A CENTURY-LONG partnership between the United States military and the Boy Scouts of America may be coming to an end as the military pushes to sever ties with the group.

Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, has been working with the military for over 100 years. 

The Scouts’ partnership with the military was officially formalized in 1937, but that may now cease to exist, as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the group is no longer a meritocracy.

Hegseth claimed the organization, which is meant to inspire leadership and life skills among young men, has turned into a place designed to “attack boy-friendly spaces,” according to NPR.

The defense secretary wrote a draft memo to Congress in which he criticized the organization for being “genderless” and for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys,” Hegseth wrote.

In the proposal to the Pentagon, the secretary calls for the military to stop providing medical and logistical aid to the National Jamboree.

The National Jamboree brings around 20,000 scouts, ages 5 to 18, to a remote site in West Virginia.

Congress requires the Pentagon to support the National Jamboree, an event held every three to four years.

For the momentous occasion, the military offers trucks, ambulances, and medical teams at no cost to the Boy Scouts.

Plus, the military puts on aviation and skydiving demonstrations to help recruit possible soldiers. 

Hegseth’s plea also asks that the military no longer allow Scouts to meet at US military institutions. 

Trump orders Pentagon to start testing nuclear weapons 'immediately'

NUKE ARMS RACE

Video Player is loading.

Current Time 0:00

Duration 0:35

Loaded: 5.34%

Remaining Time 0:35

1x

• 2x
• 1.75x
• 1.5x
• 1.25x
• 1x, selected
• 0.75x
• 0.5x

Up Next

-

3 Key Factors About Ohio’s New Cash Law for Shoppers at Major Retailers

The defense secretary’s papers were being prepared at the Pentagon, but have yet to be sent to Congress, a source told NPR.

“Scouting America has undergone a significant transformation,” a draft memo sent to the Pentagon leaders states. 

“It is no longer a meritocracy which holds its members accountable to meet high standards.”

The Pentagon told NPR that it wouldn’t comment on “leaked documents that we cannot authenticate and that may be pre-decisional.” 

Scouting America said it remains proud of its partnership with the US military and plans to continue working with the US military. 

“Scouting is and has always been a nonpartisan organization,” the statement read. 

“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.”

In the note seen by NPR, Hegseth argues that the Scouts have strayed away from their mission to “cultivate masculine values.”

The note also claims that spending money on the Jamboree is a waste of funds.

President Trump previously praised the Boy Scouts in 2017 at the Jamboree in West Virginia.

“The United States has no better citizens than its Boy Scouts,” Trump said at the event.

“No better.”

CAUSING CONTROVERSY

Hegseth’s plan to cut funding for Scouts in the US and abroad troubles many people, including retired Army Staff Sergeant Kenny Green.

Green served as a sniper in Iraq and is the father of two girls and a boy, all three of whom were scouts. 

Scouting… It probably is not a perfect organization, but … I can’t even say how vast their benefits are, especially for military families.

Army Staff Sergeant Kenny Green, told NPR

“We went from Louisiana to Alaska. From Alaska to Germany. From Germany to Texas,” he said. 

Despite the constant change, each base had a Scout troop eager to accept his children. 

“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 said cutting ties with the Scouts makes him feel as if the government no longer “cares” about them. 

“It’s gonna be kind of harsh the way I say this… It’s kind of like they don’t care about us more than they care about their perceived message. 

“Scouting… It probably is not a perfect organization, but … I can’t even say how vast their benefits are, especially for military families.”

The Pentagon’s undersecretary for policy, Navy Secretary John Phelan, doesn’t support Hegseth’s movement.

“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 in the memo, according to NPR. 

“Prohibition of access could be detrimental to recruitment and accession efforts across the department.”