TL;DR: Rank patch goes on the left pocket. Temp patches go on the right pocket. Flag on the right shoulder, council patch on the left. Merit badges go on the sash. OA lodge flap goes on the right pocket. Cub Scouts flip the council/flag shoulder placement compared to Boy Scouts — that’s the one that trips people up most.
Patch placement on a BSA uniform isn’t a style choice — it’s a standard. Getting it wrong is noticeable, especially at troop meetings and formal ceremonies. This guide covers where everything goes for Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Order of the Arrow members so you can set it up correctly and move on.
Always verify with your troop leader or current BSA publications if anything has changed — regulations do get updated.
Why Placement Actually Matters
A Scout uniform communicates rank, unit, and role at a glance. When everything is in the right place, other Scouts, leaders, and parents can read that information instantly. When it’s not, it just looks sloppy — and in BSA, that reflects on the Scout.
It also matters practically: you don’t want to sew a patch on in the wrong spot and have to remove it.
Boy Scout Patch Placement
Left Pocket — Rank Patch
Your current rank patch goes centered on the left pocket. This is the main one. As a Scout advances — Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle — each new rank patch replaces the previous one here.
Right Pocket — Temporary Patches
Temporary patches (council events, summer camp, camporees) go on the right pocket. These rotate as new ones are earned, which is why they’re separated from the permanent rank patch.
If you’re an Order of the Arrow member, your lodge flap also goes on the right pocket — more on that in the OA section below.
Right Shoulder — U.S. Flag
The American flag patch goes on the right shoulder with the star field facing forward. Same principle as military uniforms — the flag faces the direction of movement.
Left Shoulder — Council Patch
The council patch goes on the left shoulder, identifying which BSA council the Scout belongs to.
Left Sleeve — Position Patches
Leadership and position patches (Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant SPL, etc.) go on the left sleeve. If a Scout earned their Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts, that patch can also be worn here after crossing over to Boy Scouts.
Right Sleeve — Unit and Patrol
Unit numbers and patrol patches go on the right sleeve.
Merit Badge Sash
Merit badges go on the sash — worn diagonally from the right shoulder to the left hip. Keep rows aligned horizontally as the collection grows. Merit badges don’t go on the shirt itself.
Cub Scout Patch Placement
Cub Scout placement is similar to Boy Scouts with a few key differences, mainly on the shoulders.
Left Pocket — Rank Patch
Same as Boy Scouts: current rank centered on the left pocket. Cub Scout ranks are Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light. Unlike Boy Scouts, many Cub Scout troops keep previous rank patches arranged above the current one rather than replacing them — check with your pack leader on their preference.
Right Pocket — Activity Badges and Temp Patches
Activity badges and temporary event patches go on the right pocket or right sleeve depending on the uniform and pack guidelines.
Right Shoulder — Council Patch
Here’s the one that’s different: Cub Scouts wear the council patch on the right shoulder, not the left. The opposite of Boy Scouts.
Left Shoulder — Flag or Den Numerals
The U.S. flag goes on the left shoulder for Cub Scouts. Some packs also use this area for den numerals — confirm with your pack.
Right Sleeve — Pack and Den Numbers
Pack and den identification goes on the right sleeve.
Order of the Arrow Patch Placement
Lodge Flap — Right Pocket
The OA lodge flap goes on the right pocket of the uniform shirt. This replaces (or sits instead of) standard temporary patches for OA members. Only your home lodge flap gets worn on the uniform — lodge flaps collected from other arrowmen or trading events are for your collection, not the uniform.
OA Rank Patches — Right Pocket, Below the Flap
Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil Honor patches go on the right pocket beneath the lodge flap. Each has a distinct look:
- Ordeal — white background, red arrow
- Brotherhood — white background, red bars
- Vigil Honor — yellow background
OA Sash
The OA sash is worn for ceremonies and formal OA events only — not everyday uniform wear. It drapes from the right shoulder to the left hip, similar to a merit badge sash.
Quick Reference
| Patch | Location |
|---|---|
| Rank patch (Boy Scout) | Left pocket, centered |
| Rank patch (Cub Scout) | Left pocket, centered |
| Temporary patches | Right pocket |
| OA lodge flap | Right pocket |
| OA rank (Ordeal/Brotherhood/Vigil) | Right pocket, below flap |
| U.S. Flag (Boy Scout) | Right shoulder |
| U.S. Flag (Cub Scout) | Left shoulder |
| Council patch (Boy Scout) | Left shoulder |
| Council patch (Cub Scout) | Right shoulder |
| Position patches | Left sleeve |
| Unit/patrol numbers | Right sleeve |
| Merit badges | Merit badge sash |
Sewing vs. Ironing
For official rank patches and anything on a Class A uniform, sewing is the better choice. It lasts longer and holds up through years of active wear and washing. Use thread that matches the patch border so it blends in.
Iron-on backing is fine for custom patches, troop patches, and anything on a Class B shirt. If you go that route, the iron-on instructions page covers heat settings and timing so the adhesive bonds properly.
For anything going on a formal uniform — especially rank patches — sew it down. It’s worth the extra ten minutes.
Taking Care of the Uniform
A few habits that keep things looking sharp:
- Wash inside-out on a gentle cycle to protect embroidery
- Cold water only — hot water can weaken adhesive on iron-on patches and shrink fabric
- Air dry when possible; dryer heat over time is hard on both fabric and patches
- If a sewn patch starts to loosen at an edge, catch it early — a few stitches now beats reattaching the whole thing later
Custom Patches for Your Troop
Official BSA patches cover rank and recognition. A lot of troops also use custom patches for patrol identity, event commemorations, or special troop recognitions that don’t have an official BSA version.
If your troop is looking for custom embroidered patches — patrol patches, event patches, anything that complements the official uniform — Teddy Patches does those with no minimum order. Useful when you only need patches for one patrol or one specific event.
Questions about a specific design or material? Reach out here and we’ll sort it out.