Scouting America: Pentagon Reconsiders Cutting Ties Amidst Backlash
After months of controversy and pushback, including from within the Republican party, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appears to be softening his stance on potentially ending the Pentagon’s century-long relationship with Scouting America, the youth organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts.
An Eagle Scout Award is seen pinned to a uniform. The Pentagon, which has considered cutting ties to Scouting America, is moving toward maintaining the relationship.
Initial Concerns and Proposed Cuts
Documents reviewed by NPR last fall revealed Hegseth’s intention to cut ties with the Scouts due to their perceived abandonment of “masculine virtues” and alleged attacks on “boy-friendly spaces.” The proposal included barring Scout troops from meeting on U.S. bases, ending military assistance for the Scout Jamboree, and eliminating a policy of offering advanced rank to Eagle Scouts who enlist. Approximately 25,000 children of U.S. service members currently participate in Scouting America programs.
Shifting Dynamics and Negotiation
While contingency plans for withdrawing support are still being developed, a Department of Defense source, speaking anonymously, indicates a greater focus on negotiating a memorandum of understanding to maintain the partnership. The Pentagon is reportedly demanding that new Scouts register based on their sex assigned at birth. Currently, the Scouting application form offers only “male” or “female” gender choices, with most troops remaining single-gender, though the official policy welcomes all youth regardless of “gender or orientation.”
It remains unclear whether this concession will satisfy Hegseth and how it might impact transgender youth. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment, and a spokesperson for Scouting America declined to comment on the matter.
Criticism and Political Fallout
Hegseth has been a vocal critic of Scouting’s 2019 decision to admit girls and rebrand as Scouting America. He previously argued, as a Fox News host, that the organization was “cratering itself” due to progressive politics. An internal Pentagon memo reportedly stated that the organization, once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt, no longer supports the future of American boys.
Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska confirmed NPR’s reporting and revealed he received angry calls from constituents, including staunch Trump supporters, who were upset by Hegseth’s actions. “He’s got bigger fish to fry. I’ve heard a lot of dumb stuff, but this is up there,” Bacon stated.
Democratic Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, criticized the Pentagon’s position, calling it an inappropriate attempt to impose a “right-wing cultural revolution” on a youth organization.
Impact on the National Scout Jamboree
Failure to reach an agreement could significantly impact this summer’s National Scout Jamboree, a large-scale event drawing up to 20,000 youths and adult leaders to West Virginia every four years. Aid for the Jamboree was initially requested in late 2023, and a withdrawal of Pentagon support would necessitate finding alternative resources for medical care, transportation, and other essential services. You can learn more about the history of the Jamboree at Scouting.org.
This situation highlights the ongoing cultural and political debates surrounding youth organizations and the evolving definition of traditional values. The future of the Pentagon’s relationship with Scouting America remains uncertain, but the current shift suggests a potential path toward continued collaboration.
