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Boy Scouts Once Dressed Like Doughboys

Founded by Lord Baden-Powell, the Scouting movement finds its roots in the military. Lord Baden-Powell was himself a General in the British Army who led his forces successfully during the Second Boer War.

His military training manual, Aids to Scouting, was wildly popular amongst boys in England and a movement was born. Naturally, the Scouts adopted militaristic uniforms.

Here in the States, a similar thing happened. This is a page from a 1925 pamphlet. Aside from insignia, you’d think this young man was in the Army.

11 Responses to “Boy Scouts Once Dressed Like Doughboys”

  1. Ray Forest says:

    As a child of the 80’s I vividly remember there was a whole scout uniform section at Belks or what was probably still Belk-Tyler’s at that time. The section was large enough to have its own dressing room and display counter as well. Boy Scouts/cub scouts on one side, Girl Scouts/ Brownies on the othe . There were a lot more scouts back then I guess. I recall most churches in town having scout troops as well as numerous independent ones.

    • CapnTroy says:

      Yep, in my area in the 70’s & 80’s it was JC Penney’s that had the big scout clothing & accessory section.

  2. Andy Markcyst says:

    “Aside from insignia, you’d think this young man was in the Army.”

    And now you wouldn’t know what to think because now it might not be a man, or a girl, or an army. Good thing they’ve instituted gender identifier badges…that’ll save em!

  3. Scott says:

    Makes me wonder. I know BSA’s congressional charter says they can’t wear US military uniforms. I wonder when and how that came to be.

  4. G1E says:

    A lot less gear to choose from back then. Commonality of kit and strategies, juxtaposed to all we have available today. Horace Kephart and Nessmuck both authors and outdoorsmen wrote some wonderful articles and books on gear and general perspective a few years prior, interesting reading.