02/28/2026
Department of War Forces Scouting America Back to Its Roots: DEI Out, Biology In, Merit Restored
For more than a century, the Boy Scouts of America molded over 130 million young American boys into men of strong character, teaching them to make moral and ethical decisions that endure for life. The Scout Oath captured it perfectly: âOn my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country.â
Deeply woven into communities across the nation, Scout troops were sponsored by churches, service clubs, and local organizations. Countless alumni rose to lead in business, their hometowns, the military, and elected officeâincluding six who became President of the United States. Eleven of the twelve men who walked on the moon were Boy Scouts. The program built responsible citizenship, patriotism, personal fitness, self-reliance, faith, leadership, and rugged outdoor skills. It was exceptionalâand the Department of War maintained a close bond almost from the beginning, with many troops meeting on military bases.
That once-proud tradition began crumbling after 2012. DEI ideology infiltrated, watering down standards and merit in favor of radical, anti-American wokeness. The organization rebranded as Scouting America, admitted girls, diluted references to God to accommodate humanism and pagan beliefs, embraced the destructive fiction of gender fluidity and transgenderism, and no longer prioritized boys or celebrated traditional masculinity.
The fallout was devastating. Membership plunged from 10 million boys in 1970 to fewer than one million boys and girls combined today. Sponsors withdrew, the organization declared bankruptcy, and ties with the Department of War frayed. Scouting Americaâs policies even violated President Trumpâs Executive Order 14173ââEnding Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunityââwhich bans divisive DEI practices and restores merit across federal programs and partnerships.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made it clear: the Department was seriously considering ending all support. Protecting the nationâs defense mission comes first. But before severing the century-old relationship, he met directly with Scouting Americaâs leadership to deliver a blunt message about these deep concerns.
The talks worked. Scouting America committed to major reforms via a signed memorandum of understanding. Key changes include:
⢠Immediate full compliance with EO 14173: All politicized, divisive, and discriminatory DEI language will be reviewed and removed from programs, publications, and operations. No more DEIâzero tolerance.
⢠Discontinuation of the âCitizen in Societyâ merit badge: This requirement pushed Scouts toward activism on diversity, equity, inclusion, and identity issues under a misleading name. Itâs gone.
⢠Membership based solely on biological s*x at birth: Applications will offer only male or female designations, matching birth certificates. No recognition of gender identity. Biological boys and girls will not share intimate spacesâtents, showers, toilets, cabins, or similar areas.
⢠Waived registration fees for military families: Children of active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members get free entryâlong overdue recognition for those who serve.
⢠New Military Service merit badge: Developed in partnership with the Department of War to honor service and prepare future patriots.
These reforms, hammered out in direct negotiations, signal a rededication to Scoutingâs foundational ideals: duty to God and country, leadership, character, self-reliance, and genuine service.
Secretary Hegseth emphasized the Department will vigilantly monitor compliance over the coming months. Failure means support ends. But if Scouting America follows through, Americaâs boys can once again experience the program that built generations of strong, moral leaders.
Itâs time to get back to basics. The Department of War is leading the chargeâand winning. đşđ¸
