By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In response to pressure from the Pentagon, Scouting America will implement significant policy changes, including a requirement for members to use their “biological sex at birth and not gender identity” for registration and in shared living spaces. These alterations, which also include discontinuing the Citizenship in Society merit badge and introducing a Military Service badge, aim to address concerns regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the organization. The Pentagon has stated it will conduct a thorough review of these changes in six months and may cease its support if Scouting America fails to comply, emphasizing the need for the organization to align with its values. Scouting America, while noting its ongoing service to girls and its new name, asserts these adjustments reinforce its historical partnership with the military.
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Transgender youth appear to be a primary target in recent shifts within Scouting America, with changes seemingly pushed forward under the influence of the Pentagon and a broader conservative agenda. This organization, historically rooted in Irving, Texas, has publicly stated its need to comply with an executive order from the Trump administration that specifically targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. However, many perceive this compliance as a willing embrace of a political directive rather than a genuine obligation, especially when it aligns with a desire to revert to past exclusionary practices.
The notion that corporations, in this case Scouting America, would readily comply with executive orders that impact DEI programs, while potentially ignoring those that don’t directly affect their financial bottom line, raises concerns about genuine commitment to inclusivity. The media’s role in framing these changes is also questioned, with suggestions that they may not always highlight the fact that executive orders are not legally binding in the same way as legislation, and that organizations have choices in how they respond.
From the perspective of those who value Scouting’s core principles, these recent changes are viewed as inherently mean-spirited and directly aimed at harming children. Despite any attempts to reframe these actions as mere “organizational adjustments,” the impact is seen as a clear and negative attack on young people. The underlying sentiment is that such policies are not just misguided but actively hostile, and that anyone supporting this direction is contributing to a harmful environment.
There’s a strong undercurrent of belief that by reverting to an all-boys model and actively excluding transgender youth, Scouting America is jeopardizing its future participation and could face declining numbers, potentially leading to its closure. This perspective suggests that the organization is sacrificing its relevance and vitality by caving to political pressure rather than upholding its foundational ideals, including the Scout Oath’s emphasis on being “Mentally Awake.” The irony of the Pentagon, an entity not typically involved in shaping youth scouting rules, dictating policy is not lost on many observers.
The claim that Scouting America “had” to comply with the executive order is met with skepticism, with many believing the organization “wanted” to comply. This suggests a proactive alignment with a specific political ideology rather than passive adherence to legal mandates. The focus on bullying a small group of children for simply being different is highlighted as a disturbing aspect of the current political landscape, particularly when viewed from outside the United States, where such intense governmental focus on the personal lives of a minority group seems absurdly misplaced.
The criticism extends to the intelligence and priorities of those pushing these changes. It’s argued that if those advocating for such policies possessed even a fraction of the intelligence they dedicate to hate and bigotry, their approach to national issues would be vastly different. The idea that the Pentagon would suddenly wield authority over Scouting is seen as ludicrous, and the leadership of the organization is characterized as lacking backbone for readily accepting such influence.
The Scout Laws themselves are brought into sharp focus, with a notable omission of “Brave” and a pointed addition of “Reverent” in discussions about the organization’s current direction, suggesting a shift away from core Scout values. Some believe that transgender individuals are being used as a convenient scapegoat by certain political factions, while others feel there is a genuine and intense hatred directed towards them, and that both possibilities might be true. The sheer amount of energy devoted to this issue, when many believe there are far more pressing societal concerns, is seen as a significant misallocation of attention and resources.
The historical context of Scouting in the United States is also brought up, noting its distinctiveness from scouting in other countries and past influences, such as the Mormon Church. There’s speculation that the Pentagon might simply be pushing an agenda that Scouting America secretly desired, implying that the organization sold out its principles too easily. The prioritization of issues like transgender inclusion over more significant societal needs, such as universal healthcare, is seen as a stark indicator of misplaced priorities.
A sarcastic remark about the transgender youth community having “had it too good for too long” highlights the perceived absurdity and hostility of the current discourse. The fear that this topic will be shut down, a common occurrence in sensitive discussions, is acknowledged. However, the underlying message remains that attempts to erase LGBTQ+ individuals from existence are futile, and the persistent focus on transgender people by certain political groups is baffling and indicative of an obsession with others’ personal lives.
Current Scout leaders express frustration, stating that issues concerning transgender youth are not the purview of figures like Pete Hegseth, who they believe should be focusing on national security rather than bullying children. The argument is made that the current Republican political agenda is largely centered on making life difficult for anyone who doesn’t fit a narrow definition of a white, middle-aged man. The replacement of a merit badge promoting decency with one for military service is seen as a direct reflection of this agenda.
The concept of “The Cruelty is the Point™” is invoked, suggesting that the intent behind these changes is not to improve Scouting but to inflict harm. There are strong parallels drawn between the current direction of Scouting America and the Hitler Youth, with concerns that the implantation of MAGA or Nazi ideology in young minds poses a grave threat to the future of America. The fact that Hegseth, who is perceived as a driving force, was not a Scout himself is seen as revealing.
The idea that Scouting America is transforming into a “Trump Jugend” is explicitly stated, with a sarcastic comment about Republicans supporting “smaller government” while enacting such policies. The ongoing financial settlements for decades of abuse within the organization are brought up as a stark contrast to the current focus on excluding transgender youth, raising questions about the organization’s legitimacy and priorities. The perceived shift in the Pentagon’s focus to children’s genitalia, under Republican influence, is viewed as deeply concerning and indicative of a broader societal issue.
The introduction of a “military service badge” is met with derision, with questions about whether goose-stepping will also be taught. The entire situation is seen as a cynical manipulation of identity politics, with the MAGA movement continuing to betray its own stated ideals in its relentless pursuit of “owning the libs.” The exclusion of transgender youth is framed as a deliberate act of belittling and bullying an outgroup.
The article highlights that Republicans have been more successful in leveraging identity politics than Democrats, and that while Democrats actively support trans rights, the current administration seems intent on marginalizing and attacking them. The comparatively small number of transgender youth in Scouting is pointed out as evidence that this is not a widespread issue requiring such drastic organizational changes. The Pentagon’s involvement is seen as a misuse of a non-partisan institution for political propaganda, and a deviation from its core mission.
The author, identifying as an Eagle Scout, expresses deep disappointment and a preference for Scouting to sever ties with the military rather than succumb to what is perceived as Nazi propaganda. The overarching concern is that Scouting America is being deliberately transformed into a vehicle for right-wing ideology, with the cancellation of the “Citizenship in Society” merit badge and the introduction of a military-focused one symbolizing a shift away from crucial social values. The organization’s resistance to evolving and its past reluctance to embrace inclusivity, even when allowing girls or gay members and leaders, is seen as a pattern of prioritizing organizational survival over genuine progressive values. The current changes, while abhorrent, are viewed as an excuse for an organization that was already predisposed to such a direction. The significant financial contributions from religious organizations are also mentioned as a potential factor in maintaining certain traditional values.
Ultimately, the article suggests that Scouting America, in its current trajectory, is becoming increasingly irrelevant in a modern society with numerous other avenues for community service and skill development. The focus on excluding a small minority group is seen as a desperate attempt to appeal to a narrow political base, a betrayal of Scouting’s potential to foster a more inclusive and understanding generation. The sentiment is that the organization is actively choosing to become a mouthpiece for divisive ideologies, at the expense of its own principles and the well-being of the children it is meant to serve.