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The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) use uniforms and insignia to give a Scout visibility and create a level of identity within both the unit and the community. The uniform is used to promote equality while showing individual achievement. While all uniforms are similar in basic design, they do vary in color and detail to identify the different membership divisions of Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA and Venturing. Many people collect BSA insignia such as camporee and jamboree emblems, council shoulder strips and historical badges.

Early Boy Scout uniforms were copies of the U. S. Army uniforms of the time. Scouts generally wore knickers with leggings, a button down choke collar coat and the campaign hat. Adults wore a Norfolk jacket with knickers or trousers. In 1916, Congress banned civilians from wearing uniforms that were similar in appearance to those of the U. S. armed forces with the exception of the BSA. The uniform was redesigned in 1923—the coat and leggings were dropped and the neckerchief standardized. In the 1930s, shorts replaced knickers and their wear was encouraged by the BSA. The garrison (flat) cap was introduced in 1943. In 1965, the uniform's material was changed from wool and cotton to permanent press cloth, although the older material uniforms continued to be sold and used through the late 1960s. The Improved Scouting Program in 1972 included a major overhaul of badges and other insignia, replacing many two color patches with multicolor versions. Also introduced was a red beret and a dark green shirt for "Leadership Corps" members (ages 14–15) in a Scout troop. This was done to relate those older Boy Scouts to Explorers, which wore the same uniform shirt, but by the early 1980s, the red beret and the Leadership Corps concept had been discarded. The Boy Scout uniform during the 1950s–1970s continued to have a monochrome light green (khaki green) color for both shirts and shorts or trousers.

In 1980, a major change was made when a two color uniform having a tan shirt with olive green shorts or trousers was introduced. Designed by Oscar de la Renta, it continued to be the uniform until August 2008, when the "Centennial Scout Uniform" was unveiled. The Oscar de la Renta designed tan buttoned front uniform shirt had shoulder epaulets and buttoned down pocket flaps, worn with an olive green webbed belt with a brass buckle or a tan or brown leather belt. The olive green cap had a bright red front panel and gold fleur de lis. In 2006, olive green "Switchback" zip off trousers were introduced in place of the traditional trousers, having an integral belt assembly with provisions for either the olive green webbed or brown leather belt. Socks were olive green with a red band at the top and came in crew or ankle lengths, or knee length for wear with shorts. Female leaders were provided a choice of slacks, shorts, culottes, or a skirt.

Explorers in the 1950s–1970s had a uniform of spruce green shirt and trousers, but by the 1970s many posts were developing their own uniform. Eventually only the shirt was available, leading many to wear the shirt with olive green Boy Scout pants or shorts. When Exploring was moved to Learning for Life in 1998, the new Venturing division used the spruce green shirt with charcoal gray pants.

For most of their history, Sea Scouts wore modified US Navy uniforms. Youth wore the enlisted "crackerjack" uniforms, and adults wore officer's uniforms, both of which were usually for more formal occasions. The standard work uniforms during this time were dungarees for youth and officer's khakis for adults. Sea Scouts who had reached the rank of Quartermaster wore adult uniforms, roughly analogous to a chief petty officer wearing an officer's uniform instead of an enlisted man's. To avoid confusion for active duty personnel, modifications were made such as wearing square knot insignia instead of ribbons, strips that read "SEA SCOUTS B. S. A.," silver brass instead of gold, and standard BSA insignia such as the WOSM crest, council shoulder patches, US Flag patches, etc. Notably absent from the uniform during this time were Order of the Arrow flaps. Following 9/11, The Navy tightened security making it extremely difficult for units to get on base to purchase Navy uniforms. It was replaced by the New Century uniform. The uniform had, for some years, been referred to as the "field uniform", but the BSA now uses the terms "official Boy Scout uniform", "official Venturing uniform" and the like. With the introduction of the Switchbacks zip off pants, the trend is towards a uniform emphasizing comfort and utility.

The official policy of the BSA is that any uniform or insignia that has ever been approved for use is still acceptable. However, the condition of the insignia must not distract from the overall appearance of the uniform. In addition, exact reproductions or "private issue" are not allowed to be worn.

The uniform and insignia are variously protected by copyright, trademark, and congressional charter. The BSA does allow usage for movies, television shows and other events, but this is done on a case by case basis. The BSA has rebuked instances where it was felt that the uniform was used inappropriately and without permission. BSA rules and regulations also forbid the use of Scouting emblems for commercial or political purposes. Wear of the uniform and insignia is described in the various handbooks, the Insignia Guide and inspection sheets.

With the inclusion of girls in the Boy Scout (renamed to Scouts BSA) program, starting February 1, 2019 a new tan uniform shirt has been approved and is available for purchase. The new tan shirt features a red Fleur de lis symbol and red 'BSA' text in place of the 'Boy Scouts of America' text. Also available as an option for boys and girls are new olive green capris uniform pants. The previous official Boy Scout uniform, known as the Centennial Scout Uniform, was named in tribute to the organization's 100th anniversary in 2010.

Socks, worn with the uniform, are olive green and have a black "B. S. A." monogrammed at the top and are available in crew and ankle lengths. The new official belt is a forest green rigger style belt with a black metal mechanical claw buckle – other belt styles, mostly in tan or brown leather, are also worn. Tiger, Wolf and Bear: A navy blue buttoned down shirt, navy blue pants, shorts, skorts or roll up pants and a navy blue web belt with brass buckle with Cub Scout logo. The neckerchief, hat and slide change every year and have a different logo and color for each level. Orange for Tiger, Red for Wolf and light blue for Bear. Navy blue socks with matching color tops for Cub Scouts are sometimes worn. Webelos: The basic uniform is identical as the Scouts: A tan shirt, green shorts, long pants or skorts and a green belt. The neckerchief, slide and hat have the Webelos logo on the Webelos plaid (Tartan). Unlike the Scouts who wear green loops, they were the blue shoulder loops. A male Venturer who earned rank as a Boy Scout may wear the rank emblem centered on the left pocket. Venturers who earned rank as a Venturer wear this rank emblem centered on the left pocket.

The Scouter dress uniform is appropriate for professional Scouters and all Scouting leaders on formal occasions. The current version consists of a dark blue, two button blazer with white shirt or blouse and heather gray trousers, slacks or a skirt. The blazer's gold plated buttons bear the universal emblem and an embroidered Cub Scout, Boy Scout or Venturing emblem is worn on the left pocket or lapel. A black leather belt with gold buckle is to be worn with trousers or slacks. Silk neckties with red, gold, and navy stripes are available for men and women. Black dress shoes and black socks or stockings are worn with the dress uniform.

Various insignia are worn by Scouts and Scouters representing unit membership, activities, accomplishments, honors and training. Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts each have their own specific insignia but all follow similar patterns. The below examples on the right show Boy Scouts and Venturing. The Boy Scouts of America have published a Guide to Awards and Insignia (publication number 33066) which details the specifics of all the awards and insignia. Below are some of the rules set in this guide. These local patches can celebrate an event, a local landmark, a local scout camp, scouting historical figures, special funding events, etc. They are sometimes issued as sets that are collectible. They can be worn according to local council governance and policies. Below the flag, Cub Scouts (including Webelos) may wear a gold and blue den number and Boy Scouts and Webelos Scouts (as an option) may wear a patrol emblem. In the next position, Scouts and Scouters may wear the most recent Quality Unit emblem earned by their unit. District or council level Scouters may wear the most recently earned Quality District or Quality Council patch. Venturers may wear the official Venturing emblem or an approved specialty emblem below the flag. Scouts and Scouters at the area or regional level may wear a region emblem below the flag. Webelos Scouts wear the oval rank badge when earned. Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light badge wear it centered below the pocket. Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts wear their current rank badge centered on the left pocket. Male Venturers may also wear their current Boy Scout rank cloth badge on the official Venturing uniform shirt to age 18. Scouts and Scouters may wear up to five pin on medals that they have earned or have been awarded centered just above the pocket seam; medals are usually only worn on formal occasions. Many medals may also be represented by a square knot insignia. Scouters that have completed the Powder Horn course wear their silver metallic emblem suspended from the left pocket button. Service stars may be worn above the pocket or top row of square knots. These are star shaped pins with an enameled number representing tenure in each Scouting division. Circular plastic backings represent each membership division: gold is used for Cub Scouting, green is used for Boy Scouting, brown used is for Varsity Scouting, red is used for Venturing and blue indicates adult service. Scouts and leaders with tenure as Tiger Cubs prior to 2000 may wear a service star with an orange backing. Those who served in Exploring prior to 1998 may wear a service star with red backing.

During the Wood Badge course Scouters, both staff and participants, wear the uniform of their unit and membership division; this is a change from the older custom where the uniform was worn without insignia other than the council shoulder patch and the Troop 1 numeral. The uniform is worn with the Wood Badge training hat, the neckerchief and with a woggle made during the opening sessions of the course. The hat and neckerchief use the Troop 1 numeral to represent the first troop to use the Wood Badge program. The axe in log is the emblem of Gilwell Park where the first Wood Badge course was held and the Maclaren tartan honors William de Bois Maclaren, who donated the funding to purchase Gilwell Park in 1919. After completing Wood Badge, the beads, neckerchief and woggle are presented and worn.

Non official patches, badges, emblems, shoulder loops and other insignia are readily available from third party suppliers. These spoofs are parodies of existing emblems. For example, spoof versions of the "Trained" emblem include Over Trained, Potty Trained and Untrainable. Common spoof interpreter strips include English, Klingon, Brooklyneese and Southern Drawl, and spoof epaulets include a red, white and blue one for Eagle Scouts and a tiger paw for Tiger Cubs. Though not truly spoofs, another very common variant of actual BSA insignia are square knot emblems with spruce green, navy blue, or black backgrounds to match the Venturing and Sea Scout uniforms as opposed to the tan twill used by BSA National, which only matches the Scouts BSA uniform.