On February 26, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon will conditionally continue its support for Scouting America, previously known as the Boy Scouts of America. This decision follows the youth organization’s commitment to eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from its programs.
In a video statement, Hegseth revealed that there had been serious considerations to end all support for Scouting America due to the perceived infiltration of DEI principles. However, after discussions with the current leadership of Scouting America, the organization agreed to implement significant reforms in response to concerns raised by the Department of War, which is formally known as the Department of Defense.
As part of the agreement, Scouting America has signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to adhere to an executive order from former President Donald Trump aimed at banning DEI efforts in both public and private sectors. This includes removing DEI-related language from its programs and publications, as well as discontinuing a merit badge focused on citizenship in society that emphasized the values of diversity and inclusion. A new merit badge related to military service will replace it.
Additionally, membership in Scouting America will now be determined by a child’s sex assigned at birth, establishing that applications will have only two designations: male and female, which must match the applicant’s birth certificate.
Roger Krone, President and CEO of Scouting America, expressed pride in the organization’s ongoing support for military families and emphasized a renewed partnership with the Department of War. He remarked on the organization’s commitment to its historical values while also implementing changes to comply with the executive order.
The announcement follows previous criticisms from the Pentagon, where officials have referred to Scouting America’s recent decisions as misaligned with the values of the current administration. Despite these challenges, Scouting America stands firm in its foundational beliefs, noting the integral role of girls in the organization, who have participated as leaders and program developers for decades.
Hegseth’s statements signal a shift in the organization’s direction, which aims to align more closely with the government’s stance on DEI issues moving forward. As Scouting America embarks on this new path, it seeks to strengthen its mission of serving military families while upholding its traditional values.