Wearing the scout uniform 18 and older

[spl08]

Well, I finally got to go to a troop meeting for the first time in about 2 months (wow things can get busy!!!), but it was good to be back. Anyway, I was talking to guy who recently became Eagle, but who also recently turned 18, and he was still wearing in scout uniform with the scout patches and all (like the youth Eagle patch and that sorta thing). When I mentioned this to him, he just said that nobody will notice or care since he still looks like a scout. The SPL then said to me "hey just let him live out the glory of wearing his scout uniform." I'm all for wearing the uniform, but shouldn't he be wearing the scouter's uniform? Is this something that is enforced at you troops?

[ASM-142]

Once he turned 18 he should of changed his patches to those of a Scouter.

[Chief J]

Agreed, once 18 the patches should reflect those of a Scouter.

Chief J

[Billiken]

We enforce it. At 18 you're an Asst. Scoutmaster.

We give the Eagle knot to new Eagles at their COHs.

[jr56]

Youth protection rules change once a youth turns 18, to reinforce the fact that now he is an adult, he should change his uniform insignia to remind himself and the youth, that his statis has changed.

[spl08]

I agree with everything you guys are saying, and as I mentioned above, I brought this up to the adult in question. Since he won't change his uniform (at least until he gets around and or feels like it), should I bring this to the attention of the scoutmaster? Keep in mind that the adult is also the scoutmaster's son.

[riverwalk]

Yep do that. They may not have thought about it. Many Scouters don't consider Uniform problems until brought up, in my experience anyway. Scouters need to do those inspections, then they'll have a better idea about this.

Make sure he isn't doing any advancement stuff either, haha.

[FrankJ]

So is this person registered as an adult? Is there a venturing crew that he can join?

[ThunderingWind]

Is this 18 year old mature enough to be an ASM? Are they helping or disrupting the meeting? Because of their maturity level, do they need a little transition time from Youth to Adult?

This is one area I personally feel the BSA needs to work on a policy change.

There really should be some transition time for some youth who need a little more time maturing. Some can handle going form Eagle to ASM. Some still need to be "part of the boys."

Yes, I know there are Crews. However, it may not be partical for every youth.

[wagionvigil]

It would be practicial if it was a required move. ALso if it was required then there would not be this problem in the first place.

[spl08]

So is this person registered as an adult?

Not that I know of. He only became Eagle about 2 months ago, and an adult 1 month ago. Of course, that really isn't any kind of an excuse.

Is there a venturing crew that he can join?

There are a few, but that isn't something he's interested in to my knowledge. And oh, don't you have to join before 18 to become a venturer? I know you can be in until 21.

Are they helping or disrupting the meeting?

niether. He's just kind of there and says "I'll do something if I'm asked and needed, otherwise, I'll just kinda screw around."

[wagionvigil]

No you can join anytime as long as you are not 21 and are 14 and finished grade 8

[9009scoutmaster]

The 18 year olds is registered as a youth on the units paper work until the unit recharters. When the unit recharters he will have to register as a adult them with the scout troop

[pipestone1991]

Most college-age Eagles I know refuse to give up their Eagle apatch, in fact, one very exp. scouter refuses also.

I personally don't mind, but I like the patch better.

[ASM-142]

So is this person registered as an adult?

Not that I know of. He only became Eagle about 2 months ago, and an adult 1 month ago. Of course, that really isn't any kind of an excuse."

If this adult is not a registered scouter then he should not be wearing a BSA uniform of any kind. If this adult is a registered scouter then he should be wearing a scouter uniform and not a scout uniform.

[riverwalk]

Well they really don't "give up the patch", as they go to the Knot that represents the same thing.

Unless we're following the example in the new Uniform Guide (slick). There's a boo-boo on page 11 of this catalog. Have fun and see if you can spot it.

[jr56]

Since, in a way he is still on the books as a youth until the troop recharters again, I would probably shelve this issue until recharter time.
Then, if he registers as an adult leader, put more pressure on him to change his patches accordingly.

[longhorneagle]

I just finished college and have continued to be involved with my Troop since I turned 18 as a Assistant Scoutmaster. My uniform changed when I turned 18 the eagle square knot replaced my eagle rank badge, youth patrol patch removed, and I sewed on my new assistant scoutmaster patch.

My troop and the BSA requires that your uniform insignia is correct and when a scout turns 18 and continues to be active in a scout troop he can only serve as a ASM and needs to wear the correct uniform. We give our eagles who stay with the troop as an adult leader the correct insignia for their uniform (Eagle knot, AOL knot, and ASM patch)

Since I became an adult leader I have observed other Eagles scouts who choose to continue there service to scouting in an adult leadership role after turning 18. Some work out and some are just a distraction to the program of the troop. The role a Assistant Scoutmaster plays in the troop is much different from the job of a patrol leader or SPL and many times these new leaders do not understand what the job of an adult leader in scouting is. Training is the key to ensure they will be an valued resource to you troop and not a distraction.

All new leaders to become trained for their job both the 18 year old Eagle Scout and the webelos parent bridging with their son. We don’t teach our scouts the 8 methods or 3 aims of scouting, but adult leaders should know the basics of what scouting is trying to accomplish and the methods we use to accomplish our mission.

I have noticed that the trained leaders are usually the leaders who are uniformed properly. Encouraging you new leaders to attend Youth Protection, New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster Specific Training, and Wood Badge. They will choose to wear the uniform correctly because they will understand why we are an uniformed movement after becoming a trained leader.