Did the Pentagon force Scouting America to end DEI efforts? Here's what you need to know

Synopsis The Pentagon will continue its support for Scouting America. This decision follows the organization's commitment to end all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Scouting America has agreed to remove DEI language from its programs and publications. A new military service merit badge will be introduced. Membership will be based on sex assigned at birth. A major shift is underway for one of America’s best-known youth organizations. After weeks of discussions with defense officials, Scouting America has agreed to remove diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives from its programs. The decision came as the Pentagon weighed whether to end its longstanding support for the organization. Instead, officials confirmed that cooperation will continue after Scouting America agreed to policy changes tied to a federal executive order. The development marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate around DEI policies in public institutions and affiliated organizations, as per a report by USA Today. Why Did the Pentagon Threaten to End Support? The controversy began when Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon had been reviewing its relationship with Scouting America. Live Events In a video statement released on February 26, Hegseth explained that officials had considered cutting all support to the organization because, as he said, "DEI crept in." "I was very seriously considering ending our support of Scouting altogether," Hegseth said in the video. "But, before making this big change, I decided to meet with the current scouting leadership to convey our deep concerns," Hegseth continued. Before making a final decision, he met with scouting leadership to discuss the department’s concerns. Those discussions eventually led to what he described as “key reforms.” The agreement means the Pentagon will continue working with the group, provided it follows the terms outlined in a memorandum of understanding tied to a presidential executive order, as per a report by USA Today. What Changes Will Scouting America Make? The changes involve several adjustments to scouting programs and membership policies. Under the agreement, the organization will remove DEI-related language from its materials and eliminate a merit badge focused on social issues. The “citizenship in society” badge had previously encouraged Scouts to understand the benefits of diversity, equity, inclusion and ethical leadership. In its place, a new merit badge focused on military service will be introduced, as per a report by USA Today. Membership policies will also change. According to Hegseth, applications will recognize only two sex categories. "That means that the application, any application, will have only two sex designations, male and female, and the application must match the applicant's birth certificate," Hegseth said. The Pentagon said these changes bring the organization into alignment with an executive order issued by Donald Trump, which aimed to limit DEI initiatives across public and private sectors, as per a report by USA Today. How Did Scouting America Respond? Scouting America leadership said the agreement allows the organization to maintain a long relationship with military families while complying with federal policy. President and CEO Roger Krone described the outcome as a renewed partnership with the Department of War, the formal name for the United States Department of Defense. "Over several months, we engaged in dialogue with Department leadership to align on how we could deepen our service to military families, while making programmatic updates to comply with Executive Order 14173," Krone said. "Today we are moving forward with implementing new programmatic elements that deliver that mission." Krone also emphasized that the organization has not changed its commitment to female participation. Scouting America opened its Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts programs to girls in 2018 and 2019. "Girls have been an integral part of Scouting since the 1960s and have served as leaders and program developers for decades," Krone said. "That commitment is unwavering." Today the organization counts more than 200,000 girls among its members. What Broader Debate Is This Part Of? The announcement comes amid ongoing criticism of DEI initiatives by some officials within the defense department. Earlier in February, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the scouting organization had “lost its way.” In a post on social media, he wrote that leadership decisions over the past decade had embraced DEI and other ideological positions that the current administration opposes, as per a report by USA Today. "We have made it very clear: No more DEI at (DOW)," Parnell wrote. The agreement ensures that Scouting America will continue its cooperation with the Pentagon while implementing the changes requested by defense officials. FAQs Why did Scouting America remove DEI initiatives? The organization agreed to remove them after the Pentagon said continued support would depend on aligning with a federal executive order limiting DEI programs. Will girls still be allowed in Scouting America? Yes. The organization confirmed that girls remain part of its programs, with more than 200,000 currently participating. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) 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