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Department of Defense Reaches Agreement with Scouting America Amidst Policy Shifts
Washington D.C. – The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced an agreement to continue its long-standing support for Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America. This decision comes after the organization committed to discontinuing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth revealed his previous consideration of ending DOD support, citing “significant cultural changes” within the organization that began in the early 2010s. These changes included the shift from “Boy Scouts of America” to “Scouting America,” the allowance for girls to join, and the introduction of programs incorporating various DEI themes.
“The Boy Scouts lost their way, and a once-great organization became gravely wounded,” Hegseth stated. He further elaborated that DEI principles “crept in,” the name was changed, girls were accepted, and “the focus of God as the ruler of the universe was watered down to include openness to humanism and Earth-centered pagan religions.”
Hegseth connected this move to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office, which aimed to eliminate “illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity,” including the termination of DEI programs across government agencies.
Scouting America, in its own statement, confirmed it is making adjustments to align with DOD policies and goals, following several months of negotiations regarding departmental support. The organization outlined plans to waive registration fees for military families, introduce a new merit badge focused on military service and veterans, and reaffirm its dedication to “scouting’s foundational ideas: leadership, character, duty to God, duty to country and service.”
Despite these changes, Scouting America emphasized its commitment to the more than 200,000 girls currently participating in its programs, stating that its dedication to girls’ involvement in the organization is “unwavering.” The organization noted that girls have been part of scouting activities since the 1960s.
Since 1910, over 130 million individuals have participated in scouting programs. The organization has historically served as a significant pathway to the U.S. military, with a track record showing that “scouts are significantly more likely to serve in uniform than the general population.”