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20h ago

Draft Pentagon Memos Outline Plan to End Military Ties With Scouting America

Reporters say the pre-decisional plan would invoke a national-security exemption, prompting legal scrutiny and internal concern over recruiting.

Merit badges and a rainbow-colored neckerchief slider are affixed on a Boy Scout uniform outside the headquarters of Amazon in Seattle.
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"Placentia CA, USA- October 18, 2012: Close up of Boy Scout uniform shirt with Life rank patch (with red heart) on right side and merit badges on merit badge sash. Included merit badges are pathfinding, carpentry, first aid, fishing, pioneering, fingerprinting, railroading, wilderness survival, small boat sailing, archery, space exploration, leatherwork, motorboating, automoto maintenance, personal fitness, communications, electicity, citizenship in the nation, and salesmanship, The Life Rank (shown) is the second highest rank in the Boy Scouts, second only to the Eagle rank."
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Overview

  • Leaked drafts attributed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth propose rescinding Defense Department medical and logistical support for the National Scout Jamboree and barring Scout activities on U.S. and overseas bases.
  • The documents criticize Scouting America's gender-inclusive policies and DEI efforts, describing the organization as “genderless,” fostering “gender confusion,” and no longer upholding a meritocracy.
  • The Pentagon declined to authenticate the materials, calling them leaked and possibly pre-decisional, and the required report to Congress has not been formally submitted.
  • Internal pushback includes a memo from Navy Secretary John Phelan warning the policy could be too restrictive and harm recruiting and accession pipelines tied to Eagle Scouts.
  • Scouting America said it was surprised and disappointed and highlighted its nonpartisan, long-running collaboration with the military as planning for next summer’s Jamboree continues under a statute that includes a national-security waiver.