A Cub Scout from El Paso’s Pack 8 renders a Boy Scout salute as the American flag is raised at Fort Bliss, 2015. (Photo: U.S. Army Sgt. Jose Ramirez)
The Pentagon has reached a new agreement with Scouting America that preserves the military’s longstanding partnership with the youth group while requiring the rollback of so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Defense (War) Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday.
In a video posted on X, Hegseth railed against Scouting America’s recent changes, including the admittance of girls and transgender youth into its ranks, “woke” ideology, and wider acceptance of non-Christian religions.
Hegseth said he had weighed ending all Defense Department support, including access to installations, equipment, and logistical assistance for major events such as the National Jamboree. After discussions with scouting leaders, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding that outlines policy changes and continued cooperation.
A central component of the agreement is adherence to Executive Order 14173, signed in January 2025 by President Donald Trump. The order calls for eliminating DEI programs in federal agencies and affiliated partnerships. Under the memo, Scouting America agreed to remove DEI language from its materials and disband its DEI committee.
The organization will also discontinue its Citizenship in Society merit badge, previously required for Scouts advancing to Eagle. In its place, a new military service merit badge will be introduced in coordination with the Pentagon, though specific requirements have not yet been released.
Hegseth emphasized changes related to gender policy. He said scouting applications will list only male and female as sex designations, and selections must match a birth certificate. He added that biological boys and biological girls will not share bathrooms, showers, or tents, and that similar standards will apply to leaders and volunteers. The Pentagon plans to review the organization’s compliance in six months and could withdraw support if terms are not met.
Scouting America leaders said some of those policies were already in place. The group’s application includes two options, boy and girl, and officials said boys and girls are not placed together in intimate spaces. The organization also stated that transgender youth remain welcome and that existing program structures, including family troops that serve both genders, will continue.
As part of the updated partnership, Scouting America will waive registration fees for children of active, Guard, and Reserve Service Members. The memo also establishes a Pentagon-appointed liaison to coordinate communication and oversight under Defense Department ethics rules.
Military support for scouting dates back decades, including logistical assistance for the National Jamboree since 1937. Eagle Scouts have historically been well represented in ROTC programs and service academies, and the organization says Scouts are more likely than the general population to serve in uniform.
Founded in 1910 as the Boy Scouts of America, the group opened membership to gay youth in 2013, ended its ban on gay adult leaders in 2015, and began accepting transgender youth in 2017. Girls were admitted into Cub Scouts in 2018 and into the flagship Scouts BSA program in 2019. The organization rebranded as Scouting America in 2024 and now reports roughly 900,000 youth members nationwide.
The agreement formalizes the conditions under which the Pentagon will continue supporting scouting activities on military installations in the United States and abroad.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
