Where to Place Your Scouts BSA Patches & What They Mean

Whether you’re new to Scouts BSA or you just got a new patch, we’re here to help you ensure your uniform is set up properly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through where each official patch goes, including your right and left sleeves and on both pockets. Let’s get into it!

Scouts BSA Patch Placements & Diagram

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A chart depicting the placement of Boy Scout patches on a uniform.

Scouts BSA patches have designated locations on the left and right sleeves and pockets. Here are the patches and insignia that go in each location:

Right sleeve: U.S. flag, patrol emblem, musician badge
Left sleeve: Council patch, troop unit numerals, position badge, trained patch
Right pocket: Order of the Arrow insignia, temporary insignia, recruiter strip, nameplate
Left pocket: Service stars, embroidered square knots, badges of rank, World Crest emblem
Merit sash: Merit badges

Section 1 of 7:

Right Sleeve Scouts BSA Patches

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The U.S. flag patch is directly below the right shoulder seam. New uniforms already have this emblem sewn into the correct position, so you shouldn’t need to attach this one yourself. If you do have to find your own, just make sure it’s the Scouting America-issued flag.^{[1]
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The patrol emblem goes below the U.S. flag emblem. This 2-inch, round emblem represents the smaller patrol group you’re in within your troop. Patrol emblems typically feature an animal like a bison, bear, or beaver, to name a few.^{[2]
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The musician badge sits a half inch (1.27 cm) below the patrol emblem. You’ll receive this specialized position badge if you’re in the band or drum corps for your Scouts BSA troop.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 7:

Left Sleeve Scouts BSA Patches

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The council shoulder emblem goes directly below the left shoulder seam. This full-color, embroidered patch identifies the local council you belong to, whether you’re a Scout or a leader.^{[4]
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This patch goes directly beneath the local council shoulder patch. It features your unit number in green embroidery against a tan background. This patch will be touching the council patch, assuming you don’t have a veteran unit bar.^{[5]
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The position badge, or badge of office, goes directly below your troop numerals. It is centered and touching the unit numeral, or centered 4 inches (10.16 cm) below the shoulder seam. This badge identifies leadership roles, such as Patrol Leader or Scoutmaster.^{[6]
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On the official uniform shirt, your trained leader emblem will go right below and in contact with your badge of office. On the regular shirt, it will go at the top of the pocket flap on the sleeve. This emblem identifies Scouts who have completed basic training.^{[7]
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Section 3 of 7:

Right Pocket Scouts BSA Patches

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The Order of the Arrow lodge insignia goes on the pocket flap. The Order of the Arrow recognizes Scouts who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their everyday life. The patch indicates which local lodge you’re a part of.^{[8]
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Temporary insignia is centered on the pocket or hung from the pocket button. You can only wear one temporary insignia at a time. Temporary insignia are typically given for attending specific events or participating in special training. You don’t sew these on permanently.^{[9]
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The recruiter strip goes directly beneath the right pocket. This patch indicates that you’ve recruited someone into the Scouts, which means it’s super easy to earn. All you have to do is share your experience and invite someone you know to join the Scouts.^{[10]
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Your nameplate goes above the right pocket, above the corporate “Scouting America” strip, and above your interpreter strip (if you have one). Your nameplate features your name and is a customizable, optional addition to your uniform.^{[11]
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Section 4 of 7:

Left Pocket Scouts BSA Patches

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Service stars are centered above the left pocket, ⅜ inch (.95 cm) above either the top of the pocket or your embroidered knots. You can earn service stars if you have at least one year of tenure in Scouting. They indicate how long you’ve been with the Scouts.^{[12]
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Embroidered square knots are worn centered above your left pocket in rows of three. These are specifically for adult leaders to indicate their awards and recognitions with the Scouts.^{[13]
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Badges of rank are worn centered on your left pocket. These cloth emblems indicate a young Scout’s advancement progress. These ranks go from the entry-level rank of Scout to the highest and final rank, Eagle Scout.^{[14]
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The World Crest emblem is centered between the left shoulder seam and the top of the left pocket. This patch indicates your membership in the World Organization of the Scout movement and is a symbol of a world brotherhood.^{[15]
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Section 5 of 7:

Where do Scouts BSA merit badges go?

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Merit badges go on the merit badge sash, rather than the uniform. There are more than 135 merit badges you can earn to add to your sash. There are 21 required badges to reach Eagle Scout rank. You can only wear one sash, and you can have badges on the front and back of your sash.^{[16]
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- You can display your merit badges in any order, and you can choose which badges you’d like to attach. Merit badges are displayed in rows of three on your sash.

Section 6 of 7:

How do you attach Scouts BSA patches?

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Sewing is generally the best way to attach your Scouts BSA patches. Use a sewing machine or stitch the patches onto the uniform by hand, ensuring that the patch is in the correct position. If you don’t want to sew, some patches can be ironed on. Or, you can try Badge Magic patch adhesive.
- Prevent crooked patches by using fabric pins or fabric adhesive to keep the patch in place while you’re sewing.^{[17]
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- Use our guide on how to sew a patch on a uniform for extra help!

Section 7 of 7:

Cub Scout Patch Placement

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Cub Scout patch placement closely resembles Scouts BSA patch placement. Like Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts have key insignia on their left and right shoulders and pockets. Here are the Cub Scout patches in each location:^{[18]
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- Right sleeve: U.S. flag emblem, den number
- Left sleeve: Council shoulder patch, unit numerals
- Right pocket: Temporary patches, recruiter strip
- Left pocket: World crest emblem, Cub Scout rank emblems, Arrow of Light emblem