Pentagon in Talks with Scouting America Over Partnership Future
The U.S. Department of Defense is currently negotiating the terms of its long-standing partnership with Scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts of America. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had initially signaled intentions to end military support, citing concerns over the organization's evolving policies, particularly its approach to gender and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Following these initial proposals, the Pentagon has now shifted its focus toward negotiating a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for continued collaboration.
Scouting America has responded by outlining programmatic changes and reaffirming its commitment to military families, hoping to maintain the century-long relationship.
Pentagon's Initial Concerns
Internal documents reviewed last fall revealed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's intention to terminate the military's century-long partnership with Scouting America, a relationship formalized in 1937. The documents expressed concerns that the organization had deviated from its original mission to support "the future of American boys" and moved away from a "meritocracy."
Hegseth's specific criticisms included Scouting America's adoption of what he described as a "genderless" approach, its promotion of DEI initiatives, and a perceived departure from "masculine virtues" and "traditional religious values." The Pentagon's previous stance labeled Scouting America's DEI efforts as "unacceptable" and "counter to the values of this administration."
Secretary Hegseth also reportedly argued that diverting military resources for youth events could impact national security by affecting border operations and territorial protection.
Potential End to Military Support
Had the initial proposals to sever ties moved forward, the Pentagon would have discontinued several key forms of support for Scouting America:
- National Jamboree Aid: Medical and logistical assistance for the quadrennial National Jamboree, which attracts up to 20,000 Scouts to West Virginia, would have been withdrawn. This support, mandated by Congress, includes a national security exemption Hegseth reportedly planned to invoke.
- Use of Military Installations: Scout troops would have been barred from using military bases for meetings, both within the U.S. and overseas.
- Advanced Military Rank for Eagle Scouts: The long-standing practice of granting advanced military rank and increased pay to Eagle Scouts upon enlistment would have been eliminated. This practice has historically served as a significant pathway for military recruitment, with Scouting America data showing that up to 20% of service academy cadets and midshipmen are Eagle Scouts.
Approximately 25,000 children of U.S. servicemembers participate in Scouting America programs. Retired military personnel, like Army Staff Sergeant Kenny Green, have underscored the vital role of Scout troops on military bases for frequently relocating families. Navy Secretary John Phelan had also warned that such a policy could be "detrimental to recruitment and accession efforts," noting that up to a third of Navy officers in training have a scouting background.
Scouting America's Evolving Policies
Over the past decade, Scouting America has enacted several significant policy changes that have drawn criticism:
- 2013: Began allowing openly gay youth to participate.
- 2015: Lifted a general ban on gay adult leaders.
- 2017: Announced the acceptance of transgender youth.
- 2018: Integrated girls into the Cub Scouts program.
- 2019: Integrated girls into the main Scouts BSA program, resulting in over 6,000 girls achieving the Eagle Scout rank by May 2024.
In 2024, the organization officially rebranded from "Boy Scouts of America" to "Scouting America." Secretary Hegseth has been a vocal critic of these shifts, publicly stating in 2018 that the organization was "cratering itself" and later accusing it of being "diluted by progressive politics."
Ongoing Negotiations and Scouting America's Pledges
Despite developing contingency plans for withdrawal, the Pentagon has pivoted to negotiating an MOU to ensure the partnership continues. Reports indicate that Pentagon demands for this MOU include requiring new scouts to register based on their sex assigned at birth. While Scouting America's current application offers "male" or "female" gender choices, and most troops are single-gender, its official policy welcomes all youth regardless of "gender or orientation."
In January, Scouting America presented a plan in response to the Pentagon's demands. This plan included several key programmatic changes:
- Discontinuing the "Citizenship in Society" merit badge.
- Introducing a "Military Service" merit badge.
- Waiving registration fees for military families.
- Dissolving its DEI board committee.
- Conducting a ceremony to rededicate to core values.
Scouting America issued a statement affirming its commitment to military families and expressed a desire for a "renewed, strengthened partnership."
The organization confirmed it would maintain its current name and continue to serve the more than 200,000 girls participating in its programs. It reiterated that its core commitments—its name, mission, and promise to serve all youth—remain unchanged. Scouting America also stated its anticipation of continued support for Scouting on military installations worldwide, ongoing Department support for National Jamborees, and new benefits for military families.
Congressional Scrutiny and Future Outlook
The prospect of policy changes sparked reactions from Capitol Hill. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), an Armed Services Committee member, confirmed earlier reports and noted receiving constituent feedback critical of the proposed cuts. Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, characterized the Pentagon's initial stance as inappropriate.
Pentagon officials have largely refrained from commenting on "leaked documents that we cannot authenticate and that may be pre-decisional." Planning for next summer's National Jamboree is already underway. Should an agreement not be reached, Scouting America would need to secure alternative medical care, transportation, and emergency services for the event.