Adult Leader Patches
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Scoutmaster
Originally, all BSA position patches were purely symbolic, as
was true of military patches from which the tradition was
derived. The same patch design might be used for multiple
positions, differentiated by the color of the background
and the colors of the details on the patch. A First Class emblem
in silver on a green background meant "Scoutmaster".
This design, with variations, was used until 1970. |
Around 1970, a transition from "coded"
patches without titles to those with titles was begun. This
patch was released in 1969, and was the first attempt at the
Scoutmaster patch with “Scoutmaster” on it, with a similar
appearance to the previous "coded" patch, but with the
Tenderfoot emblem and "Scoutmaster" title of the newer design.
It lasted for a year or two (or maybe even longer
in small council shops), and was then replaced with the slightly
larger patch without the Boy Scouts of America lettering.
Bill Fischbach collection
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This version, introduced in 1970-72, was used until about 1989
when the background was changed to tan.
The First-Class emblem on the older patches was
changed to the Tenderfoot emblem at this time, and the size of
the patch was increased to the current size. The color coding of the embroidery was retained, so
Scoutmaster was still a silver-bordered patch, and Assistant
Scoutmaster was gold. |
Trained Scoutmaster (mylar thread)
Between 1972 and 1989 Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters
who had completed their basic training were eligible to wear
position patches embroidered with sparkly mylar thread, which
was the last use of a "code" in leader patches. After
1989, all trained leaders wore a "trained" patch under
their position patch instead. |
Assistant Scoutmaster - pre-1970 version
Gold on green background. |
Troop Committee
Post-1989 design |
District Committee
1972-1989 design |
Layman
The Layman patch was used by committee members at unit, district, and
council levels from 1929 to 1972. This is the 1943-1956 version
- it's the same basic design as the Assistant
Scoutmaster patch from the same era, but with a blue
background. |
Cubmaster
1972-1989 design
Bill Fischbach Collection |
Pack Committe Chair
1972-1989 design
Bill Fischbach Collection |
This patch would have been used from 1972-1989, when "Den
Mothers" became "Den Leaders" |
Webelos Den Leader
1972-1989 design
Bill Fischbach collection |
Employee
A rare patch worn by BSA employees who didn't have any other
position patches for their job. |
The ScoutParents Unit Coordinator position became official June
1, 2008. I can't find much information on the position, or when
or if it was dropped.
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This "Trained" strip indicates that a leader has
been trained in his or her currently-registered position.
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Veteran Insignia
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Five-year Veteran - issued 1924-1945. |
Ten-year Veteran - issued 1925-1945 |
Twenty-year Veteran - issued 1930-1945 |
Veteran Pins
Veteran pins have been issued in various forms since 1916.
Years-of-service pins are issued in single year denominations,
and as can be seen above, in the past they were available in
numbers at least as high as 40. Today, year pins are available
up to five years, with Veteran pins issued for ten years and up,
in five-year increments. Pins had the years in Roman numerals
until 1940. From 1940-1971 pins spelled out the years above the
Scout emblem. Since 1972, Veteran pins have had a blue border
with the number on the bottom. |
Commissioners
Commissioners are the only adult leaders
"commissioned" by the BSA to work with multiple units.
Unit Commissioners are enrolled the District level to act as
friends and resources for individual units (usually around three
units per Unit Commissioner). District Commissioners recruit and
supervise Unit Commissioners and other District-level
Commissioners. Thre are also Commissioners at the Council, Area,
Region and National levels, each responsible for recruiting and
supervision of Commissioners at the next-lower level. All
commissioner patches have a wreath around the Scout
fleur-de-lis, signifying the commission held by the wearer. In
the early Commissioner patches the color of the wreath, the
outline of the First Class badge and the Eagle indicate the
level of the position. Because Scouting considers Silver to be
higher than Gold, the more silver, the higher the position. This
was not followed in the 1972-2010 designs, but can be seen on
the post-2010 versions of the patches. The level codes are as
follows:
| Wreath |
1st Cl Border |
Eagle |
Position |
| Silver |
Silver |
Silver |
Council Commissioner |
| Gold |
Silver |
Silver |
District Commissoner |
| Gold |
Silver |
Gold |
Asst District Commissioner |
| Gold |
Gold |
Gold |
Unit Commissioner (after 1972)
Neighborhood Commissioner (pre-1972) |
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District Commissioner -
Early version of the patch |
District Commissioner
1972-2010 version |
District Commissioner
Post-2010 version |
District Commissioner
Special 2010 Centennial patch |
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Assistant District Commissioner
Special 2010 Centennial patch |
Scout Roundtable Commissioner
Special 2010 Centennial patch |
Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner
Special 2010 Centennial patch |
Unit Commissioner
Special 2010 Centennial patch |
Neighborhood Commissioner
1932-1956 version of patch
The Neighborhood Commissioner position was eliminated in 1972 |
The original professional Scouters were considered paid
Commissioners.
Therefore, patches for professionals had the same wreath as
Commissioner patches had. Professionals were distinguished from
volunteers by the color of the First-Class Insignia -
Commissioners were blue, Professionals were red.
The red background on the First Class badge on this patch
denotes a professional, and the silver wreath, eagle and outline
indicate the highest level. Hence, this is a Council Executive's
patch. The black background patch would have been worn on a
blazer rather than a uniform. |
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University of Scouting
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College of Commissioner Science
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National Training Centers
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Schiff Scout Reservation was located in Mendham, New Jersey,
from 1932 to 1979. It was the first National Training Center,
and hosted the first Woodbadge courses held in the USA. Schiff
was closed when National Headquarters moved to Irving, Texas, in
1979. . |
Bill Fischbach Collection |
Philmont Training Center was established as National Training
Center after National HQ moved to Irving, Texas. |
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