Pentagon Ends Relationship with Scouting America Amid Policy Disputes
The Pentagon is cutting its ties with Scouting America, previously known as the Boy Scouts, due to the organization’s decision to include girls in activities historically reserved for boys, as revealed in documents reviewed by NPR on Tuesday.
A draft memo from Army Secretary Pete Hegseth for Congress criticizes the Boy Scouts, stating they are no longer a meritocracy. It expresses discontent over the group’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The memo describes the Scouts as a “genderless” organization and labels the 2019 policy change allowing girls into traditionally male programs as an affront to “boy-friendly spaces.” The Pentagon has had a relationship with the Boy Scouts since 1937, but Hegseth remarked that this once-revered organization has lost its essence and no longer symbolizes the future of American boys.
A Department of the Army official noted, “The Department of Defense does not comment on leaked documents that cannot be authenticated and may be pending a decision.”
The Boy Scouts were originally established under a Congressional Charter in 1916 to promote values such as patriotism, courage, and self-reliance in young boys.
The memorandum restricts Scouting America from utilizing military installations and cancels support for the National Jamboree, which usually hosts 20,000 Scouts in West Virginia. However, a source indicated that the memo has yet to be delivered to Congress.
According to NPR, Congress mandates Pentagon support for the Scouting America jamboree, but this could be withdrawn if the organization is found to be “detrimental to national security.”
In response to the news, Scouting America expressed surprise and disappointment, emphasizing their deep respect for military members. They stated, “We share the same dedication to God and country,” and noted that many Scouts transition from their uniforms to military attire.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to providing programs that help youth grow into responsible citizens, even as they navigate this potential policy change.
