Scouting America Condemns War Secretary’s Plan to Sever Ties with U.S. Military

Scouting America — formerly the Boy Scouts of America — expressed “surprised and disappointed” by reports that War Secretary Pete Hegseth aims to end longstanding ties between the U.S. military and the scouting organization.
“The Scouting movement has had a strong relationship with our nation’s military going back more than a century,” the organization stated. “From the tremendous support of the West Virginia National Guard at our National Jamborees to Scout troops that provide stability for the children of military families deployed around the globe, our nation’s military has walked side by side with Scouts for generations.”
“An enormous percentage of those in our military academies are Scouts and Eagle Scouts,” the statement continued. “Our Scouts and leaders admire and are inspired by our military heroes. Many of our Scouts trade their Scouting uniforms for the uniforms of our nation’s armed forces.”
The response follows an NPR report about a leaked Pentagon draft memo indicating Hegseth plans to end support for Scouting programs on U.S. military bases, withdraw support for the National Jamboree, and eliminate pay grade increases for Eagle Scouts who enlist in the military.
According to NPR, Hegseth criticized Scouting America’s adoption of “genderless” messaging, stating the group’s new direction no longer aligns with his vision of cultivating leadership and resilience in boys. “The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys,” he reportedly said in the memo.
Federal law requires the War Department to provide support to the Jamboree at no cost, but the secretary can withdraw that aid if he determines it would harm national security. In its statement, Scouting America pledged to “continue to put duty to country above duty to self” and stated, “Scouting is and has always been a nonpartisan organization.”
“We will continue our efforts to work with the Pentagon to address this critical issue,” the group added. A source told NPR the memos were drafted to notify Congress but have not yet been sent. The Pentagon declined to comment on the matter, saying it would not comment on leaked documents that “may be pre-decisional.” Hegseth, who was not a Scout himself, previously criticized the organization’s decision to admit girls and rebrand, calling the group’s actions “cratered itself” by embracing left-wing cultural pressure.