The century-old partnership between the U.S. military and Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts, now stands on the brink of unraveling. In a move that has sent shockwaves through both organizations, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has proposed ending all military support for Scouting America, citing a dramatic shift in the organization’s values and a perceived departure from its traditional mission.
According to documents reviewed by NPR, Hegseth’s draft memo to Congress argues that Scouting America’s recent push for inclusivity—welcoming girls, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and adopting what he calls a “genderless” approach—has undermined the group’s historic role in “cultivating masculine values.” The Secretary contends that these changes make the organization incompatible with the military’s interests and that continuing to lend support is no longer justified.
“The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys,” Hegseth wrote in his memo, which has not yet been formally sent to Congress. He further claims that Scouting America, in its new form, “attacks boy-friendly spaces” and is “no longer a meritocracy which holds its members accountable to meet high standards.” These accusations, made public by outlets such as NPR and NBC News, have ignited fierce debate both inside and outside the Pentagon.
The military’s relationship with the Scouts is as old as the organization itself. Officially formalized in 1937, the partnership has seen the Pentagon provide logistical and medical support for major events like the National Jamboree—a gathering that draws up to 20,000 scouts to West Virginia every few years. The military also allows Scout troops to meet on bases around the world, offering a sense of continuity and community for children in military families who often move frequently.
For many, these ties have been more than symbolic. Military families have long relied on Scouting America to help their children adjust to new environments. Kenny Green, a retired Army Staff Sergeant and parent of three Scouts, described the program as a lifeline during frequent relocations. “We don’t have to say a word to them, let them go see the other kids, and they’ll be immediately integrated in,” Green told NPR. He expressed surprise and disappointment at the proposed severing of ties, saying, “It’s kind of like they don’t care about us more than they care about their perceived message. Scouting… probably is not a perfect organization, but… I can’t even say how vast their benefits are, especially for military families.”
Yet Hegseth’s draft memo takes a hard line. It invokes a congressional clause that allows the Secretary of Defense to withdraw support for the Scouts if it is “detrimental to national security.” Hegseth claims that the resources currently dedicated to Scouting events—such as trucks, ambulances, and medical teams—would be better used for border protection and other pressing military operations. “Sending troops, doctors and vehicles to a 10-day youth event would harm national security by diverting resources from border operations and protecting U.S. territory,” the memo asserts.
The proposal would end not only logistical and medical support for the National Jamboree but also the longstanding practice of allowing Scout troops to meet on military installations in the U.S. and overseas. For many bases, these Scout programs have been a staple of community life, offering young people a chance to build leadership skills and camaraderie in a familiar setting.
Scouting America, for its part, has responded with restraint and a sense of pride in its legacy. In a statement provided to NPR, the organization said, “Scouting is and has always been a nonpartisan organization. Over more than a century, we’ve worked constructively with every U.S. presidential administration—Democratic and Republican—focusing on our common goal of building future leaders grounded in integrity, responsibility, and community service.” The group expressed hope that the relationship could continue despite the current controversy.
Within the Pentagon, the proposal has sparked significant concern. Navy Secretary John Phelan, in a memo obtained by NPR, warned that the new policy could be “too restrictive” and might harm recruitment efforts. “Passive support to Scouting America through access to military installations and educational opportunities aboard said installations serve as a crucial recruiting and community engagement tool for the [Navy],” Phelan wrote. He pointed out that up to a third of Navy officers in training have some scouting background, and that ending the partnership could be “detrimental to recruitment and accession efforts across the department.”
Statistics from Scouting America underscore the military’s recruiting stake in the relationship. As many as 20 percent of cadets and midshipmen at U.S. service academies are Eagle Scouts—a distinction that often leads to advanced rank and better pay for enlistees. The proposed end to military support would likely disrupt this pipeline, raising questions about the future of both organizations’ efforts to develop the next generation of American leaders.
The legal framework for the partnership is complex. While Congress requires the Pentagon to support the Scouts’ National Jamboree, it also grants the Secretary of Defense the authority to withhold support if it is deemed a threat to national security. Hegseth’s memo leans heavily on this exemption, arguing that the Scouts’ new focus on diversity and inclusion is incompatible with the military’s mission and needs.
Despite the uncertainty, preparations for the upcoming Jamboree continue. Included in the documents reviewed by NPR is a draft letter to the head of Scouting America, informing him that the Secretary has disapproved the use of Department of Defense personnel and equipment for the event, but extending “best wishes for a safe and successful National Scout Jamboree.”
As the deadline for a formal report to Congress approaches, the fate of the military-Scout partnership hangs in the balance. The final decision will not only determine the future of a cherished American institution but also signal the direction in which the nation’s values—and its approach to leadership and service—are headed.
For now, families, military officials, and scouts themselves are left waiting, watching, and wondering what comes next.
