From: waltoml@wkuvx1.bitnet
Newsgroups: rec.scouting
Subject: Re: Uniforms! (ugh!)
Date: 27 Jan 93 09:54:13 CST
Organization: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

lodge@owlnet.rice.edu (David John Lodge) writes:

> brenner@well.sf.ca.us (Anita Susan Brenner) writes:
> |> 
> |> I don't know about you folks, but the uniforms for girl scouts were
> |> better when I was a kid. The fabrics they use now are of such poor
> |> quality and the styles leave a lot to be desired. Some of the leaders
> |> have used their own navy blue suits, with the regulation blouse and scarf.

> [stuff deleted]
 
>   I have noticed this trend in Boy Scout uniforms as well.  When I first joined
> up, the Scout shorts and Scout pants were the toughest in existence, with the
> possible exception of military fatigues.  Yet now, they seem to come apart at the
> seams almost immediately (I'm thinking in particular about the shorts one
> Scoutmaster wore at Philmont -- they split from waistband to hem before we even
> left base camp).

>   As for the styles, I was most disappointed when BSA decided to make all the
> emblem backgrounds khaki.  I have never been particularly fond of khaki, and I
> liked having a variety of colored backgrounds on my uniform.  (I must admit,
> when the color change started, my dad and i went to the scout shop and bought up
> all the patches we thought I'd need, like Senior Patrol Leader, Jr. Asst. Scoutmaster
> and Asst. Scoutmaster.)  I am glad that the Explorer position emblems (President, etc.)
> are still red.

Good Morning David....I have a request for the entire net at the end
of this posting!

The older uniforms's patches all had khaki green backgrounds to match
the uniforms...even up to the early 70s, the patches matched (or came
pretty close, except for the Eagle emblem!) the khahi of the uniform. 
It was *supposed* to look like from far away as if the emblem was
"planted" in the center of the shirt pocket, or on the left shoulder
(as with the case of the leadership emblems).  

The reason why we went to the full color patches was one of "jazzying
up" the uniforms.....it was stopped when SOMEONE at the National
office suggested that we return to the old style of matching the
patches to the color of the uniforms (BAD MOVE THERE!). That's the
reason why, in 1990, the full color patches were "discontinued" in
favor of the "bland tan khahi" patches (and the silly patches made for
the Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Troop
Guide. It was supposed to look more international...it really looks
afficted to me!). 

Okay, here's the request.  A while back, the BSA had special "patrol
emblems" made for the Leadership Corps. These were square in shape (kinda)
with the lamp of knowledge in the center along with the words "Leadership
Corps".  I need TWO of them.  Does anyone have a source (I've talked with
two "patch barterers" ( people whom deal in patch trade and selling) and
they cannot locate them for me.  I DO NOT NEED NOR DESIRE THE CURRENT 
ROUND VERSIONS....one is to stay with me, while the other is for a special 
award that I am working on.  If you have access to two (or three), please let
me know by email or post a note here. 

I agree, David...the uniforms we use today is NOT what we *should* be 
wearing...but what do you expect when the BSA hires an expensive dressmaker
to make a uniform for Scouts!

Settummanque!

Mike L. Walton (WALTOML@WKUVX1.Bitnet)
Greenwood, Kentucky