Saipan — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in a video statement that Scouting America has agreed to a series of policy changes after discussions with his department, including ending DEI-related language, discontinuing the “Citizen in Society” merit badge, changing membership rules to rely on biological sex at birth, and waiving registration fees for children of active duty, Guard, and Reserve families.
Hegseth said he had been seriously considering ending his department’s support for Scouting America, arguing that the organization’s policies conflicted with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14173, titled Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity. He said that after meeting with Scouting America leadership, the organization agreed to “several key reforms.”
Hegseth framed the announcement as part of a broader push to restore what he described as the traditional foundations of the Boy Scouts. He praised the historic Boy Scouts program for emphasizing duty to God and country, leadership, citizenship, patriotism, personal fitness, and self-reliance. He also argued that changes made after 2012 damaged the organization and contributed to a steep decline in membership.
Among the changes Hegseth said Scouting America agreed to make was immediate compliance with Executive Order 14173, including a review and replacement of what he described as “politicized, divisive, and discriminatory language” across the organization’s programs and publications. He also said the “Citizen in Society” merit badge had been discontinued.
He further said Scouting America would revise its membership policy so that sex designations on applications would be limited to male and female and would have to match the applicant’s birth certificate. Hegseth also said the organization would make clear that boys and girls would not share intimate spaces such as toilets, showers, and tents.
In addition, Hegseth said Scouting America would waive registration fees for children of active duty, Guard, and Reserve families and would create a new military service merit badge in partnership with what he referred to as the “War Department.”
Hegseth said the department’s continued support for Scouting America will depend on what he described as substantial progress over the next six months. He said the organization will face a formal review at that point and warned that if the department is not satisfied with the reforms, it will end its support.
He also said other youth organizations, including Trail Life USA and Awana Clubs, could be considered for future support if Scouting America fails to meet expectations.
Watch the full video on the NMI News Service Facebook page and YouTube channel.
