Scouting, Volume 5, Number 8, August 15, 1917 Page: 1
12 p. : ill. ; 31 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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SCOUTING
Published semi-monthly by National Headquarters, Boy Scouts of America
For Scout Officials and Others Interested In Work for Boys
Vol. V
NEW YORK, AUGUST 15, 1917
No. 8
SCOUTS TO BE DISTINGUISHED FROM
OTHER WEARERS OF KHAKI UNIFORMS
Distinctive Scout Insignia Worn in Prominent Positions Will Help Public to Differ-
entiate Scouts from Soldiers
THE increased use of the khaki uniform by members of the
United States Army, militia, home defense leagues and
various other men and boy organizations makes it very
desirable for us to safeguard our movement from unfair criticism
due to confusion and misunderstanding occasioned by similarity
of such uniforms to
those worn by our own
members.
As has been an-
n o u n c e d previously,
Section 125 of the
Army Reorganization
Law specifically excepts
only the 'Bjoy Scouts of
America from the pro-
visions restricting to
the members of the U.
S. Army, Navy and
Marine Corps the right
to wear uniforms pe-
culiar to those branches
of the Government ser-
vice or similar thereto.
Already the War De-
partment is beginning to
enforce this law regard-
ing the authorized
wearing of such uni-
forms. It behooves us
to co-operate with the
War Department in any
way within our power.
Metal Badge on Front
of Hat
With this end in
view and in order that
the Boy Scouts of America may be readily discovered and rec-
ognized at any time in case they are needed for service, it has
been decided, for the period of the war, at least, to require all
scouts to wear their badge of rank AT ALL TIMES, either on
the coat or shirt, or better still wear a metal badge of rank on the
front of the hat, as has been the practice among the English scouts
since the date of their organization.
The tenderfoot pin and the new size second and first-class
pins not only make a very effective ornament but immediately
classify the wearers as members of the Boy Scouts of America. It
is believed that in addition to identifying scouts it will stimulate
increased activity in scouts to qualiy for second and first-class
degrees, especially among the boys who have been in the movement
for some time.
During the period of the war all scouts and scout officials
should wear the official uniform with this designation.
Uniform to be Clean and Neat
The Scout Movement has been fairly criticized in some places
This method of wearing the badge at once identifies the Scout as a Scout
during the past six months because of the slovenly appearance of
scouts and the lack of uniformity in the styles of uniform when
appearing on the public streets for the performance of public
service. While it has been the effort of the National Council to
allow latitude as to what parts of the uniform might be worn
in different localities
for special occasions,
it is urgently recom-
mended _ that in each
community where there
is a local council a very
definite regulation be
prescribed covering this
subject and that in all
places where there are
no local councils the
scoutmasters should
definitely instruct their
boys as to the proper
uniform and how to
wear it, acording to the
official handbook.
There is no disposi-
tion on the part of the
scout officials to change
our program. Indeed,
the experts with whom
we are in constant touch
do not wish us to do
so, but it is very de-
sirable that the scout-
masters follow the in-
structions as given in
Chapter 8 of the Scout-
masters' Handbook in
such a thorough fashion
that each member of the
troop will know how to carry himself and respond to the com-
mands necessary for the handling of groups of boys or men.
Discipline is an essential part of any efficient scheme of mobili-
zation, in order that the maximum amount of time may be avail-
able for scout activities.
Frequent Inspections Necessary
As a further aid in raising the standards of the Boy Scouts
of America and improving the appearance of scouts wearing
the uniform, it is recommended that a system of frequent inspec-
tion of every troop be developed and that no boy be permitted
to successfully pass an examination unless his uniform is properly
put on and thoroughly clean. Soap and water will not injure
the Boy Scout uniform if used in accordance with the directions
in our various publications.
The practice of allowing boys to appear at a troop meeting
or on the public thoroughfare or even in camp in a uniform
which shows evidence of uncleaniness is not conducive to the
best training of the (Continued on page 10)
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 5, Number 8, August 15, 1917, periodical, August 15, 1917; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth282883/m1/1/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.