Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth proposes severing the Pentagon’s century-old partnership with Scouting America, citing concerns that the organization has abandoned its mission to cultivate masculine values in favor of woke DEI policies that undermine traditional American boys.
Story Highlights
- Hegseth accuses Scouting America of promoting “gender confusion” and attacking boy-friendly spaces through DEI initiatives.
- Proposed cuts would end Pentagon support for the National Jamboree and ban Scout meetings on military bases.
- Twenty percent of military academy cadets are Eagle Scouts, highlighting the partnership’s recruitment value.
- Navy Secretary warns restrictions could harm military recruitment and community engagement efforts.
Hegseth Takes Aim at Woke Scout Transformation
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drafted a memo to Congress accusing Scouting America of abandoning its core mission to develop masculine values in American boys.
The memo, first reported by NPR, argues that the organization formerly known as Boy Scouts of America has embraced diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that foster “gender confusion” and create genderless environments.
Hegseth specifically criticized the group’s decision to admit girls and change its name, viewing these moves as capitulation to leftist pressure that dilutes traditional scouting principles.
Scouts ‘surprised and deeply saddened’ by Pete Hegseth’s proposal to cut ties https://t.co/6VWtxSuJTY
— The Hill (@thehill) November 25, 2025
Century-Old Military Partnership Under Threat
The proposed policy changes would terminate Pentagon support for Scouting America’s National Jamboree, where 20,000 scouts gather every four years in West Virginia with military medical and logistical assistance.
Congress currently mandates this support, providing trucks, ambulances and medical teams free of charge since 1937.
Hegseth’s plan would also prohibit scout troops from meeting at military installations worldwide, ending a partnership that has supported military families and recruitment efforts for generations across multiple presidential administrations.
Military Recruitment Impact Sparks Internal Pentagon Debate
Navy Secretary John Phelan warned in an internal memo that restricting scout access to military facilities could damage recruitment efforts, noting that nearly one-third of Navy officers in training have scouting backgrounds.
Twenty percent of cadets and midshipmen at service academies are Eagle Scouts, who currently receive advanced military rank and better pay upon enlistment.
Phelan emphasized that passive support for Scouting America is a crucial tool for recruiting and community engagement, particularly for military families stationed globally.
Scouting America Defends Traditional Values Record
Scouting America expressed surprise and disappointment at Hegseth’s proposal, defending its century-long partnership with the military and nonpartisan approach to leadership development.
The organization emphasized its consistent focus on building future leaders grounded in integrity, responsibility and community service across both Republican and Democratic administrations.
President Trump, who serves as honorary leader of Scouting America, previously praised the organization at the 2017 National Jamboree, noting that ten of his Cabinet members were former scouts and calling them America’s finest citizens.
