Class A Uniform

• Scout Shirt (with all the appropriate badges, including: current badge of rank, current leadership position, quality unit patch, patrol patch and all other required boy scout patches)
• Neckerchief and slide
• Scout belt (or a Scouting related belt, e.g. Philmont)
• Jeans or Khaki pants (or official Scout pants)
• Closed-toed shoes
• Socks

Class B Uniform

• Class B Uniform Shirt
• Jeans or Khaki pants
• Closed-toed shoes
• Socks
• Scout belt (or a Scouting related belt, e.g. Philmont)

OA and Merit Badge Sash Protocol

Dear OA Brothers:

There have been a few questions about protocol for wearing your OA sash. It's not something that is widely discussed so naturally there can be some confusion. Here are some notes and links on the subject that you should find helpful.

You should be proud of your being inducted into the OA and eager to display your affiliation with the Brotherhood. That's great! However, like many things pertaining to your uniform, and particularly the OA honor, there are some protocols for properly wearing your OA sash.

From page 57 of the OA Handbook:

"The Order of the Arrow sash is worn with the official scout uniform
or Scouting's official adult dress wear (a blue blazer and gray
slacks). The sash also may be worn by Elangomats who are not in
uniform at an Ordeal, youth wearing ceremonial attire, and in such
other instances as approved by the Scout Executive. The sash is worn
over the right shoulder so that the arrow is pointing over the right
shoulder. The sash is worn diagonally across the chest. It is not worn
in any other manner.

Sashes may not be altered in any way or form. Beading or any other
material is not permitted on the sash. Nothing is to be worn on the
sash, including signatures, patches of any kind, pins, or legends. The
only exceptions are the 50th and 60th anniversary awards. Either if
these may be worn as an option, by those who have earned them, on the
shoulder portion above the bar at the point of the arrow.

The sash is worn at Order of the Arrow functions and special Scouting
activities, when members need to be identified as Arrowmen rendering
special services."

So, what does all this mean? Well, pretty much you wear the sash over your right shoulder only, never draped over your belt. Wear the sash to all OA-sponsored functions and if you are rendering a special service where identifying youself as an OA member is appropriate (e.g. during OA elections, service at a Court of Honor as an usher/honor guard/color guard, service at a campfire if the OA is leading it and you are part of the team responsible for the campfire, etc).

The OA sash is not worn at the same time as the merit badge sash nor should it be worn during a board of review because you are not rendering a service to others during a board of review. The merit badge sash is the formal sash to be worn for a board of review, court of honor, or other formal troop, district, or council event unless you are rendering a special service. Note also that the merit badge sash is never worn over your belt either.

Hopefully this will clear up any confusion you might have on the subject. Some helpful and interesting links on proper sash wear and the sash's history are the following:

• Sash Protocol
• OA Sashes and when to wear them
• OA Sash History