Pentagon Forces Scouting America to Use Birth Sex, Drop DEI Badge to Keep Military Backing

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday that Scouting America has agreed to revise several policies — including requiring members to be classified by 'biological sex at birth and not gender identity' — in order to preserve longstanding Pentagon support for scouting programs on U.S. bases and at national events. At Hegseth’s urging, the organization will discontinue its Citizenship in Society merit badge, dissolve its DEI board committee, create a new Military Service merit badge, waive registration fees for children of military personnel, and stage a public rededication ceremony to 'duty to God' and country. The Pentagon, which has provided logistical support for the National Jamboree and sponsored troops on bases since 1937, earlier accused Scouting America’s recent rebrand and inclusion of LGBTQ youth and girls as evidence it had 'lost its way' and embraced 'gender‑fluid ideological stances.' Hegseth warned the department will 'vigorously review' compliance over the next six months and will cut off support if the group fails to implement the changes, while explicitly saying he still hopes the organization 'go[es] back to being the Boy Scouts as originally founded.' The move places direct federal pressure on a private youth group to roll back inclusion policies that allowed gay and transgender members and girls into core programs over the past decade, raising larger questions about ideological litmus tests tied to government partnerships.