Merit Badge Sashes

[Cowboy]

I like reading old (even locked) threads. In going through I have seen many times a complaint about sashes, and even the official BSA documentation mentions it, so here we go:
Sashes are difficult to wear because they keep sliding down. In our Troop the properly uniformed boys DO wear the sash to most Troop meetings. In fact we consider proper full uniform to include the sash. Our advancement ladies like it because it provides a quick easy reference for them. Our guests (like the Cubs and Weeblos) see something pretty impressive and get excited about it. Our boys do not have a problem with the sash falling off. Here are two tricks: 1. Sew a small loop about the size of the shoulder loop, or even an old shoulder loop, on the inside of the sash. The shoulder strap goes through it and holds the sash up. 2. Use velcro. I just switched my sons uniform to this. On the bottom of the green shoulder loop sew (or use the hot glue type) a piece of velcro. This can be spun so that it does not show when a sash is not being worn. On the inside of the sash sew the matching piece of velcro. Now you can also add a piece of velco to the OA sash and that one stays where it belongs too. Not a big deal to do, not rocket science, but by goodness our boys are turned out. I am sure someone else has figured this out before me, but everyone in the Troop thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[kwildman]

I like reading old (even locked) threads. In going through I have seen many times a complaint about sashes, and even the official BSA documentation mentions it, so here we go:
Sashes are difficult to wear because they keep sliding down. In our Troop the properly uniformed boys DO wear the sash to most Troop meetings. In fact we consider proper full uniform to include the sash. Our advancement ladies like it because it provides a quick easy reference for them. Our guests (like the Cubs and Weeblos) see something pretty impressive and get excited about it. Our boys do not have a problem with the sash falling off. Here are two tricks: 1. Sew a small loop about the size of the shoulder loop, or even an old shoulder loop, on the inside of the sash. The shoulder strap goes through it and holds the sash up. 2. Use velcro. I just switched my sons uniform to this. On the bottom of the green shoulder loop sew (or use the hot glue type) a piece of velcro. This can be spun so that it does not show when a sash is not being worn. On the inside of the sash sew the matching piece of velcro. Now you can also add a piece of velco to the OA sash and that one stays where it belongs too. Not a big deal to do, not rocket science, but by goodness our boys are turned out. I am sure someone else has figured this out before me, but everyone in the Troop thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Cowboy - do what your unit likes cuz i am not part of the Uniform police but ... technically Merit Badge sashes are supposed to be worn only at formal events such as Courts of honor, banquets, etc. OA sashes only at OA events or when representing the chapter on OA business.

[FieldSports]

3. Sew a button hole into the sash. (Never mind, hard enough to get him to sew patches on)

Although I like the use an old shoulder loop.

[ccjj]

Here is a unique question....what would you do if a boy was going for his Eagle project review (thru the district) and the DAC says he must have his merit badge sash and be able to tell what the merit badges are? I have a young man in my troop who chose not to purchase a sash. His badges are neatly displayed in a book, along with the cards and his portion of the green sheet/blue card.

ccjj

[wagionvigil]

I would ask where does it say that a sash is required. Since a Uniform is not required a sash cannot be required. Nice but not required.

[FrankJ]

The "official uniform" is socks, pants, belt, & shirt'. So the MB sash is not part of the official uniform anyway. Being able to identify which merit badge emblem is which is not even a merit badge requirement.

If a real DAC said this, I would tell him that he had been drinking way too much Koolaide.

[smtroop168]

Here is a unique question....what would you do if a boy was going for his Eagle project review (thru the district) and the DAC says he must have his merit badge sash and be able to tell what the merit badges are? I have a young man in my troop who chose not to purchase a sash. His badges are neatly displayed in a book, along with the cards and his portion of the green sheet/blue card.

The DAC is wrong.

The "required" argument aside, I do wonder about the scout who does not want to show off his accomplishments on a sash. Displaying his accomplishments publically does more for the younger scouts and the community who sees them than keeping them under lock and key. He can do this when he turns 18.

Given the description of the "official Uniform", does he wear his rank badge? His OA flap? His POR patch? Will he wear his Eagle Medal or keep it in a box as well?

Sometimes I wonder if required even means required given the wide interpretations we see on the forum.

[lifescoutforlife]

I have heard that during a EBOR a scout was asked what does the color red in your Orienteering MB stand for.

[wagionvigil]

I have heard that during a EBOR a scout was asked what does the color red in your Orienteering MB stand for.

[FrankJ]

I have heard that during a EBOR a scout was asked what does the color red in your Orienteering MB stand for.

I see nothing wrong with asking questions like that. If the scout was turned down just because he did not know the answer would be a different issue.

[Quailman]

I agree. You can ask something like that, but don't hold it against him. I've seen a list of BOR questions (to aid the committee member) that included "Where did Baden-Powell take the scouts on the first Boy Scout campout?" Luckily for the committee member, the answer was provided.

As for the original question, I sewed a loop of string on the underside of my son's sash, about an inch in. It loops onto the button and keeps the sash in place fairly well.

[smtroop168]

Not to get off the original topic, and maybe we can split this off into a "what's the craziest question ever heard at an EBOR?"

Mine is "who is the mean guy who won't give partials for Climbing MB at Laurel Caverns?"

[wagionvigil]

Guilty

[ronin718]

Boy, remind me to watch out for this guy when we make our trip there next fall.

[wagionvigil]

Boy, remind me to watch out for this guy when we make our trip there next fall.

Give me dates

[WeeWillie]

Don't forget your Blue Cards!

[FrankJ]

W.V. don't need no stinking Blue Cards!!

[Cowboy]

Don't get me wrong: When I say full proper uniform, it is not that the boys get sent home or are held back from advancement for not wearing it. It is requested and for the most part the boys do wear them. I do find it funny that often the same people who think and vociferously defend the requirement that the boy receive his rank or MB before the ink dries, don't think that it is important for them to display the same MB all of the time. Like I said, we do not "require" it, but it is suggested to be in proper full uniform. In our Troop it is another one of those status symbols: As soon as the boy gets his first MB (usually about a month after Crossover due to our MB Clinic timing) they run out to get a sash to put it on. As far as the OA sash in my OP, I did not mean to indicate that they were to be worn together, simply that you can add the velcro to that sash and keep it up also. My son has not been able to do his Ordeal (?) yet, though he was tapped out last summer, so I know nothing about the OA other than that the sashes are never to be worn at the same time.

[alex gregory]

What's a "merit badge sash"? I thought they were called brag-rags.

If the guys like wearing sashes to every troop meeting probably not a big deal - far be it from me to tell a scout to take off his merit badge sash. If you're not careful you'll be telling the guys to brush their hair and dig through the laundry hamper or under te bed for the missing pants and socks! I think it makes more sense to have "full-dress" uniform events when the boys wear the sashes. Weekly troop meetings don't quite seem to rise to the occassion.

Remember how nasty the first 6 badges on your sleeve used to get? I had to replace mine after I got in trouble for wiping my greasy fingers (or was it my pocket knife) on my sleeve.

[AquilaNegra2]

#1 was so excited to show his off that he got the BIG one when he had only two badges. It hung almost to his knees.

IMHO, it sort of loses the "shock value" when they're worn every week. It's become a tradition here that the boys wear them to merit badge clinics. Great to see the Scouts talking about those they've earned, and talking to others who have ones they don't.