LOGAN – U.S. Department of War and Scouting America (SA) have come to an agreement they hope will strengthen the organization to develop youth leadership development and outdoor skills.
The Irving, Texas based organization has agreed to end all DEI practices.
Citing Executive Order 14173 meant to end illegal discrimination and restore merit-based opportunities, the Department of War wants Scouting to make changes or lose support.
Roger A. Krone, chief scout executive, president & CEO of Scouting America, sent a communication letter announcing his organization and the Department of War finalized a commitment to strengthen their longstanding partnership with the U.S. military.
Over several months, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Krone and their people have engaged in dialogue to align and deepen Scouting service to military families, while making program updates to comply with an executive order.
“Throughout our discussions, we remained true to the core commitments that define our organization—our name, our mission, and our promise to serve all youth in our programs,” he said. “Those commitments are unchanged. We will continue to deliver stability, mentorship, and opportunity to the children of those who serve our nation.”
The agreement will deliver:
- Continued support for Scouting on military installations worldwide
- Ongoing Department support for National Jamborees and other events
- New benefits for military families, including waiving registration fees for children of active-duty, Guard, and Reserve families
- Launching a new Military Service merit badge, developed in cooperation with the Department
- Memorializing our existing practices for membership registration and safeguarding youth
As part of the agreement Scouting America will be discontinuing the Citizenship in Society merit badge.
The merit badge requirements included realizing the benefits of diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical leadership.
To earn the badge scouts were required to research any individual who demonstrated positive leadership while making an ethical decision and explain what options the leader had when faced with a problem.
SA has introduced a Military Service merit badge and waiving registration fees for the children of military personnel.
“While this change complies with the Executive Order, the lessons found in this merit badge are found throughout the Scouting program,” Krone said. “Scouting has always taught respect for others, leadership, and consideration of diverse perspectives through the ideals enshrined in the Scout Oath and Law.”
The mission of SA remains unchanged and is reinforced across its advancement, leadership development, and outdoor experiences.
“Our emphasis on duty to God, duty to country, and service to others is strengthened by this partnership,” he said. “Scouting’s values have not changed, and they will not change.”
Since 1910, Boy Scouts of America, now SA has played a strategic role in strengthening the nation’s military readiness.
“More than 130 million Americans have been Scouts. Millions have gone on to serve as military leaders, first responders, educators, and civic leaders,” he said. “For military families navigating deployments and frequent moves, Scouting has long provided a steady anchor during times of uncertainty.”
SA officials also affirmed Scouting’s deep commitment to military families. The organization will waive the national registration fees of all active duty, Reserve and Guard troops.
Scouting America officials aim to work constructively with every administration—always focused on serving youth.
Krone said SA has endured because they are resilient, principled and unwavering in their mission.
“We remain committed to developing leaders of character. We remain committed to service and our nation,” he said. “We remain committed to the principles enshrined in our Scout Oath and Scout Law.”
Hegseth said SA needs to require its members to use their “biological sex at birth and not gender identity” on his video on X. Applications can list only options for male and female and the one checked must match the applicant’s birth certificate.
The group would clarify that youths of opposite genders assigned at birth cannot share bathrooms, tents or other similar spaces, he said.
Hegseth said the Pentagon will review ”changes Scouting America has made in six months and cease its support of the organization if it fails to comply.
“We hope that doesn’t happen, but it could,” Hegseth added. “Ideally, I believe the Boy Scouts should go back to being the Boy Scouts as originally founded, a group that develops boys into men. Maybe someday.”
The organization changed in 2013 allowing gay youth into the program. In 2017 then it decided to accept transgender students. In 2018 they began accepting girls in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scout program. In 2019, the BSA was renamed SA.
The local Scouting America Crossroads of the West office declined comment and referred to the national office.