join, allowing young women across the nation to participate in activities that help build merit and responsibility. Many ships now accept young men and young women into their program, while others consist of only one gender to simplify Youth Protection standards. In 1972, Exploring and Venturing followed suit, and the inclusion of women in Sea Scouting was re-affirmed. As of 2016, Sea Scouts is currently its own independent program within the BSA. From 1998 to 2016, it had been part of Venturing, and prior to that part of Exploring. In 2018, Sea Scouts was designated as the official youth program of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Uniform and insignia In 2012, the National Sea Scout Committee introduced the Official Sea Scout Uniform, previously known as the New Century Universal Uniform. This universal uniform is the same for youth and adults as well as men and women. It is flexible enough to be used as an all purpose uniform and is authorized for wear at National Events. The uniform is made up of a dark blue "Dickies" Shirt, dark blue pants, a black ball cap or the traditional "Dixie Cup" hat, an optional dark blue neckerchief or "Tar Flap" neckerchief (youth only), a black belt, and black shoes. Insignia are as follows: The local council shoulder patch (CSP) is worn on the left sleeve just as it is worn on other Scout uniforms. Below the CSP, the ship numerals are worn. Below the numerals the badge of office is worn. Below the badge of office is the Long Cruise patch, with segments in red and white for addition cruises (red=1 additional award, white=5 additional awards). On the right sleeve the U.S. Flag patch is worn. Below the flag, the ship's emblem or standard Sea Scout emblem is worn is worn. The ship emblem, unique to each unit, has the ship's name, number, and location (city & state) on it. If the individual works above the ship level, the standard Sea Scout emblem is always worn. Above the left breast pocket, Sea Scouts and leaders can wear up to six square knots or five pin-on medals, with the badge of rank being worn on the pocket itself. The Sea Scout Experience Advanced Leadership (SEAL) training pin is worn above the knots. Above the right breast pocket, the "SEA SCOUTS BSA" strip is worn. The nametag being worn above it. The Seabadge pin