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Pentagon Demands Policy Changes from Scouting America, Targets Transgender Youth Policies
Scouting America will implement several policy changes at the Pentagon’s insistence, including one affecting transgender youth participants, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday. The move comes as part of Hegseth’s broader campaign against military support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Some changes mirror what Scouting America had already suggested to the Defense Department in January, such as discontinuing its Citizenship in Society merit badge, introducing a Military Service merit badge, and waiving registration fees for military personnel’s children.
“We will vigorously review the changes the organization makes in six months and will cease our support of Scouting America if it fails to comply,” Hegseth said in a video posted on X. “We hope that doesn’t happen, but it could. Ideally, I believe the Boy Scouts should go back to being the Boy Scouts as originally founded, a group that develops boys into men. Maybe someday.”
The Pentagon has criticized its partnership with Scouting America, particularly challenging the organization’s 2024 rebrand from the Boy Scouts and other inclusivity-focused changes implemented in recent years that Hegseth characterizes as “woke culture.”
In its response statement Friday, Scouting America notably omitted mention of the transgender policy change but acknowledged its need to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting diversity programs. The organization emphasized it was maintaining its new name and “preserved our service to the more than 200,000 girls who participate in our programs.”
The Irving, Texas-based organization has undergone significant transformations over the past decade. It began allowing gay youth in 2013, ended its ban on gay adult leaders in 2015, and announced in 2017 that it would accept transgender students. Girls were welcomed into Cub Scouts in 2018 and into the flagship program—renamed Scouts BSA—in 2019. As of May 2024, more than 6,000 girls had earned the Eagle Scout rank.
Scouting America defended its value to the military, stating: “Scouting America is one of the most reliable pipelines to the United States Armed Forces our country has ever known. Scouts are significantly more likely to serve in uniform than the general population. Eagle Scouts are heavily represented in ROTC programs, service academies, and military leadership tracks.”
The Pentagon’s earlier February statement claimed Scouting America had “lost its way” and called its diversity initiatives “unacceptable.” It stated that “Scouting America’s leadership has made decisions that run counter to the values of this administration, including an embrace of DEI and other social justice, gender-fluid ideological stances.”
The military and Scouting have maintained close ties for decades. Since 1937, the military has provided logistical support for the National Boy Scout Jamboree and has historically sponsored Scout troops on U.S. military bases. Last year, Scouting America expressed concerns following an NPR report that the Pentagon planned to cut support for Scouting programs on bases, for the National Jamboree, and eliminate pay grade increases for Eagle Scouts who enlist.
In January, Scouting America proposed several changes to Hegseth, including discontinuing their Citizenship in Society merit badge, introducing a Military Service badge, waiving fees for military personnel, holding a ceremony to rededicate themselves to traditional values, and dissolving their DEI board committee.
Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America achieved iconic status in American culture, with traditions like pinewood derbies and the Scout Oath becoming part of the national lexicon. However, the organization has weathered significant controversies throughout its history.
These include a highly publicized 1990s case where an Eagle Scout was expelled after being discovered as co-president of his university’s gay and lesbian organization—a policy the U.S. Supreme Court upheld. The ban on gay participation eventually ended in 2013, with restrictions on gay adult leaders lifting in 2015, though church-sponsored units could maintain exclusions for religious reasons.
The organization also faced a major crisis in 2020 when it sought bankruptcy protection amid hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits. In 2023, a judge upheld a $2.4 billion bankruptcy plan allowing Scouting America to continue operating while compensating more than 80,000 men who filed sexual abuse claims.
Despite controversies surrounding its evolution, Scouting America reported a modest membership gain of about 16,000 new scouts last year, bringing its total membership to just over one million.
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13 Comments
Transgender youth already face significant challenges and discrimination. Targeting them in Scouting changes seems misguided and potentially harmful. I hope a more inclusive approach can be found.
Agreed, any changes should prioritize the wellbeing and development of all young people, not discriminate against vulnerable groups.
Scouting has long been about building character, leadership, and community in young people. I hope any policy changes will keep those core values front and center, regardless of the Pentagon’s demands.
It’s troubling to see the Pentagon interfering in the operations of a civilian youth organization, especially when it comes to policies around transgender participation. Scouting should remain independent and focused on its core mission.
It’s concerning to hear the Pentagon is exerting such influence over the operations of a civilian youth organization. I hope Scouting America can maintain its independence and principles while meeting reasonable security requirements.
Absolutely, the Pentagon should tread carefully to avoid unduly interfering with Scouting’s autonomy and mission.
I hope Scouting America can find a way to address the Pentagon’s concerns without compromising its principles and values, especially when it comes to supporting transgender youth participants.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific policy changes being proposed and how they might impact transgender youth participation in Scouting. Developing character and leadership in young people should be the top priority.
Agreed, the focus should be on the core mission of Scouting, not political agendas. Hopefully a balanced solution can be found.
While national security is important, I’m concerned about the Pentagon’s apparent efforts to roll back support for diversity and inclusion in Scouting. Those values are critical for developing well-rounded young leaders.
Absolutely, Scouting should strive to be an inclusive environment that empowers all young people, regardless of gender identity.
This is a complex and sensitive issue. While I understand the Pentagon’s perspective, I worry that targeting transgender youth in Scouting could do more harm than good. Perhaps there is a way to address their concerns without singling out or discriminating against vulnerable groups.
I agree, it’s important to balance national security needs with protecting the rights and wellbeing of all young people involved in Scouting.