All Uniform lside Chaplain/Chaplain Aide insignia

Chaplains:

Just about everyone is aware that Scouting, like many other organizations, have Chaplains to provide religious support to those associated with the unit. Their role is NOT to "convert" or "turn youth or adults" into those of his or her faith direction; but rather to assist them toward finding and enhancing each Scout or Scouters' OWN faith direction. They are resources to assist the Troop or Crew in encouraging them not to give up or turn back, but to continue FORWARD toward the goal for the day.

The first Chaplains were former military chaplains who saw duty in war or peace and wanted to help Scouts to maintain their religious studies while on the trail. They could also provide appropriate interdemonial graces and prayers before eating. Some could lead outdoor services appropriate to their faith and those of other Scouts and Scouters along the trail.

As the BSA worked with Protestant, Jewish and Catholic national religious organizations to develop special recognitions for those Scouts and Explorers who desire to challenge themselves more in a religious line, those organizations "certified" or approved unit, District and in some cases Council Chaplains to do religious services and rites at summer camps or along the trail at Philmont or one of the other outdoor adventure bases around the nation.

The BSA developed a Chaplain badge of office for all Chaplains to wear in the late 30s. In 1971, the BSA designed new position insignia in a circular shape with the Universal emblem in the center and wording denoting what the emblem symbolizes. In 1996, the BSA changed the background color of many of the unit insignia in Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting to tan so that the emblem could "blend in better" into the uniforms.

Chaplain Badge of Office from 1971 to 1996

Chaplain Badge of Office from 1996 to the present

Chaplains may wear either version of the Chaplain badge of office for best uniforming.

Chaplain Aides:

In 1974, new youth positions of responsibility were created to expand the ability of a Scout to advance to Star, Life and Eagle while exercising leadership ability. The Chaplain Aide position was created. At the same time, the BSA also created an ADULT Chaplain Aide position to do the same thing for Troops which were too small or whose Senior Patrol Leader chose not to appoint a youth to perform the role.

To distinguish the ADULT from YOUTH positions, a small fleur-de-lis was placed at the bottom of the youth leadership role's insignia and no such insignia was on the adult version.

ADULT Chaplain Aide insignia

YOUTH Chaplain Aide insignia

Training for the role:

So you may ask, what is the difference, what is the training required for the role, and how is it documented?

Adult Chaplains and Chaplain Aides complete the training which is available from ScoutingU, the BSA's online Scouting training university venue. More information on ScoutingU and how to take the training can be found at the BSA's training program website. Once completed, a training course code will be provided to the Chaplain's local Council for posting to ScoutNet certifying the completion of the training course.

Youth Chaplain Aides currently (as of December 2017) have no standardized training, although several local Councils do offer the training during their Universities of Scouting or All Out For Training events. Scouter Amy McNeil and some other Scouters are working toward getting a nationally approved Youth Chaplain Aide training course approved and distributed to local Councils. Again, once completed, Scouts and Venturers will receive a course certificate and training card along with infomation on how their unit can input the training completion into ScoutNet. In the meantime, the unit should have a copy of the training course completion certificate on file or on electrons so that it can be printed or provided to the local Council for records posting.

Chaplain Aides -- whether they are youth or adult, assist the unit's Chaplain and other leaders of the unit in insuring that all Scouts are welcomed, have a great Scouting experience and spend time marveling at the many things around their lives and the importance of having a religious "frame of reference" if not a downright faith in Something or Someone higher or greater than themselves.

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