On February 27, 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a sweeping set of reforms for Scouting America, the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America. These changes, designed to align the century-old youth movement with a recent executive order from President Donald Trump, have ignited fierce debate over the future of scouting, gender identity, and the relationship between the military and youth organizations.
According to the Associated Press, Hegseth revealed that Scouting America had agreed to classify members strictly by biological sex and prohibit opposite sexes from sharing intimate spaces such as tents, toilets, and showers. The organization also committed to rolling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including discontinuing the Citizenship in Society merit badge, which had promoted respect for diversity and activism. In its place, a new Military Service merit badge will be introduced, reflecting a renewed emphasis on service and patriotism.
These reforms were not made in a vacuum. Hegseth made clear that the Pentagon’s ongoing support for Scouting America—including the use of military bases for scout troops, logistical help for the National Jamboree, and pay incentives for Eagle Scouts enlisting—was at risk if the organization did not comply. "The Department of War has officially put Scouting America on notice," Hegseth declared in a statement posted on social media, adding, "It’s time to get back to basics—and DoW is leading the charge." The Defense Department will review Scouting America’s compliance with these demands in six months, with the possibility of ending the longstanding partnership if progress is not evident.
Scouting America’s leadership, for its part, confirmed many of the reforms outlined by Hegseth but drew a firm line on certain issues. In a statement to Military.com, a spokesperson said, "We are moving forward with implementing new programmatic elements that deliver on our 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." However, the organization emphasized it would not reconsider its decision to allow girls to participate or its policy of welcoming transgender youth. "Scouting America will continue to welcome and serve all youth," said Mary Holloman, a spokeswoman for the group. "Girls have been an integral part of Scouting since the 1960s and have served as leaders and program developers for decades. That commitment is unwavering."
The roots of this clash go back more than a decade. Scouting America—then the Boy Scouts—began admitting openly homosexual members in 2013 and soon after allowed gay troop leaders. In 2024, the organization changed its name to reflect its coed programs and the inclusion of alternate gender identities. These moves, while celebrated by some as steps toward inclusivity, drew sharp criticism from others who saw them as a departure from the group’s traditional values. Hegseth, who became defense secretary in January 2025, has been a vocal critic of what he calls "the destructive myth of gender fluidity and transgenderism," and has taken steps to ban transgender troops from the military and end all DEI programs across the armed forces.
Hegseth’s criticisms extend beyond issues of gender. He has argued that the Scouts’ shift away from a Christian-centered ethos and its embrace of a broader religious pluralism have diluted the group’s moral foundation. "After 2012, however, the Boy Scouts lost their way, and a once-great organization became gravely wounded. DEI crept in, the name was changed to 'Scouting America,' girls were accepted, [and] the focus on God as the ruler of the universe was watered down to include openness to humanism and Earth-centered pagan religions," Hegseth said in a video message. He further lamented the decline in membership, noting that the Scouts’ ranks have plummeted from 10 million in the 1970s to less than 1 million today. At least 82,000 abuse claims have also been filed against the organization in recent years, adding to its challenges.
The reforms are not limited to membership policies. Scouting America agreed to review and replace what Hegseth called "politicized, divisive and discriminatory language" throughout its programs and publications. The rollback of DEI initiatives is accompanied by what the Pentagon describes as a "mutual alignment" that promotes a "frontiersman ethos"—preparing young men, in particular, for military recruitment and service. Registration fees will be waived for children of active-duty, guard, and reserve families, and a designated Pentagon liaison will serve as the primary point of contact for Scouting America, according to a new memorandum of understanding.
Yet, not everyone in the military community supports these sweeping changes. Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, himself a former Eagle Scout, told the San Antonio Express-News, "I’m appalled. My son’s in scouting. I was in scouting. It’s a great institution. There’s a very long and synergistic relationship between scouting and the military. The scouts basically reinforce all the values that military people should have. It’s just insane to me that we’re trying to put this relationship on the line because of this particular administration’s ideology about a few things. It’s part of the culture war."
Scouting America’s history is deeply intertwined with the U.S. military. Founded in 1910, the organization has seen more than 130 million Americans participate in its programs, and its alumni include six U.S. presidents. The military has long supported the Scouts by lending equipment, providing bands and color guards for ceremonies, and allowing troops to meet on military reservations. For decades, the National Boy Scout Jamboree was held on Army land at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, drawing tens of thousands of scouts and serving as a major recruiting event for the armed forces.
Despite the current controversy, both Scouting America and the Pentagon recognize the value of their partnership. As Scouting America told Military.com, "Scouting America is one of the most reliable pipelines to the United States Armed Forces our country has ever known. Scouts are significantly more likely to serve in uniform than the general population. Eagle Scouts are heavily represented in ROTC programs, service academies and military leadership tracks."
Looking ahead, the coming months will determine whether this fragile compromise can hold. The Defense Department’s six-month review looms large, and both sides have signaled that further changes may be on the horizon. As debates over gender, inclusion, and tradition continue to roil American institutions, the future of Scouting America—and its relationship with the U.S. military—remains uncertain, watched closely by supporters and critics alike.
For now, the Scouts stand at a crossroads, striving to balance a legacy of service and leadership with the demands of a rapidly changing society.