Boy Scout Uniform Right Side Patrol Medallion

Hey Bud!

You wrote and asked me:

Can Boy Scout adult leaders wear patrol emblems on their right shoulder?

No and yes.

NO, under NORMAL circumstances, adult volunteers are registered with a Troop, Team, Crew or Ship and NOT as a member of a den, patrol, squad, or deckcrew within those units. Adults in Scouting serve as mentors, advisors, coaches and positive role models for the youth they are entrusted with. Therefore, normally, there is NO NEED for them to be identified as a member of a "patrol", in the case of of a Boy Scout Troop -- even an "old fogeys" or "rocking chair" patrol.

YES, under SPECIAL circumstances, adult volunteers and professionals may "associate" with a den, patrol, squad or deckcrew while undergoing ADULT VOLUNTEER TRAINING (for instance, Wood Badge). Those participants in the training course are divided into natural groupings so that they can get a feel for what the young men (and/or women, in the case of Venturing or Sea Scouting) are experiencing. They may call themselves the "Blue Beaver Patrol" for the duration of the training period ONLY. In the case of Wood Badge, the "duration" is the period of the practical training and the period in which (no more than 24 months) they are applying those practical training elements in their role in their home units.

If worn, the Patrol medallion must be one of the official provided patrol medallions, a special medallion created by the members and approved by the course director and professional staff advisor (just like with the emblems which are created by real patrols and WEBELOS Cub Scout Dens) or approved IN ADVANCE by the Council's Scout Executive PRIOR TO WEAR.

There are several commerical outfits which sell "spoof patrol medallion emblems" which are NOT suitable for wear with the official uniform except if they wear the emblem centered on the right pocket of the uniform shirt (where any temporary emblem or insignia may be worn).

Adults involved in Scouting need to understand that the "game of Scouting" is for the young people to enjoy...our role as adults are NOT to emulate them, but to guide, direct, influnce and serve as positive role models for them to pattern their behavior after. Wearing insignia designed for youth members is NOT something we want them to "copy cat" as they are going through the Scouting program. There are exceptions, as I stated above, but in normal day-to-day patterns, adults don't wear items designed for youth members exclusively to wear.

Settummanque!

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