Did the Pentagon force Scouting America to end DEI efforts? Here's what you need to know

A major shift is underway for one of America’s best-known youth organizations. After weeks of discussions with defense officials, Scouting America has agreed to remove diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives from its programs.

The decision came as the Pentagon weighed whether to end its longstanding support for the organization. Instead, officials confirmed that cooperation will continue after Scouting America agreed to policy changes tied to a federal executive order.

The development marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate around DEI policies in public institutions and affiliated organizations, as per a report by USA Today.

Why Did the Pentagon Threaten to End Support?

The controversy began when Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon had been reviewing its relationship with Scouting America.

In a video statement released on February 26, Hegseth explained that officials had considered cutting all support to the organization because, as he said, "DEI crept in."

"I was very seriously considering ending our support of Scouting altogether," Hegseth said in the video. "But, before making this big change, I decided to meet with the current scouting leadership to convey our deep concerns," Hegseth continued.

Before making a final decision, he met with scouting leadership to discuss the department’s concerns. Those discussions eventually led to what he described as “key reforms.”

The agreement means the Pentagon will continue working with the group, provided it follows the terms outlined in a memorandum of understanding tied to a presidential executive order, as per a report by USA Today.

What Changes Will Scouting America Make?

The changes involve several adjustments to scouting programs and membership policies. Under the agreement, the organization will remove DEI-related language from its materials and eliminate a merit badge focused on social issues. The “citizenship in society” badge had previously encouraged Scouts to understand the benefits of diversity, equity, inclusion and ethical leadership.

In its place, a new merit badge focused on military service will be introduced, as per a report by USA Today.

Membership policies will also change. According to Hegseth, applications will recognize only two sex categories.

In an X video, Hegseth stated that Scouting America will mandate that its members use their "biological sex at birth and not gender identity." Only male and female options will be listed on applications, he said, and the one selected must match the applicant's birth certificate. "That means that the application, any application, will have only two sex designations, male and female, and the application must match the applicant's birth certificate," Hegseth said.

The Pentagon said these changes bring the organization into alignment with an executive order issued by Donald Trump, which aimed to limit DEI initiatives across public and private sectors, as per a report by USA Today.

According to him, the group would make it clear that children of different sexes assigned at birth are not permitted to share restrooms, tents, or other similar areas.

According to Hegseth, if Scouting America doesn't comply, the Pentagon will "vigorously review" the modifications the group has made in six months and stop funding it, as quoted in a report by PBS.

"We hope that doesn't happen, but it could," he 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."

How Did Scouting America Respond?

Scouting America leadership said the agreement allows the organization to maintain a long relationship with military families while complying with federal policy.

Scouting America said in a statement issued on Friday that it is"proud to uphold our longstanding commitment to military families across the globe through a renewed, strengthened partnership" with the Pentagon.

"Today we are moving forward with implementing new programmatic elements that deliver on that mission: waiving registration fees for military families, launching a new merit badge focused on military service and veterans, and reinforcing our commitment to Scouting's foundational ideas: leadership, character, duty to God, duty to country and service," the group shared, as per a report by CBS News.

President and CEO Roger Krone described the outcome as a renewed partnership with the Department of War, the formal name for the United States Department of Defense, as per a report by USA Today.

"Over several months, we engaged in dialogue with Department leadership to align on how we could deepen our service to military families, while making programmatic updates to comply with Executive Order 14173," Krone said.

"Today we are moving forward with implementing new programmatic elements that deliver that mission."

Krone also emphasized that the organization has not changed its commitment to female participation. Scouting America opened its Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts programs to girls in 2018 and 2019.

"Girls have been an integral part of Scouting since the 1960s and have served as leaders and program developers for decades," Krone said. "That commitment is unwavering."

Today the organization counts more than 200,000 girls among its members. Scouting America said it would keep its name and carry on "our service to the more than 200,000 girls who participate in our programs."

What Broader Debate Is This Part Of?

The announcement comes amid ongoing criticism of DEI initiatives by some officials within the defense department.

Earlier in February, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the scouting organization had “lost its way.”

In a post on social media, he wrote that leadership decisions over the past decade had embraced DEI and other ideological positions that the current administration opposes, as per a report by USA Today.

"We have made it very clear: No more DEI at (DOW)," Parnell wrote.

The agreement ensures that Scouting America will continue its cooperation with the Pentagon while implementing the changes requested by defense officials.

FAQs

Why did Scouting America remove DEI initiatives?
The organization agreed to remove them after the Pentagon said continued support would depend on aligning with a federal executive order limiting DEI programs.

Will girls still be allowed in Scouting America?
Yes. The organization confirmed that girls remain part of its programs, with more than 200,000 currently participating.