Updated on: February 27, 2026 / 7:53 PM EST / CBS/AP
Scouting America will change several policies at the Pentagon’s urging, including ones affecting transgender youth, to retain U.S. military support, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday.
Some proposed changes mirror ideas the organization shared with the Justice Department earlier this year, the Pentagon said, including discontinuing the Citizenship in Society merit badge and introducing a Military Service merit badge. The group also pledged program elements such as waiving registration fees for military families and reinforcing commitments to leadership, character, duty to God, duty to country and service.
Under Hegseth, the Pentagon scrutinized the military’s partnership with Scouting America after the organization’s 2024 rebrand from the Boy Scouts and other recent changes Hegseth described as part of “woke culture.” In a video posted on X, Hegseth said he had “seriously considering” ending all Scouting America support because the organization “lost their way” as diversity, equity and inclusion efforts “crept in” and attention to God was “watered down” by openness to other beliefs. He said the Pentagon will “vigorously review” the changes made over the past six months and will cut support if Scouting America fails to comply.
“We hope that doesn’t happen, but it could,” Hegseth said. “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.”
Scouting America responded that it is “proud to uphold our longstanding commitment to military families across the globe through a renewed, strengthened partnership” with the Pentagon. The organization said it will maintain its name and continue serving the more than 200,000 girls in its programs. It noted the agreement promises continued support for Scouting on military installations worldwide, ongoing Department support for National Jamborees and other events, and new benefits for military families, including waiving registration fees for children of active-duty, Guard and Reserve families.
Earlier this month, the Pentagon called Scouting America’s DEI efforts “unacceptable” and “counter to the values of this administration,” and said it was reviewing its relationship with the organization. Officials indicated that Scouting America was nearing an agreement to continue the partnership if it “rapidly implements the common-sense, core value reforms,” saying the group had “firmly committed to a return to core principles” and urging a “Back to God and country—immediately!”
The military and the Boy Scouts have long ties. The military has provided logistical support for the National Boy Scout Jamboree since 1937, sponsored scout troops and activities on bases, and historically maintained close links with Eagle Scouts, many of whom enlist in the armed forces.
Scouting America’s recent plan for Hegseth’s review reportedly included dissolving its DEI board committee, waiving registration fees for military personnel, launching a Military Service merit badge, discontinuing the Citizenship in Society badge, and holding a rededication ceremony to emphasize leadership, duty to God, duty to country and service.
The organization’s history includes major social changes in recent years. It began allowing gay youth in 2013, ended a blanket ban on gay adult leaders in 2015 (while allowing church-sponsored units to maintain exclusions for religious reasons), announced in 2017 that it would accept transgender students, and began admitting girls as Cub Scouts in 2018 and into the flagship Scouts BSA program in 2019. As of May 2024, more than 6,000 girls had earned Eagle Scout.
The Boy Scouts also faced a large number of sexual abuse claims and sought bankruptcy protection in 2020 amid hundreds of lawsuits and thousands of reported claims. In 2023, a judge upheld a $2.4 billion bankruptcy plan, allowing the organization to continue operating while compensating more than 80,000 men who filed claims.
Scouting America’s rebrand in 2024 drew mixed reactions. Its president and CEO, Roger Krone, acknowledged some backlash but said the move generated wider interest and modest membership gains — about 16,000 new scouts, less than 2% growth, bringing total membership to just over 1 million.
The Scouts had earlier told Hegseth they developed a plan addressing his concerns. The Pentagon said Friday that it will monitor implementation and could cease support if Scouting America does not follow through on the agreed-upon reforms.