Wilton125

Examples of "poor quality" of BSA Centennial Uniform. Click on links: http://kevindevin.com/?p=2778 http://meritbadge.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3381

"If someone can make a product on the other side of the planet and bring it to my doorstep with better or equal quality as a local manufacturer for a lower price, why should I support inefficiency?" The fundamental points of this thread has been: - The Asian-made "Centennial Uniforms" have been proven to be of inferior quality - BSA Supply sells these Asian-made uniforms as a price that is higher than the prior USA made uniforms This is not efficiency; this is exploitation of a captive market. Why should this be accepted as OK?

Great comparison on commercial alternatives to BSA Scout Pants http://inquiry.net/uniforms/bdu.htm Although this information is a bit dated, the information clear illustrates "why" may Parents and Scouter chose an alternative to the BSA Scout pants.

Last year at summer camp, I met a Scout who had spent time in Australia in Scouts before returning to the US. He was wearing an Australian Scout uniform shirt that was definitely eye catching as well as comfortable. Here is an example of how the Scout uniform has evolved in Australia: http://www.scoutsqld.com.au/index.cfm?MenuID=210 It is definitely a much more youth-friendly approach to uniforms.

There are lot's of threads about the BSA uniform. The current centennial uniform was redesigned for the 100th anniversary of Scouting in the United States. It is definitely an evolution from the Oscar de la Renta (ODL) uniform introduced in the early 1980s. But is it the right uniform for Scouting as we begin our second century as a movement in the US? The Scout uniforms in both the UK http://shop.scouts.org.uk/c-193-uniforms.aspx and Scouts Canada http://www.scouts.ca/uniform/uniform.html have also evolved. These uniform seem to me more youth friendly and less traditional

To johnponz: I think that you are missing the point of this thread. Based on the responses to this thread, there are a number of people unhappy with BSA National supply about the following Centennial uniform issues: 1. Poor quality 2. High prices 3. Sourcing from Asia 4. Poor fit 5. Poor durability ... Due to these concerns, Scouter have shared their opinions and their alternatives to these uniform concerns. The "solution" is NOT to just wear the current Centennial Uniform. The "solution" is for BSA National supply to listen to its members and FIX these

To Chaoman45 What is a "bombazine raincoats"?(This message has been edited by Wilton125)

"The location where something is made does not really indicate quality. Quality usually comes from the specs that the customer (in this case BSA) is providing." Then shame on BSA National Supply for "specifying" low-quality uniforms and selling them at high prices. The pre-2009 BSA uniforms were certainly better quality then the current Centennial Uniforms.

"Call me a "nativist" but I'd pay an extra ten bucks for a US-made uniform." I would too!

"b) Imitation of United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Air Force uniforms is prohibited, in accordance with the provisions of Act of Congress, approved June 3, 1916." Does BSA follow the these rules? Here are some examples where they do not: 1. The current Centennial Uniform and ODL (Oscar de Larenta) uniform are very similar to the US Marine Corps Uniform with tan, two-pocket, dress shirts and dark green pants. 2. However the Marine Corps tan uniform shirt never had epaulets. But the US Army tan / khaki shirts dress shirts of the 1940s-1970s used to have epaulets. In the 1

"National is getting cheap quality materials and poor workmanship at unbelievably low prices from Asia and yet they continue to raise uniform prices." If BSA Nation Supply was selling the current uniform pants and shirt at $25 to $30 in order to allow families all income levels to afford Scout uniforms, then I could understand and appreciate this approach. But BSA Nation Supply sells the current uniform pants and shirt at approximately DOUBLE the market price. Poor quality at high prices! "Where is all that profit going?? Into National's coffers to pay for all those ridiculous

"Believe it or not, and it is well documented, a Scouter had his membership revoked by a SE in Alabama for refusing to change his military style pants at a camporee." I bet that these were camouflage-style military-style pants as opposed to solid green military pants.

The US Military moved away from OD (olive drab) BDUs (Battle Dress Uniforms) in 1979. Almost all OD BDUs sold in stores are similar to, but NOT exact copies of the US Military OD BDU pants from the 1960s and 1970s. I own and use three pairs of OD BDU Pants when for campouts in the field. Retail costs were between $26 and $30. There are extremely well made and have lasted for over 6 years. I have had Scouts and Adult Leaders in my Troop wear these types of pants to Troop Meetings, Courts of Honor (CoH) and other uniformed events. Most people cannot tell the difference. These dar

It has been over a years since my conversation with BSA National Supply about the decision to "offshore" Scout uniforms to Asia. I do not remember the name of the person that I spoke with. What I do remember was that it took many calls to get to someone that was involved with the decision. I never found out who made the final decision.My guess was the Chief Scout Executive cerainly had to approve it. The person that I spoke with at National Supply claimed that there were no uniform manufactures in the USA that could support BSA's uniform needs. When I asked about the US uniform man

I am amazed that the topic of customized unit numbers has provoked this level of discussion. Over the years, the Council Shoulder Patch (CSP) has evolved from a simple red and white patch to unique, multi-color patches. Many councils produce special and limited availability CSPs for special events and for recognition like National Jamborees, Eagle Scouts, and Friend of Scouting. So in one council, there can be many variations of the CSP. BSA "National" does not seem to have a problem with this. CSP designs vary from one Council to another. The common denominator is the shape and placement