Placement · Girl Scouts
A Brownie vest or sash fills up fast: membership insignia first, then badges, Journey awards and pins as the year goes on. This page lists everything that goes on a Brownie uniform, the placement rules Girl Scouts of the USA actually publishes, and how to attach each piece so it stays on.
Short answer. Brownie badges and Journey awards go on the front of the vest or sash. Put the first Journey awards at the bottom and work upward as more are earned; on a sash, Journey awards sit above the badges. Anything that will not fit on the front can go on the back. For the exact left-and-right position of each insignia, use the official GSUSA Brownie diagram linked below.
Brownie vest badge placement: the rules GSUSA publishes
Girl Scouts of the USA publishes its placement guidance as a diagram for each level. For Brownies, the written rules on that diagram are short:
- Journey awards start at the bottom. “Place your first Journey awards at the bottom of your vest,” then work your way up as more are earned.
- On a sash, Journey awards go above the badges.
- Overflow goes on the back. If Journey awards and badges do not fit on the front of the vest or sash, they can be worn on the back.
Everything else (the flag, council and troop identification, the insignia tab and the pins) has a fixed position shown on the diagram itself. Rather than paraphrase a picture, we link to it: see the GSUSA Brownie “Where to place” guide, and check your council’s current version, because councils reissue these guides.
What goes on a Brownie vest or sash
Council uniform guides list the same set of insignia and awards for the Brownie vest and sash. In the order councils usually list them:
- American flag patch
- Girl Scout council identification set
- Troop crest
- Troop numerals
- Membership stars and discs
- Bridge to Girl Scout Brownie award
- My Promise, My Faith pins
- Cookie entrepreneur family pins
- Safety award pin
- World Thinking Day award
- Girl Scout Brownie badges
- Brownie insignia tab
- World Trefoil pin
- Girl Scout Brownie membership pin
The flag, identification set, crest and numerals are the permanent pieces: put those on first and plan the badges around them. Pins are pinned rather than ironed or sewn, and pins worn at every level can move to the new vest when she bridges to Juniors.
Brownie vest or sash: which to choose
Both are official and both use the same insignia. A vest has more room on the front and back and is easier to put on young girls; a sash is lighter and some troops prefer the look for ceremonies. Placement follows the same principles on either: front first, Journey awards working upward, overflow to the back.
How to attach Brownie badges so they stay on
Most Brownie badges come with an iron-on backing. Iron-on is quick, but a household iron rarely gets the adhesive hot enough for long, which is why badges lift at the corners after a few washes. Our guide to ironing on Girl Scout patches covers the method in detail; the short version:
- Press firmly for 30–45 seconds with a thin pressing cloth, then again from the inside of the vest. See which pressing cloth to use.
- Let the badge cool completely before moving the vest.
- Add a few stitches at the corners on anything that will be handled a lot; see how to sew on a patch.
- No iron? Fabric glue for patches works for a vest that is rarely washed.
Troop patches, fun patches and keepsakes
Fun patches from events, camps and cookie seasons are not official insignia, so they do not go on the front of the uniform. Councils suggest the back of the vest or sash, or a separate patch blanket or display. If your troop wants its own patch for an event or a bridging ceremony, we make custom embroidered and woven troop patches from 50 pieces; see custom embroidered patches and how to display patches once the vest is full.
Common questions
Where do Brownie badges go on the vest?
On the front, with Journey awards starting at the bottom and working upward. Badges that do not fit can go on the back. The official GSUSA Brownie diagram shows the full layout.
Where do Brownie badges go on the sash?
On the front, with Journey awards placed above the badges. Overflow goes on the back.
Can Brownie badges go on the back of the vest?
Yes. GSUSA says that if badges and Journey awards do not fit on the front, they can be worn on the back.
Do Brownie badges carry over to the Junior vest?
Brownie badges stay on the Brownie vest or sash; Juniors start a new uniform. Pins that are worn at every level, such as the World Trefoil pin, can move across to the new vest.
Should I iron or sew Brownie badges?
Iron-on is fine for most badges if it is pressed properly. Many troop leaders add a few stitches at the corners, especially on a vest that is washed often.
Need troop patches made?
We make embroidered, chenille, woven, leather, PVC and sublimated patches to order, from 50 pieces, with a free digital proof before anything runs.