Pentagon Walks Back Effort to Sever Ties with Scouting America Amidst Backlash

After months of controversy and criticism, the Pentagon appears to be softening its stance on potentially cutting ties with Scouting America, the youth organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts. The initial push, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, aimed to sever a century-long relationship over concerns about the organization’s evolving policies.

Documents reviewed last fall revealed Hegseth’s intention to end support for the Scouts due to what one memo described as an abandonment of “masculine virtues” and an alleged attack on “boy-friendly spaces.” The proposed measures included barring Scout troops from meeting on U.S. Military bases, ending assistance for the National Scout Jamboree and eliminating the policy of granting advanced rank to Eagle Scouts who enlist in the military. NPR first reported on the internal discussions in November 2023.

Impact on Servicemembers’ Families

Approximately 25,000 children of U.S. Servicemembers currently participate in Scouting America programs, making the potential disruption significant for military families. Scouting America emphasizes its commitment to serving military youth.

Negotiations for Continued Partnership

Even as contingency plans for withdrawing support are still under development, a Defense Department source, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated a shift towards negotiating a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to maintain the partnership. According to the source, the Pentagon is seeking a commitment that new Scouts will register based on the sex assigned at birth. Currently, the Scouting America application allows for “male” or “female” gender choices, with most troops remaining single-gender, though the organization’s official policy welcomes all youth regardless of gender or orientation. Scouting America’s inclusion policy details its commitment to diversity.

It remains unclear whether this concession would satisfy Hegseth and how it might affect transgender youth within the organization. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment on this specific issue. A spokesperson for Scouting America also declined to comment.

Criticism and Political Fallout

Hegseth has publicly criticized Scouting America’s 2019 decision to admit girls and its subsequent rebranding. As a Fox News host, he argued that the organization had been weakened by “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.”

When NPR initially reported on the memo, the Defense Department declined to authenticate the documents, characterizing them as potentially “pre-decisional.” However, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, confirmed the reporting with the Pentagon. He reported receiving significant backlash from constituents, including “big-time Trump supporters” angered by the prospect of a conflict with the Scouts. The Omaha World-Herald reported on Bacon’s comments.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, also criticized the Pentagon’s position, calling it an inappropriate attempt to impose a “right-wing cultural revolution” on a youth organization.

Potential Ramifications for the National Scout Jamboree

Failure to reach an agreement could significantly impact the upcoming National Scout Jamboree, a large-scale event drawing up to 20,000 youths and adult leaders to a remote site in West Virginia every four years. Planning for the Jamboree requires extensive coordination, and aid requests were first submitted to the DoD in late 2023. Withdrawal of Pentagon support would necessitate the Scouts to find alternative resources for medical care, transportation, and emergency services.