A new Boy Scout in Kilt

[EagleJCS]

Good on him for having the guts to wear a kilt to the meeting , but, speaking as a 32-year Scouting veteran*, he should have been in proper uniform for the meeting and saved the kilt for the next camping trip or hike.

As has been previously stated, the uniform is meant to be an equalizer and is one of the Methods of Scouting. Every registered member should be wearing the correct uniform (with all of the appropriate patches in the appropriate places per the Insignia Guide) for their role in the unit. (Or as much as they can afford. My troop has a uniform 'library' with 'experienced uniforms' that a boy may borrow for as long as the uniform fits or as long as he is in the troop.)

Even when the khaki-tan shirt (some people call this the "Class A", but that's a military designation and the BSA is trying hard to get away from that) isn't being worn, the appropriate uniform is the "Activity Uniform" ("Class B"): a Scout-related t-shirt or knit shirt (troop t-shirt) and the green uniform pants/shorts.

I don't want to sound like a stickler (too late, I know ), but that's the word in my council, and that's what we tell the adults in the training courses. I have, on occasion, worn my kilt with my khaki-tan uniform shirt (and my Wood Badge necker), but I was also piping at the events in question. I have not, nor will I, wear my kilt with my uniform shirt in front of the boys when I'm not piping until the kilt becomes a valid uniform option. (I may wear it for Wood Badge, but again probably only in connection with my piping.)



*continuous membership since Cubs, Eagle Scout, former Scoutmaster, current Assistant SM, Wood Badge trained (SR-211, "I used to be a Bear..."), former District training staff, 21st WSJ ASM2, 2010 Nat'l Jamboree volunteer staff