Our Uniform
Troop Seventeen derives much of its renowned esprit de corps from its
distinctive uniform.
The classic silhouette as depicted in the famous Mackenzie scout statue (and
also in many of the Norman Rockwell paintings) is the option and image that
Seventeen wishes to portray.
Over the years, the Scout uniform has changed much and included many options.
(e.g. breeches, shorts, or long trousers; several hats; long sox, short sox;
no neckerchief, neckerchief, necktie, bolo; neckerchief under the collar,
over-the collar; collar tucked in)
but the troop has been steadfast in maintaining the traditional or classic Scout look
-- broad-brimmed hat, neckerchief, shorts, & long sox.
Seventeen takes the most traditional option because we want our Scouts to look
like Scouts -- not like an athletic team or just another youth group. We
don't want to mask or obscure the fact that we're Scouts -- we are Scouts and
mighty proud of it.
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The distinctive Seventeen patch-
-- a red patch with a white "17" and white border is the same patch that has been in use since 1917. (It can be seen on
the sleeve of the Scouts in our 1917 formal picture.) In 1936 and for many
years thereafter, in recognition of their twenty-five year status, qualifying
troops (including Seventeen) were authorized by the National Council BSA to
wear the white border. The practice has since been discontinued, but
Seventeen has maintained its traditional sleeve numeral that has enjoyed such
a rich heritage.
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Our troop neckerchief-
...has been in use since the early 1940s when Troop 31 was merged into Seventeen. At the time Troop 31 wore a neckerchief of azure blue
and Seventeen wore a red neckerchief. Symbolizing the merger, the two colors
were merged into new neckerchiefs (a blue stripe on red background for the
Scouts and a red stripe on blue background for the leaders). The blue leader's neckerchief continued in use until
around 1950 when the BSA National Supply Service discontinued that particular
color offering.
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Short pants-
...were not always a part of the official BSA uniform. They were not
introduced until the 1920s (with considerable resistance, however) and were
rare throughout the thirties except at camp. It was not until 1950 that large
groups of Scouts would venture onto streets in them. The troop was among the
first to embrace short pants in the 1930s and was readily recognized (and
jeered and respected) as the "short pants troop" even into the late 40s and
early 50s.
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The Broad-Brimmed Hat-
Nothing captures the image of a Scout more than the broad-brimmed hat.
Although many options have been tried over the years (such as the W.W.II
overseas hat, the red beret and the baseball cap), the "Smoky-the-Bear" or
"Campaign" hat is the only uniform item which has remained constant since
Scouting came to the United States in the early 1900s. In addition to its
obvious functionality, it is still the broad-brimmed hat which makes Seventeen
stand out from other troops in camp or at a parade.