U.S. Army Secretary Pete Hegseth boasted on February 27 that the Pentagon and Scouting America had reached a settlement that preserves a century-old relationship while eliminating pro-diversity initiatives and other policies that he has criticized as “woke.”
The relationship between the U.S. military and the Boy Scouts is long, and since its founding in 1937, the military has provided logistical support for the National Boy Scout Jamboree. The military also hosts scouting programs on base and maintains a close relationship with the highest ranking of scouts, the Eagle Scouts, many of whom later join the military.
Hegseth previously opposed the inclusion of transgender youth in Scouting America. threatening sever ties with the organization; Such a move would have prevented Scouts from meeting at military bases or receiving logistical support at events like jamborees.
Hegseth later boasted that under the agreement, Scouting America would require members to register based on their “biological sex at birth” rather than gender identity. Applicants must choose their gender at birth, and if accepted, they will receive single-sex facilities based on their designation.
Although Hegseth characterized the agreement as the end of trans-inclusive policies, Scouting America said the agreement does not change existing rules and that all young people are still welcome to apply.
“We have transgender people in our programs, and we will continue to have transgender people in our programs,” said Roger Crone, president and CEO of Scouting America. Associated Press.
Krone said: AP Scouting America’s application already includes only two fields for sex assigned at birth, suggesting that the “change” Hegseth touts is more a public relations move than a dramatic policy shift. He also noted that Scouting America maintains a policy that requires gender-segregated intimate spaces for all Scouts.
“We don’t put boys and girls together in intimate spaces, and that requires some knowledge of who they are,” he says.
Krone said there are “structures” within the organization to accommodate transgender youth, including a family unit that serves both genders. He emphasized that the settlement does not change the way the organization operates its programs.
Other changes was popular Hegseth’s proposals include eliminating the “Citizenship in Society” merit badge, and conservatives argued that Scouts need to “recognize the benefits of diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical leadership” before progressing to Eagle Scout status. Instead, the organization plans to introduce a “military service” merit badge.
Scouting America also agreed to waive registration fees for children of active duty, Guard and Reserve members starting June 1. The organization plans to disband its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commission to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at eliminating DEI programs within the federal government and among contractors and partner organizations that receive federal funding.
The settlement calls for the Department of the Army and Scouting America to realign themselves around a “frontiersman spirit” of preparing young people for military service and helping them draft.
It will also establish a “designated liaison” (a uniformed or full-time employee appointed by the Department of Defense) who will be the primary point of contact with Scouting America.
Although Hegseth has criticized the inclusion of girls in the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, Scouting America does not agree with banning girls from participating, noting that more than 200,000 girls are currently participating in its programs.
on video Posted Hegseth told X that in 2012, “The Boy Scouts lost its way and a once great organization was seriously injured. Diversity, equity, inclusion and DEI crept in. The name was changed to Scouting America. Girls were accepted.”
“The focus on God as ruler of the universe was diluted to include tolerance for humanism and earth-centered paganism. Scouting became an organization that no longer supported or celebrated boys. They even welcomed the destructive myths of gender fluidity and transgenderism to infiltrate their membership.”
According to reports guardianHegseth said the Pentagon will “vigorously review” the agreement within six months and withdraw support if Scouting America does not comply.
“We hope that doesn’t happen, but it could happen,” Hegseth said. “I believe that, ideally, the Boy Scouts should go back to what they were founded to be: Boy Scouts, an organization that molds boys into men.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
