and Regulations as well as the official BSA's Insignia (Control) Guide:

Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America, Article X, Section 4, clause 6:

"The official uniforms are intended primarily for use in connection with Scouting activities as defined by the National Executive Board, and their use may be approved by the local council executive board for council events or activities under conditions consistent with the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America."

So then why is it OK to even present the colors or lead the Pledge of Allegiance at all?

Those are displays of loyalty to the nation, something the BSA has always endorsed. Regardless of the outcome of the political race, the candidate and supporters pledge allegiance to the U.S. Because of this, it is always acceptable and deemed to be a part of the civic process. Also, this “service” is offered to any party, regardless of political affiliation.

Can Scouts and Scouters pose for photos with political candidates at these events?

Sure...it make for good memories of the events. Photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or BSA marks and logos, however, are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind -- even for local offices.

President Clinton posing with Scout at rally

I am running for (insert name of political office). Can I wear my Scouting uniform for poster or flyer images? I want to really show people that I support Scouting

No, you cannot. Why is the same reason why other candidates and incombents cannot wear their BSA uniform, pins, or jackets in their advertisment or promotional items. Sorry. Even those small Silver Beaver or Distinguished Eagle Scout pins give *some people* the impression that the BSA or the local Council is "behind" or "supports" the campaign. (Yes, several candidates have been asked NOT to wear the small BSA lapel pins while activily running for some kind of political office or in support or opposition to some social or political issue.)

What can Scout leaders do to support this policy?

Volunteers (and professionals) must be alert to situations that would imply that the BSA favors one candidate or party over another. Strict observance of our long-standing policy against the active participation of uniformed Scouts and leaders in political events is mandatory.

If you have a situation in which you want to support a cause, march in a parade, or otherwise show that your unit and its members support the issue, do so OUT of uniform and without items which will ID you as BSA members. It's not that we want you to "hide the fact" that you are a part of the Boy Scouts of America but rather to keep the BSA free from issues and contriversies which forces the movement to be on "one side" or another of an issue -- whether that issue is a local one, a statewide one, or a national one; and whether or not the BSA "should" or "feels" that they are one one side or another.

These Scouts should not be holding this banner as they march; it implies that that "the Scouts" support the nominee or incombent.

Your Council's Scout Executive is the sole person in your Council who can approve your participation as a unit or in Scout uniform as part of any public rally, event, dinner or convention. Ask him or her for additional guidance as to your unit or your participation!

Part of being an American is the ability for you to make your own decisions on which issues and stances you feel you should or should not support; and that the government nor anyone else (to include the organization in which you voluntarily serve as a member of) can "force" or "convince" you into making a decision or not.

That is something which Scouting is about --showing your personal civic pride while demonstrating the patriotism embedded in Scouting toward our communities and nation.

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